I’m starting this year with a pledge rather than a ban. Let’s face it, I could be called shallow, but finding a thrifty bargain to make a new-to-me outfit makes me way happier than it probably should. Why would I want to stop? Because I’m now the proud owner of a collection of clothes that won’t fit into one room. Something had to change, enter the pledge.
The pledge: reduce, reuse and recycle
It’s not an idea I haven’t tried before, in fact it was part of my spending ban last January but somehow, it never happened! I’d hoped to rework well-loved clothes into new outfits, but the thrill of finding so many clothes in charity shops meant that it never happened. I simply shifted my high street shopping habits to charity shops. While I still love charity shops, working full time in a village school means fewer opportunities to shop. So much so, I haven’t bought anything from a charity shop this year! I know!
On the bright side, I’ve started the pledge as I mean to go on: selling clothes I no longer wear on Instagram, swapping or giving away dresses to blogging friends and re-wearing my favourite clothes in different ways by being more creative with my styling. I’ve never been one to spend hours on Pinterest, I get distracted easily, but the inspiration behind today’s outfit was taken from my ‘midi skirts’ board. I’m always enamoured by how chic midi skirts can look, but in reality I find them so difficult to wear.
Often, an outfit looks better in my head than on my body and this is one of those times. When this happens, I discard the photographs and assign them to room 101. I didn’t this time because I wanted to document my efforts to make the most of what I already own. It all started with this scalloped collar Topshop shirt dress. I’ve owned (and washed) this dress for more years than I care to remember, it clings in all the wrong places and gapes but I still can’t get rid of it.
So I added a midi skirt over the top and a pop of colour (more mustard, no bad thing) with my beloved charity shop cardigan that I bought during last year’s high street spending ban. Then, our visit to Bygone Times happened and I found that vintage leather satchel.
So I added a midi skirt over the top and a pop of colour (more mustard, no bad thing) with my beloved charity shop cardigan that I bought during last year’s high street spending ban. Then, our visit to Bygone Times happened and I found that vintage leather satchel.
Outfit Details
// Scallop collar dress :: Topshop (old) //
// Mustard cardigan :: Cats Protection (originally Next) //
// Blue midi skirt :: People Tree //
// Patent loafers :: F&F //
// Scarf & headscarf:: Primark (old) //
As you’ll know from Instagram, I stumbled on this satchel and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it was only £7. Sure, it was scuffed and worn (I added wax before use) but to me, that just adds to the charm, especially as it has the remnants of the initial M just above the clasp. I wonder who it belonged to?
Have you made any new year pledges?
