Years ago when the first consignment shop opened in Halifax a friend I was working with went to investigate and came back with a Christian Dior navy, jersey wool dress. Beautifully made, zipper hand stitched in place. She paid fifty cents for it and gave it to me as it didn't fit her.
I took it with me to Spain and while there my aunt fell in love with it. I gave it to her and when she saw the label she nearly died and said she couldn't take it. I made her take it and debated with myself whether I should tell her how I came by it. We decided no because it would definitely have taken some of the pleasure from it !
I have had a couple of good buys at Winners but nothing at consignment stores, though I do find much to love in English charity shops, particularly odd bits of crystal and china.