Secondhand / vintage / charity / ethical and slow fashion chat

[madamceladon]

Can we have a chat thread for this?
Tips and ideas, blog and podcast recommendations and latest finds?

I'll start. I think 80% of my stuff is secondhand, from charity shops eBay and vinted. I've got more into this in last five years and never go in fast fashion shops. I feel a bit ill and overwhelmed if I do now.
If I do need to buy new I try to find a company that is ethical and made in Britain.

I've got really into maintenance and repair as well. I love watching a film while I debobble and darn knitwear.

Recent efforts, I had some nice black fine wool trousers but they were too loose and unflattering on thighs, I've improvised and put in my own pleats at the top and pleased with how they came out.

I wanted a black polo neck after I saw some women looking very stylish in a black and white 1960s film and found a perfect one the next day in the charity shop: lambswool, old m and s, made in Britain.

I love this website
vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource

And this podcast
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dressed-the-history-of-fashion/id1350850605

OOOh - I've just discovered that there is a Droopy & Browns Appreciation page on Facebook that posts images of the postcards that used to be sent out each season with photos of the clothes on - that is my whole afternoon accounted for .....

www.facebook.com/droopybrowns/

Anyone else get a bit excited when knitwear is bobbly or has a hole cause you can get the kit out?

This week I got a navy wool Uniqlo polo neck and a thick soft Breton. I'd been looking and failing to find my perfect Breton for a while so I'm delighted. Also got a lovely bolt of printed fabric.

I’ve managed to find some bits for my sister who doesn’t have tons of money. A black jumpsuit from Hush £11 and a navy Cos top £10 and navy longline cardigan also by Cos. £6 I’ve just posted them to her along with a thrifted cashmere sweater that didn’t suit me. £5 I’ve also managed to find a couple of bits for me too …including a pair of forest green Hobbs trousers and a new pair of block heeled green / snakeprint shoes that were M&S. ( that go with the trousers) £8. I bought a blue tiger print top which was M&S which I’m going to get altered.£5 The colour looks great with the trousers and reminded me of this seasons offerings from fashion brand Uterque. It’s interesting because I recently bought a forest green blazer from eBay by US brand Pendleton which is new wool for the same price as these Hobbs trousers (about £11) but the trousers are polyester blend. Says something about the way of the world now.

Oh I should say these were all from Charity shops in my town.

Brilliant finds, everyone! I love hearing about the bargains others have found. Nothing particular to report here, other than a cashmere cardi’ on eBay for £20 - in good condition.

I've just got around 3metres of denim (plus 0.25m of another fabric plus buttons and thread) for £6.50 from a reuse shop and will make a jacket for my mum's Christmas present.

The offcuts will be used for other clothes.

Not quite charity shop clothes but its using fabric that would otherwise be wasted. The shop is amazing.

Not quite the same but I just made this costume (for a college show)

It's a mini dress that why off to the charity shop, a remnantvof fabric, some lining materil I picked up in a job lot off marketplace and a kaften jacket that I recut into a shawl

Specific outlay £0

Although of course all were bought for another purpose previously

Another one here who buys something like 90% second hand items.

My town has some great shops - seems that the local charities get the best donations. Recent items include:
Aquascutum quilted jacket - £12
MaxMara wool long skirt - £8
Whistles mohair sweater - £4.50
M&S Autograph suede midi skirt - £8

Plus several Uniqlo cashmere sweaters that only needed a very gentle de-bobble.

I'm in. DS is veggie and pointed out to me that cashmere goats are badly treated so now I only buy second hand. Just scored a beautiful teal v neck on ebay for £10.

Only bought one new item this season, from a small UK brand made in Bristol. A silk and bamboo shirt which I love.

Got a lovely thick black silk crossover top, Nicole farhi yesterday. I might take the capped sleeves off though as it's slightly tight on the arms.
It's got a really smart lapel shape. Love!
£26 in shelter boutique.

@madamceladon

That sounds lovely. I wonder if there’s scope for a seamstress ( or you) to insert a little black elastic panel in the underarm to give you some ease on the sleeve.

[quote Divebar2021]**@madamceladon

That sounds lovely. I wonder if there’s scope for a seamstress ( or you) to insert a little black elastic panel in the underarm to give you some ease on the sleeve.[/quote]
Or even replace the sleeves with ones from another blouse?

Franken-clothes are my favourite

Franken-clothes! Love it.

[quote Divebar2021]**@madamceladon

That sounds lovely. I wonder if there’s scope for a seamstress ( or you) to insert a little black elastic panel in the underarm to give you some ease on the sleeve.[/quote]
Good suggestion I might look into that

What a marvellous thread! I've spent a lovely few hours reading the posts and browsing the blogs and websites mentioned. Your blog is wonderful @madamceladon (I love perfume too!).

I've been a charity shop aficionado for over 15 years and have picked up some beautiful pieces for tuppence ha'penny. I particularly like shops that group clothing by type and colour (British Red Cross for example), then arrange by size. So if I'm hoping to find say a black jumper I can whizz through one rail really quickly. I filter by label, then fabric (almost always natural fabrics like linen, wool, silk etc.) and then cut/style/condition.

I'm having a day to myself in Edinburgh next month, so will be checking out the Stockbridge shops and my favourite Shelter shop on Forrest Road. Kelso, Alnwick & Morpeth also have some brilliant shops.

The only items of clothing I buy new these days are undercrackers, socks and shoes (I have bloody awful feet and struggle with fit).

For those of you who may not have seen this, it's just glorious. Bridget Sojourner is my inspiration!

@ilovecardigans

Thanks for posting that. I watched it when it first was aired but it was lovely to revisit. I really like Jean but I don’t think they said her last name.

You're most welcome @Divebar2021. Jean is fabulous, isn't she? She's done lots since filming Fabulous Fashionistas and has her own Instagram:

www.instagram.com/jeanwoods7/?hl=en

Thanks @ilovecardigans so glad you enjoyed the thread and the blog!
Saved that YouTube doc to watch later.
❤️❤️❤️❤️

Enjoy my dear! 😘

Jean is still going strong at 83, @Divebar2021. Found a lovely interview with her in the Bath Chronicle:

www.pressreader.com/uk/bath-chronicle/20210520/283304640413259

Flying visit to charity shop en route to school today - scored one XL men's M&S extra fine lambswool jumper in grey, and one super think Woolovers cable knit in a gorgeous cranberry colour.

Both pristine, grand total £6.

Both DSs rocking barely worn black leather Nike high tops courtesy of Vinted, £30 the pair.

@teawamutu

Flying visit to charity shop en route to school today - scored one XL men's M&S extra fine lambswool jumper in grey, and one super think Woolovers cable knit in a gorgeous cranberry colour.

Both pristine, grand total £6.

Both DSs rocking barely worn black leather Nike high tops courtesy of Vinted, £30 the pair.

Fabulous!!

I loved my outfit today. All second hand except my belt. High waisted pleated smart black trousers from a vintage shop, black lambs wool polo neck old m and s from charity, black chunky doc marten Brogues from a vintage shop and Margaret Howell linen jacket off eBay 👌🏼

Can anyone give me some Cashmere care tips please? I bought the most beautiful cashmere sweater from a charity shop, which was in fabulous condition.. sadly after one wear it's really bobbled?! Is this just how it goes with cashmere? I've never owned any cashmere before.

Do I need a cashmere comb?

@covetingthepreciousthings one of those de-bobbling combs will be fine, just use it gently. It might just be new cashmere in which case, as with any natural fibre, it will shed a bit at first.