TRY THIS - Face It Sister, She's a Keeper

My sister recently returned this brooch to me. I bought it some 20 years ago; at the time she begged me to let her have it and reluctantly I did. What a lovely old/new surprise when she gave it back to me on a recent visit. My sister and I are magpies. We like stuff, we buy stuff, stuff makes us sing. While we're birds of a feather, our flight patterns are completely different. Debra, the round-faced girl in braids, buys things and keeps them forever. She falls in love for life, keeping but not always wearing the shoes, dresses and jewelry she covets. In boxes, closets and cedar chests Deb has a sort of archive of our childhood, for she's been known to even keep things that were once mine. Me, the show-off on the lawn chair, I love things, wear them, re-purpose them, stain them, tear them, wash them and then take them to charity shops where I'm likely to find something new/old to replace what I've donated. If Deb is a sartorial archivist, then I'm a clothing custodian. Pretty stuff is mine for a time to love and enjoy but then set free. What style flight pattern are you navigating through your life? 

FOUND - Feeling Anything But Blue in NYC

I found this super fat blue wood bangle at Housing Work Thrift in New York City's West Village, along with my new favourite straight jeans by Theory. Housing Works CLICK HERE is a community of people living with and affected by AIDS/HIV. Their mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS/HIV through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain their efforts. The shop in the West Village was beautifully organized & stocked with countless treasures. My friend Monica, recently relocated to the village from London, nabbed a gorgeous pair of YSL kid-skin tan heels in Housing Work Thrift. Classic - like her. The West Village is actually a 2nd-hand style hunters paradise. Be sure to check out The Goodwill on W. 8th Street CLICK HERE. The Waverly Diner on 6th is nearby, a quintessentially New York eatery - perfect late lunch stop off. Vintage Thrift with 2 locations, one just across the street from Housing Work Thrift is superb CLICK HERE. Between us we picked up goodies in all these shops. The big bangle was only US$12 and the denim trousers, a wardrobe basic that fit like a glove, just US$45. A day out in the Big Apple, sorted. 

Visit Oxfam Fashion CLICK HERE to see Huntress London's 

Circle of Fashion post

TRY THIS - Style on Hand At Dress Agency

I found these beautifully-made black fishnet gloves at Vintage Rose, 24 Richmond Hill, TW10. This is a classic dress agency with a terrific selection of 2nd-hand fashions, CLICK HERE. Jimmy Choo, Diane VF, Margaret Howell, Ralph Lauren, and many other well-known names could be found when I popped in. My sister Deb was visiting from the US and on a sunny September Saturday, Richmond Upon Thames called to us. She's a high-end style seeker, so rather than dropping designer names she grabs them with gusto and holds on tight. After lots of looking, ooing and aahing at Vintage Rose, Deb came away with Lulu Guinness boots that were absolutely made for walking - out the door, at just £75. My find, seemingly more meager but no less stylish, is unbranded. Long black cotton net gloves look relaxed when made slouchy and worn with my wool hacking jacket. This handy accessory was just £15. 

TRY THIS - 5 Point Shopping Prompt *****

You head out to the charity shops, excited. You arrive and quickly find yourself stifled, confused and frustrated. May I suggest you ponder the Huntress Shopping Prompts before you begin your next search? Scrutinize your style. Ask questions, make lists, consider and re-consider your clothes. Once you pin down the gaps in your wardrobe, you'll know exactly how a charity shop can fill them. 

1 Which basics in your wardrobe need replacing or beefing up?
For me this is usually trousers, in particular black. But black doesn't have to mean boring. For example, I recently found a pair of black/cream tartan 7/8 length crops from Reiss at a local charity shop. They check the basics box with added flare. Which style basics need special attention in your wardrobe?  

2 What fashion fave do you buy over and over? Is this because you want multiples or have yet to find a really good example?
Nothing makes me happier than a shirt dress styled with a big chunky belt. I'm always on the look out for quality shirt dresses - I've at least a dozen and counting, but which looked best on me was a learning curve. Not all of them hit the mark. When trying on a potential find, I now ask "Is this at least as good as other shirt dresses in my wardrobe?" Are you buying the best of your favourite fashion item? Or settling for something that's nearly-but-not-quite? Keep looking.

3 If you found them cheap, what wild style pieces would you take a risk on?
Charity shops are perfect for out-of-the-ordinary pieces - funky things someone loved in a shop but then got home and thought otherwise. I continually find mad print blouses that I pair with black, on the cheap. Another wild (west) buy? I picked up a pair of red leather cowboy boots for US$10. I love them but wouldn't have risked it had they not been rock-bottom reduced. Set your wild-buy boundaries, allowing for something a little off the rails.    

4 Do you have the right topper for every occasion? 
Coats are the cherry on your style sundae but can be a budget buster. I suggest trying on any number of outfits you love and wear often. Then ask, "am I topping my treasures with a sour cherry?" Consider your vast coat needs; mac, short military, hacking jacket, long black, hot-coloured, fitted, sporty, super warm, tails (really, my men's 2nd-hand tail coat, £20, is a lifesaver), leather, denim, utilitarian, blanket wrap, cardigans, etc. Since you need a variety of toppers, buying a few quality 2nd-hand versions makes style sense. 

5 You're offered an invite at 5pm to attend a cocktail/red carpet/black tie do at 7pm. Do you have something to wear? 
Luckily the modern-day definition of evening wear is much broader than it once was. But a day dress with heals won't cut it. However, cigarette trousers with a sequin top will. A short 80s cocktail dress with a sculpted wedge is perfect. And a vintage fringe shift teamed with a man's tailcoat (see!) is spot on. If you're like me, you aren't traipsing the red carpet regularly but nonetheless every woman should be able to throw together a fabulous evening look at short notice. Charity shops are awash in mint after-eight gear, hardly worn and waiting for you. Buy it when you see it, not when you need it. 

Now get out there and charity shop with confidence and creativity!                     

FOUND - Silk Blouse Fit for A Princess

I found this raw silk blouse at Traid in Shepherds Bush. A lovely label in the waist tells me it was Made in England and created by Maureen Baker. Never heard of Ms Baker? That would suit her to a tee. For 30 years she was lead designer for the British ready-to-wear firm Susan Small, when in 1973 Princess Anne asked Maureen to create a wedding dress for her impending union to Mark Phillips. In 1978 the talented designer started her own label but really made no attempt to cash in on her couturier royal coup. She quietly created over 250 outfits for Princess Anne before setting aside her scissors in the 1990s. Interestingly, the Emanuel's consulted Ms Barker before creating Princess Diane's iconic wedding frock. Maureen Baker's work is included in the V&A's fashion collection. 

                     

The blouse's fabric is sumptuous, the stitching immaculate. Little details - fitted peplum waist, bow tie and pleats at the shoulder - mark it out as a quality garment. I'll wear it with a pair of dark blue, snake print silk cigarette trousers and keep the bow tie undone. I'm thrilled to have found this piece of fashion history. It cost me the princely sum of £8.99.  

CLICK HERE to see Princess Anne's wedding dress

created by Maureen Baker.  

TRY THIS - Support A New Indie Biz

I found this lovely little leather oval box - once a makeup container, now a home for jewelry - at Vecchio Vintage's pop-up shop. VV is the style-child of Sharmina Rahman, a Fashion Textiles grad from Middlesex University, with an eye for quality vintage. 

The shop popped-up to sing the praises of the Vecchio Vintage website CLICK HERE, a lovely collection of pre-owned clothing and accessories. Pop-up shops are a personal favourite, Huntress loves a now-you-see-it-now-you-don't hunting ground. Sharmina created a dressing-up box of vintage goodies, along with drinkies and red velvet cake that made for an enjoyable night out. My friend Lucy - a 2nd-hand novice - found a Pierre Cardin 70s tweedy jacket that's sure to be an Autumn style staple. A steal at only £70. The red leather oval in near perfect nick was just £25. The night of fashion chat and laughs at a new, independent business - priceless.   

To Shop Vecchio Vintage Online 
CLICK HERE    

FOUND - Big Smoke Blew into Chicago

I found this crinkly cotton "housecoat" at Randolph Street Market CLICK HERE in Chicago. A few weeks ago, the husband and I set out on a holiday to the country of my birth, starting in The Windy City where my dad joined us for Cubs baseball and 2nd-hand shopping. We hopped on an Amtrak train to my mother's place on Lake Erie in Ohio and then carried on to see friends in The Big Apple. Randolph Street Market is a monthly retro/antiques selling spree that Huntress highly recommends. You'll also find a parade of well-stocked, organized and affordable vintage shops in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. I particularly loved Store B Vintage CLICK HERE and Vintage Underground CLICK HERE.

I feel luck to have repatriated this London-centric coat/dress. It's a spectacular pattern of Queen's Guards, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abby, entangled in graphic brambles. If it had been red and black, I would have left it. But the unique GREEN and black colour combo keeps it from feeling like a brand new tourist souvenir. Over my silk fitted cami and rolled up denim, it's the perfect outfit for the unexpected warmth of September back in The Big Smoke. Re-styling a 'button through' dress as an overcoat is a great way to breath life into a piece of lovely but dated vintage. This pretty pop of print was just US$30.