In a few weeks time I am going to Amsterdam and I have been looking forward to a good ol' Autumn shopping trip for a while. So today when I was in town, I popped into a few charity shops and ended up going the teeniest bit mad - but the way I see it, can you ever spend too much money in a charity shop when it all goes towards such a good cause? Yes, you probably can.
If you didn't already know, I love charity shops and am always popping in and out of one or another. I think that they are a great way to find a huge range of clothes, most of which you wouldn't even think of trying normally from some really good brands, all of which are wayyy cheaper than their original prices and you're helping out a good cause! I mean, what's not to like?
So I started my little charity shop tour in Age UK, which is actually one that I don't normally visit and haven't ever really found anything in before. However today was completely different.
The first thing that I bought is this beautiful coat. I'm one of those stereotypical teenagers who has a supposed phobia of coats. It's not that I don't like them, it's just that I hate having to wear yucky school coats which look so weird over a blazer and absolutely must be black (anything else is a hang-able offence). I also find that when I go to buy myself a nice winter coat, they are so blummin expensive, and yes I know they're worth it, but I just can't afford it! So charity shops are the perfect solution! Around this time of year they start getting out all of their nice winter coats that were donated at the end of last year, there is such a huge selection of all different styles, colours and sizes you are sure to find what you want. And then take away the huge £100+ price tag and everyone's a winner!
I am absolutely in love with this navy coat that was originally from ASOS. Though it may not be the warmest thing is the world, it is so beautiful. You probably know that I am obsessed with fifties fashions and the iconic nipped in waist with full circle skirt and that is exactly what this cost it. It has a really nice thick waistband with loads of decorative buttons, and then a really full bottom half, that I think may actually be padded to make it stick out more. It's elegant and glamourous and would look so nice over evening wear to all those parties which I'm always getting invited to, and best of all, it was only £15! Similar here.
I then bought this grey coat. This particular style does have a name, but I don't know what that is, so I'm just going to call it grey. I really like this style of coat, I think that it's adapted from a male coat, but to fit a female. It reminds me of a tweed jacket or something like that, and although it's quite different to what I normally wear, I really like it, and I think it's nice for more everyday wear. It is by a brand called Weekend by MaxMara, which I did some research on, and similar jackets are in the region of £250! Turns out that this is 100% wool, but only cost me £10! Now THAT is why you go to charity shops! Similar here.
I then bought this blazer which I am so happy with. I've wanted a blazer for a really long time, I think that it's just something that is so useful, to make a casual outfit more formal or to wear to an interview, or anything really. I just don't own very many formal clothes at all. This is quite a small, cropped one, which I like because I like to wear a lot of high-wasited things, be it jeans or skirts, so I think that this is the best style for them. The only slight problem that I have with it is that the arms may be slightly too short, but I can always roll them up or pull the sleeves of tops down to fold over them - oh the possibilities! It was originally from Zara, but I got it for £6! Similar here.So then I went to Helen and Douglas House, which between you and me, is probably my favourite charity shop for one reason, and that is because it never smells in there. You know how most charity shops have a smell that it takes a couple of washes to get out? Well I've never had that with Helen and Douglas House, so there's a recommendation for you!
The first thing that I bought is probably my most unsure purchase of the day. I really liked it on the hanger, but it's quite different to what I usually go for and I didn't try it on in the shop. It's one of those situations where it just looks completely different when you try it on at home. The colour doesn't really suit me, because it's brown like my hair and I don't really like turtle neck jumpers. But the thing I like least about it is that it's really scratchy although it doesn't feel like it from the outside. I'm sure that I will get some wear out of it, but it's probably the thing that I am least happy with from today. It was from a special M&S collection called Indigo, and was only £5, so it wasn't the worst thing to happen in the world - at least that money is going to charity! Not very similar here.
I then bought this shirt/blouse which I really really love. I was a little hesitant when I first saw it, because I was a little worried that it may look slightly old ladyish, but it's actually really lovely. I didn't try this top on either, but luckily is fits really well. I was a little concerned when I bought it, because it seemed quite sheer, but once I actually put it on, it didn't look sheer at all which was a nice surprise (normally it's the other way round!). It's just very nice and floaty and I'm trying to build up my blouse/shirt collection at the moment because I think that they, like blazers, are always useful to have around. It's from a brand call Aquascutum which I've never heard of before, and I cant find anything resembling this on their website so nothing in common really here. It was only £5, and I think I'll be getting a lot of wear out of it, especially by the time next spring rolls around.
The last thing that I bought from Helen and Douglas House was this hat. I cannot tell you how badly I have wanted a hat for so long now, I just love 'em. I think that they're amazing, because there's always a type you can wear whatever the time of year. In winter you can wear beanies or earmuffs, in summer it's all about the trilby... Every time I go round to a friend's house and they have a hat, I spend more time with that hat then I do with my friend. This style of hat is, to me, just so very autumnal, and I love it! I am so excited and I can't wait to wear it around in Amsterdam! Watch out world, here I come in a super cool hat! This is an own brand product by Helen and Douglas House, but they're pretty much standard, you can find them anywhere. Mine cost me £6. Similar here.I then popped into Scope, which I feel is one of the slightly lesser-known charity shops out there. Every single time I've been in there, I've always found something beautiful that I love and this time was no exception!
I saw this skirt and just instantly fell in love! You guys know what I'm like about my midi skirts, I feel like it's pretty much the only thing I ever talk about and this new addition had got to be my very favourite of my entire collection! It's very long, so long that I think it's borderline maxi, and is a beautiful pearly baby pink. I don't really wear a lot of pink, I don't think that baby pink really suits my colouring, but I will make an exception for this skirt. I love the pleats, though I'm not sure how I'm going to keep them it! The only thing I don't like about it is that it's quite summery, so I'm going have to wait a few months before I can wear it! And actually now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure my friend has the same one, and another friend has a similar one - lets hope we don't all wear them at the same time because that would be embarrassing! I got it for £4.50, and it was originally from Next. Similar here.I am incredibly happy with all of my wonderful purchases, I can't stop smiling! My favourite has got to be the skirt, but I've got to say, I'm loving my grey jacket more and more now I know it cost around £250 originally! I would really recommend checking out some of the charity shops in your area, you may be surprised by what you find!
See you soon!
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