Monica Marriott-Mills, 27, started rifling through charity shops in college and was inspired by her grandmother, Jan, 77, who was a vintage reseller. After being inspired by her style, she invested time into finding vintage designer pieces - like her favourite Burberry trench which she bought for £120, a sixth of the retail price.

Realising she had a knack for hunting out great garments, Monica started sharing her tips with friends and with her online community. She can spend up to half a day on a weekend sifting through charity shops and using sites such as eBay and Vinted to source her second-hand wardrobe.

Her best bargains include a pair of Kurt Geiger brogues which she got for £1 and a Gucci bag bought for £595 - over 50 percent off the retail price. She recently purchased a gold Zara dress for £9, originally £50, and a Reiss dress for £12 which was £70 new.

Monica Marriott-Mills wearing some of pre-owned wardrobe.

Monica spends up to £50 a month on second hand clothes, saving £450, and saves up to buy a couple of luxury items a year - which she will still try to get pre-loved or discounted.

Monica, a social media manager, from Huddersfield, said: "I fell in love with charity shops and thrifting as soon as I started dressing myself for college and was out of uniform. I think my grandma had a big influence in my love for slow fashion. Now my friends are always asking how I find such good stuff in charity shops.

"It's definitely about investing time searching for it, but also being specific in what you're looking for online. I don't think people look at me and realise that I'm wearing second-hand clothing. It shows what good things you can find without shopping new."

Some of Monica's favourite finds include her Burberry coat which she bought for £120 - rather than their starting retail price of £600 - and a pair of Chanel earrings for £250, which normally cost over £500.

"I've got a North Face coat that I got for 50 per cent less than retail from Depop," she said. "Some of my favourite jumpers and shirts I've bought for as little as £1."

Monica says her wardrobe is now 90 per cent pre-loved but she still saves up to buy special items from luxury brands.

"I buy a select few things new but from a brand I know is sustainable if I can or pre-loved," she said. “I also buy tights, undergarments and socks new. But for everything I always go by my rule that it is £1 a wear - so it's weighing up if it will then be worth it. You do have to spend time looking for good clothes from charity shops or second-hand sites, but it is worth it to find amazing stuff.

"It's good to be specific in your search - for example typing in brands for a blazer and the type of fit so you can get better results. And if a seller has one thing you like it's likely they might have some more items that fit your style. I love slow fashion and making my wardrobe as second-hand and sustainable as possible.

"Charity shopping is a lottery, you won't always find great things every time but I hope by sharing tips it gives people the confidence to give it a go and shop most sustainably. I just don't think there is so much of a need to buy new anymore."

Monica's top tips for charity shopping:

- Look out for basics, always good to have a staple black or white top

- Never miss out on the blazer section, there can be some great brands

- Look out for iconic prints and fabrics

- Browse through denim - great brands like Levi often end up in charity shops

Yorkshire fashionista saved £5,000 from buying clothes in charity shops