Autumn / Winter 2011-12: Swinging Sixties...

It is times like these when you wish your Mother or even Grandmother had been a hoarder of clothes and still had everything from when they were younger. But, alas, my Mother kept little of her old clothes, and to be honest, I probably would not have squeezed myself into any of them because she was tiny! As were most of the female population back then it would seem; Twiggy, Edie Sedgwick etc. for example. However, when fashion turns back in time and looks to generations ago for inspiration, this is when Charity Shops become lands of hidden gems that fit the fashion bill perfectly.

This season the designers have left the 70's inspired styles in the Summer, and have moved back a decade to the swinging Sixties; a decade I so wish to have been around for. Bold but ladylike make up, big hair, big lashes, structured mini dresses, peter pan collars and black tights...the list goes on...

Here are a few of this Autumn / Winter 2011-12 catwalk Sixties inspired looks...

Burberry Prorsum demonstrate perfect Sixties chic


Jil Sander adds some print to the structured look


Yves Saint Lauren

And here is my Charity Shop Chic Sixties inspired outfit...



Dress: Charity Shop
Satchel: Charity Shop
Tights: Primark
Heels: Primark

This Peter Pan collared dress is a staple look for the Sixties style, together with a short hem and vintage pattern it brings the look together. Paired with black tights and some chunky heels, which perhaps lend themselves more to the Summer of 70's style, but hey, I'm not letting summer be over just yet!

Long time no post....

WOW, it really has been a very long time since my last post, where have I been? Nowhere, not even on a holiday; I have no excuse! But what better way to start off my Charity Shop Chic posts once again than at the beginning of Fashion Week! So here I go...

Today I'm Wearing...

Silk Shirt: Charity Shop
Shorts: Charity Shop
Tights: Primark
Shoes: New Look
Bag: Charity Shop
Belt: Grandma hand-me-down

Spring / Summer 2011: Prints, Tailored shorts, Whites and Stripes

This post is a four in one conglomeration of current Spring/Summer trends; clever I know, fitting all that style into one post! So to start let's talk about prints. As I said in a previous post, they are literally huge this season. From fruit to floral, animal print to block printing. It is everywhere; the bigger/more the better and do some print clashing if you're brave enough.

Blumarine


Givenchy
If not so brave however, tone it down, which is the usual catwalk to high street transition; pair prints with plain separates, chose a smaller print, or a toned down colour. Whatever your style, there will be a print for you!
Here is my recent Charity Shop Chic animal print find...

Top: Charity Shop
Shorts: Charity Shop
Heels: Primark
Necklace: Miss Selfridge

I've gone for a pretty toned down print look here, and yes, it is leopard print yet again (I am obsessed). I have paired it with some beige tailored shorts, the second on the list of my season trends. The masculine tailored shorts and trousers are a dominant catwalk look. Yet again, they are high waisted and their loose fit means they are doubly flattering. They are a great addition to the wardrobe, super stylish and very versatile. Quick note on the heels, they are insanely high and make me approx 6 foot 4 I'm sure. But platforms are another huge trend this season, nodding back to the 70's era style, so I will just have to be a giant. Sorry boys.

J. Crew


Topshop Mint Linen Co-ord Shorts £32

Next up is Whites. They always become a staple of summer wear, representing the light and bright summer we so wish for! However, this season, designers went overboard on the whites; crisp, clean colour and lines with non fussy details were a wash on the catwalks.

Issey Miyake


Gucci

Here is my Charity Shop Chic whites find...I have paired my Versace(!) white jeans with a classic Breton striped top, which I know is not so much this season, as stripes are leaning away from the classic and have become bigger and more colourful, but I just liked this look!

Sunglasses: Car Boot Sale
Top: Charity Shop
Jeans(Versace!): Charity Shop
Shoes: Charity Shop
Necklace: Miss Selfridge

Summer 2011: Beach Chic

Ahhh the time has come to get a little bit naked, but please, not totally. Beach Chic is a hard look to actually pull off whilst on holiday; I myself find I generally tend to be a hot, sun cream-sandy-greasy mess who wants to just chuck on an easy beach cover up and flip flops. However, that is not to say I don't love a "beach chic" look, and there is nothing to stop one doing the look when not on a beach! My personal favourite is the 50's style beach look; high waisted shorts, polka dot bikini or twee little top, and a pair of statement sunglasses.

Here is my take on a 50's style beach chic look...

Sunglasses: Car boot sale
Shirt: Charity Shop
Shorts: Charity Shop
Wedges: Charity Shop

I have a major obsession with high waisted shorts, I buy so many jeans/trousers in Charity shops purely to chop the bottoms off them; they are so flattering and look great with any top.
Sleeveless shirts are all over the high street at the moment, plain or patterned, and they are so so easy to find in Charity Shops for a fraction of the price; so get rummaging!

Here are some high street examples of 50's beach chic...

Topshop Printed Tie Front Shirt £25


Topshop HARI Coral Espadrille Wedge £25


American Apparel Light Wash High-Waist Jean Cuff Short £52


H&M Sunglasses were £6.99 now £3.49

Spring/Summer 2011: Midi Length

I'M BACK!! Wow, it has been a while, and just as I thought I would be back on form my camera broke...but thankfully the wonderful people at Pentax sent me a replacement!

SO let's get back on it...

Midi Length; the neither here nor there length, not a maxi yet not a knee length, and I am loving it. The perfect transitional length; no need to bare all of ones pasty legs, just the ankles (which also happen to be the skinniest part of the leg, so no need to fret about that bikini bod diet just yet...?!) and can be worn with a simple summery top when the sun pops out or a cropped jacket/cardigan for those chilly spring days.

Here are how the designers are doing it, both flowing and fancy free or smart and tapered...

Chloe


Roland Mouret

And here is a recent Midi Length Charity Shop Chic find of mine...

Skirt: Charity Shop
Belt: Charity Shop
Faux Leather Jacket: Primark
Tube top: New Look
Not only is it midi length, but it is in leopard print, which I am slightly obsessed with, but not only that; prints are HUGE this Spring/Summer. I have "rocked" it up a bit with my leather look jacket, which I must admit is rather wintry territory, but underneath I have a simple black tube top which takes it straight back into summer; great for both daytime and evening wear. How very versatile?!

It's been a while...

Wowzers, it is almost three months since my last post! Reasons mostly being that I had not frequented a Charity Shop in ages, but do not fear, I had a little peruse last weekend and found a few beauties that I will get up on here asap!...And now my camera has broken, so we will have to wait a little longer!