How the Waste Was Worn - Other People's Cast-offs, My Way

I haven't shared my chazzing finds in ages. Although our twice weekly shopping trips have been somewhat curtailed due to our festival schedule we've been out and about as often as we can. We've had some terrific luck with vintage stock for Kinky Melon's rails but, no sooner have I laundered and packed it for the next event, then it's sold and gone for ever. In the absence of any stock photos here's some of the things I've added to my own wardrobe over the last month instead. 

Last year I'd admired the bell bottomed leggings I'd seen on numerous hip girls at festivals so I was pleased to find a pair for £2 in a chazza in Shropshire. I was inundated with compliments when I wore them so was super pleased when I found a second pair - same make, same size, same price - in a charity shop some forty miles away from the original town I'd bought them from. I'd always dismissed Boohoo (the website they originated from) as cheap and nasty so was surprised to discover that the leggings were actually made in the UK.  The Jeffrey Campbell "Woodies" clogs were missing their price tag in a charity shop notorious for its crazy pricing so I was prepared for a stupid answer when asked the manager how much they were. When she replied £2.49 to you, darling! I couldn't get my purse out fast enough. 

WEARING: Bell bottomed leggings and Jeffrey Campbell Woodies worn with a embroidered cotton tunic (£9.99, recent sale buy), Vintage tooled leather owl bag (£2, Islamic Relief)

 My heart skipped a beat when I spotted these bastard massive colourful wooden beads under the counter in Age UK. When I noticed the price - £1- I nearly had the volunteer's hand off. The pink straw half-moon clutch is early 1980s, made in Hong Kong and from British retailer, Next from back in the day when it sold exciting, innovative gear. I added my own pom-poms.

WEARING: Massive wooden beads (Age UK) worn with Jeffrey Campbell Woodies, 1980s clutch bag (£1, BHF) with a 1970s Jinty's London maxi dress (£5 clearance rail at a vintage fair and last seen HERE on Mumbai's Chowpatty beach),  Vintage Ted Lapidus sunglasses (£3, local children's hospice shop, 2008)

The 50p basket in Age UK yielded this 1970s nylon bikini from the now defunct high street chain, British Home Stores.The sun's made a rare appearance today but sadly, it's still not bikini weather!

WEARING: Vintage Prova (BHS's own label) bikini and Jeffrey Campbell Woodies worn with a 1920s silk kimono (50p from a car boot sale in 2012), Native American turquoise pendant (inherited from Mum), bastard massive straw hat (eBay)

This silk & lace trimmed semi sheer camisole top is by Danish label, Noa Noa, and cost £1 from my one of my favourite charity clearance shops. Like the bell bottoms it isn't in the slightest bit vintage but fits in with the rest of my wardrobe a treat. 

WEARING: Noa Noa camisole top, 1960s suede Go-Go boots, Victorian lawn cotton slip & bone beads (inherited from my Great-Grandma) 

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have seen me wearing this 1970s maxi at Indietracks (HERE). I found it for £3 in Sense the day before we left and, being 100% nylon, it was dry within an hour of washing it. It's a teenage fit which is fine, I've been the same height since I was 11.

WEARING: Vintage Jon Adam maxi dress, Jeffrey Campbell Woodies, Indian tribal pendant (the wonderful Italian artist and friend, Ilaria Novelli), insane sunglasses (car boot sale, last year)

Technically this next dress isn't a cast-off, although it is from a charity shop. Newlife is a bit like TK Maxx (TJ Maxx, if you're American), a huge unit crammed with high street, high end and designer fashion, but the brand labels have been removed and all the proceeds go to a UK-based children's charity. To be honest, the main shop leaves me cold - racks and racks of the same mainstream fashion you'll find on most British high streets - but the Market Place is far more interesting, bins piled with faulty, broken and downright weird stuff and priced at either 50p, 99p or £1.49.  My embroidered, Indian-made rayon dress was reduced on account of its busted zip which, unusually for a contemporary garment, was positioned on a side seam. It took me all of 20 minutes to replace it. I've no idea who stocked the dress but, for a modern piece, it's rather lovely.

WEARING: Indian-made rayon midi dress (£1.49) and Jeffrey Campbell Woodies with vintage tooled leather owl bag, Lamani tribe coin belt (worn as a necklace) and 1970s felt hat (Banardos, £1.99, earlier this year)

My favourite find of the last few weeks has yet to be worn - be still, my beating heart - an early 1970s Frank Usher maxi with fabulous bishop sleeves threaded above the elbow with with grosgrain ribbon which matches my Barry M Guava nail paint perfectly. A snip at £4.99. I've already got a similar one but a girl can never have too many.

I was planning to save it till the Winter but, if the weather continues to be dodgy, I might be wearing it when we trade at Vintage Village this Sunday.

See you there!

In other news, I'm highly honoured to feature on my dear friend Natalia's blog today along with several other of my favourite bloggers. Check her post out HERE!

Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday and Judith's Hat Attack.