After my fab friend Lucy challenged me to post an outfit costing less than £5 yesterday I was upstairs in a jiffy perusing my wardrobe, praising my legendary Rain Man memory which enables me to recall the cost and places I've bought everything I own in an instant.
This 1970s English-made fake fur coat was 40p from the Methodist church's monthly jumble sale and the leather Gladstone bag was 20p from a Salvation Army jumble in September 2009.
These 1960s faux pearl and gilt earrings were 50p from a car boot sale last summer.
Under the coat: 1970s Lerose Match Set maxi (40p, from a jumble sale in March), Richard Shops nylon blouse (50p, last Thursday's car boot sale), vintage ostrich skin belt (20p, car boot sale), Leon T Mitchell 1960s false lashes (20p from a car boot sale)
The square bangle was 10p from last Saturday's jumble sale, the black cocktail ring was 50p from Acorns Hospice and the vintage gold and turquoise dress ring was £1.50 from Cancer Research. The gold and lace bangle was from Sandy and the faux tortoiseshell ring was from Dee-Dee. Everything else was inherited from my Mum.
My friend Cheryl found the fake snakeskin shoes at a jumble sale for 20p. The tights were one of 15 pairs I bought for 50p at a car boot in the summer, so just over 3p a pair.
All-in-all a total outfit cost of £4.73 and with the exception of the shoes, tights and jewellery most of it was made in the UK. Are you reading, Gok Wan? A bargain outfit doesn't have to mean compromising with cheaply-made clothes.
Come on, Frugalistas, let's see your cheap-as-chips outfits.
I'd give my right arm for your fur coat, it is beautiful. I think I need to move down your way!x
ReplyDeleteThe outfit is GORG!!! Wow, I cant seem to remember where I bought someonething last week, let alone months ar years ago....add a great memory to your awesomeness!!!
ReplyDeleteEnter my Shabby Apple FAB Frock Giveaway!!
Vix, I knew you wouldn't shirk this challenge!
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at the amount of jewellery you crammed in, astounded by the quality of your finds, and blown away by the skill and flair in which you've put this all together.
3 cheers for Vix, move over Gok and all you career stylists who think wearing ONE second hand item is commendable.
Not a single underpaid child, over-paid department store owner, tree, credit card or loan were involved. Money was actually DONATED to create this look. Genius.
A glass of wine and pint of cider recently left me £6 lighter. Look what you've done, with change from a fiver! You should be feeling rather smug.
Lucy x
YOU are gorgeous and creative, my dear! funny how similar our outfits are today, isn't it? :D
ReplyDelete5 pouds for that look is really untopable!
xx viviane
hippiebohoreloaded.
My Queen of all bargains and more.
ReplyDeleteI am in love with your snakeskin heels.gorgeous Victorian blouse. loving your prosti ass eye shadow and 60s faux pearl and gilt earring
faux fur coat go perfectly with maxi skirt and tights.match your long locks.
luv ya
What an amazing memory. Mine is the opposite, I struggle to remember anything but I am pretty sure I could not make an outfit for under £5. I love the outfit. I can't believe that you got those shoes for 20p.
ReplyDeleteHhhhmmmm perhaps you should come down to Oxford & assist me in buying an outfit for a fiver! The coat alone would be more than that down here :)
ReplyDeletei love it all vix. i also can remember every item i've gotten from thrifting but not so when shopping dept stores. so weird.
ReplyDeletei will look up the dollar exchange and try to do a post also. how fun!
40p for a furry jacket?! WHAT A TOTAL BARGAIN!
ReplyDeleteI love how you styled this outfit. I must try and do something similar to that soon...
Jules
all hail Vix, queen of looking amazing on the cheap!
ReplyDeletex
Being frugal has never looked better! You have totally inspired me to skip retail and dig a little deeper but not into my pocket into those racks filled with crazy bargins! You look incredible as always and those shoes are gorgeous! I also love the jacket, em em comfy and pretty!
ReplyDeleteI would be hard pressed to come up with something under $5 but day 25 into my not buy new challenge and I'm going strong. I wish I could play in your closet. You know what would be fun....you dress me and I dress you! Now that could get interesting!
Love you!!!!!
Yeb ! I like all bracelets together !
ReplyDeleteI love the snake skin shoes. I don't know Gok Wan, but it sounds alot like our "What not to wear". I will watch that occasionally for ideas but I could never afford the clothes they buy. I find I get better quatlity clothing buying vintage even when stacked up against higher priced new goods. -T
ReplyDeleteYou're a genius! I can never remember how much stuff cost, and which charity shop it came from!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post - this is beating Gok et al AND inspiring of lot of the bloggers. Love all the jewellery and how amazing that your total included the eyelashes too x
ReplyDeleteFab look, Victorian lady doctor meets a-list glamour girl
ReplyDelete(well you're on MY a-list)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThats a bette outfit than Gok's too.
ReplyDeleteYou look fab and why can't I find a fake fur coat like that for 40p.
Thanks for your comments on my blog I know what you mean I do love dressing up but I hate wearing high heels and smart skirts all the time. I like wearing dresses and boots they are probably my favourite items I suppose and I feel comfortable in them. xx
Ha, ha, I love it Vix! You sure show Gok how to shop on a budget. I'm the same as you too when it comes to remembering how much my bargains cost.
ReplyDeletexxx
Fab..and proper budget style. I'm pretty sure I could find a few outfits for under a fiver in my wardrobe...I'll have a look.
ReplyDeletexxxx
Great idea from Luce, and you're the woman to do it for sure! I'm still convinced you use dark magic to achieve it mind you...
ReplyDeleteI'd be pleased if I got the shoes for a or bag for a fiver, never mind the whole lot. Please go on Gok - it would be the most amazing TV ever!
Love your outfit, the coat and shoes are especially fab! :)
ReplyDeleteYou look great - if anyone can look fantastic for £5 it's you!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd struggle to put an outfit together for £5, but give me a tenner and I'm off!
Love your outfit, talk about looking amazing on a budget. Plus, you look a lot more individual and glamorous than anything Gok could produce. I like the idea of the £5 outift challenge, might see if I can do it too (though I'd have to leave out the footwear as I have tres awkward hooves so have to buy tres expensive shoes to fit them.)
ReplyDeleteWow that really is amazing how you can remember the price and where you got your treasures!! I am so impressed that fur coat looks so nice with your hair so very pretty. Love watching the Fall Season in your pictures~ Good Deal on the outfit. Great accessories and oh yeah we have a piece of cake waiting for you but you have to come to Bahrain to get it :) ~Enjoy your Day Love Heather
ReplyDeleteVix, you look stunning (of course, you always do) and I LOVE the fact that it's for under a fiver, including accessories. You are a thrifty stylish bloody genius!
ReplyDeleteLoving the coat, skirt and shoes, your jewellery is as gorgeous as ever, and your bag is marvellous.
If you don't contact Gok, I will - a whole new career beckons! xxxxxxxxxx
So SO impresed by what you managed to pull together for a fiver A-Mazing!
ReplyDeleteFark me,talk about laying down the gauntlet!Yes indeedy,you do not need to compromise on quality with cheap shit chain store crap!This outfit is absotuely divine in it's entirely!I LOVE every piece,esp the bag,and it's original and distictive and classy!You are,as we all know,a MEGA inspiration!I worship at your altar!
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOU!
Helga xxxXXXxxx
I bow down to your bargain hunting skills Vix - what a fabulous post and you look scrumptious in your outfit, i am also green eyed over the bag - what a beauty!
ReplyDeleteI really think you should have your own show too - push gok out and lets have a secondhand fashion on a shoestring show.
You do know that you are going to now have to beat the £5 outfit by trying to get one in at under £4 *wink* Scarlett x
I would LOVE you to write a book or have your own show. You and Eithne Farry could take unsuspecting high-street-fast-fashion-junkies out shopping and then when they think they've got the hang of that, hit them with making some Curtain Couture!! Fabulous! You look gorgeous as ever. You would be proud of me - I just won a beautiful handmade early 50s dress (although looks late 40s in style)on Ebay for 99p!!!
ReplyDeletewow I love how you managed to pull together this outfit 0 you totally are an inspiration to make us all such thrifty clothes hunters!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely amazing - you truly are the queen of bargain hunters. Linda xxx
ReplyDeleteNever mind a fiver you look a million dollars! Even more amazing than your look is your memory, there must be some way of exploiting your rainman memory for financial gain, will you come to Las Vegas with me? ;0)
ReplyDeleteKandi x
Oooooh, lovely coat (and the rest of the outfit is fab too). xx
ReplyDeleteFabulous! So much style for so little money! x
ReplyDeleteUnder £5? You look a million pounds! :-) Great outfit, as always Vix...
ReplyDeleteNow if I could find myself another faux fur coat under $10.00 I would be over the moon. BUT YOU AND YOUR 40p coat. Are ya KIDDEN ME?? my God... what a bargain!
ReplyDeleteYou look utterly fabulous (When don't you?) *hehe*
Great outfit at a superb price. (Just the way we like it.)
Amazing! I used to have a fab navy dress that cost me £1 and i wore it loads but it seems to have dissapeared :( I wish i had your spotting skills x
ReplyDeleteLoving the coat!
ReplyDeletehttp://poppydoes.blogspot.com/
Poppy xx
What a fantastic our it at such a fantastic price! Looking fab hun. Lusting after the coat.
ReplyDeleteX x
Looks fantastic ... and individual, unlike Gok's girlies. Love the shoes! M x
ReplyDeleteMy lack of a Rain Man memory would prevent me from doing this lol. You look fab, you should write a book Vix on how live fabulously, frugally. Xx
ReplyDeleteWhat boggles my mind is that you consistently find such amazing bargains week after week! I thought the US had a higher consumption level during the 50s onward, but there are usually dregs and at a premium no less! Hats off to you the bargain queen!
ReplyDeleteXXX
Suzanne
Outfit for under a 5er - okay, but WITH fur coat and snakeskin shoes... That's genius, Vix. Gok needs you! xxx
ReplyDeleteThose shoes for 20p? I weep xx
ReplyDeleteThat is such a challenge but you definitely rocked it, i love that coat!
ReplyDeletexx
mirrorandmoon.blogspot.com
Gor-ge-ous.
ReplyDeleteI am sick with envy at your bargain hunting skills, sick I tell you.
You must have an amazing memory to remember the prices of everything all the time!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the rings the best today.xx.
Rain man memory - you crack me up! Only you can make £5 look like a billion! Wonderful outfit - I love the blouse and the snakeskin shoes!!
ReplyDeleteMAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!! I don't think I can do a £5 outfit, but I'll see what I can do!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteChallenge accepted!
ReplyDeleteYou look DIVINE - the skirt is wonderful and I ADORE your coat and of course, all of that FABULOUS JEWELLERY! And that bag is pretty fab too. You're just exquisite from head to toe!
LoveItAll! Sarah xxx
I don't think I can ever top your outfits prices!!
ReplyDeleteLove how the leaves and the background related to the browns,neutrals and burgundies hues in your outfit and of course that fantastic collection of bangles.
I don't know the current exchange rate but it doesn't matter because you get so much good stuff for such a small price! And, of course, you look so pulled together and gorgeous. Catching up on past posts and have to say the blonde wig was a hoot and a half!(that's almost 3 hoots American!)
ReplyDeleteYou are inspiring, Vix. This is amazing. I'm not sure I could pull together an outfit under five pounds, or even five dollars. Lol.
ReplyDeleteLove that look!
ReplyDeleteI must admit I envy your clothing memory. I'm terrible, our new fitted wardrobes are hard for me to see on the top shelf, so I keep forgetting I have things and moaning 'I wish I had a denim cropped jacket' before I'm reminded I do!! I need some kind of inventory or dewy decimal for my clothes.
I will gladly rise to your bargain challenge... being a glad recipient of my less frugal friends' cast offs, I have some free stuff plus of course my chazza/EBay/Sale bargains. I will have to give it some thought...
You know, I'm the same - I can pretty much remember when and where I picked up nearly every vintage piece we have (mainly homeware in my case) - and usually how much it was too! Great super bargain outfit as usual, and love the faux fur :)x
ReplyDeleteI'm the same I can remember where, when and how much things were, but I can't remember anyone's name for the life of me!
ReplyDeleteSadly I don't think I could do under a fiver outfit, but for what I buy they ARE bargains still
'Frugalistas' - I love it, Vix! Mwah! x
ReplyDeleteWhen I was at uni, we'd have nights out called 'Dress Your Mate for a Fiver'. You all put your names into a hat, draw out in secret who you've got. You have to find them an outfit for a fiver and then you all go out wearing the outfits... the one I particularly remember having to wear was a man's Hawaiian shirt and a fishing hat, covered in about 100 badges my mate had bought off Ebay. Made for some very funny nights out! Emma x
ReplyDeleteWhen I was at uni, we'd have nights out called 'Dress Your Mate for a Fiver'. You all put your names into a hat, draw out in secret who you've got. You have to find them an outfit for a fiver and then you all go out wearing the outfits... the one I particularly remember having to wear was a man's Hawaiian shirt and a fishing hat, covered in about 100 badges my mate had bought off Ebay. Made for some very funny nights out! Emma x
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful coat.
ReplyDeleteVix, I don't know how you do it, I am so full of admiration for you - you do find some fantastic bargains!
ReplyDeletexo
Hi my dear-another star outfit, you really bring Gok down a peg or ten, lol!! You look gorgeous and all your items are timeless quality pieces, hurrah for a fabulous challenge!! xxx
ReplyDeleteGok doesn't know the meaning of thrifty shopping. The cheaper make-over outfits he does are always around the £100 mark.
ReplyDeleteEven when I buy new my outfit won't cost anywhere near that. I'd love to see a Vix v Gok fashion off xx
I love the coat, Vix. It looks real.
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been around more. Work has picked up, and sadly, I just don't have the time I did to devote to blogging and reading my friend's blogs.
I love you though. You know it. Hope the critters are all well.
SB
Go Vix - I despair at Gok's latest series. Cheap doesn't not need to mean disposable! I have been getting my (black) workwear at charity shops - today I wore a black t shirt dress (£1) and a black chunky knit cardie for £2 both from my local charity shop. Cheered up with a pink turban/ headband knitted by myself
ReplyDeletewow, you look so precious and chic. nobody would suppose that you've spent not more than 5 pounds on the whole look...
ReplyDeletethose snake skin shoes are adorable!
http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com
Wow. BARGAIN
ReplyDeletewonderful coat!
ReplyDeleteI dont know who this Gok is but must be like here where they promote the cheaply made clothes as today's fashion at retail stores...gag me! Love this outfit..the faux fur that looks so real, your fabulous shoes what a price!
ReplyDeleteOh wow if someone was going to do it under budget and look a zillion bucks, it would be you! And my god you look amaze-balls!! I love the maxi and belt and those shoes are incredible. Jewellery and nails - gah, I'm dying from the gorgeousness of it all! Thanks so much for all your kind words my lovely, I was just saying to the lovely Curtise that I am quite a wedding cynic so the day was just the thing for us - a simple, happy day with our precious ones:)) xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteWow i adore this outfit you look Elegant, stylish and beautiful. I love the long skirt on you it just moulds your lovely figure and the blouse is adorable. 40p for your jacket to my god that is a bargain and a half ;-)) You have a wonderful sense of style and what suits you. dee xxx
ReplyDeletelady, you are amazing! to have all those bangles & rings stacked on & the outfit to still be under a fiver?! so good.
ReplyDeletexoxo.
Fabulous - you look a million dollars and this outfit reminds me of Ali McGraw in Love Story - just stunning. What a great coat! xxxxx
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