ThriftMyStyle..........Breton stripes for winter

Hi everyone! One item that is forever in style is the Breton top. Navy and white is always a classic combination and the easy way to channel this trend for winter is to invest in a long sleeve tee or jumper which will be a worthwhile style staple as it can be worn every winter as it will never date. Desginers and the high street have a variety of  different colour and patterns based on the traditional Breton style, here are my picks of what's available online at the moment:

Day Birger et Mikkelsen merino wool jumper, Net-A-Porter, £110

 Topshop Breton striped jumper, £36

J Crew tee, Net-A-Porter, £46

Last summer I thrifted this Topshop jumper at my local boot sale for a bargainous £1- its quite chunky and ideal for wearing with high rise dark skinny flares this winter: 

This Zara organic cotton tee was from the Sue Ryder charity shop earlier this week for just £2.75 and I'll wear it as a layering piece this winter, under a shirt, cardigan or gilet:

They also look great with a pop of red, maybe an accompanying necklace, belt or bag would complete the look with dark colour jeans or if you're feeling confident enough, some off white jeans would also look great! 

Are you wearing Breton tees from summer gone or do you think you'll be buying this style of top for the coming season? Wishing you all a very happy weekend!!

ThriftMyStyle.......Shopping my wardrobe for the perfect LBB

For Christmas a couple of years ago I treated myself to a vintage black leather Gucci handbag from a vintage fashion fair and it has proved not only a real style investment but a very versatile and timeless accessory. It was a fantastic bargain, less than 3 figures and for 4 figures, Gucci currently have a similar vintage inspired style online now:

Gucci 1973 black handbag, £1520

It goes to show that inspiration from decades gone is still evident in today's handbag designs- detailing such as a classic flap, plated logo fasteners and several compartments are signs that this detailing is very much a style staple and do not date for any fashion house designer.

My vintage find is very comparable to what's on offer right now and what makes me love it more is it's versatility- I can use it as an everyday handbag and for an instant in trend look I can change it to a smart clutch bag in seconds, as the handle is removable:

The humble classic black handbag is an item we all have in our wardrobe which is all so easily overlooked in our search for the new 'it' bag. It certainly transcends seasons and can be adapted for day, evening, smart or casual use.

Will you be pulling your black handbag out from the wardrobe-have you found the perfect one yet?

Thrift Inspiration...............Parkas for all budgets!

Hi everyone! Wishing you all a Happy Monday and I hope you are bearing up with all the snow we are having! This month I have been trying to just thrift items that I know I will definitely wear and really like, as opposed to items that I will put in the wardrobe for an 'in case occasion'. I already have so many items that don't get worn regularly so I am trying to fill in the basics and then shop my wardrobe as much as possible.

One item that has been on my style radar for a long while is a khaki green parka. Regarding rainwear, I am very much in the 'parka' camp as opposed to the 'trenchcoat'. As much as I really like them I don't feel 'me' in them and just prefer to admire them on other people!

Here is my pick of parkas available now, both designer and on the high street:

Lot78 Hooded parka coat, £585

J Crew Hooded parka £190

Zara with detachable hood £69.99

I thrifted this Parka raincoat a couple of weeks ago from the Salvation Army charity shop for just £3.99 and its by Marks and Spencer. It is a lightweight one and ideal for those Spring showers which will be inevitable for us in the UK!! What drew me to it was the length too, as it comes to just touching the knee so will keep me well protected from wind and rain. It also has enough room to fit a tailored jacket, chunky cardigan or jumper underneath to keep my dry and cosy:

I like the minimal detailing and the coat will be easy to style with any given outfit, particularly with skinny jeans and boots. I think dark khaki is a very versatile and easy neutral colour to work with in the wardrobe for Spring and makes a fresh change from black and beige.

What is your style choice for rainy weather, do you wear parkas or raincoats and will you be investing in either for Spring?

Thrift Inspiration.........Doing it McQueen style with the humble grey sweatshirt

Hi everyone! The weather is absolutely freezing outside and I would say at the moment its all about layers and keeping warm. This brings me to a wardrobe staple that most us may already have, which is the humble grey sweatshirt. I thrifted a Uniqlo sweatshirt earlier this week for just under £4 and whilst browsing the internet I was inspired by what it can be worn with:

This look featured at the MCQ pre fall collection presentation for 2013 and I love how this sweat top has been layered over a black chiffon dress and paired with black ankle boots to fierce the look up. 

You could adapt this look with a black chiffon pleated skirt or layer it over a black floaty dress, check out what's already in your wardrobe.

This grey sweat top from Topshop has been paired with it's tall crystal stud tube skirt, £40

It's a really inspiring look to wear a statement 'dressy' skirt with a grey sweat top for a more wearable, every day look and it ensures you get extra mileage out of that 'best' skirt.

As a fan of Uniqlo here is a link to their men's grey sweat which is just £19.90- go for a smaller size for a fitted look or a couple sizes up if you like it slouchy. Either look will be great with a black belt over the top, McQueen style.

Uniqlo grey sweatshirt, £19.90

Will you be pairing up a grey sweat with a statement skirt? It really is something that can be worn right now, a great way to wear those thermal tights and tees without feeling like you haven't tried with your outfit choice!!

A Pop of Red for Winter and My Primark Studded Tote Bag For Shopping In Town

Hi everyone! I went into town yesterday purely to get some thermal t-shirts for younger son, but knowing my destination was Primark I had a sneaky suspicion I would be having a browse around the store and possibly even purchasing something for myself too! 

 My main buys in Primark tend to be their scarves-for around £3 to £5 you can get an on trend accessory that can be worn straight away without breaking the bank. But before I reached the vests (menswear is on the top floor!) I passed the shoe section that had some nude patent slipper pumps on sale for £3, so they were held on to. Then I went to the scarves and couldn't resist a navy and white scull scarf for £4-ideal for Spring and Summer. I have had on my radar the 'want' (I won't say need!) of a red tote bag which will bag my buys when I am in town and save me having to carry 2 or 3 random carrier bags.  So I was really pleased when I spied this studded red large tote for just £12. It also comes in black but I wanted red for a pop of colour for winter. It is very roomy and generous in size, with a couple of inner pockets for your phone and keys:

The red of the tote is more of a true red in reality, the picture seems to show it to be more orangey-red.

Here are my favourite picks of other red bags available and which are on sale:

Red Zara mini shopper, now half price £19.99

Stella McCartney faux leather red stud bag, The Outnet, now £247.50

 Michael Kors tote, The Outnet, now £52

Will you be sporting a red bag this season?