How to save hundreds on designer outfits with outfits for under £25
Let me explain – I think people often mix up loving fashion for being fashionable and on trend. I’m neither of those things.
Disclaimer: I have been through that phase. For a good few years I would avoid buying anything new unless I absolutely needed it and when I did buy it, it would be from a reputable brand, cost me upwards of a hundred quid, but it would be built to last. Nope. I was going through my wardrobe and chucking stuff on different piles: ‘charity shop’, ‘bin’, ‘save for another year in case you decide you look good in that’. I thought the third pile was quite silly – nothing ever makes it out of there, ever! I remembered seeing adverts for an app called Vinted, where you can buy clothes from other people and sell your own too.
I love charity shops! Every week there is new stock and all the old-fashioned schemes go out of the window – you don’t know if you’re buying a skirt that belonged to a 21-year-old girl or a 75-year-old granny. It doesn’t matter, if it feels good on you, then it’s right for you. The purple knit top you see in this outfit is lovely, with a little see-through pattern round the neckline and has three-quarter sleeves. This was on a sale rack at the Salvation Army in Workington and cost me £1! Yes, £1!! The jacket is an asymmetrical linen jacket with drawstrings on the sides and roll-up sleeves. I found this at Cancer Research UK in Workington and it cost me £6. For less than £24, I think that’s awesome.
This was the brand that M&S used to use until 2000 for its own-brand clothing and it no longer exists. I love buying things I know are either unique, rare or at least a little vintage, because it just adds to the history of the item. Sadly, the St Michael’s skirt was too small for me, but the almost identical one from a different brand that you see me wear here was right next to it, so I settled for it, despite my disappointment at not owning a piece of British history.