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I recently went High Street shopping for the first time in quite a while, most of my wardrobe is from Ebay, Primark, thrift or charity shops, and, to be honest, I was surprised at how EXPENSIVE everything was!Teeny little jumpers costing upwards of £15 and fairly plain simple evening dresses costing over £50 even in the most basic shop.
Nice as it feels to come home toting bags and bags of brand new pretty things I just found myself filled with a nagging guilt about spending so much on clothes that I knew with a bit of hunting I could probably find just as nice in a charity shop at about a tenth of the price because someone else has worn it once!
To me it felt wasteful, and also runs the massive risk of running into someone else in the exact same dress. What a waste of £50 if you don't even feel special!
So, if you've got a big party coming up and want to look glam and have plenty of pennies left for the night itself here's my Retro Chick High Street Switch favourites.
This cowl neck dress (above left) is from Star by Julian Macdonald. It's beautiful and elegant. However at £100 the only place I'll be able to afford to wear it is McDonald's!
Instead why not treat yourself to this cowl neck dress (Above right, originally from River Island) for only £14.99 from Retro Chick.
Then treat yourself even further to a couple of bottles of Champagne with the left over £85!
This rose applique shift (above left) picks up on this seasons obsession with corsages, with a little cluster on the shoulder. It's from Oasis and costs £70.
Get a similar feel with this stretch shift with corsage trim in this seasons essential plum colour (above right, originally Sacha) for only £14.99 from Retro Chick.
If you're going to a formal evening do and fancy buying yourself a bit of Grecian style, this silk chiffon evening dress (left) is heart breakingly beautiful with Grecian style drapes and ruching. However, quite frankly it wants to be for £315!Instead why not grab this gorgeous 70s vintage Trina Lewis & Marjon Couture evening dress with Grecian Style draping for (right) only £29.99 from Retro Chick. Leaving plenty for gorgeous accessories and getting your hair done!
Of course, even if you're not going to some glamorous evening event (like I do allll the time, obviously) you still want to make sure you're getting your monies worth!
This gorgeous grey and black skirt (left) in a so this season check is from Rocha.John Rocha at Debenhams and costs £45.Stay on trend with this bias cut linen skirt (right, originally Monsoon) in navy and red tartan print for only £14.99 and spend your savings on a nice chunky belt to go with it.
Or if a mini skirt is more your style this distressed pale denim mini (left) is £25 from Top Shop.
Alternatively this pale denim mini (right, originally Old Navy) is just £7.99 from Retro Chick. If you like the distressed look a packet of sandpaper costs a lot less then the £17 you'll have left over!
A night out on the town and I decided to go a little bit Rock n Roll in a nod to this seasons Gothic trend. I ended up lugging my leather jacket round with me all night in my hand as it was warmer than most of the summer has been, but still not quite warm enough for open toe shoes without tights! This skirt is new, not from Ebay for once, and my new favourite item of clothing. I love it's shape, and the handy pockets!T Shirt - EbaySkirt - H&MSuede Platform Sandals - EbayFaux Leather Biker Jacket - La RedouteGet the look:T Shirt - £7 New LookSkirt - £28 Miss SelfridgePlatform Sandals - £30 Asos.comBiker Jacket - £75 Freemans
It seems that Dr Peter Thompson, a psychologist at York University, has conducted some research into the effects of wearing horizontal stripes on a woman's figure.
The small scale study asked around 20 people to assess the relative sizes of different dresses with either horizontal or vertical stripes, and it seems that the results showed that people assessed the size of the horizontal striped dresses as smaller.
It's a common assumption that vertical stripes will cause an optical illusion, making you appear taller and slimmer, but from this research it seems that this is a myth, and we should all be hurling our pinstripes trousers into the bin in favour of horizontal stripes.
Personally I say, if you like it, wear it. If horizontal stripes were never your thing then please don't go rushing out to buy them just because they might make you look 6% less fat.
However we should all be relieved to know that black really IS slimming, and a black circle on a white background looks smaller than the other way round.
Read the Telegraphs full report on the study here
I missed last week because I was busy busy busy, but there's some great links this week, including a great guide to thrift shop shopping, or Charity Shops, as we're more likely to call them in the UK and an interesting article on eco totes.
Now. Unless you are deeply deeply unobservant you can't have failed to notice that the shops, streets and magazines are full to bursting with checks, tartans and "heritage" prints of all descriptions.
If you're 17, it's a pretty easy look to wear. I know because in the 1990s my favourite skirt in the world was a tartan and suede patchwork mini skirt that I wore with Doctor Marten boots. 10 years later, I don't think I would pull if it off so well, so how can you buy into this check look without looking like you're off to toss the caber (oo-er!)
I think the key is probably to keep it simple and low key.
If you've got good legs I think Tartan tights are potentially a great way to get the look, these are from Pamela Mann at Tights Please and are just £7.99. I'd personally stick with an all black outfit though, and unless your legs are REALLY good, wear with knee high boots. Checks can make even the slimmest calf look chunky. Keep the look more rock and roll with these great chunky heels from Urban Outfitters
A black mini (this French Connection mini £14.99 from Retro Chick) and a polo neck with great detailing (£25 from Oasis) are a great base outfit. Add a great studded belt and lashings of mascara for a look that combines this seasons Gothic Glam with Heritage Prints without looking like a fashion junkie.
Take a more low key approach to checks with this vintage 70s checked skirt (£14.99, Retro Chick)Keep the whole look 70s with tan and cream accessories. Legs are warm in the winter with vintage boots from Candy Says and chunky over the knee socks.
A nice slouchy jumper and a vintage look leather satchel (reduced to £20 at Miss Selfridge) finish the look that's great for autumn winter and suitable for work or play.
Of course, maybe you DO want to really go to town with the look, and if you're going to go for this look you'll have the figure to pull it off. This vintage 70s Maxi from Retro Chick is a size 6, but truly gorgeous!
Add a black belt, and a military style jacket so you don't freeze and killer heeled brogues (Alexander McQueen, a girl can dream)
This look is pure catwalk and only for the super confident (and skinny)!
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