This week’s Wardrobe Wonderings comes from a girl after my own heart – she’s on a budget! If you’re a regular reader of A Little Bird you’ll know I try to keep my stylish spending to a minimum by hunting down bargains and thrifting my way through trends. I knew I’d have lots to say about this…

“I don’t have a large budget to spend on clothing. Could you suggest something cheap and cheerful?”

Thrifted dress, 50p, Primark cardigan, £5, H&M belt, £5, New Look shoes, £10, thrifted brooch, £1, Primark ring, £1, thrifted bag, £2

• Go secondhand. Yep, you’ve heard it all before, but car boot sales, charity shops and eBay are your thrifty friends. My top things to look out for are floral dresses, bags and jackets. Don’t be afraid to buy out of season and put things away – I picked up a faux fur leopard print jacket at the weekend, which is waiting patiently in my wardrobe ’til October!
• Check out the cheapies. My favourites are Clothing at Tesco, Peacocks, Matalan and, of course, Primark. Look for natural fibres (cotton, silk and wool can all be found at purse-friendly prices) and check for missing buttons, hanging threads and pulled seams before you buy
• Share and share alike. Go raid some wardrobes. Oversized shirts nabbed from your boyfriend’s half (okay, eighth) of the wardrobe look great with denim shorts and a skinny vest. Your mum might be hoarding vintage treats, and a friend might just have a bag that goes perfectly with that dress you’re wearing on Friday night. Just remember to repay the favour… although your boyfriend might prefer something other than an invitation to your shoe collection. 
• DIY. Before you start panicking, I’m not suggesting Gok-style butchery (sorry, enhancement), nor do I expect you to whip up a LBD from a binbag, a length of string and an old pair of tights. Start simple – make your own jewels, fashion a brooch from felt, rework something old and tired into something shiny and new. Give it a go!

I could go on and on about this particular closet conundrum – it’s something I deal with all the time as a girl on a budget with delusions of grandeur. I’m sure you all have lots of tips of your own, so I’ll pass it over to you – how do you stretch your style budget? Any shop recommendations, tricks or secrets to share? What’s your fashionable fiscal policy? Wow us with your wisdom!

And of course, I now need YOU for Wardrobe Wonderings – the results. I’d like to see your overdraft-busting outfits, your cheap creations and your money-saving style. Email me your photos and tell me the individual cost of each item you’re wearing, along with the total and a link to your blog before Tues 29th. I’ll post them all up next week and you’ll get your own feature on A Little Bird, just like these lovely ladies!

Thrifted skirt, Gap tee, Primark brogues, belt and ring

A few months ago I wrote about two pieces I bought from my favourite charity shop. A size 20 kaftan and a size 8 skirt, both of which fitted perfectly. Today, I’m wearing another thrifted skirt. Funnily, just like the size 8 one I wear all the time, it’s by Topshop. And it’s a size 16.

Now, how does that work? Granted, the two skirts are different styles, but surely the simple principles of measurement still apply?

As soon as I saw this floral fancy on the rail, I snapped it up. The size on the label doesn’t really matter to me, and for just £2 I couldn’t refuse. But I don’t think I’d pay £30+ for something so badly fitting.

What do you think? Do you have issues with sizing in any high street shops? Does it bother you, or would you rather go up/down a size to ensure the perfect fit? I’d love to know!

PS – Have you entered my Max C London giveaway yet? No? You know what to do!