Tuesday 3 March 2009

Charity shop chic...

It was the New Year fancy dress party that set me off on my "charity shop quest". The theme was 007 and, as it was way too cold to be a glamorous Bond girl, I went as 007 himself. I borrowed my husbands dinner tux and was suddenly transported back to the 80's. My statement look for most of that era had been an oversized man-fit jacket worn over leggings - a look that is very much back in fashion. I decided to embrace the current economic "thrifty chic" philosphy and began my search for my own black tux....



.....and that is exactly what I found in a charity shop on Lymington High Street. It is a perfect fit and a vintage Moss Bross from Covent Garden. It has brocade on the lapels and a neat ticket pouch inside one of the pockets. It cost me £8 and I have worn it to: business networking lunch over 50's style skirt, Alexander O'Neil concert over leggings and long suede boots and for a relaxed pub meal worn plain and simply over jeans. It is my pride and joy.



But the jacket wasn't my only gem of a find - I was drawn into the shop in the first place by a deep red, rose print silk scarf. I wear a lot of black, which does suit my colouring, but isn't very inspiring for someone who advises on colour for a living. The scarf was the perfect solution. It set me back £4. The scarf had the words "Jacqmar" on it and, I have to confess, that meant nothing to me. A quick google search filled me in on one of THE most collectible range of scarves ever produced in the UK. Lucky, lucky me!

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