Wardrobe

Second-hand shoes can be repaired surprisingly far, but repairable does not automatically mean worth buying. I went looking at worn soles, interiors and flex lines — and came home in the shoes I already owned.

A loud shirt does not automatically need quiet clothes around it. I tried one of my Edinburgh finds with different trousers, jackets, shoes and accessories to work out what actually makes the outfit cohere.

Most of an office outfit disappears once you sit down. Here’s how I dress for the part the desk leaves visible — and use the half-past-two test to find out whether the rest can survive a working day.

A practical way to decide which clothes stay, which go and which deserve more time — without turning your wardrobe into a minimalist morality test.

How to inspect a second-hand wool or tweed coat for fit, wear, repairability and the faults that matter before you buy.

What do charity shops actually have once you get past the treasure-hunt videos? Mostly ordinary clothes, near misses and the occasional genuinely excellent find.

Edinburgh has plenty of vintage shops, but menswear can still be difficult to find. Here is what I discovered at Armstrongs, Little Blue Door and several smaller stores.

Simple ways to make second-hand and vintage clothes look more polished, intentional and expensive without losing their character.