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Sunday 12 October 2014

Flea Market Bag and Charity Shop Dress.






Dress - Charity Shop
Bralet - New Look
Cardigan - Charity Shop
Bag - Flea Market
Shoes - Office
Socks - Primark

I've said this before, but, I do really love it when outfit is almost entirely second hand from either a charity shop, car boot or flea market ect. There is just something about second hand clothes that I will always love. I enjoy the fact that I am able to wear a completely unique outfit and also that buying and wearing secondhand clothes is, actually, a form of recycling. By buying second hand you not only add unique quality pieces in your wardrobe for a cheaper price but you're also helping the environment. Just think about how much energy, money and fossil fuels must be needed to make new clothes for every single trend and season, every single year. It's mad. It's one of the reasons why I have never been a fan of disposable fashion or never wholly committed myself to passing trends. They do say, after all, that fashion is a cycle. You might as well hold onto items that were on trend a few years ago instead of buying them again when they next make a fashionable return. 

We live in a world where being wasteful is the norm, where anything that gets a slight defect is thrown out immediately. How about instead of throwing out that dress with a broken zip you take the time to repair it? Instead of wishing your maxi dress was a mini just chop it? I'm a firm believer in that if you don't like something then change it. But what if you just really don't want the item anymore? When I do want to de-clutter my wardrobe I go through a series of stages to ensure that I'm contributing to landfills as little as possible:

1 - Rehome: First thing I do when I have gotten bored of an item is ask if any of my friends or family would like to take it off my hands. This is one of my favourite ways to get rid of clothes as it is so nice to see people enjoying an item that you once enjoyed yourself. It's also cool to see them rocking it in a way you would never have thought of - this usually leads to me borrowing it back off them to wear it in a similar way, haha. With this idea you can also host a clothes swap party where you all bring items you no longer want and swap them for ones you do want. I've gotten so many new items in my wardrobe thanks to this. 

2- Sell: If none of your friends and family want anything you have to offer (ungrateful gits, haha) then you always have to option of selling them and making a bit of dollar. Personally I love using eBay because it is so easy to use and secure as payments go straight into your Paypal. Don't be disheartened, however, if your items don't sell for millions - I always put things up at 99p and more often than not they don't go for much more than that. You aren't just limited to eBay though! You can use Etsy, Depop, MusicMagpie (yes they take clothes) and loads of other websites besides these. You could even sell them at a car-boot if you fancy it. 

3 - Donate: So again I am faced with items that no one wants but I don't give up there, I donate. I make sure all the items that I do donate are in good condition and clean before bagging them all up and heading over to my fave charity shops. You could also use those charity bags that you get in the post and just leave the bag outside your door.  

4 - Recycle: This is similar to donating but more for those items that are in such bad condition they are beyond repair. I'm talking holey socks, stretched white T-shirts with sweat stains, those disgusting joggers that you could never get the pizza stains out of - things that reverted to being lounge wear but have even surpassed that. These things can still be put some use by being donated as fabric instead of clothes at various recycling centres. They are then used as cleaning cloths or turned into fibers for things like upholstery and the such like. 

5 - Bin: If all else fails you can bin and I am willing to forgive you - But - only if it's as a last resort. 

So, I really didn't mean this post to turn out like this but I quite enjoyed writing it. I hope I have inspired a few of you out there to think twice before lift up the bin lid. Also, want to know the best bit? This doesn't just apply to clothes - You can use these steps for absolutely anything when it comes to de-cluttering. Waste not want not. 



Because I couldn't find a song about recycling. 

31 comments:

  1. I love how 90's you look! I never bin anything, it all gets donated, sold or recycled. Why people would throw clothing in the bin when there are so many other options I do not know! x

    Josie’s Journal

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    1. Thank you Josie dear :) And that is so good to hear gal, glad there's more people with my thinking in the world!

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  2. that dress!! it looks amazing on you! <3 charity shops all the way!

    thewatercolourjar.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Zoe! And yes, long live charity shops :)

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  4. Great post! I really enjoyed reading it :) I love a car boot sale and definitely think more people should give them a go, I've found some amazing things that way over the years and you save so much money.
    You're totally right about trends cycling back round, I never get rid of things just because they're not necessarily in style anymore. Some of my favourite things to wear are a good four or five years old to be honest!
    eBay is a great way if you do want to clear some wardrobe space though, I'd definitely recommend it as well! Loads of people are willing to repair things you're unable to and it saves things unnecessarily going to waste :)

    Louise / www.asseenonlouise.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Ooh, I am glad you did dear. I find car boot sales are by far the cheapest place to buy clothes! I've got stuff for 50p before - car boots are the bommmmb.

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  5. Great post! What a cute dress it is and you wear it so beautifully. You look cute as a button and very happy girl. The backpack is awesome.
    xox
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

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  6. Love the dress! Wish it was warm enough to have bare legs here in England! I love regeneratin my wardrobe, I just don't DIY things enough
    Lovely post x

    www.aforvogue.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Oh you should try to DIY, its so easy to find great tutorials on Youtube and the such like. And oh, I am relishing being able to have bear legs in October :)

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  7. I love going to clothes markets as well! I feel less guilty about buying things because I know they are second hand, haha :) Great post and love the outfit!
    - C
    Claudine Converses

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    1. Yeah deffo, if anything I feel a lot more positive about myself knowing that I've done a little good in the world.

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  8. I love love LOVE this dress! So happy I found your blog!

    http://mythoughtsviewsandvalues.blogspot.ie/

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  9. Great tips. I love giving to charity too! I love how grunge yur outfit looks too!

    www.beyondthevelvet.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thanks you gorgeous babes! You two are the queens of grunge though :)

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  10. I'm all for charity shops! You can find such good stuff for amazing prices, and plus, the money goes to a good cause.
    You look gorgeous!! Also, I think that bag may be tugging at my heart strings.

    Lots of love xoxo
    Other Infinities

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    1. Yes, exactly! By shopping in charity shops not only are you doing your purse a favour but also the people and organisations that need our help )

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  11. beautiful dress!

    i just posted a primark haul of which I would love for you to check out
    http://georgianicolaou.co.uk

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    1. Ooh thank you. Yes I'll check your blog out now dear :)

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  12. Love your style - that tartan print is so cool :)

    Melane | Pure Perspective

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  13. such a cute look!

    from helen at thelovecatsinc.com

    ps. there's a £129 RayBan giveaway on my blog if you're interested! click here.

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  14. The work you're doing is so cool, and I love what you're wearing! Keep doing you xx
    99 OUTFITS

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    1. Ooh thank you Sandra - You're blog is awesome too!

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  15. nice dress , I also love your bag , which is must have this season :)
    please also check out my blog
    http://thefashionsateen.wordpress.com/

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    1. I choked on my own spit when I found it and was told the price!! It was so cheap :)

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  16. That dress is so perfect! Super 90s!

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