Go Through Your Wardrobe

[callmemadam]

A lot of my favourite clothes have come from charity shops, courtesy of people who are better off and better shoppers than I am. Recently though, going round the shops, I’ve found the clothes on offer look as if they should be in a jumble sale and have walked out with my nose in the air. Perhaps this is because in the UK last year charitable giving was down 10% and donations to Oxfam were down 15%.

Buying really cheap clothes in this way (thrifting, as Americans call it) can help you dress more creatively. I’ve been checking out some of the many style blogs. They’re rather fun and are produced by women (and some men) of all shapes and sizes who say, ‘Hello world! This is what I’m wearing today and I look gorgeous!’ I prefer the ones which show a daily outfit; it’s just like dressing paper dolls. Already Pretty is a little too instructional for me but obviously produced by a Nice Person. You won’t see me in bondage belts and swear rings but I love Fashion for Nerds. Isn’t she cute?

So, as part of a new leaf for a new year, why not give some decent clothes away? Then we can all start clothes swapping again.

Comments

[tisfolly.livejournal.com]

I don't often buy new clothes and I gave up on charity shops a long time ago. The last item I purchased from a vintage shop was years ago now.

I rather like the style of the 'Fashion For Nerds' lady. I started doing a daily outfit thing on here last year but suddenly stopped without meaning to. Photographing outfits to show others certainly makes you think about what you're putting on and together.

I recently gave a huge bag of good quality clothing to an independent charity shop, a lot of things brand new as well as lots of lovely bric-a-brac. I felt a real high giving to this particular shop, as opposed to a chain charity shop. I have given to the chain variety before and some accept donations as if they are doing you a favour taking it from you .. independents in my experience are far more appreciative.

Did you see 'Mary Queen Of Charity Shops' last year? That was a real eye opener.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Ah, but you're good at dressmaking, and I'm not. I admire the commitment of people who manage a daily style blog; I could never care enough (nor would it be much to look at).

Whenever possible I give things to the shop which supports our local hospital. You know that every penny is going to the good cause.

I was glued to Mary and sympathised with all the people she upset!

[tisfolly.livejournal.com]

Dressmaking does give me the opportunity to have clothes that fit, which is a big reason why I gave up on shops in general. I'm tall and most tall clothing ranges automatically assume tall equals bigger and nothing fits me very well.
I'm working hard on getting some clothing made that I can wear in the summer, as I'm lacking in that department. This is also why I gave up so easily on the daily outfit posts.

The charity shop we like supports the cat and rabbit rescue where we adopted Little Bob from. It looks to be a real goldmine, as they had a set of lovely 1950's chairs outside when we dropped our boxes and bags off.

[land-girl.livejournal.com]

I loved this post!

And my card which arrived this morning ;-)

And now I am off to potter in the garden while the sun shines!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

You're welcome:-)

Blimey! The sun has just come out here but I don't feel very keen on gardening. It will do you a lot of good, I'm sure.

[land-girl.livejournal.com]

It is exactly what I need, I know ;-)

[ramblingfancy.livejournal.com]

Wonderful post! Having changed dress size recently I have had occasion to be keeping my eyes open and the selection is frankly pretty ghastly. Most of the stuff I wouldn't take to a jumble sale (unless I thought someone would want it to make rag rugs!)I have, however, taken in all my own no longer wanted, but still in very good shape clothes to a local charity shop and was greeted with a sigh as to the number of bags. I ended up feeling quite guilty! The daily pictures of outfits type blogs are fascinating! Thanks so much for giving me the heads up. Wish I could say, I was moved to emulate their fashion chic. Instead am so grateful I work in a uniform!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Rag rugs! Ha ha!

It's really shocking that the shops aren't pleased to be given nice things. Perhaps that's the reason they don't get stuff, nothing to do with the recession at all!

Uniforms save a lot of fretting. But you don't have to wear a nasty nylon overall.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I was too old for Bunty, but I do have an annual. I love the Four Marys.

Tsk, you're talking vintage! Trouble is, most people didn't know then that that would be what they would want later. Makes you wonder what we should all be buying now.

That elusive thing called style (*sigh*)

[lethe1]

I like this, thanks for posting!

My relationship with fashion has always been checkered, as you can tell by this entry. I know what I like and what I don't like, but when it comes to style (for me — I can recognize it in others) and the difference between vintage and outdated I'm clueless.

The second-hand and consignment shops in my neighbourhood are either specialized in 'fifties items, or take nothing that is older than 2-3 years. My colleague always finds great things in charity shops, but there aren't any close to where I live.

Re: That elusive thing called style (*sigh*)

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
Your post is interesting and rather sad; I do hope you wear the red boots *and* bought the red shoes! Cheer up, I'm much older than you are :-) and my problem is that I like clothes that are too young for me and I'm small enough to wear them. I have to be careful with the retro stuff and will never wear, for example, a smock or anything from the seventies. I'm too lazy, basically, to make an effort every day but I'm not ready for the beige anorak and the polyester trousers with elasticated waist.

Re: That elusive thing called style (*sigh*)

[lethe1]

Not long after, boots came into fashion again and I saw a lot of new models that looked like mine, so I've worn them with pride ever since. :-)

Never bought the red shoes though. In a shop with a large selection of Campers I found similar flamenco shoes (without the dancers), but I didn't find them very comfy, so I decided the photograph was enough to look at, and a lot cheaper at that.

I like clothes that are too young for me

Yes, that is a difficult one as well. And all those unwritten rules that women have to adhere to once they are heading into middle age. Keeping your upper arms covered no matter how warm it is, etc. etc. So annoying and frustrating.

I once was leafing through a style guide for women between 40 and 60+, and on one page it said that we were now old enough to dress the way we like with confidence and without caring about the opinions of others (flabby old men, sour women), mentioning Vivienne Westwood as a role model, and a few pages later it flatly stated that a woman over 40 should never wear miniskirts. Eh? What happened to not caring about the opinions of others? (Needless to say I did not buy the book.)