WHAT'S your image of charity shops? Musty and dusty, jumbled high with fashion faux pas or veritable treasure troves bursting with quirky one-off finds and on-trend clothing?

Style and colour consultant, Penny Blower thinks you shouldn't rule out second hand clothing when searching for a stylish outfit at a snip.

"Charity shops are the shops of choice for many discerning shoppers who like to find one-offs or like to wear labels but cannot afford them the first time round," she said.

Charity shops, also, can be ideal she thinks for savvy shoppers who love vintage.

"Don't forget to check out the accessories," added Penny. "You could find a belt or a bag or a pair of shoes which would bring some wow to your wardrobe — an accessory is sometimes all you need to bring a new feel to an old favourite."

Penny advises shrewd shoppers, searching for stylish pieces of cheap clobber, to bear in mind their body type and colouring.

"A large budget won't necessarily make the most of you but knowledge about your special colouring and figure type will. A limited budget does not preclude anyone from looking their best. If you know the colours which suit you and how they go together this is an excellent start to looking good as is understanding your body shape and height."

Penny took Rebecca, who works part time at St John's Garden Centre but is also setting up her own business as an equine complementary therapist, along to the Children's Hospice South West charity shop in Barnstaple's High Street.

After a rummage through rails of serviceable separates and dresses, Penny picked out the following day time outfit for Rebecca:

A floral skirt (£3.50), a neat shaped blue cardigan (£3.25), a cardicoat (£8) and a brown belt (£2), a bracelet (50p). Total outfit: £17.25.

"Rebecca wears clear bright colours like red, cobalt blue and bright pink well," said Penny. "We are making the most of her great legs and very slim hipline and we are creating a waist with the use of belts or cinching."

Rebecca's other assets are her clear skin and delicate frame.

"Her skin is clear and unblemished at the neck and so we are showing this off too. She has a small face and bone structure so it is important not to swamp her too much with fabric or texture."

So what did Rebecca think about her new daytime look?

"I tend to go around in jeans and a T-shirt and Penny is always trying to get me to try other things. I liked the boots with the skirt and thought overall it was quite a smart casual look."

For a special occasion like a prom night Penny picked out a bright pink Amanda Wakeley evening dress (£20).

"It's a good colour for Rebecca and shows off her perfect skin," said Penny. "It's also the perfect slim shape — too much volume would swamp her."

Rebecca's verdict?

"It was quite spectacular. To find a quality piece like that, that someone has given to charity, is great."

Sharon Elliott, regional retail manager for Children's Hospice South West added: "There is such a huge selection of clothes on offer in our shops that there's no doubt you would be able to pick up a real stylish gem to enhance your wardrobe at a fraction of the cost."

● To see how Rebecca looked after her charity shop transformation see page 39.