I've had an email from Voucher Codes UK inviting bloggers to post their cheapest outfits and their bargain hunting tips. Just for fun I thought I'd give it a go.
Although I love a bargain I loathe cheap quality clothing. Not having the budget for designer pieces I spend every spare moment hunting down beautifully made pieces at affordable prices be it through eBay or in charity shops, jumble sales and car boot sales. This outfit isn't my cheapest one by far but I wanted to show you that it is still possible to find top notch clothing if you put a little effort in.
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| Wetherall of Bond Street 1960's woollen military cape (£3.99 YMCA), English-made Waldybag handbag (£4.95 Age Concern) Tods' Python & Mink trim boots (£7 Car Boot Sale) Dents' leather gloves (25p Car Boot Sale), Vintage felt hat (50p Car Boot Sale) |
My biggest tip is (unlike fruit and vegetables) to shop out of season. No-one thinks of looking for winter coats and knee-high boots in the height of the summer and you will often pick things up for pennies. Don't ask yourself if it will be in fashion come the winter, a beautiful well-made piece will always be in vogue.
If you're at a car boot sale don't be afraid to haggle. Stay polite and if they refuse then so be it, at least you've tried. The seller of these Tods' boots wanted £10 but I stayed cool, offered a fiver and walked away, he was soon running after me telling me I could have them for £7.
Keep your eyes peeled for high-end make-up at car boot sales. I've found Lancome, Sisley and Christian Dior products in the bottom of 50p boxes, untested and still sealed. Friends are also a great source of cosmetics, the gang regularly have swaps trading our disastrous lip colours and nail varnishes for something more flattering.
Fancy sharing a few tips yourself? The Bargainista challenge's open until midnight.
You and Alex are the bargain queens! I guess it takes patience and a bit of boldness to get the bargains, I am rubbish at haggling.
ReplyDeleteThat cape is rather amazing, and as Rod says 'you wear it well'!
Kandi x
That hat is beautiful - I'm obsessed recently!! And I love the shade of that coat xx
ReplyDeleteOh as if Blogger just ate my comment??!! I basically wombled on about how my Kookai tapestry coat was from a car boot in the middle of the summer. I think people don't care much about price then, they just want the bulky items to stop taking up room in their house. Lucky for those of us who take the long-term approach to shopping!
ReplyDeleteAnd you look glorious in purple. You look so, so beautiful in that last photo.
One can only wish to be more like you.
ReplyDeleteYou're a gem!
You are a savvy bargain-hunter with a great individual style(absolutely-adore the regal purple cape and grey floppy hat combo on you:)!
ReplyDeletexoxox
Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteLove the burgundy color cape! :) I wish I have the same luck as you in finding bargains!
ReplyDeleteI don't like real-life nosing round so I ebay a lot of stuff. I'd recommend people repeat their searches on a daily basis. Say I want wide-calf boots. I may have to repeat that search over several weeks but eventually that dream item appears. I DID get a fab pair of wide-calf suede boots with a wedge and fur cuff because I waited until just the right thing surfaced.
ReplyDeleteYou have gorgeous hair!
ReplyDeleteI love your cape and gloves <3<3 And you always find the best baragins!
(don't worry, I didn't forget about your prezzies. I have it wrapped n'all, sitting waiting to be posted, on my desk)
x x x x
Your blogger thingy has been eating my commnets today, sadly. So here I go, again. lol. My hats are mostly bespoke because I am very fond of quality and I don't enjoy looking like the masses on blogger fashion blogs ( even if my dress sense is poor ).
ReplyDeleteI shop at vintage shops in Paris and Berlin. I do own a few designer pieces, though. Your boots, bag and over-coat is so exquisite and lady-like, which I love, and your hat punctuates the ensemble;-)
Yay! A cape! What a fab colour too! Great tips.
ReplyDeleteExcellent tip about shopping out of season - never thought of that (durrr). The cape is glorious.
ReplyDeleteU totally rock that cape and what a glorious color!! i havent done a whole lot of vintage/car-boot shopping but I also pick up stuff when its off-season..right now, all the summer dresses are so dirt cheap. It would be shame not to buy them:-0
ReplyDeleteThat cape is seriously amazing! Something you'll keep forever :) you've inspired me to get looking for a cape again :) great tips xx
ReplyDeleteThat colour is soooo lush! Im now following you :) xo
ReplyDeleteWhat a classy, sophis outfit, the cape is amazing, and at the moment very in Vogue so you are always clearly one step ahead Vix. :)
ReplyDeleteLove those boots also, and the ring you have on is perfect with it.
xx
I freakin' love that cape,in fact,that whole outfit is HOT!!!
ReplyDeleteI just find that you have to be regular and tenacious when searching,be it opshop,or Ebay or whatever.You,however,are just the Empress of Bargain Hunting!
LOVE Helga xxxXXXxxx
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ReplyDeleteRe-posting, stupid blogspot!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cape!
My tip would be to befriend the charity shop folk and ask them if they'd keep back anything they might not normally put out on display e.g. stuff that's not current high street etc
Brilliant. And I might just have to come and steal those boots....yummy!!
ReplyDeleteStunning cape Vix and Dents gloves for 25p such a bargain.
ReplyDeleteDx
Hi Vix, i love your cape and those boots are fantastic xxx
ReplyDeleteThe colour of that cape is stunning on you, Vix.
ReplyDeleteBefore I 'met' you in blogland, I was a high street girl through and through. It's you who opened my eyes to thrifting and now I shudder at the price of cheap synthetics on the high street!
I still love a Primark bargain but the thrill of finding a bargain at a boot sale is far better. So thank you, my lovely - you saved my wardrobe! :) xxx
You look great in purple Vix, absolutely stunning. Thanks for the shopping tips and great story about the boots. I used to be quite uncomfortable about haggling but find that I've gotten over it pretty much.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Bonnie
I love the cape and those boots are fab. What size are your feet? You always find great shoes! :-)
ReplyDeleteHello!!! I just found your blog...Im your newest follower..LOVE IT!! Cant wait to see more..and your outfit ROCKS!!
ReplyDeleteHave a Fashionable Day:)
Statements in Fashion Blog
oh, that cape-I love it!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I should make a thrift shop day very soon. x
ReplyDeleteYou look marvelous!
ReplyDeleteOur thrift shops won't hold stuff for ya, nor will they sell it if the tag is missing. Silly!
So, my biggest tip would be to keep something handy to re-attach a tag with ;)
And, always shop out of season. I am still dreaming of the grey suede pumps I let get away this summer.
Also, Here in the U.S. always stop at charity/thrift stores when u are in a small town. There are tons of great things there as they aren't "over-shopped". I have many times spent my gas money while visiting my parents for a great thrift trip!
Oh, and I wear very long, full skirts and tight tops to try stuff on as there aren't dressing rooms. Many a stranger has seen my bum while thrifting ;)
I love the cape! xx
ReplyDeletethere are so many pieces in your outfit that i'd kill for. you really have a fantastic eye for stuff. . those mink-trimmed boots are such a delight!
ReplyDeleteThere are not enough words for how awesome your entire outfit is!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to find a black floppy hat like yours but so far have not found my ideal vintage number.
That color of your cape is to die for.
The tips are very useful ('cept I don't think my favorite shop has much out of season stock).
ReplyDeleteThe cape is SO incredibly beautiful - or maybe it is just so suited to your color, shape and style. Simply stunning, Vix!
The cape is great. The color is amazing.
ReplyDeleteDear Vix, absolutely LOVE it!! Great styling as always. I also buy winter coats in the summer, especially cashmere, you can never get it at Christmas when you want it or everyone goes mental and drives the prices up on Ebay xx
ReplyDeleteVix you are brilliant times a million! Thank you for all the fantastic tips! Oh, and that last photo of you: beautiful.
ReplyDeleteheart: miss furnellie
Great tips and your outfit is wonderful. Love the colour on that cape.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to say that in Sweden even charity shops and flee markets have high prizes. On some things its lower prizes at an antiques shop or a real vintage dealer.
Hi there-that cape is absolutely stunning, as is the boots and the hat- you are a true vintage Queen of Style, I really adore this look! xx
ReplyDeleteHooray, bargain hunting tips from the Queen of Thrift! The out of season tip is such a good one, I often buy winter coats and boots from ebay in the summer. The cape and hat are amazing, and a testimony to the fact that classic never goes out of style
ReplyDeleteFantastic tips! I'm always shopping 'out of season', sometimes it is an amazing way to pick up real bargains.... especially on ebay!
ReplyDeleteThe colour of that cape is just divine, it suits you so well x
Oh, I do love your cape so, Vix - what a perfect example that you can be the height of fashion with a phantasy and intelligence!
ReplyDeleteThe out of season shopping is a really good trick. Perhaps where you live it's not so bad, but here in the South-East I am finding it more and more difficult to find good quality 2nd hand clothes. Oxfam, the heart foundation and Co. seem to sieve the designer stuff and pass them on to their 'boutiques' or to expensive London shops. On the other hand I'm not a 'professional' vintage buyer, more a browser. xxx
I adore this cape on you, the colour is utterly gorgeous. I've still not shown you mine.
ReplyDeleteI'm always too nervous to haggle, but this is proof it really works, I just need to be a little braver I think. Great tips, as always the bargain hunter you are xx
totally in love with your bargains.
ReplyDeletei love your blog too. following you now
xoxo
♥ poisepolish.
great and practical tips. i do out of season shopping a lot too.
ReplyDeletelove that hat
ReplyDeleteWow, I just found your blog and I LOVE it! That outfit is amazing, and I'm loving your bargain hunting tips - I am a vintage/charity/bargain girl through and through too :) I'm definitely following you now!
ReplyDeletexx
www.rosie-glow.blogspot.com
Cute outfit! I'm now following you! I've also entered the competition, so check it out at: http://mindfullofglitter.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lovely outfit, more expensive than some of yours, but nontheless stylish!
ReplyDeleteI love shopping out of season, this summer I bought a leather jacket and some boots for mere pennies!
Lou x - craftyandquirky.blogspot.com
That coat and those boots are just gorgeous.
ReplyDeletexx
Oh goodness... another gem I may have missed if I hadn't decided to do an archive check!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips honey, I follow them too! You truly are the treasure finder though! Like the Lara Croft of vintage clothing!!!!
I LOVE this outfit!!!!!!!! Want that cape!!! ...and you remind me of Parveen Babi in these pics...
Great tips .. and I just adore that coat/cape, the colour is just divine!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd your hair looks fab in these shots!!
Sal xXx
LOVE the cape. And the hat. And all of it! =) x
ReplyDeleteooo love that cape.. its stunning..colour is just what you need once its starts going cold!
ReplyDeleteboots are to die for aswell
you cant beat haggling at carboots can you!!
charl
x