Thrift Inspiration..... Doing it Designer Style for Bags in Neutral Tones

 Leather handbags in beige, ivory or cream that fit the trend for this Winter Season!

Hi everyone! So on my last thrifting trip I bought another handbag- but in my defence, I don't have a neutral beige or ivory bag!

There are some awesone designer bags that fit the bill if you're keen to get a light colour bag for Winter- going neutral means it will go with any colour coat or jacket you choose to wear and makes a perfect change from the traditional black or brown, 

Here are my favourite designer picks:

Wandler bag, Net a Porter

Laurent bag, YSL.com

See by Chloe at Farfetch

I picked up this cute vintage leather mock croc bag for just £3.50 in the charity shop and it's so well made and definitely will go with so many of my coats and jackets for this season:

Liz Clairborne vintage leather cross body bag

I love cross body bags as they're so stylish and versatile and particularly in Winter your hands want to be in your pockets and holding as little as possible!

Is a neutral colour bag on your radar for Winter? What colour accessories are you wearing this season?

Thrift Inspiration....Doing it Isabel Marant style!

 The Tale of my Isabel Marant Manifestation True Story Find, Plus my Marks and Spencer Coat Finds!

Hi everyone! So this is an awesome account of how my weekend went on the coat and thrifting front and how I came upon my latest purchases!

So I'm constantly evaluating, culling and adding to my coat collection- it's certainly an ongoing work in progress as many of you stylish ladies can attest to! 

My eldest son had kindly said he would pay for a coat that I had ordered from H&M for Christmas. It's a camel teddy coat and it was £39.99 in the sale but although it's a gorgeous coat I was constantly in two minds as to whether it actually suited me and eventually decided it didn't. So Friday evening, I packaged it up ready to be returned and then decided I wanted to hunt for a tweed coat or jacket and was busy happily browsing (hunting) eBay for a good few hours until past midnight! 

I remembered that a few years ago I had thrifted- and sadly gave or sold on again- a fabulous tweed coat which was very similar to the Isabel Marant Bator coat- see my post from 2013 here I actually screenshot this picture on Friday night from my blogpost (manifestation starting!) and as it was a Debenhams Classic coat I was stalking eBay for the exact coat- but no joy!

This is the jacket that sadly got away, pictured from my 2013 blogpost:

Well I ended up finding a coat on eBay before I went to bed, although its not in the same kind of style as above it's grey wool herringbone tweed, single breasted and looks great so I went to bed quite happy! I also bought another scarf- so am eagerly awaiting both of these to now arrive!

So Saturday morning I decided to go thrifting in two towns I hadn't been to in a while. So I arrived in the first town and parked up right outside a charity shop. I immediately spotted a beautiful lilac coat in the window and once I was in the shop the lady kindly let me try it on and did a sterling job of selling it to me!

It's by Marks and Spencer from their Autograph range and is a beautiful colour and weight too- as soon as I saw it and tried it on I knew I wanted it!!

My pictures don't do the coat justice, its really so lovely and was a fabulous bargain at £25, so worth the price!

Although £25 might seem fairly high to spend in a charity shop I figured that high street coats are generally £40 upwards anyway and the quality and niceness of this one meant it was well worth paying for, plus it's a decent amount for charity too!

 So I carried on my browsing in the charity shops and ended up visiting the next town, where I found a lovely leather handbag- blogpost to come on that one!

I was queueing to go into one shop but decided to leave it till last and visit two more before returning to queue to get in! So the last rail was the coats and right in front of me was this beautiful brown wool Isabel Marant coat!! Again my photos do not do the coat justice- it's a beautiful find and definitely a forever coat for my winter wardrobe for years to come.

As soon as I saw the label, the size and that it was in immaculate condition I queued to pay and the best part was that is was actually cheaper than my previous coat buy- just £15!!

A true manifestation of an Isabel Marant coat purchase going on- I was utterly amazed at my fabulous find and not only had I bagged two wonderful bargains, they actually came to the same price as what the H&M coat was! It just goes to show what awesome bargains you still can get from thrifting and at a lesser price than the High Street too.

I'm always amazed at what you can find and there are so many lovely bargains post lockdown that have been donated- I definitely recommend you go thrifting for your winter coats if you haven't done so already!

I headed home and both coats fit like a glove- perfectly just slightly oversized so I can get jumpers underneath and both colour coats I don't already have too. So I'm now definitely taking the H&M coat back and also donating a black faux fur coat I bought in September- sadly it's too big- in my excitement of buying it I didn't really notice how big it was but I'm sure it will go to a good home once I've donated it!

If you haven't already checked out my Instagram feed, you will see another recent lovely coat find that I thought I would share on here too. It's a beautiful alabaster colour and is a Marks and Spencer wool Autograph coat which I found for just £4.50 and it's come up a treat after being dry cleaned too.

The Autograph range at Marks and Spencer are really premium coats and if you can source them preloved these are forever coats that will last forever- I now truly understand why my mum has loved Marks and Spencer for years for her clothes and food!

So I think I'm nicely up to date with my coat purchases for the moment and I have to say the Isabel Marant one has to be up there with one of my best charity shop finds ever!

What coats are on your winter wishlist? I hope you've enjoyed my coat finds and they inspire you to seek your own fabulous finds for this winter season!

Neutral Tone Loungewear from Femme Luxe

Choosing stylish and comfortable neutral colours to wear during Winter Lockdown! 

Hi there! I really find that during lockdown I'm having my dress down days and my days where I want to make a little more effort with my style of the day! 

The Cailleigh cropped jogger loungewear set is a perfect choice of loungewear if you're looking for something cosy and trend led this season and it's a great choice for staying in and doing nothing in particular or for wearing under a stylish winter coat and chunky boots for a leisurely stroll in the park!

 Femme Luxe offer their loungewear in different colours but I do like the camel colour as it will go with a lot of different neutral tones. I knew this was on my list of 'must haves' for lockdown. It washes well and the cropped hoodie is a style I wanted for winter and beyond- I can see me wearing this over cute floral dresses come Spring!

The bottoms are super cosy with fleece on the inside, and sizing up or down in this style works well if you want slim fitting or a looser style of look! The camel set I went true to size with and the bottoms are a slim fit as you can see above.

I really love this in black too, each piece coordinates well with each other and the detailing is on point- the hoodie has a cute side adjustable drawstring waist and a tie at the neck and the bottoms also have a tie drawstring at the waist ensuring comfort at every level!

I decided I would size up in the black set- I normally like my loungewear to be fairly loose and I'm so glad I did- even going up a size I've not compromised on the fit as the joggers are still a slim fit but still feel roomy too- just what you want for an evening relaxing on the sofa! They have a stylish stitched seam down the front plus the perfect cuff for wearing with black ankle boots or hi-tops- such a great trend this season that I'm really enjoying!

Each piece can easily be worn with so many other things already in my wardrobe- the hoodie will be perfect with jeans or leggings and is great under my winter coats as an additional layer! 

I'll wear the bottoms with different colour sweatshirts this winter and I'm sure the sets will take me into Springtime too! I really like having loungewear sets in black and camel- they're so versatile to have in a winter capsule lounging wardrobe!

Thanks to the team at Femme Luxe for keeping me in style this winter lockdown!

Lockdown Loungewear this Winter with FemmeLuxe

Enjoying comfy stylish co-ord's and separates with FemmeLuxe

Hi everyone! When I realised I would be mostly at home for lockdown, I decided what better way to lounge in style than with FemmeLuxe with gorgeous pieces from their stay at home edit!

I have pieces from Autumn that I'm still enjoying wearing and as I've previously chosen neutral colours then I knew that separates such as their joggers meant I could easily co-ordinate and mix and match pieces with style!

When I saw the Cailleigh black boxy cropped jogger loungewear set I knew this was on my list of 'must haves' for lockdown. It does not disappoint- it washes and wears beautifully, is so cosy and comfortable and the cropped hoodie is a style I wanted for winter and with it's cute side adjustable drawstring waist it's such a perfect choice for lounging in style this season!

I sized up in this- I normally like my loungewear to be fairly loose and I'm so glad I did- even going up a size I've not compromised on the fit as the joggers are still a slim fit but feel roomy too-result!! Not only do they have a stylish stitched seam down the front, they also have the perfect cuff for wearing with black ankle boots- such a fabulous trend this winter that I'm really loving!

Each piece can easily be worn with so many other things already in my wardrobe- the hoodie will be perfect with jeans or leggings and is great under my winter jackets as an extra layer! I'll definitely be wearing the joggers with different colour hoodies and sweatshirts that are in lockdown rotation! I really recommend a black co-ord as it's such a versatile set to have and I'll be wearing mine lots in lockdown and beyond!

I've recently started buying cream and sand colour neutrals and when I saw these fleece front pocket Elina joggers I knew they would be a welcome addition to my wardrobe! These are perfectly true to size and unbelievably comfortable.

Not only are they super warm and cosy, they wash well- no shrinkage and minimum creases and they're the perfect neutral piece for mixing colour tones! The pockets are massively stylish and in size too- it's the finishing touches that really draw me to choosing FemmeLuxe pieces over again! 

I already had this cute cropped FemmeLuxe hoodie from Autumn and it's a real favourite of mine- I wear it so much and love how it's perfect for any season just by adding a layer underneath or over the top when necessary!

I opted for some dark green khaki joggers as this was a colour I don't have- these Lizzie joggers are true to size and again just so cosy and co-ordinate well with many neutrals for winter! These particular style jogger have a hidden drawstring which you can see well in my last picture- this is a great style bonus and I love how effective it looks with no strings hanging down!

 It's such a lovely Autumnal day that I'm wearing them with my white oversize t shirt that has also been an invaluable addition to my wardrobe thanks to FemmeLuxe!

I naturally chose dark grey joggers for winter- I don't have this colour and I've got a few grey sweatshirts and jumpers that will go with these perfectly! I love wearing joggers with ankle boots-the cuffs on all their joggers perfectly fit into them and make a stylish change from trainers! On a mild Autumnal day then wearing a hoodie over the shoulders is an effortlessly chic way of elevating a simple casual style and ensures you're carrying that extra layer for when it gets a bit colder!

 I really hope you've enjoyed how I've styled these pieces from FemmeLuxe- a big thanks to the team for providing such stylish and value for money pieces that will have longevity in my loungewear wardrobe for sure! Regular readers of my blog will know that I really enjoy wearing FemmeLuxe as they are consistently good quality and so reasonable too- be sure to check them out for your winter items of choice!!

Its All about the Dress! Transitional Dressing from the High Street

Choosing print dresses for end of Summer and Autumn styling!

Hi everyone! I've noticed that on Instagram that dresses seem to be the most popular go to for effortless style and comfort this Summer! Whether it's a puff sleeve, little black dress, grecian maxi or a flowing floral number, I do think dresses are definitely on many stylish IGers and Fashion bloggers radar this current season!

I really love dresses in Summer although I do tend to gravitate towards jeans and sweaters in Winter! However, I would like to carry on wearing dresses as we leave Summer and go into the next couple of seasons and I've found two dresses that I feel fit this remit very well indeed!

So breaking away from my current Summer habit of buying plain neutrals, I've bought print neutrals which I think are perfect transition choices when heading for the Autumn season! My first buy was in the Marks and Spencer's summer sale earlier this month and with a special offer on my Sparks card too, it was just £4. 

It's a really pretty paisley and floral taupe print dress with tiers and the near maxi length is ideal for wearing with sandals, trainers or boots and also a denim jacket or cardigan whatever the style occasion as the cooler weather approaches:

My second dress was purchased this week- Primark have their new current season instore and I literally picked this up as soon as I walked in! I haven't got a leopard print dress and again, the length and style of this dress make it a perfect transition piece from Summer to Autumn- it's also an ideal Day to Evening dress simply by adding jewellery, a pair of strappy sandals and a statement handbag and I'm good to go! 

Primark do some amazing leopard print clothes every season- I wore a year old leopard print denim skirt not so long ago which is featured on my Instagram feed. If you pick well, you cannot go wrong with Primark clothes and I do enjoy styling and wearing thoughtfully chosen items that I've had year after year!

Also leopard print is such a great print to style with- adding a splash of red or gold or silver carefully curated accessories with it ensures you'll really elevate your chosen leopard print piece with style!

This dress was £15 and I'm delighted to have 2 new High Street purchases that have stood me in at less than £10 each! 

Top Style Tip I do tend to size 1-2 sizes up in Primark- sizing up on certain high street brands ensures the said item looks a lot more stylish and expensive looking and drapes better too!

I do feel that Summer is slowly slipping away- well we've had an amazing one considering it started at the beginning of Lockdown! I doubt I'll be buying anymore items for Summer now unless it's an awesome thrifted one that I will have to have for next Summer!

Will you be wearing dresses this Autumn? Are they your go to for easy styling or will you be back in jeans? I'm a denim lover anyway so whether it's a jacket or skirt or jeans, denim will definitely feature a lot in my Autumn wardrobe- and hopefully dresses will too!!

Summer Linen- choosing preloved Marks and Spencer

Last of my Thrifted Summer Buys! 

Hi everyone! Last Friday was a lovely afternoon spent with the girls, lunching, then charity shopping and then back to the local Wetherspoon's for afternoon dessert and a needed cup of tea!

My Summer thrifted buys this season have been a lot more thought out as to what can be saved for following summers- I really want to have pieces that will transcend trends and that I will enjoy wearing and will keep me cool and looking stylish too!

This first item I found was in a charity shop where they were doing a 3 for 2 offer. I've mentioned in previous Instagram and blogposts that I really do like finding preloved Marks and Spencer linen  it not only keeps you cool but I do feel it's effortlessly stylish and very practical to wear and if you choose neutral colours then separates such as tops, blouses, shorts and trousers can so easily be mixed and matched for lots of different looks within a capsule summer wardrobe. 

I really like the stripe detail and the self belt nicely cinches the waist without feeling too fussy or tight. This will go with some white linen trousers I thrifted in June, plus cut off denim shorts or one of my denim skirts.Whilst thirfting, I try to envisage if an item will go with at least three items in my wardrobe- if it does then there's a good chance I'll buy it!  Also I find linen really doesn't have great hanger appeal, but once tried on it does look and feel nice!

My next find was a second black linen jacket the first one you can see here in July's post 

The difference between the two is this one is a slightly longer length and is an unstructured, unlined style so I can wear it with shorts or trousers for a more relaxed, casual style:

My last find was this awesome vintage cream linen vintage St Michaels Marks and Spencer dress- I think it's from the 80s- it has a dropped waist, soft pleats and detailed horn style buttons. I was unsure about it in the shop, but decided to buy it anyway and once I had tried it on I was so pleased I had snapped it up. I may not get a chance to wear it this Summer but this is a keeper dress that I know I'll wear in future Summers. It's a classic style, comfortable and I've hankered after a cream dress for a while, so this fits the bill perfectly!

So the grand total for all three was £9.50- a little over £3 per item which for Marks and Spencer items I think is awesome! I've built up a great variety of items for Summer dressing  and preloved Marks and Spencer linen features a lot in it. I've four linen shirts, a couple of jackets, two pairs of trousers and a dress that are preloved M&S and I can safely say that they are definitely items that will have longevity in my summer capsule wardrobe.

I constantly culled my wardrobe this season and the things I had left and bought this season are items that I can mix well with each other for all and any occasions. I have bought a lot of plain neutral things these last few months and as a lover of prints and floral items for Summer, I feel I now have a good variety of colour and style in my current wardrobe!

Have you finished your Summer wardrobe shopping this season? My next blogpost will feature a couple of new buys that will be perfect for transitioning to Autumn- stay tuned!

Femme Luxe sets for Autumn Styling

Choosing Animal Print and Neutrals for a Mix and Match Colour Style Pallette

Hi everyone! Although we have been having heatwave weather here in the UK, my thoughts have been to assembling my Autumn wardrobe and incorporating some style basics that I can interchange with each other for a versatile Autumnal capsule wardrobe.

I really love this snake loungewear set by Femme Luxe- it ticks all the boxes for being on trend, comfort and is the perfect transitional loungewear suit as it is light yet warm for those cooler days:

It's a real winner for day to night dressing- just changing trainers to some strappy sandals will instantly elevate this outfit into a stylish set for going for an evening meal or drinks.

I really love a plain white t-shirt and jogger combination and these stone seamed joggers are again a perfect choice for wearing in any season- they are ideal for daytime styles if I'm running errands or going shopping and I really love that these stone colour joggers are the perfect shade of beige as they will go with all colour t-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts! FemmeLuxe do lovely white t-shirts, not only are they comfortable but they really wash and wear well, hence me choosing them time and again!

You may have seen from my previous posts that I'm just a little obsessed with the Estelle loungewear set! I've got it in black, grey and camel and naturally when I saw the brown version I snapped up the chance to style it up! I totally adore the cut, style, fit and comfort of this suit and totally recommend it- it washes and wears like a dream and I'm so pleased to have this one in my wardrobe for the Autumn- plus I'll be able to mix and match the tops and bottoms to create a fully functional capsule loungewear wardrobe!

Thanks to the Femme Luxe team for letting me style this amazing pieces- I really enjoy wearing their items, you get total value for money and it's easy to create an inexpensive and stylish capsule wardrobe by mixing and matching pieces without breaking the budget!!

Thrift My Style Hand Knit Aran Cardigans for Seasonal Styling and Thrift Tips

Getting ready for Autumn and Winter styling!

Hi everyone! Although it's high season Summer at the moment, whenever I go to the charity shops or boot sales I'm always keeping my eyes open for alternative season pieces.

Which leads me nicely to My First Thrift Tip - Shop items that are not for the current season This really applies if they are available to buy in a charity shop or at the boot sale of course! Keep an open mind in the heart of Summer to check out coats, winter jackets and knitwear as it's a great cost effective way of adding to your wardrobe and likewise so is seeking out and buying summer dresses and swimwear in Winter too!

So to my chunky knits! My first hand knit cardigan was a gifted purchase a couple of years ago which was from the clothes market at Columbia Road Flower Market. 

I featured it on my Instagram feed in 2018 and what I really like about it is the longer length and how I can wear it as a 'coatigan' and as you can see I styled it over a denim jacket and skirt- this kind of styling for me is perfect for Autumn and transitional styling:

What drew me to it was the gorgeous olive colour and chunky style, it definitely is a 'keeper' piece in my wardrobe as it is versatile and stylish and who doesn't like a hand knit cardigan in the wardrobe!

I went to the Saturday boot sale yesterday in Chigwell again and there was a massive stall selling all kinds of different clothes which had a small selection of hand knit aran sweaters and cardigans. 

I've been looking for the traditional cream colour for a while now and have always seemed to come across sweaters rather than cardigans in my size.

Anyhow I found this one which also seems as new and unworn and on the same stall I found a vintage football shirt for the boys. 

So armed with my booty I asked how much for both. The reply was a tenner, which of course is pretty good to be fair, but I decided to put my haggling skills to good use and we negotiated and settled at £7!!

It's a real bargain buy and it's a great feeling to find something which you've actually been after for ages too!

This particular cardigan is a shorter length to the olive green one that I have and has laundered up so well- it hasn't shrunk and because of the summer heat has dried naturally very quickly!

So to reiterate on my Second Thrift Tip - Do haggle at boot sales! I tend to if I've got more than one item and I make sure I don't take liberties as I know this can also be someone else's important source of income. Sometimes I don't even haggle, if I really like an item I'll snap it up at the price given!

But it never hurts to ask and I'll always accept a no with grace and a smile, particularly if I want the said item!

Third Thrift Tip - The Early Bird catches the Good Items! I was at the boot sale before 7am yesterday and it's good to be able to browse whilst sellers have just set up their stall and you know you are one of the first to view their wares!

Fourth Thrift Tip - Buy Quality whatever the price!  So the cardigan stood me in at £3.50 which I was very pleased about- I wouldn't be able to get a cardigan on the High Street for this price plus I'm all for items that promote slow sustainable fashion, that are also preloved and also will have a long term future in my wardrobe!

I remember buying a couple of jumpers in the Primark sale a couple of years ago for £5 each and they didn't hold up well at all, so that was £10 wasted as they didn't last a full winter season.

Fifth Thrift Tip-  Get Charity Shopping now! The charity shops are all beginning to reopen now after lockdown and with donations being received thick and fast in their shops and a limited amount of people being allowed in for social distance reasons, now really is the perfect time to be checking out a new thift bargain- whether it's for this season or for Autumn and Winter! 

HAPPY THRIFT SHOPPING! 

ThriftMyStyle with Vintage and Preloved Jackets and Blazers

Summer and Transitional Jackets and Blazers in key basic neutral colours for a perfect capsule wardrobe 

Hi everyone! I think this post is a long overdue one from me- I really do love a blazer!

My Summer favourite, year in and year out ALWAYS consists of a good quality blazer or jacket- preferably vintage or preloved in a key colour that I know will last me for seasons to come. You can't go wrong with having a few in your wardrobe- they can either transition for Autumn or be kept again for the following Summer!

This first blazer is one I found eleven years ago- check my original post 'Ferretti and Frills' from August 2009! Its definitely one of my all time favourite finds and I always wear it every Summer. A navy blazer is a must and this one by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti has stood the test of time in quality and style in my wardrobe for sure! I really love the longer length and double breasted style and this style never dates, so timeless and classic in cut and colour:

This next blazer was bought a couple of years ago and was found in the same Salvation Army charity shop as the one above, its a Calvin Klein steel grey light wool blazer and was £3.99.

When I thrift a blazer I always try and source either designer names or brands with a high natural material content, such as wool, silk or linen.

If you can find a good quality well made jacket that covers these bases you will have a piece that will have longevity in your wardrobe and be a keeper for many years to come! This Calvin Klein one has a white striped lining on the arms so I do like to fold them up sometimes for that relaxed 90s Summer vibe!

This Jaeger beige linen vintage blazer was also £3.99 and I found this in a charity shop last year. It's a go to jacket for wearing with shorts or a mini skirt as it is a longer length style and again I like to wear it with the sleeves pushed up. This one is unlined and a perfect cover up over a cami or a new trend season vest top and I do think a neutral colour is a must for any Summer wardrobe.

Viewers of my Instagram page will know that I purchased this Gerry Weber tobacco brown linen blazer from ebay earlier this month. I've never really worn brown much, but have really embraced this tonal colour this season and it really is a great colour to have in a neutral colour capsule wardrobe as it goes with so much. This classic single breasted style works well with jeans and floral or plain coloured summer dresses. I love ebay for preloved items- this was just £4.99 with postage and a key tip for finding a bargain is to check 'ending soonest' in your chosen colour and size, that's how I won this one!

This last jacket was a fabulous find a couple of weeks ago from my local Cancer Research charity shop- it was on the 50p rail! I love the shorter length of this black linen jacket from Marks and Spencer, it makes a change from the oversized or longer length jackets that I already have in my wardrobe. I do actually own a few black jackets but I didn't have a linen one, so for 50p I couldn't leave it behind!

A good quality blazer really does pull an outfit together and it's amazing what can be found in your local charity or thrift shops and also from the boot sale too! As I've said before, look for ones with a high natural material content, that is a neutral colour and style and choose styles that are either longer and shorter to mix and match well with pieces already in your wardrobe!

What are your favourite Summer styles, are jackets on your radar too? 

Relaxed Vibes with Femme Luxe- Sweatshirt and Cycling Shorts

Summer Loungewear chosen for Comfort and Style!!

Hi everyone!! I'm totally defaulting to loungewear for my current staycation! I won't be flying away anytime soon but if I was I would definitely be choosing these key pieces from Femme Luxe for travelling and relaxing.

The current obsession of cycling shorts has not abated and when I saw these high waisted ribbed cycling shorts I knew I had to go for all the neutral colourways on offer!

To complement the different colours I've chosen this neutral sand sweatshirt to go with the shorts- picking an oversized style means style and comfort come first and I have an easy trend led uniform for Summer days that are that bit cooler!

These sage colour shorts are a trendy pop of neutral colour that give an understated nod to a no fuss, 

minimalistic summer vibe:

I love the camel cycling shorts and can easily see me wearing these with an oversized blazer and simple white tee if I wanted a more stylish daytime look for lunching with the girls or for going on a shopping trip! 

I really love wearing my tie dye t shirt and pairing it with the black ribbed cycling shorts is such a fun fashion forward look for trips to the park or relaxing in the garden.

If cycling shorts aren't your thing- Femme Luxe do a great range of shorts in different colours and styles to suit all tastes and budgets!

I'm really enjoying choosing neutral pieces that are adding to my favourite colour pallettes for Summer- beiges, greens, white and black are so easy to mix and match and are great tonal choices for having a versatile mix and match wardrobe!

Thanks to Femme Luxe- as usual the quality and choice are spot on and I've really enjoyed styling these pieces which I know will have longevity in my loungewear wardrobe!

Choosing Summer Neutrals with Femme Luxe

My Favourite Colour Pallettes for Lounging or Working Out in Style!

Hi everyone! So the heatwave has disappeared for the forseeable future and with this in mind, my choice of loungewear and activewear is geared towards cropped styles and cycling shorts- a perfect combination for those cooler days.

I chose black cycling shorts as a Summer style staple- not only are they stylish and comfortable, they really are ideal for any active or restful activity that I decide to do this season!

Not just that, but they've always been a favourite of mine and are especially on trend this Summer. I've teamed them with a black oversize tee and this is a perfect fashion forward choice of outfit for me- ensuring I keep cool in a casual chic style! 

So I'm pretty obsessed with the Estelle Boxy Loungewear set-the team at Femme Luxe have got this 2 piece co-ordinate outfit on point for style, comfort and in this gorgeous camel colour, it really ticks all the boxes for the colour pallette I'm aspiring to this Summer! Whether you want a neutral colour or something more bolder or brighter, Femme Luxe have a great range to choose from!

I already have this in black and grey and I recommend it if you're after a loungewear set that will look good for a shopping trip, travelling or relaxing at home. 

There's nothing more cosier on cooler Summer days than a cropped hoodie and this one really fits well and is true to size-that;s what I really like about Femme Luxe pieces, I can order my size and be reassured I'll get the perfect fit!

I opted for the khaki cycling shorts to go with the hoodie- I love the tonal colour combination and this outfit will be ideal for when I'm doing yoga or going for a stroll around the park.

If cycling shorts aren't your thing- Femme Luxe do a great range of shorts in different colours and styles to suit all tastes and budgets!

The cropped hoodie is really stylish and on trend and the sand colour means it will go with so much already in my wardrobe- denim shorts or jeans or  loungewear joggers.

What colours and styles are you opting for this Summer? By choosing a few key items in neutral colours, I'm building a lovely capsule wardrobe in a colour pallette that I can mix and match with effortless styling and ease!

Thanks to the team at Femme Luxe for letting me style these versatile and fashionable pieces that I'm really looking forward to wearing!

Thrift My Style with Summer Linen

My Charity Shop Haul this week including other Summer Items!

Hi everyone! I was so happy to see the opening of the charity shops earlier this week, so with this in mind, I did a declutter and took a few things for donation.

 Now is the ideal time being post lockdown to have a good sort out and to have a trying on session too. I've actually sorted another bag of donations these past couple of days due to not trying stuff on before which now does not fit or is making room for newer pieces I've either thrifted or bought.

I've also put some things on eBay too-check them out if you fancy!!

So on my wishlist has been neutral items for Summer and although I don't need a new bag I really couldn't resist this as it ticks all the boxes- neutral style, linen look inspired and for only £2 it was such a good bargain I couldn't not get it!

It's ideal for shopping trips, beach days or any summer awayday- it's a very versatile size and very lightweight to use- if I go on holiday it will be a perfect travelling companion and can also fit effortlessly into luggage too:

Another couple of bargains from later last week were this pure linen pink Marks and Spencer Blouse for just £3.50 and these white linen Marks and Spencer trousers for £3!!

I always look to size up on linen as it looks so much more classic and chic to be loose fitting- so I was especially happy to find both of these in bigger sizes to oversize my outfit choices:

Linen is a practical and chic option for Summer and if you buy quality items it will last you for summers to come. I do try and thrift good high street pieces for longevity in my wardrobe and you generally can't go wrong with M&S!

Two other finds from earlier in the week were a Laura Ashley linen tee and a pair of tailored linen trousers in traditional linen colours.

The M&S tailored trousers were only £1 from Sense charity shop and again these were a size larger which fit me really well!

I really love this Laura Ashley linen tee- it was £4 and I especially love the embroidery detail too! This will look great dressed up or down with denim for a casual summer chic look.  

Both pieces really launder and iron well- again a good sign of buying quality preloved high street items.

This chambray blouse by TU for Sainsburys was only £1 from Sense and is a piece that will go with shorts, skirts and denim for Summer. Chambray is a perfect Summer option, softer and lighter than traditional denim, it easily goes with anything for an easy Summer outfit choice: 

I do love sportswear pieces and I couldn't leave these Adidas shorts behind from Barnados charity shop for just £4! Ideal for lounging or yoga or walking, these will last for ages and are a timeless piece of sports fashion:

If you check out my Instagram- thriftmystyledotcom then you can also see the cute preloved Topshop black slip dress I found for just £6 too!

It's certainly been a winning week of thrifting and charity shop finds for me! What is on your summer wishlist? I have always tended to gravitate towards floral for Summer but am enjoying looking for different things like plain colours and linen- what is your Summer style?