Slow fashion fashionistas support Pilgrims Hospices Kilo Sale
Pilgrims Hospices’ popular Kilo Sale event returns to St Peter’s Church Hall, Canterbury on Saturday 1 June 2024, promising fabulous bargains, sustainable shopping, and supporting local hospice care. The venue is located just behind Store50, Pilgrims one-stop shop for pre-loved, sustainable style at affordable prices.
Local fashionistas and Instagram influencers Charli Bevan and Laura Bruton from Sittingbourne, and Hannah Weet from Medway, share their top tips for shopping sustainably.
Charli Bevan
(Instagram: @thebrightlife_charli)
Charli shares her passion for second-hand fashion via her Instagram account @thebrightlife_charli.
“The Pilgrims Kilo Sales are always so well run with so many amazing items included on the rails – I’ve been absolutely blown over by how much high quality and new with tags stock has been available at previous events. There is also a great range of sizes and styles. The staff and volunteers are so friendly, and all the money goes to a fantastic cause. My favourite finds from a previous kilo sale were some trench coats from Zara and M&S. They are amazing quality, should have retailed for between £50-100 each, and I wear them almost every day in the spring.
“My advice for making the most of a kilo sale is to check all the sizes. Labels and numbers are just that, and there’s so much variation between brands that it’s always worth looking at a wider size range, as things often come up much smaller or larger than you would think.
“There are so many benefits to shopping pre-loved; the most obvious is the positive impact it has on the planet to prevent more and more clothes being manufactured, but there is also the cost element – you can get clothes that are still very much ‘on trend’ for a fraction of the price, as people and companies themselves donate stock so quickly. It also enables you to build a really unique wardrobe. You never know what you’ll come across, and the cheaper prices allow you to experiment with styles you otherwise wouldn’t… if it doesn’t work out, you can re-sell on pre-loved shopping platforms or donate it back.”
Laura Bruton
(Instagram: @_thegreendiva)
Laura is a graphic designer for a vegan beauty brand. Alongside her full-time role, she creates content for her Instagram account @_thegreendiva, where she shares her love for all things pre-loved fashion, sustainability and veganism.
“First and foremost, charity shopping just feels like a win-win for me. Not only are you lowering your carbon footprint by not buying new, but you are also saving money, preventing clothes from going to landfill, and most importantly, supporting an amazing cause.
“I’ve had some amazing finds over the years, but one of my recent faves actually came from the Pilgrims Kilo Sale in February 2024. I came home with a brand new Lavish Alice dress that is to die for, it fits me like a glove and genuinely makes me feel amazing!
“Kilo sales are such a good way to grab a bargain and find some unique and fun pieces. They’re a great opportunity to find and experiment with your personal style, as you aren’t splurging a lot on the individual items. I’ve found some real gems and just love the thrill of not knowing what I’m going to find amongst the rails! My advice would be to make a “thrifting wish list” of items you’re on the lookout for – that way, you won’t get super overwhelmed and end up buying things you don’t really want or need.
“Although charity shopping contributes to a more circular economy, it’s still easy to over-consume and buy items you don’t want just because they are cheap. Whilst I think the affordability of preloved shopping is a great reason to experiment with items you wouldn’t usually buy, it is still important to be mindful of how much you’re consuming. I have definitely been guilty of this in the past, but more recently I am asking myself a few basic questions before buying an item, such as:
- Does this item bring me joy?
- Do I love the way it makes me feel and how I look in it?
- How many times am I going to wear this item, realistically?
- Will it go with the other items in my wardrobe?
“I’ve been exclusively second-hand shopping for a while now and would never go back to fast fashion. Apart from the obvious environmental benefits, there is something so exciting about not knowing what you’re going to stumble across, and it has really helped me to establish my personal style. Taking the time to find specific pieces I’ve been on the lookout for has completely changed my relationship with my wardrobe. I feel more connected to the clothes I wear, remembering where I bought them, who I was with, and the genuine thrill of stumbling across an item on my wish list. Instead of walking into a curated shop and buying into the latest trends displayed, charity shops allow you the opportunity to find clothes that actually bring you joy. And on the topic of trends, I assure you there is nothing on the ASOS New In page that you can’t find a similar item of in a charity shop, trust me!”
Hannah Weet
(Instagram: @thethriftedthreds)
Hannah is a social media manager for The Charity Shop Gift Card. In her free time, she creates content for her Instagram account @thethriftedthreds, which is focused on charity shopping and sustainability.
“People should support the Pilgrims Hospices Kilo Sale because not only does the money raised go towards the vital work that Pilgrims do, but it also encourages shopping preloved and a circular economy. Shopping second-hand is great for the environment, as it reduces waste and the demand for new products. It’s also budget-friendly, offering unique finds at lower prices, and can of course go towards charity fundraising when purchases are made in charity shops.
“My top tips for a kilo sale would be to get there early and to look at every rail at least twice. Sometimes, people might pick something up and hang onto it then put it back on the rail, meaning you may have missed it the first time around; it’s always worth going for a second look. At the first Pilgrims Kilo Sale I went to, I managed to find a dress from Reformation; that’s definitely one of my favourite preloved finds because it was such a bargain!”
Pilgrims Hospices Kilo Sale takes place 10:00-14:00 on Saturday 1 June 2024 at St Peter’s Church Hall, Canterbury CT1 2BE. Entry is free. Cash and card payments will be accepted for all purchases.
You’ll be provided with a bag, then simply fill it up with the items you like, the Pilgrims team will weigh it and you pay £5 per kilo.
All money raised from the sale will help to run Pilgrims Hospices services in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet, including supporting people to live well in their own homes.
Please note: There are no changing rooms at the event, and it will not be possible to return any purchased items; we recommend that you bring a tape measure along with you to check sizing.
