Since ’Vintage’ has become all the rage, it appears all vintage specialist shops have taken it upon themselves to double their prices and limit their stock. So I thought I’d give you a few little pointers on how to track down the best and most bargainous buys out there, in the good old fashioned charity way!

• If it’s genuine designer vintage pieces you’re after, then head straight for the posh end of town. Here you’ll find all those much treasured designer cast offs. Be warned they might not be as cheap as you’d expect, but normally in perfect condition and deffinatley worth it. 

•  The best charity shops are those off the beaten track. If in town, head away from the high street!!  My Boyfriend comes from the most divine little East Anglia village where the Charity shops are wholesome and wondrous, and filled with genuine treasures. I find  these locations tend to have an entirely different collection of  items than that I’ve ever found in a city and are also a hell of a lot cheaper so definitely worth a look!

• Don’t gently parruse the selection… Really get stuck in there and have a proper good rummage through the rails and piles of cast offs. I’m a bugger for not looking properly and then watching as the person next to me picks up a gorgeous cardie that I would have found, had I have looked properly!! Pull clothes OUT and look at them properly and don’t be afraid to try them on.

• THINK CREATIVELY AND OPEN YOUR MIND!  If it doesn’t fit you can easily adapt and adjust.  If it’s only  the fabric you like then think of using it as a trim on another garment or if there is enough of it.. make a whole new garment. Don’t be put off by stains, missing buttons and holes. All are fixable, and also gives you the right the haggle down the price.

• Check out local Markets. I’m lucky enough to live in the East End of London, the mother of all market locations. If you have the patience and time to look past the utter shit that some stalls sell.. then you’ll find some excellent buys at real knock off prices.

• Check out your local Car Boot and village jumble sales.  http://www.carbootsrus.com/

• Raid the lofts, attics and garages of your Granparents. The older generation tend to hord away some beautiful vintage clobber and also appear to have looked after it all incredibly well!

• Chat away to the owners of the stores. Ask if they have anything hidden away ‘out back’. Make friends and build up a relationship with them so they get to know who you are and your style, in the hope they will start putting stuff aside for you! They may also be able to source stuff specifically for you.

• ONLINE IS GREAT!  A few sites to check out are
• www.stardustonline.co.uk/ 
• http://www.absolutevintage.co.uk/  
• http://www.rokit.co.uk/ 
• and my faveourite  http://www.legacy-nyc.com/
• Don’t forget Ebay either for some brilliant Vintage Shops

Good Luck Troopers!! xx

Credit Crunch, shmedidit bunch! Here’s the answer to those economy style blues!

The Little Bazaar is the best market to hit the South London shores!

Packed full with vintage goodies at teeny tiny prices, and the most delicious cakes your eyes will ever see.

A trusted fashionista friend of mine, has secured a stall at this fantastic market selling vintage and secondhand clothes,  and is definitely NOT TO BE MISSED!

• Saturday 21st March
  

• Amersham Arms, New Cross Gate, London
  

• All day!!
  

• Its free to get in and you wont be disappointed

“How I ever lived without The East End Thrift Store is a mystery. The clue’s in the name – ‘thrift’ rather than ‘vintage’, which means you get essentially all the fab gear of yesteryear at prices that would get Del Boy all a-quiver. Most of the stock is around the £7-£10 mark, but if you splash out £15 you could get the one-of-a-kind turquoise evening dress with marabou trim on its hem. It might not be as pretty as some of the other vintage shops, but the stripped warehouse space has a certain functional charm all of its own.” Time out

Normal opening hours are Mon-Sun,  11am – 6pm, but as an extra special treat, The East End Thrift Store is opening its doors for some late night shopping.

• 26th Feb – 7pm until late!
• Unit 1A Watermans building, Assembly Passage, E1 (Stepney Green tube)

see you there xx

For those of you who are able to travel to East London on Sunday then this ones for you….

The Queens Crown presents…

• A vintage/Retro Jumble Sale.
• Arts and crafts for sale
• Sewing and accessory making groups
• Knitting club
• Local designers
• Tea, cup cakes, fry ups, mikshakes, bloody mary’s, fish finger sandwich
• Free roast potatoes in the evening
• Free Film and popcorn

Pretty Good huh?

• 18 January 2009  (And every third Sunday)
• 13:00 – 19:00
• The Victoria – 110 Grove rd – Bow – East London- e3

See You There xx

London is bloody cold at the moment! And what makes it worse, is due to the usual lack of funds, I’m forced to wear the same Winter coat I’ve worn for 3 Winters running. (I’m impressing no one with this fact) And it is for this reason that dragging myself outside for anything other than work, is tough.

The one time this season I have braved londons artic conditions, and the icy glances of clued up  fashionistas, was to check out ‘Yes Man’. I loved the book and so understandably approached the film with huge sceptisim. There are 2 reasons i came away loving this film. The first is Zooey Deschanel. I love her, and this has nothing to do with her acting. Her elfin-like beauty charms me everytime. And the second reason is a certain winter coat worn by Zooey throughout the majority of the movie. Having studided and worked as a costume designer, I’ve convinced myself it’s only natural to take a keen interest in the most beautiful royal blue with trimmed red piping, double breasted, mid length military inspired wonder. But alas, after much research, this is the only picture i could find..

Also catching my attention was this rather cool PVC 60’s inspired rainmac…

But back to the first. Costume Designer Mark Bridges confirms my suspicions, that it is indeed a one off vintage find. GUTTED!

Convinced that my Winter will improve 100% by having this coat, I have a few options. 

1. Find a replica (for as cheap as possible)
2. Find one similar and alter (for as cheap as possible)
3. Make one (for as cheap as possible)

Colourwise, Asos come near the mark with this Dahia Double Breasted Coat with Red Trim. But at £80, I’m happy to keep looking.

My second option, to alter an exsisting coat seemed the next best option. I found this Fantastic site Vintagetrends.com selling some incredible vintage and military wear. But to be honest, if I was going to have to take the coat apart to insert the piping, I might as well start from scratch myself and get it perfect first time. My sewing machine could do with a good run, and my tailoring skills certainly need a polish up… so making it myself it is then, and I’ll be sure to document it for those of you up for a challenge.

Lets hope it doesn’t take too long as the weather is supposed to warm up come monday… Shit!