Thriftmystyle........Electric blue bags for all budgets!!

Hi everyone!! How lovely has the weekend been-it's been milder and sunny and no more snow forecast, just milder weather to come this week-yay!!

Spring like weather really makes you think about what colours you want to be wearing this coming season and for me, cobalt or electric blue is definitely on my radar. Exclusively to My-Wardrobe.com is the infamous Acne Pistol boot in cobalt blue. They are utterly divine and if you've got that sort of cash, then they would be a must have for Spring and Summer!!

For me it's all about the bag and there is certainly some choices from designer to high street if you are looking for this particular colour. Here are my favourite picks of whats out there at the moment:

 Victoria Beckham The Victoria Tote, Net-A-Porter, £2300

 Saint Laurent The Muse, Net-A-Porter, £1075

 Proenza Schouler The PS11, Net-A-Porter, £1365



Zara suede messenger bag, £22.99

On Friday when I was doing my weekly food shop I spied this gorgeous electric blue clutch/ cross body bag by TU for Sainsburys. My pictures don't show the detachable long strap as I wanted to show you how many pockets the bag has:

The bag has a main compartment but folds over with a snap magnetic fastener to show the front which I think has gorgeous hardware. Then it has the outer smaller zip pocket and inside the main compartment there is another inner zip compartment, a mobile phone pocket and another pocket:

Then another zipped compartment on the back of the bag too! The bag was a bargainous £12 and I had a £2.50 discount due to my Nectar points so I got it for just £9.50!! I really love the colour and how it looks amazing as a cross body bag and as a clutch-for me, a really worthwhile and thrifty purchase and the perfect way to channel electric blue this coming season.

What colours are on your radar for the coming season, will you be channeling electric/cobalt blue in your wardrobe?

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!!