Slow Fashion That's Bang On Trend

Thrifted and second hand fashion is often viewed as the preserve of the "quirky dresser". Beautiful bohemian waifs who make 1940's tea dresses look like they are straight from the catwalk or eccentric art teacher types who clank gently under the weight of wooden beads and bobbly shawls. This may well have been the case until a few years ago but increasingly dedicated followers of fashion are using charity shops to create on trend looks without purchasing new stuff.

Fashion Can be Fun And Ethical

I decided at the beginning of this year to try and buy less new things and shop more ethically but at no point did I want to give up on my love of fashion and trends. The art of dressing ( and done well it is an art) has been my passion since I first rocked a vintage corduroy jumpsuit at age five and decided it made me feel like one of Charlie Angels. Clothes tell a story and I want mine to be like something penned by Anais Nin not Chat magazine.

How to achieve on trend looks whilst shopping predominately at charity shops and on auction sites? Well for me it all comes down to creating a list. Having taken stock of what I already own I now make actual wishlists (pen on paper, no skimlinks)  of clothes I would love, pieces which would  help me put together coveted looks.

Its easy to have a scatter gun approach when looking in charity shops (after all part of the pleasure of thrifted finds is the surprises they throw up, the beautiful pieces that just jump out)  but if you plan to buy the majority of your wardrobe from the pre-loved world then some structure and planning is required.

Creating a wishlist for my charity shop adventures

I carry a small notebook around with me which has wishlist items written inside. Some of them are fairly pedestrian (a soft cardigan in pale grey, a black quilted bag with a long strap I can wear across my body) and some are very specific. This dress is one such example. 

I have wanted a candy striped sun dress for a while. I've seen a few on fellow bloggers and in fashion magazines and knew the colours would work great with my pink hair. Last weekend I was in the beautiful Oxfam in Brighton and there it was. Hanging beautifully on a wooden hanger, in my size and a perfect fit. This isn't a one time thing, earlier in  the summer I fell in love with camouflage jackets and within a week of writing it down in my notebook had found one in my local Age Concern shop which was Army Dreamer perfection and has barely left my back.

If bra straps are showing they must always be clashing

Sure I could have just as easily have filled my Asos basket up and with a few clicks had a very similar dress at my door within 12 hours but by biding my time for just a few weeks I found what I wanted at a fraction of the price and contributed to helping people in countries who are devastatingly poor. I also saved an item from the landfill. 
I wore this dress on the beach with a clashing bra and a belt from ebay. My bag is also from a charity shop. My clothes may have been purchased the slow way but my look felt super cute and very fresh.

Shop Similar

I often film lookbooks and clothing reviews over on my Youtube channel-take a look 

   

Brand New eco and vegan Designs  over at  Nicky Rockets
Printed on climate neutral, fair trade tees in water based ink. 

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