Knit Picking

I was on the lookout for a red cropped cardi when I spotted this little number in one of my local charity shops. The shop label had been snipped off, but a quick check of the fibre content revealed a good quality cotton cashmere mix - very soft to the touch. Unfortunately it was a shade on the large side. I debated wearing it loose, but decided I'd never feel comfortable with the fit. I'd not normally risk cutting up knitwear, but as a cheap buy, there was not a lot to lose. I used a narrow zig zag stitch on the sleeves, then overlocked the raw edges. A much better fit and a cute cover up for my summer dresses.



Patience Pays Off

I was in the beautiful Spa town of Harrogate last weekend. It must be a wonderful place to live with its eclectic selection of restaurants and individual shops. From a more economical perspective, it also boasts a high number of charity shops. I must have visited about eight or nine in the course of an afternoon. It brought home to me how much time and patience you need to invest in second hand shopping. My expedition netted just one purchase – though one I love. I found this dress which originates from on-line clothing company Wrap. It’s a very easy to wear style in a timeless navy and ivory combination that will be my go-to everyday dress for the summer.

Henley: Checking Out The Charity Shops

Experts advise charity shopping in wealthy catchment areas where residents are hopefully motivated to generously donate their designer cast-offs to a good cause. I decided to test the theory out in Henley, the Oxfordshire town, beautifully situated on the Thames. I was lucky enough to be there on market day which added even more vitality to the already vibrant and stylish ambience.

There are four charity shops in the town (one is a books only Oxfam), and they didn’t disappoint. I spotted many top end high street names on the rails – Reiss, Jaeger, M & S Autograph and Jigsaw. I did learn one thing whilst I was shopping – do not go with a friend the same size as you. There are bound to find the good things first!

I didn’t find any designer bargains along the rails. I reckon the best stuff is probably creamed off by Henley’s de-luxe second hand shop “Revolution”. This has the feel of a luxury boutique with a great mix of labels. When I am next looking for a special dress, this will be my first stop. There is a four week window in which to buy an item, with the possibility of a further reduction in the final week. Prices are about three or four times higher than a charity shop, but it is well-edited stock, nothing older than two years.

Did I buy anything on my Henley jaunt? Yes, one thing - a slightly flared oatmeal cardigan by Part Two. I didn’t recognise the label but the fibre content was a wool/silk mix, so I guessed it was good quality. It’s probably a size too big, but as fit doesn’t need to be exact with knitwear, I can probably get away without making any alterations. As it’s an interesting shape, I will have to put some thought in what I can wear with it, though the neutral colour makes it very versatile.

So I reckon my Henley shopping experiment was a success and will definitely be returning before too long – though probably alone!

The Future Of Charity Shops?

A friend recently told me about a new kind of charity shop in Reading. “Reworked for Oxfam” sells a mix of revamped customer donations and professionally repaired vintage garments.

The shop is situated in Harris arcade, not far from the station. Despite numerous visits to Reading, I’m ashamed to say I’d never been to the arcade before, lured straight to the delights of the modern Oracle shopping centre. Besides Oxfam, I found several independent shops, well worth a look, including a milliner’s and a tobacconist’s.

The Oxfam shop itself is small, and has a quirky boutique vibe, rather than that of a traditional charity shop. It’s a brilliant place to browse, as you never know what you are going to find. Each item is reworked by volunteers; their range of different skills ensure intriguing results. For example, two different shirts may have been merged to create a mix and match version, or a T.shirt given a ruffle trim on the neck. It sounds wacky, but for the most part the creations are in good taste. Anyone wanting truly original style should unearth many treasures as each item of clothing is totally unique.

The price points are higher than normal charity shops – a special dress will set you back about £60. But this is a high quality item and you can be confident you will not see anyone else in the same outfit.

I didn’t buy anything on my first visit but came away with loads of ideas for looking at my own wardrobe with new eyes, and how I could rework my own charity shop buys. Some of the best ideas were:

-          Denim mixes with a variety of different fabrics – I spotted a denim skirt inset with a floral panel that worked well.

-          Fur coats with their sleeves cut off to make jerkins

-          Tops and skirts sewn together to make cute dresses

-          Necklines embellished with ruffle trims

-          Piped edges to add seam definition

-          Adding beading and appliqué to create interesting textured fabrics

Charity Shop Revamp

 

 Charity shops are hit and miss affairs. For me, finding something desirable in the exact size is a rare event. I have often thought I should increase the odds by expanding my search into larger sizes with a view to altering them. So last week my rummaging unearthed a navy lace T.shirt, an attractive item but size 22, swamping my size 10-12 figure. It was time to put my revamping aspirations into practice.

For my first attempt I decided not to be too ambitious by keeping the same shape and simply cutting it down to size. But this wasn’t quite as easy as it looked as I had to reset the sleeves. It took a couple of attempts before I was happy with the result but I’m delighted with the finished top. It’s a versatile piece I can dress down with jeans or style up for smarter occasions. I am now encouraged to undertake more charity shop downsizing. Hopefully the previous owners will never recognise their donations.