A charity shop worker has shared the thrifting mistake that can stop people from finding the "best used clothes". Stacey told people about the biggest errors they can make09:31, 20 Jul 2026Updated 09:36, 20 Jul 2026Lots of people visit charity shops, but a woman who works in a thrift store has recently shared some of her top tips when using them. According to her, some people say they only find "tat" in such shops, but they may be struggling to find treasure for a key purpose.‌Stacey, known as Queen of Preloved on TikTok, shares all sorts of thrifting tips on social media; however, she recently turned her attention to an issue some people claim they face while visiting thrift stores. She said certain shoppers allege they can only ever find "tat", but there may be reasons why they're struggling when shopping.‌It's not the first time a charity shop worker has made a candid confession either. Previously, a different person revealed some of the grim items people can often donate.‌What mistake do people make?When talking about the topic, Stacey said: "As somebody who works in a charity shop and has charity shopped for the majority of my life, we're going plus 30 years. I can categorically say to you that charity shops are not just full of old tat."If you're not finding anything at all then that's a you problem, not a charity shop problem. Also, because this is the kind of person I am, I'm going to give you some advice on how to find the good stuff and why you're probably not finding it."Here are a few rules that I completely stick to. Firstly, consistency. If you're going into the same charity shops over and over - the same few - and you are only going every so often then you're not going to find stuff.‌"Charity shops are not the same as high street shops. You can go in on a Tuesday and find nothing and go in on a Wednesday and find everything so, if you are not being consistent, and you've just given up, and you expect to find things when you pay a visit once a month then it ain't going to work for you."Rummaging is something that you have to be happy to do. You have to be happy to look through every rail, regardless of size because, if you're like me and you love vintage, you're not going to find something to fit alongside the standard UK sizing on the rails because vintage sizing is completely different."You're going to have to know your measurements, and you're going to have to try stuff on."‌Are there any other tips?She said, when it comes to clothes, you also have to be open-minded and be willing to think about the different ways you can wear clothes. This is because not all items you find in charity shops come under the "mainstream fashion" bracket.Stacey said you can find some "amazing" items in charity shops if you're willing to have a proper look and are willing to try new things. You just have to enter the experience with an open perspective.She said it's "not true" that charity shops are full of "tat", as there are so many good items you can pick up if you stick to a few rules. Many other people also suggest consistency is key when it comes to charity shops.Article continues belowIn many stores, inventory is updated daily. Make the time to ask store volunteers or managers which days they sort incoming stock and aim to visit shortly after and keep stopping by regularly to make the most of what's on offer.It's a good idea to visit your favourite shops often to boost your chances of finding hidden gems. A quick glance around the shop is often enough to uncover what's new.When it comes to charity shops, you never know when something is going to turn up. Regular shopping is often considered to be the key.