I spent 6 hours in 4 charity shops and created all these outfits.

Apr 20

Charity shopping.

It’s been part of my life since I was at Uni. North London, Performing Arts. We were skint. Literally zero pounds in the purse yet rich with creativity flowing in our thespian bones. We found joy in the Southgate charity shops. No one else went in there. It was literally my 5 friends and I. We would look at Vogue and copy the look. Then get a tube into town and rock that look. Good times.

Fast forward to my days at the BBC where the Producers would notice my pull together look and when they asked where it was from, feeling ashamed I would say ‘oh this old thing’ and never felt confident to admit the garment they loved was from a Romford charity shop - yep, even more uncool. I bought my first house in Romford - but the chazzers (charity shops) as we called them were brilliant as Essex folk also didn’t do charity shops in the year 2000 so I had pick of the crop.

Now? preloved, secondhand, sustainable fashion is so cool that it is uncool to say you paid full price. I know. I have clients that pay full price and then have to justify why they paid full price. Vinted has become the new ZARA. People are obsessed with the Vinted App it has become the new ‘Insta or Right move’ search before they sleep at night. Personally I’d rather hoover my kitchen floor then scroll through a digital list of people selling clothes they don’t want so they can make £3. For me pre loved is all about the experience, the hunting,, the chatting, the engaging with people surrounded by all this random unloved stuff that hopes to be sold to make money for a charity.

This week I had a great week spending six hours in four St Margarets Hospice charity shops in Somerset. I set a timer and only paid only two hours in the car par in Wells and South Petherton and then gave myself only one hour in Castle Cary and Wincanton.

The mission? to create a current, on trend rail of great pieces that are current to wear now.

The reason ? to present and inspire the 33 regional store managers across all St Margarets Hospice shops.

The reality? finding fabulous outfits I will enjoy this season.

This is what I found.

It was lovely it gift myself time to visit local towns I haven’t been in a while. I also loved chatting and engaging with people who worked hard with a big smile on their face. For the managers you are running a shop with no idea of what stock is arriving. You have to make good with old stuff and filter through. It is not easy.

My advice to you is - if you like the idea of shopping secondhand then donate a day to just go out and shop preloved. Don't have a plan just see how the day takes you. Go to towns or places you’ve never visited before and see what you find. For me it really was feel good shopping rather than feel guilty shopping.

SECRET STYLIST TIPS

Take a tape measure as sizings are strange.
Shop in mens and womens - the mens over sized blazers are a look right now - as are the vintage t-shirts.
If you like the look of something buy it. The garment will always look different in your home compared to how it looks in the jumbled shop.
Take time to sift through each rail. Pick colours that suit you, your wardrobe and your personality. Need help with that? contact me here!

As well as finding high end pieces from Whistles, Karen Millen I also discovered that F&F at Tesco clothes are brilliant quality. I discovered an incredible vintage dress and a Dickies Boiler suit for my daughter to wear at festivals. Look out for clothes with tags on! I found a brand new boiler suit from Great Plains and polka dot blouse from Hobbs. I had an open mind, bought what I loved and this is what I pulled together.

The whole experience reminded me of doing a Wardrobe Restyle with a new client. I have no idea what I am going to find but my mission was to create on trend relevant outfits with preloved clothes. I was so please with results. If you need help restyling your wardrobe contact me here!

Please do visit your local charity shop soon and see what you can find or just donate those pieces that no longer serve you. You’ll get so much more happiness donating than selling to a random person on Vinted. Rest assured the money earned by your donation will go a long way to helping the charity and the garment will be loved and worn.

Watch out for reels on my instagram this week with details of where to find these garments.

Thank you St Margarets Hospice - I’ve loved it!

I styled in stories:

Sport Minimal - the grey suit was brought up to 2024.

90s funk - I had such fun with a low rise baggy jean a cropped waistcoat and a fur!

Easy Spring Casuals - playing with warm purples, lilacs

Bold Brights - teaming vibrant brights alongside eachother.

Summer printed dresses.

Print mixing and colour tonal looks.

All the clothes are available at St Margarets Hospice in Wells, Castle Cary, South Petherton and Wincanton. Watch my instagram reels this weekend for more detailed inspiration.