The South Wales Evening Post challenged two of its reporters to find second-hand gladrags fit for a summer ball – with just £25 each.
Sian David was pleased with her £12.50 outfit, while Nino Williams says his mam would be proud…

Always like to think of myself as a bit of a bargain hunter, but even I balked at the idea of finding an entire outfit for £25 or less, writes Sian David.

But when my boss asked me to take the afternoon off and go shopping – his treat – how could I say no?

Not normally being one to shop at charity shops or go to balls, I wasn’t sure I was going to be up to the challenge.

I’m certainly not the glamorous type, and swapping my comfy jeans and trainers for a flouncy dress and heels is hardly my cup of tea. But thankfully, my task was made easy by the staff at the ChildLine and Ty Olwen charity shops in High Street, who were more than happy to act as my personal shoppers for the afternoon.

Spangly black cocktail frocks, sweeping ballgowns and even bridesmaids’ dresses were all brought for my approval. And although I didn’t spot any designer names among the racks, all the high street favourites were present and in good condition.

After trying on a dark green disaster, a slinky red satin number and a sparkly, fringed 1920s-style flapper dress, I settled on an elegant but simple purple evening gown from Ty Olwen’s shop.

But of course an outfit is nothing without the right accessories, and so it was off to ChildLine’s shop to complete my look.

After a long and desperate search, I uncovered the perfect strappy shoes and pale pink pashmina (that’s a fringed shawl to the fashionably challenged).

And the final price tag? A paltry £12.50. A small price to pay for getting all dressed up with nowhere to go.

I’ve lost count of the strategies my mam’s employed to try to get me to smarten myself up a little bit.

Persuasion, coercion, occasionally bribery. All non-starters.

So I’m sure she’s grateful that my employers chose me to undertake the charity shop challenge.

I had to get myself suited and booted, shopping only in second hand stores in Swansea city centre – and all on the princely purse of £25. Now, like a lot of men, I don’t particularly enjoy shopping, but I’ve developed a strategy which makes it as painless as possible.

I go to a clothes shop, find something, buy it. Simple.

No time for any “does it fit?” or “is it my colour?” foppery.

I may look like I’ve dressed in the dark but it works for me.

Still, when it’s your boss, instead of your mother, demanding that you get yourself kitted out to attend a ball, you tend to be more willing to listen (he pays me, mam merely provides a mother’s love).

That said, it actually took me an unprecedented two shops to find a suitable suit, but that was only because the first was outside my budget.

But, with a little help from kind staff at Ty Olwen’s charity shop in High Street, I was able to rig myself out in two-piece suit, shirt and dicky bow, and still have enough money left over for a pint (providing it was during happy hour).

So, straight back to the office then? No chance.

I was shopping with a female colleague after all…