£20 Charity Shop Outfit Challenge

In my challenge to show family and friends the ethical importance of shopping second-hand, I often parade my 'new' clothes from charity and thrift stores at family gatherings. It's mucho fun.

With a £20 bank note I wanted to show that someone else's donations are perfectly fine to wear and look presentable in. Two-thirds of my wardrobe are second-hand and hand-me-downs; I have charity-bought clothes for work, Eid celebrations, formal functions and of course, strutting around the garden.


Pictured above is my complete outfit which I bought for less than £20 (minus the coat) all at the Hudderfield branch of Barnardos.org charity shop. I'm quite pleased ma-sha-Allah that with a keen eye and experience of a 'good' purchase, one can survive on a few staple items without following trends.

Why it's 'green': fewer items need to be manufactured, fewer items end up in landfills, clothes last longer, we're freeing ourselves from consumer trends and we're giving a little charity back to others.

On my trip to Barnardos I bought:

A striped military jumper, £4
Harem style trousers + belt, £7
Durable utility bag, £2
Checked silk scarf, £4

Total cost = £17.

The wool coat was £10 and the Wellington boots and scarf are my own.

I encourage everyone reading to try it out to see if you can - buy a complete outfit with just £20. It'll teach you many things along the way.

Peace + eco-jihad.
Zaufishan, The Eco Muslim