Highstreet Fashion Week Vs Two for a paaaaund!

Oh I can haggle alright, perhaps not with the assistant in topshop although it has been known, but I can definitely give it my all. I was born and raised to sniff out a bargain, a diamond in the rough, a total steal. And there lies my love for charity shops, vintage markets, bric-a-brack and quirky little boutiques.

Yes this love affair has brought me some little treasures that I hoard and fashion at every possible occasion. I am certainly not trashing our beloved highstreet stores, everyone needs a touch of Primark and a dash of H&M especially on a student budget. But you can find some amazing gear in second hand shops you just have to have the heart and the holding power to riffle through.

Plus everything comes back around; fashion is a carousel of trends, textures and tailoring. So Nan pass me over that corduroy dress and cameo, yes the chunky knit too, yo Grand-dad nice flat cap! Another thing too, once you've paid next to nothing and washed/ Febreezed, fumigated (JOKE) your purchase, you have something to sport that will be different to what every other Stella, Donna, Zara are wearing.

I swear I have contemplated volunteering to work Saturdays in my local Fara (Richmond) to delve into and ensure first pick of the designer drop offs, what better way to do my bit...AND they have a weekly SALE where the hefty prices are slashed OMG!

I am not ruled by the runway but, like most, I like to know that I can collage together an outfit that's all me. What I wear and the way I present myself is very important, it’s my suit of armour that some days can make all the difference. There are endless styles and looks to 'rock' but I think it’s much more about wearing what YOU feel good in and being a bit individual in the process. My best pieces are vintage hand-me-downs whether it’s my fur coat or my olive green leather belt.

Here are some of my best bargain buys: the mentioned belt, a gold sequinned fcuk dress and a peter pan collar blouse.

There are so many quirky places to find ‘gold’ as I call it; I work in Camden so often stumble upon some great vintage/ retro locations. Here are a few that are definitely worth locating:
1. Episode, a Dutch founded company who have several second-hand shops across Europe. The Chalk Farm branch is an Aladdin’s cave of wonders and I ALWAYS fall for something here.

2. Mero Retro, Camden Market. A lovely little boutique of handpicked vintage garments where I am a familiar face and big spender...fab dresses, head scarves, handbags and much more!

3. Trade, now trade are obviously an AMAZING charity who resells second hand clothes in attempt to ‘wear poverty out’. You can find stores nation wide!

4. Fara charity shops, another brilliant charity who source second hand everything to raise money for disadvantaged children. What’s more is that they have RETROMANIA in Victoria which specialises in ‘vintage, avant garde and retro clothing as well as designer pieces and memorabilia’…sold? Me too!