Something Old, Something New - A Week In Charity Shopping

Charity shops are always rubbish during the school holidays I said to my friend Lyndsey Boomerang when we bumped into each other in the British Heart Foundation last week with not a purchase between us. 

Minutes later I was forced to eat my words when I spotted a sleeve with a groovy print peeking out from a sale rail. When I pulled the out the hanger I discovered the coat of my dreams, a fake fur trimmed 1960s maxi coat in pristine condition with an added bonus, a huge, snuggly hood. I couldn't hand over my £5 note over fast enough.

I haven't started the great winter to summer wardrobe reshuffle yet which is just as well as, like last year, the weather's taken a turn for the worst with a viciously cold wind and snow forecast for later. This coat couldn't have arrived at a better time. The cats have taken to our bed and Jacob the tortoise is refusing the budge from behind the curtain in the lounge. Animals know best.

I've never set foot in a branch of Zara but I often like their stuff  when I see it in chazzas. I couldn't resist snapping up this bright coral maxi skirt with the £25 label still attached. I didn't think an elasticated waist would be very flattering but at £2 I took a gamble and I'm glad I did. Unlike many of my vintage maxi skirts the waist stays put and I'm not twizzling it round every time I try to take a step.

Clockwise from top left: 1980s red leather jacket; Pair of velvet bow ties; West German-made midi dress; 1980s hibiscus print sun dress; vintage Norfolk jacket; 1970s crushed velvet jacket; 1970s Windsmoor "Designer" linen dress; 1970s leather trench coat; Silk slip dress; Moleskin waistcoat; 1970s day dress; 1970s wool waistcoat; Bambi House psychedelic wraparound maxi skirt, 1980s mohair & wool cropped jacket;Ridiculous crochet poodle to add to my collection

What with last Monday's Bank Holiday and some grown-up paperwork and appointments to deal with we've only managed to go shopping twice in the last week but I think my theory of school holidays making for rubbish charity shop finds got blown out of the water. 

Clockwise from top left: 1960s German clip-on earrings (now mine!); 1980s tapestry waistcoat;  Vintage snakeskin shoes (made in the Canary Islands); Crazy German-made golfing trousers; Contemporary kimono-type top; Vintage Peter Bettley bridal hat; Alligator print backpack; 1990s Monsoon embroidered gingham shift dress; Laura Ashley British wool dress (originally retailed at £125); Vintage suede shoes; 1960s veiled hat; 1960s bridal hat; 1960s John Collier tonic suit; Liberty of London cashmere blazer

Vintage maxi coat worn with Zara maxi skirt, me-made ruffled blouse (seen HERE), Stuart Weizmann suede boots (£2, charity shop, details HERE)

Snow, sleet or whatever the weather gods chuck at us we're off to Walsall's new town centre cinema to catch tomorrow's matinee performance (it's half price before midday!) The place has been open for almost a year but we haven't been as the films on offer are largely of the populist, big budget super hero, shoot 'em up, kids' nonsense or rom-com variety but tomorrow, for one day only, they're screening Lion which a lady I met in a charity shop (where else?) recommended- I hope it doesn't make me blub.

See you soon!  

Linking to Patti and the gang for Visible Monday.