Last week I took a trip down to London to take part in a rather exciting ‘thing’. I don’t think I can really share what that ‘thing’ was yet, but I can tell you that it involved lots of charity shop clothing. An entire outfit of it, in fact.
When I heard that I’d need to be dressed top-to-toe second hand, I panicked a bit. Although I love my charity shop finds dearly, I almost always mix them with high street pieces. There are few people who can pull off the full-on vintage chic look (Vix is one of them, Fleur another) – it requires bags of confidence and a really good eye. And maybe smaller feet – I have yet to find a pair of second hand size 8s!
Vintage wool dress via charity shop, Michael Kors leather jacket via TK Maxx, Bertie boots, ASOS clutch, Lauren Elan necklace, F21 necklace, Miss Selfridge ring
This outfit is a classic example of mixing second hand and high street – a process I like to call The Charity Shop Shuffle. The wool dress, which was £7.99 from St Gemma’s, forms the base of my outfit. I layered a long sleeved striped tee underneath then added my MK leather jacket over the top. Chunky boots, stacked necklaces and an envelope clutch – all high street buys – finish the look.
Charity shops are great for those statement pieces – the LBD (or LGD, in this case!), the floral blouse, the sharp-shouldered jacket – that you can wear with more modern wardrobe staples to create a look that’s unique without being too granny chic.
Are you a Charity Shop Shuffler? How do you wear your second hand finds?
PS – I’ve been nominated for Best ‘What I’m Wearing Today’ Blog and Blog You Love The Most in the Company Style Blog Awards 2012, along with lots of lovely bloggers. If you want to vote (for anyone, no pressure), you can do so right here. Grazie!
The large clutch is lovely. I really need a quality leather jacket, never thought of looking in TKmaxx.x
http://beautifulthings-danielle.blogspot.com/
This all sounds very exciting, can’t wait to hear more about the ‘thing’ !!
Since finding your blog it’s become a regular read,
I love your looks and they inspire me so much!
This outfit is gorgeous especially the necklace.
x
Love that clutch! I think charity shop chic definitely works better when mixed with highstreet. X
I love the leather clutch! Gorgeous outfit, you really mix charity shop pieces with high street so well! I need to find some new charity shops to visit! x
these might just be my favourite shots of you Jen…you look like something off a streetstyle blog x
I mix often, and rarely have an all thrift day but it’s a fun challenge. Love this look and the necklace!
Marie @
Lemondrop ViNtAge
I love the breton top peeking out from your sleeves! A really chic and grown-up outfit, I love it.
Cat xxx
http://www.takecourageblog.com/
Totally understand the footwear issue. Boots is what my main outlay is on. Today it’s a lovely green pair by El Natural Lista, kneehigh wool lined bought in a sale reduced to £60 from £140. The rest of my outfit probably cost a tenner all in – John Rocha grey wool cardi & cream with green pattern White Stuff skirt both from charity shops finished off with long sleeved grey t shirt from Primark sale rail & grey cotton knit footless tights from H&M bargain basket. Yep mix it up all the time as like you don’t feel I can pull off the full on vintage chic look.
Nerissa
I’m definitely a shuffler, but like you always manage to incorporate something second-hand into my outfits. That wool dress sure is a keeper xxx
Exactly, remixing is what I do best! I love charity shopping but I have size 7 feet and a 36 inch inside leg, which makes things a bit limiting! 🙂
The whole outfit is great but the necklaces in particular look amazing together, like a super expensive statement piece!
I’ve lost the knack of the shuffle lately and have come over all high street! What I would really love to find is the perfect jumper. I’m not sure what the perfect jumper looks like yet, but I’ll know it when I see it.
My Mum is a pro at the charity shop shuffle! She often has whole outfits (bar shoes) from charity shops but always looks classy. She had a nice grey leopard print dress on yesterday and a River Island cardi (yes, trendy mum!)
Love that necklace.
I’m a real lover of charity shop finds, but I’m the same. I feel that mixing my charity shop bargains with my highstreet pieces works well so tend to stick too that. Hands up to people that can wear the full shebang though!
See you tomorrow love.
C x
http://www.memoirsofalittlethingcalledlife.com/
I am in love with all of your necklaces you simply have the best jewellery taste in the blogging world!
XX Ilana
My Modern Vintage
All of my clothing to date comes from charity shops, which sometimes means that I mix high-end pieces with lesser known brands.
Love what you’re wearing, great clutch!
Thanks for the link to that gorgeous necklace you are wearing, it’s fab.
Love the hint of stripe poking through, very simple but stylish outfit.
x
I like to mix and match charity finds with the high street too! I don’t think I could give up the high street forever!
As always loving your outfit Jen. Don’t think you can put a foot wrong!
Sophie
x
love ur jacket 🙂 xxx
I think you need size 5 or 6 feet to be able to find charity shop shoes. I can never find anything in a 3 or 4. x
GORGEOUS. You always have such nice necklaces to go with them!
Gemma x
http://www.gemmasatire.blogspot.com
You have the coolest jewelry, so envious! I love how you mix the expensive with the second hand, it’s a cool idea 🙂
Visit my website for designer shoes ,once used at affordable prices
http://www.designershoesnotdesignerprices.co.uk
I absolutely know what you mean about 2nd hand size 8s! Absolute nightmare!
Charity shops are great but I’ve noticed their prices are becoming inflated lately compared to the high street. I’ve even seen items on sale second hand higher than their original price! Loving the look 🙂