Something Old, Something New, Something Velvet, Something Blue.

 To someone it was old. To me it was new. It was velvet. It was blue. And my recent charity shop purchase renewed my love for charity shop hunting & reminded me that the best outfits are those that just kinda happen. Recently feeling very uninspired (hence the lack of blogging!) & the bank balance looking less than healthy (hence the silly amount of working), it took a size 16, petrol blue, velvet, £4.99 floor-length skirt to re-awaken my love for creating an outfit from a spark of inspiration.
 In theory, charity shops are everything a fashionista could want. Full of one-offs, you can guarantee your find will be individual, different from the mundane high-street selection and, best of all, CHEAP! However, I know this is easier said than done. In all honesty, I sometimes really doubt whether the girl who owns the 'amazing leather satchelll' I've just complimented really did pick it up for £2.95 in Oxfam, because when I set foot in any charity shop in my home town, the choice is very much limited to variations of old Laura Ashley knits & musty-smelling blouses. In my opinion, it's a bit of pot-luck. But after my recent finds, my confidence has been restored in all things second-hand, unwanted & cunningly re-labelled 'vintage'.
 Aren't I glad now that I showed a bit of self-restraint when resisting to buy a velvet, burgundy skirt for £39 from American Apparel last week now I picked one up from The British Heart Foundation for just £3.99 today! I must also be glad that people seem to be removing all velvet from their wardrobes. That's the best thing about charity shops; by giving away your unwanted clothes, not only are you supporting the cause of the organisation, you will also make the person who buys that item a very happy person. Nothing beats that post-purchase high whilst shopping!
 I've developed a technique for bargain-hunting. A key rule being: don't just take an item of clothing on face-value. A shirt could be a dress, a dress could be a scarf, a scarf could be skirt. Look for textures and patterns you like. Talking from experience, charity shops at the moment are brimming with velvet, corduroy and silk. All key materials & textures this coming Autumn/Winter. If a neck-line is hideous, cut it up. If a hem-line is too long, shorten it. With a few minor adjustments, you can have an outfit that's quirky & on trend. And you don't have to be a creative genius to make these alterations.
 Not exactly a talented seamstress, I kept it simple. I teemed the velvet skirt with a brown belt to alter the shape of the garment and quickly tacked the back to transform the 5-sizes-too-big skirt into a dress that was showered with compliments, all in under 4 minutes. Sure, I was slightly late for the party. But I went with the satisfaction that only comes when you are completely happy with an outfit that only cost you £4.99. Imagine my joy that now, when someone asks where my dress is from, I can be one of those girls who smugly responds 'Oh this?! I just picked it up in a charity shop...'

Blue skirt worn as dress-£4.99 Charity Shop

Black Velvet Skirt-£3.99 Sue Ryder Charity Shop. Hat, Cardigan & Cami top-all H&M. Shoes-Urban Outfitters