My favourite kind of shopping is charity shop shopping. You never know what you’re going to find. It’s unknown as to what items of clothing are going to spark your imagination and what knick-knacks you just have to go home with!
Now Oxfam are giving you the opportunity to browse through gorgeous clothes, rare records, books and kick- knacks with their revamped online shop. Pair the hundreds of unique items with the organisational skill of e-commerce and you are able to seek out treasure at your leisure. If you are looking for a certain brand or designer, there’s a handy search bar to write something specific and you can refine any search by price, relevance and colour. An added bonus is the curated trend selections made by the team at Oxfam Online. They are presented on the homepage of the ‘Shop online’ section of the website, a favourite being the current focus on vintage garments from the 1970’s.
Shopping second-hand or vintage means that not everything is handed to you on a plate. I find high street shops tend to organise by colour and have already built up the outfits for you to slip into. But where’s the fun in that? Here at Bibelot we have created our own outfit edits from the vast selection of clothes on Oxfam Online for you to enjoy with handy links too.
Happy Hippie
Would it be summer without a maxi dress? Of course not! For 60’s/70’s summer vibes, wear long floaty dress shapes and contrast with wood to add interest and texture. The simplicity of a maxi dress allows you to easily pull an outfit together, so go bold with statement accessories. Speaking of statements, the coconut shell bag works beautifully because it retains the classic shape of a vintage handbag.
2. Robert Cleridge Wooden Sandals
4. Vintage 70’s Green Maxi Dress
Festive Floral
The freedom in the way people dress for festivals can be really inspiring for building summer outfits. This little 60’s jacket is truly a special piece. It’s peppered with beautiful hand embroidery with an interesting and flattering shape at the front hemline. When searching for a jacket online, the fit may not be perfect straight away. Play around with buttoning, roll up sleeves and try with a variety of necklines underneath, if necessary try altering it at home or by a professional. Alterations vary by project, but tend to be priced extremely reasonably, and it’s worth it to own a stunning vintage piece that fits you like a glove.
3. Kimono Sleeve Fringe Jacket
Geometric
If you’re new to second-hand searching in general, go for pieces that have a timeless quality to them. Geometric prints are always in fashion and a great way to add colour and personality if you work in an office environment. With a geometric print, you introduce the fun of colour and pattern, but because of the order of straight lines there remains a sense of smartness.
3. Vintage Ralph Lauren High Heels
4. Diane Von Furstenberg Silk Dress
Vintage Gold
Who’d have thought that Oxfam Online would have such a treasure trove of luxury pieces? These Chanel shoes are classic, chic and a bargain for their designer credentials. With shoes, it can be worth a trip to a cobblers to restore them to former splendour, and a great way to prolong the life of any shoe you own.
2. Chanel Patent Peep Toe Heels
Summer Vintage
We’ve saved the best ’till last, and found a summer steal for you; a floral dress that can take you from a beach holiday, to a meet-the-parents garden party for less than £10. A gem of a dress with a simple and flattering shape. It’s also 100% linen so perfect for heat wave days and skims just above the knee for a flirty but elegant entrance. Pair with a rose red lip to match that 60’s floral print and you are an instant head-turner.
3. Lemon Yellow Wide Brim Sun Hat
Once you have found your chosen item, be safe in the knowledge that your money is going to a worthy cause and you are recycling in the chicest way possible.
Happy treasure shopping!
Elodie Som
Its-not-fashion.blogspot.co.uk
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