As a student one of my main concerns in everyday life is how much I am spending. Money consumes so much of my thoughts, it holds me back from doing (and buying) so much. But one thing I don’t let it completely corrupt is my wardrobe.
Fashion isn’t just about the big brands and the designer labels- anything can be fashion. Take an old flannel shirt for example- you can incorporate it into hundreds of different outfits and wear it in several different styles. You can wear it tucked into a skirt or a pair of jeans or shorts. You can wear it under some dungarees. You can wear it tied around your waist or oversized with a pair of jeans or unbuttoned with a t-shirt underneath or with the bottom tied or with the sleeves rolled up. You don’t need a huge wardrobe to express your style. You also don’t need a tonne of money to have a huge wardrobe.
Charity shops are a great way of finding new clothing for your collection for cheap prices, meanwhile your money contributes to a good cause. Many charity shops have amazing branded clothing, most of it in practically perfect condition. A lot of people donate new clothes that don’t fit them to the charity shops with the tags still attached, this is perfect if you are looking for a good bargain. I’ve found Holister clothes that would initially be in the £30-£40 range sitting at £4 in a Barnardos. I bought a Hell Bunny skirt that was originally around £40 (and no longer in stock) for only £2. Most recently, I bought a beautiful Joe Browns vintage inspired dress for £8 in a British Heart Foundation shop (see picture).
You can also find incredibly unique and rare items of clothing in charity shops. I was on a bus a few weeks ago and saw a 1950s style dress in the window of a PDSA shop. I went in later that day and asked to try it on and see the price. I got it for £10 which I thought was reasonable. Later, I went to my favourite vintage clothes shop and showed the owner my new dress, after having a look at it and in the inside of the dress, she told me that it was actually 1950s vintage. I got a genuine 1950s dress for £10 compared the average price of around £65.
Young people generally tend not to shop in charity shops. There’s an assumption that only older women shop in charity shops but that really shouldn’t be the case. Recycling and upcycling clothing has so many benefits that should be recognised more. It’s great to be thrifty and creative with your fashion. Turn an oversized flannel shirt into a dress. Transform a pair of old jeans into shorts or a cute bag.
Don’t be afraid to cut things up and stitch it back together again. You could just make an amazing unique creation that is made for you and only you.
Photo credit: Ryan Duff
Thrifty Mango 