I’m a charity shop pro

A CHARITY shop pro claims there’s a town you have to hit if you’re after secondhand bargains – and revealed she managed to fill an entire car with her preloved finds. 

Thanks to the likes of Vinted and people sharing their stellar charity shop finds online, it seems that shopping secondhand is the way forward. 

And luckily, pro bargain hunter Ellie Martin has revealed where to hit if you’re after vintage clothing, homeware, and accessories. 

The content creator, known online as @thevanitycase, suggested shoppers check out Cirencester in Gloucestershire.

Sharing a tour of her favourite stores, she said: “I’m in Cirencester again, let’s go charity shopping!

“Could not resist another trip to this place.

“My two good friends asked me to take them out for the day charity shopping as they’d never been properly before, so I knew I had to bring out the big guns and bring them to the best places.”

During the four-minute reel, Ellie shared a glimpse inside her favourite charity shops – and what the three bargain hunters managed to pick up. 

Her finds included a vintage tea set and a hand-painted plant pot, while her friends stocked up on bargain clothing and accessories. 

The shops she recommended checking out included The Big Yellow Bus Project Charity Shop. Longfield Hospice Care, and the Scope charity shop.  

The Cirencester Antiques Centre also earned some high praise, as it was in here all three girls had some luck. 

Ellie added: “Of course, I was not going to let them bypass the Cirencester Antiques Centre and I’m so glad we didn’t because Rachel did end up buying something from here. 

“She bought a real cool Chanel-inspired brooch and there was just so much amazing jewellery in this place.”

They also nabbed a few bargains in the British Red Cross. 

Ellie continued: “Second to last charity shop, British Red Cross. 

“The girls were having a field day with all the Zara, it was a novelty for them… to be fair though, they had some nice prints in there.”

However, it’s the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Charity Shop that earned the highest praise. 

“And finally, my favourite charity shop of all time. I think it’s the best one I’ve ever been to, and that is saying something. 

“I would quite happily spend all day in there and also spend my life savings. 

“It is such a menagerie of treasures, clothing items, accessories, shoes. 

“The longer you look, the more you see.”

Fans loved her recommendations, with her tour of the preloved stores gaining more than 3,500 likes and 64,700 views. 

Known online as @thevanitycase, the content creator regularly shares her secondhand hauls with her 50,700 views. 

In the comments, TikTokkers shared their reactions, with one writing: “OMG I want to go shopping with you!!”

“We live in Swindon and love coming to Cirencester for the charity shops! haven’t found anywhere better yet,” commented another. 

A third added: “This is the perfect day out.”

“That plant pot is magnificent,” shared another.