On Saturday the weather was completely hideous. It was torrential rain and blowing a gale. Not conducive to shopping that's for sure. Yet at about 3pm I decided I must conduct a local charity shop crawl.
I felt The Calling.
The Calling is something Queen Marie is quite tuned into now, and I feel I have finally come of age now that I too have felt The Calling. It was a proud day for both of us.
So I layered up, complete with wellies, and set upon my journey. A couple shops down and nothing doing then I hit the PDSA. I saw, peeking out from behind some jogging bottoms, a zip. A big zip. I removed all the tat and discovered a pair of tuxedo style trousers with large exposed zips up the side of each leg. Lovely! I then looked at the label to discover they were Sportmax! I then looked at the price label and was even more excited to see they were...£1.49! I couldn't believe my luck.
Elated I carried on my journey. The next was Cancer Research. I prowled through the rails of rubbish, of which there was lots, and saw a little floral linen blazer. "Oh, just what I'm, after!", I thought to myself. It was only £7 and brand new by the look of it. A check of the label and I discovered it was Day Birger et Mikkelsen! I had to physically stop myself from grinning like a complete idiot.
Finding such incredible bargains in charity shops leaves you with a shopping glow like no other. I really haven't stopped smiling since!
Queen Michelle
Both supreme finds. My vintage shopping trip this weekend wasn't quite so successful...don't you just hate it when shops (especially here in London) think they are cool, and can sell any old tat if it's labelled as vintage.
Posted by: Carl Starling | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 13:35
I agree with the above comment about vintage shops, I was shopping in portabello on saturday and felt like shouting "why! a stripey t-shirt from the 80's is not £50 vintage". Working in a charity shop has made me even more of a bargain hunter I think.
Posted by: chelsea | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 14:02
I love those really good charity shop days!
It's true they do call. LOL
Posted by: Eri | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 14:34
I love how you've got a little smile in the photographs ... but I want The Calling!!!!
Posted by: pretty face | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 14:58
amazing finds there's nothing better then discovering an amazing piece. but you got two in one outing, lucky girl.
Posted by: cindy | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 15:09
OMG I can't beieve that blazer!!! I have the skirt to match !envy! sigh.
Lucky you!!
Posted by: Lola | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 15:13
the trousers are AMAZING! i console myself that even if i had found them, they'd never have fit and they look fabulous on you :) well done on your instincts!
Posted by: sopchan / lady sophie | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 15:19
i LOVE those pants!!!
Posted by: Deborah | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 15:51
ooooo! the trews! fabulousfabulousfabulous!
Posted by: stella-mayfair | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 15:59
I'd be grinning like an eejit if I'd found what you've found!
Posted by: enc | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 16:01
Ive banished myself from shopping, and for the first time it has actually worked. Although I miss the thrill after having found something great, as you describe here.
Posted by: eli | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 16:45
That's pretty incredible. My best deal is getting a coral skirt, a jewel diamond skirt with matching top, and a awesome dress for $12. I love thrift shopping. The pants are out of this world and the blazer is darling.
Posted by: Adaora | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 16:55
Hot cha, you really hit the jackpot! Just ADORE the floral blazer.
Posted by: Sal | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 17:13
Great find, those pants!! I never have luck with charity shops, probably cuz I don't look too close...But I think its a talent & luck to spot out garments that don't look like the obvious womenswear!
Posted by: Shini | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 17:20
OMG!!! I am so in love with that colorful amazing outfit!! You look adorable!
:)
Posted by: THE SHOE GIRL | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 17:34
£1.50! That is one serious bargain, so stylish, so affordable ... I need to check out charity shops more often! I love the skirt and blouse you're wearing with that cute blazer too.
x
Posted by: Laroux | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 18:02
I LOVE these outfits, especially the second one! Gorgeous, effortless, flawless, all of the above!
Posted by: April | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 18:04
Im so going to steal those pants from you...you better not take them off...ever!
Posted by: punky | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 18:09
i love how you named it "the Calling".
Last week, no kidding, i must have dreamt 4-5 times that i was in a second hand shop finding great stuff.... so i thought to myself that it must be a sigh... so i hurried to a new shop i'd never been to before.
Couldnt believe it when i saw red high heeled Chanel shoes for 10£ and a Bally bag for 5£!
i live in switzerland, people are dumb they havent caught up on the second hand shopping affair lol
But i just love your trousers!
Posted by: amandaa | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 19:12
Your second outfit gives me hope that spring will actually return at some point...it's so cold here! You know it's a good outfit when it makes someone in the midst of a deepfreeze feel the hope of spring again!
My best find to date was this past fall, I found a great navy wool blazer by Aquascutum for $9! The shoulders are sharpish, the fit is perfect and it's become that old favorite "throw it on over everything" type jacket. Thrifting makes me so happy :)
Posted by: AngieMontreal | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 19:26
you lucky thing! those trousers are amazing! I wish i had your luck.
bex
missspragg.blogspot.com
Posted by: bex | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 19:59
oh i'm so jealous. i think i felt the calling right after reading this post. if it wasn't 8pm i'd be out pounding the streets.
think you deserve some good shopping karma. and those trousers are especially amazing.
Posted by: kirsty lee | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 20:00
Don't let me catch you wearing those pants, I'll steal them right off you!
Posted by: WendyB | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 22:13
Adore the pants! It's so satisfying to go out thrifting and actually find some amazing pieces. Those experiences seem few & far in between, especially in bigger cities. The thrift stores are so picked over!
Posted by: corrie | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 22:21
Love that double floral look - so pretty!
Posted by: Eyeliah | Monday, 12 January 2009 at 23:17