Spring / Summer 2011: Denim re-styled

Ever since Levi Strauss invented the American Blue Jean for work wear in 1873 and they began to take off in fashion among the 1950's cool kids, Denim jeans have been a staple in pretty much everyone's wardrobe. Styles, colours and new technologies have changed throughout the years so everyone can now have their perfect fitting pair of jeans which geniusly go with anything worn with them.
The 'noughties' has definitely been the decade of skinny fit jeans, the tighter the better (not so much for boys, leave something to the imagination please). I remember trading my trustworthy baggy skater jeans (teenage phase, seemed right at the time) for a skinny pair of black jeans from New Look, reluctant in the shop to buy them as I'd been so used to my legs having at least a a good 2 inch gap from any trouser material, I gave in to Fashion.
Now I can't live without my skinny jeans, they are a great, simple style, which leave plenty of imagination to be used on the top half of the outfit. I don't see them disappearing out of fashion for a good while even with the new denim trends which come round each season...talking of which...
The Spring/Summer 2011 catwalks were a wash of denim. 70's style; flares and high-waists (a personal love of mine), denim for all occasions; suits, coats, dresses, pinafores, play-suits, and even denim accessories; clutch bags, shoppers, purses. The styles were predominantly loose fitting, belted at the waist.
Here are some designer examples...

Moschino does lose fitting jeans, rolled up and cinched in at the waist

Elie Tahari shows 70's style double denim

An array of denim on the Derek Lam models (I have a major girl crush on Freha Beha Erichson, amazing model!)

Cute hillbilly dungaree dress at D&G

And here are some of my Charity Shop Chic denim finds...

Wrangler Jeans: Charity Shop
Top: Topshop
Heels: Primark


Dungarees: Charity Shop
Top: Hong Kong Market
Lipstick: Boyes

...And a few extra Charity Shop Chic Denim finds...

Denim jacket age 10yrs - perfect as a cropped jacket!
High waisted denim skirt.
Three pairs of high waisted hotpant jeans shorts (a personal fave of mine, I'm always looking for high waisted jeans in Charity Shops to put the scissors to).
Two pairs of Versace(!) high waisted skinny jeans (one of which are the most perfect fitting jeans for my body shape, I was obviously born to wear Versace...)

Give a little, get a Radley...

So January is nearly over (where did that go?!) which means next month up is February, and what a great month it could be for Charity Shop donaters. The British Heart Foundation are holding their 'National Heart Month' and are joining up with the fabulous Radley so you can 'Give and be Given'. Simply donate any unwanted handbag to your nearest British Heart Foundation store or Radley store and you will receive £30 off a brand spanking new Radley handbag of your choice! How can you not donate?! This is an amazing campaign running throughout February so make sure you 'Give and be Given' and while you are in the shop perhaps you will find some of your own Charity Shop Chic style bargains!
For more information and your nearest stores...
BHF
Radley

Ahead of the Times

Today whilst reading the Sunday Times Style magazine I came across their article on this season's trends. And placed on the glossy page was a bright and beautiful, simply cut, red top just like my recent Charity Shop Chic purchase! Oh how I do love to be ahead of the game for a tenth of the price!

Recent Charity Shop Chic purchases...

As written in my previous posts about the Spring/Summer collections; brights and nature are going to be huge. So in my Charity Shop shopping spree today I kept an eye out for all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, la la la!
I had to do a bit of altering to the pieces I found, but that is all part of the fun.
So here's some of the produce I hunted and gathered...
Brights...

Crop top (altered): Charity Shop
Skirt: Republic
Watch: Casio
Lipstick: Boyes

Crop top (altered): Charity Shop
Shorts: Charity Shop
Heels: Matalan
Watch: Casio
Lipstick: Boyes

Floral...

Shirt (sleeves altered): Charity Shop
Shorts: Charity Shop
Heels: Primark
Watch: Casio
Lipstick: Boyes

Recent Charity Shop Chic purchases...

Today I bought an old pair of black leather trousers with the mindset of cutting the bottoms off to make one of this seasons must haves; leather shorts. They were only £8.50 and are real leather, what a bargain! It is quite tricky altering leather however, as sewing machines and leather don't mix. But where there is a fashion will, there is definitely a way! And here is how they have turned out...


Top: Mum's from the 70's
Shorts: Charity Shop
Tights: Primark
Heels: Matalan
Watch: Casio
Lipstick: Barry M 101

I think I love them a little bit!

Here are a couple of examples from the High Street and Designers...

Topshop Leather Buckle Shorts £68


Alexander Wang Lapel-pocketed Leather Shorts £505

Spring / Summer 2011: Natural Selection

Nature was very prominent in the Spring / Summer shows, and so it should be; not only does the garden start to bloom, we can too! Fruit, flowers and even animals (literally, dogs were modelling on both Mulberry and Moncleur catwalks) were all adorned on both structured and flowing pieces proving spring is definitely well on it's way!
Here are a pick of some of the bountiful looks...

Stella McCartney does structured fruit on a crisp white background.

Moschino Cheap & Chic does a ladylike take on the fruitful look.

Erdem doubles up on the floral.

And here are some floral pieces I picked out...

Crop top (altered): Charity Shop
Pink Lipstick: Boyes

Playsuit: Charity Shop
Pink Lipstick: Boyes

Spring / Summer 2011: Brights

I think it is about time I start blogging about the Spring/Summer trends; looking to brighter climates and brighter clothing. The catwalks at this seasons fashion weeks were a mass of bright eye popping colour as they very often are for Spring/Summer collections, and what a breath of fresh air it is to see some colour to brighten up these dull January days! Fashion rules went out the window with clashing colours a must and mixed up glowing brights from head to toe, but if you don't dare take the catwalk look to everyday life, just go for one vibrant colour added to a simple outfit.
Here's how the some of the shows looked...

Cacharel

Paul Smith

Burberry Prorsum

Max Mara

And here are a few Charity Shop Chic colour pop pieces...

T-shirt: Hong Kong Market
Aquascutum Skirt (altered): Charity Shop
Heels: Matalan
Watch: Casio
Red Lipstick: Boyes


Jacket: Charity Shop
Crop Top underneath: Charity Shop
Versace Jeans: Charity Shop
Watch: Casio
Pink Lipstick: Boyes