Second Hand Clothes

New Fashion- Old Clothes

2011-01-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

The great thing about swapping and buying second hand clothes is that although you might not be buying the latest designer collection, if you know what to look for you can find some great pieces that work perfectly with the seasons new fashion.

Get some fashion inspiration for your swapping and shopping with these 5 trends for SS11.

Stripes - stripes are one of those looks that are always on trend. For SS11 they featured heavily in the Prada collection, a sure sign that they are going to be huge for SS11.

Floral Prints - another look that never really goes out of fashion floral prints just keep on coming back. There were some amazingly bright and colourful prints featured on the catwalk at D&G for SS11.

Bright Colours - the perfect way to get yourself noticed bright colours were the perfect contrast the neutral colours that have become so popular recently. Look out for neons and juicy citrus colours to brighten up your spring wardrobe.
Maxi Skirts - hemlines will be moving downwards for the spring with long ankle length and mid calf length skirts and dresses. As maxi dresses have been popular for some time now there are likely to be some great second hand choices available.
The Seventies - the seventies will have a huge influence o Spring fashion with flare, maxi's and pussycat bow blouses all featuring. Also watch out for that Studio 54 disco style.

For more ideas on trends for the season ahead check out http://www.theshoppingforecast.com/

Vintage Fashion for Women

2010-11-26T06:04:00.000-08:00

Vintage fashion refers to styles which have been recycled from previous eras, and there are vintage outfits to suit any interests, from the 20's through to the 80's. Vintage has seen a major revival over the last few years, and is a trend which will keep your style unique and timeless. Many of the recent catwalk shows have showcased vintage trends, with top designers creating wondrous replica designs.

Some tips to remember before you go looking for any vintage items of clothing, is to consider what exactly you are looking for. Are you interested in a classic piece from the 1920's, or maybe the hippy style from the 1960's is more up your street. You also want to think about why you are buying your vintage clothing, whether it be for a special occasion or just for the sake of collecting a unique piece of clothing. Knowing exactly what you want is half the battle to finding the perfect vintage outfit, and there are looks to cater for all needs.
The next thing to think about is where you are going to find your vintage clothing. As vintage has become so popular lately, you will often find a lot of niche vintage markets, where you can pick up a piece of unique clothing at an inexpensive price. There are many shops on the high street which also have a collection of vintage pieces, although you may have to pay a bit extra for these.
When shopping for vintage, you really have to be patient, as it may take some time before you find the perfect item, and it can be a lot more complex than the clothes shopping you are used to. The beauty of vintage clothing is that it is a trend which is timelessly fashionable. The fabrics and patterns are unique, so have a good feel of these in order to determine which clothes will make you feel most comfortable.

Always try the clothing on before you purchase it and be aware of it's condition. It can range from being in mint condition (just like new) or good condition (some repairs needed.) If you feel a bit weary of trying second hand vintage clothes on, then wear your other clothes under it, to get a feel of what it looks like and if it suits you. It may also be an idea to take someone along with you when you're out shopping for your vintage clothes. As long as it's someone who will give you an honest opinion. If you are working from a tight budget, then it's a good idea to look at replica designs, as these are usually a lot more affordable.
Current fashion trends tend to mix up vintage with a more modern look, which will streamline your look, and make it more wearable for all different occasions. You may want to wear vintage with a popular key trend for the season, as this will keep you looking stylish, but will also give your look a unique edge.

Shop Vintage London
Shop vintage fashion London

Win £100 of shoe vouchers and more with posh-swaps.com

2010-05-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

Posh-swaps.com has just had its first birthday and in celebration, they are holding a great prize draw during the month of May. Anyone who lists clothes to swap on Posh-swaps.com during May 2010 will be automatically entered into the draw. For each item listed you will get one entry into the draw so the more items that you list, the more chance you will have of winning. The winners will be drawn at the beginning of June and notified by email, all prizes should be claimed within 2 weeks or there will be a redraw to determine a new winner. So here is what you can win:

First Prize - £100 of shoe vouchers for Spartoo.co.uk (this prize is only available to those resident in the UK) - take your pick of some of the latest styles of shoes and handbags including some great designer brands.

Second Prize - a new Initial wallet by Lollipops Paris - a large and well organised purse with large coin pocket and sections for notes and cards, this is the perfect balance of style and practicality.

Third Prizes - three lucky winners can take their pick of one item from the Posh Swaps swapping account. With a selection of second hand accessories and clothes in a variety of sizes (and a few vintage pieces).

Runners Up - ten runners up will each receive one of our stylish reusuable Posh Swaps cotton bags.

To register and start listing your items visit www.posh-swaps.com/. It is completely free to use.

Designerhighstreet.com launches SS10 trend and online shopping guide

2010-01-28T06:50:00.000-08:00

Designerhighstreet.com has just launched the first of its SS10 trend and online shopping guides. The guides are aimed at women of all ages who want a quick and easy way to find the best of the season’s clothes. The guides highlight the key trends for the season and the pick of the best designer and high street pieces for each of the trends.

The first of the guides to be launched include jumpsuits, the shift dress, the maxi dress and the party and prom dress with further guides on floral, shorts, neutrals, military and lots more planned for the coming weeks and months. Expert fashion editors at designerhighstreet.com sift through literally thousands of designer and high street pieces to provide a pick of the best and most desirable pieces of the season.

The shopping guide includes clothes to suit all budgets and body shapes, with a wide range of styles within each trend and clothes ranging from £20 to £500. All of the clothes and accessories featured in the designerhighstreet.com trend and shopping guides are available to buy in the UK through a large range of online retailers which include My wardrobe, Oasis, Dorothy Perkins, Boden, Miss Selfridge, Marks and Spencers, Laura Ashley and New Look. The guides also feature designer clothes by the likes of Paul Smith, By Malene Birger, Philosophy Di Alberta Ferreti and many more.

Designerhighstreet.com is just one of the fashion websites owned by Heathcote Communications. It aims to make shopping easier by giving information on the seasons fashions with a wide variety of examples and links to many different retailers. It also has ski wear including ladies ski jacket and ladies salopettes.

To see the latest SS10 trend and online shopping guides visit http://www.designerhighstreet.com/.

Posh-swaps.com celebrates International Day of Swishing with free online Swishing party

2009-12-31T06:01:00.001-08:00

Posh-swaps.com will celebrate International Day of Swishing on 9th January 2009 with a free online swishing party. The party is open to anyone and everyone with the opportunity to list and swap as many clothes as they like for free. The phenomena of swishing or clothes swap parties have become hugely popular as they are fun, frugal and environmentally friendly. Online swapping is the perfect alternative to swishing for those who prefer to swap from the comfort of their own home.

9th January 2009 has been declared International Day of Swishing by Futerra Sustainability Communications and Lucy Shea founder of Swishing. The flagship event will be held at the Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel in London but for swappers all over the world who want to take part, there will also be an online swishing party at Posh-swaps.com on 9th December 2009.

Swappers can join the online party by registering with posh-swaps.com, before listing as many items of clothing as they like by uploading a photo, description and details. They can then browse swap items listed by others before proposing as many swaps as they like. The website is completely free to use including registering, listing, swapping buying and selling second hand clothes. Fashion Bloggers from all over the world will also be invited to attend and help promote sustainable style by listing their clothes.

Ceri Heathcote founder of Posh-swaps.com commented “International Day of Swishing is such a great opportunity to get people from all over the online at once to swap clothes, have fun and promote sustainable style. It is also a great way to refresh your wardrobe for the New Year without spending money and swap any unwanted Christmas presents ”

Attend the posh-swaps.com online swap by visiting www.posh-swaps.com to register and list your items of clothing on or before 9th January 2010.

The Benefits of Swishing

2009-11-19T12:38:00.000-08:00

Swishing is the name given to clothes swapping parties, which are the latest craze to hit the UK. With the official government announcement that the country is now in a recession, swishing looks to become even more popular as people try to cut back on their expenditure. There are a number of reasons why people swish, when you combine all of them, you have the ultimate guilt free alternative to shopping.

Swishing is Frugal - What better way to get rid of items that you no longer want. You can something in return and save money by not buying yourself new clothes. Next time you overspend on a beautiful item of designer clothing or make a mistake and buy something that really doesn't suit you, it doesn't matter as you can always swap it at a swishing party at a later date.You will get something new without spending any more money. Swishing is a great way to refresh your wardrobe without spending any money.

Swishing Eco Friendly - There has been a lot of press recently about the environmental impact caused by the manufacture of textiles and clothing. With the fast fashion of today, clothes are only worn a few times before being thrown away which also has a negative impact on the environment. Clothes swapping minimises the impact of both the manufacture and disposal of clothing making it a great way to do your bit for the environment.

Swishing is fun - Swishing parties are a great way to meet friends and refresh your wardrobe at the same time. As with shopping, swishing is an ideal time to get an honest friends opinion on what looks good on you. It is a great way to try out new looks and styles and experiment with what you wear. It is also a great way to chat, relax and socialise.

If you can't find any swishing parties in your local area and don't have time to organise your own, you could try swapping your clothes online at a clothes swapping website.

Second Hand Clothes Are Right on Trend

2009-11-11T03:24:00.000-08:00

You may in the past have turned up your nose at second hand clothes even if they are in the latest women styles in favour of the new fashion from the high street. Perhaps it is the idea of rummaging through stacks of old musty clothes at a car boot sale, jumble sale or charity shop that has put you off. But second hand clothes are now right on trend and there are plenty of good reasons to buy them.

Buying new clothes all of the time to satisfy your desire for a constantly changing selection of clothes in your wardrobe can be very damaging for the environment. Buying second hand clothes is a good way to get your fashion fix but also do your bit for the environment at the same time.

'But second clothes are not as nice as new stuff', I hear you muttering. Well that is where you are wrong. It may take a little while to find it but there are plenty of very lovely second hand clothes around some of them hardly worn. Just recently I got myself a very nice Burberry Prorsum safari style top for just £4. It was in perfect condition, it did not smell and it was a lot better quality than anything that I could have bought new for ten times this price. I was delighted to see that the sleeves were lined, the seams finished with bias binding. I quite often wander around the high street shops to have a look and am constantly amazed at the low quality of some of the clothes that I find. Perhaps once in my teenage years I could have got away with poorly made clothes in bad quality materials but I have found as I have got a little older that quality clothes look so much better.

'But second hand clothes are all out of fashion and frumpy' is another objection that you may hear to buying second hand clothes. Well I don't think that is the case at all. Firstly because the same fashions tend to come round and round again season after season. Take floral prints, nautical style clothes and sixties style mini dresses. All of these trends have been seen on the catwalks numerous times of the last 10 years. Even my safari style Burberry Prorsum top happens to be right on trend as safari was listed by the top fashion magazines as a key trend this year.

When getting dressed I prefer to be stylish than fashionable anyway. In the words of the late Yves St Laurent ' fashion fades, only style remains'. By buying second hand clothes I can afford to buy really good quality classic clothes that never really go out of fashion and that can perhaps be accessorized with a few of the seasons accessories although I prefer a few quirky and different second hand accessories myself.

Trends and fashions change constantly but wearing the latest fashion does not mean that you look good. Woman seem to have found a new confidence in the clothes that they wear lately and are daring to be individual and wear what really suits them. Second hand clothes are great for experimenting with new looks and finding great quality at the fraction of the price it would cost new.

How to Get a Stylish New Wardrobe For Free - Clothes Swapping

2009-11-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Keeping up with the latest fashions can be an expensive business. Most people buy clothes and then get bored of them or decide that they never even liked them in the first place. If you are constantly wanting new clothes and feel the need to update, your wardrobe, but don't have enough money, there is a way to get yourself a whole new wardrobe for free. Not only is it ideal for those on a budget but it is also incredibly eco-friendly, so you can feel really virtuous.

Clothes swapping or swishing is a great way to refresh, update and renew your wardrobe for free. Your first step in getting your stylish new wardrobe is to sort through your existing wardrobe and find some clothes that you no longer want. It is really important to have a good clear out and be ruthless in getting rid of clothes that you don't wear. This will make space in your wardrobe for your new goodies and also provide you with some good quality swapping items that will ensure you a good swap in return.

A good policy to employ when clearing out your wardrobe is asking the question 'have I worn this outfit in the last season?' if the answer is no, you will probably not wear it in the next season either or the one after that, so why not swap it for something that you will wear. Prime candidates for swapping are clothes that no longer fit, clothes that are not suitable for your lifestyle (if you hardly ever go to parties perhaps just keep one or two party dresses), clothes that you bought for a one off occasion e.g a wedding, bridesmaid or prom dress and clothes that you do not feel one hundred percent happy and confident wearing.

Once you have a pile of clothes to swap. You will need to make sure that they are clean, repaired (no missing buttons etc) and pressed. You can then begin to photograph them and list them on a clothes swapping website.

To create a really stylish wardrobe, think carefully about what items you would like to swap for. Look for quality well made pieces in styles that flatter your body shape and colours that flatter your skin tone. Do a bit of research, try on different styles of clothes to see what looks best and read magazines and fashion blogs to get some ideas. Also think carefully about what sorts of clothes you actually need. If you spend most of your time at work where the dress code is smart, it is no good swapping your clothes for hoodies and jeans. Work out how much time you spend in each different type of clothes and aim to swap for a proportionate number of items of each type of clothes.

Finally, stick to your list of must have items most of the time, but occasionally try something a bit different. You might even find a new style of clothes that you really love. This will also keep your look fresh and interesting.

The Next Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Party - Bath

2009-10-08T04:10:00.000-07:00

Come along to the next Posh Swaps clothes swap party in the historic city of Bath

When? 24th November 2009 7.00 -9.30pm

Where? Brunswick Room, Guild Hall, Bath

How? Just bring along 2 or 3 items of clothing that someone else would be delighted to own

Why? It’s fun, it’s frugal and it’s eco friendly, plus a great chance to refresh your wardrobe!

Cost? £10 in advance, £12 on the night including…

entrance to the swap party and our fashion and beauty market

a glass of wine and nibbles

the chance for one lucky person to be styled by Personal Stylist, Emma McDonnell of Style to Wear

a reusable goody bag with fashion and beauty goodies

Why not arrange a girls or work night out? Buy 5 tickets in advance and get the 6th Ticket free!

For further information and to buy tickets visit Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Parties or email Ceri (at) heathcotecommunications.co.uk.

Clothes Swap Party - Chiswick

2009-09-29T06:33:00.001-07:00

On 17th September, about 40 people descended on St Michaels and All Angels Church hall in Chiswick armed with a gorgeous array of old (or should I say preloved) clothes. It was a great clothes swap with plenty of designer clothes in the mix including a Marc Jacobs coat and Missoni dress. Things did get quite heated at times as everyone tried to grab themselves something very stylish but generally there was a warm and friendly atmosphere and I think just about everyone managed to find something they liked.

Beauty therapists were on hand to give stressed out swappers a massage or manicure. Everyone enjoyed a glass of wine whilst browsing the fashion and beauty market and of course swapping clothes. One lucky person got the chance to be styled and made over.

If you weren't able to attend the Posh Swaps clothes swap party in Chiswick, Posh Swaps is planning lots more. Next one will be in Bath on 24th November 2009.

Posh-swaps.com to hold it’s first ever clothes swap party in London

2009-08-17T03:23:00.000-07:00

Posh-swaps.com, the clothes swap website is holding it’s first ever clothes swap party in London. The party which will include a pamper treatment, glass of wine and goody bag for each guest will be held on 17th September from 7.30pm until 10pm at St Michaels and All Angels church in Chiswick.

Posh-swap.com is a website where users can swap, buy and sell second hand, vintage and recycled clothes for free. The latest plan to hold clothes swap parties in various locations around the UK in collaboration with Total renewal beauty and Style to Wear, Personal Styling, reflects the growing popularity of clothes swapping and second hand clothes. The website has proved a huge success, but many swappers also want to combine the clothes swapping with a social event and the opportunity to look at the clothes up close. The pampering treatments provided by Total Renewal will allow swappers to really relax and enjoy themselves.

Clothes swapping parties which are also referred to as swishing originated in the US. Their popularity has quickly grown in the UK as consumers abandon fast fashion in favour of sustainable style. This change in consumer behaviour is due to a much greater awareness of both the environmental and ethical issues surrounding fashion and the current economic conditions.

Each attendee at the Posh Swap Clothes Swap party will be asked to bring along 5 pieces of unwanted clothing that someone else would be delighted to receive. All of the clothes will be laid out so that swappers can browse and socialise while enjoying a drink before the beginning of the swap is announced. Once the swap begins, swappers can claim up to 5 pieces of clothing. Swappers will also have the opportunity to indulge themselves with either a mini manicure or neck and shoulder massage and one lucky person will receive a styling and makeover session.
Tickets for the first ever Posh Swaps clothes swap party in Chiswick are £15 by advance purchase only. Full details of Posh Swaps clothes swap parties are available on www.posh-swaps.com/blog/posh-swaps-clothes-swap-parties/

To swap clothes online for free visit www.posh-swaps.com

Second hand designer clothes

2009-07-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

Second hand designer maxi dress By Malene Birger

Second hand designer clothes are a great way to get some clothes by your favourite designer at a fraction of the cost that they are new. The great thing about designer clothes is that they are well made and usually last really well. Often they have been realy well looked after or even hardly worn at all.

You can't really beat a great designer piece for superior quality, detail and cut. It is probably the best piece of clothing that you will find for the money that you spend. Second hand clothes shoppers need to be really discerning when choosing what clothes to buy. For this reason they are able to create great designer outfits using second hand clothes or a mixture of designer and high street clothes. Those who buy new designer clothes all of the time may be likely to be less able to pick out the clothes that really suit them and so not looks as stylish.

Great places to find second hand designer clothes include:

Carboot sales

Charity shops

specialist dealers

Second hand and clothes swap websites

Women's Vintage Clothing

2009-06-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

I love designer clothes and I love vintage clothes so it goes without saying that I love vintage and second hand women's vintage clothing. Here are some of my favourite finds of the last week some of the most recognised and respected designers.

This suit by Irish designer Paul Costelloe would be great for the evening. It is eighties vintage so fits in really well with the current trend for the eighties. It has typically large shoulder pads and is made of a silk mix quilted material with small gold embrodiered dots.

Owning a Chanel suit has always been an ambition of mine. There is something about classic Chanel style that cannot be beaten. I love this red woollen Chanel suit, it is also a small bit of fashion and style history.

Yves St Laurent is another iconic designer. Any of his pieces are great vintage finds. I love this floral patterned 2 piece outfit, very feminine.

All of these items are surrently for sale on Posh Swaps clothes swap.

Launch of Posh-swaps.com, clothes swapping website

2009-04-28T04:18:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that a new clothes swapping website posh-swaps.com is now live. Posh-swaps.com is a place to swap, buy and sell second hand, vintage and reworked, recycled clothes for free including mens, womens and childrens, designer and high street clothes. Swapping, buying and selling second hand clothes has to be the ultimate alternative to guilt free shopping, it is eco friendly and frugal!

With the manufacture of clothes having a huge impact on the environment, clothes swapping is a great way to refresh your wardrobe in a sustainable way. I hope that posh-swaps.com will also become a vibrant market place for new creations made from second hand and recycled clothes. So if you have creative flair why not try making and selling some of your creations on posh-swaps.com.

I have had a bit of a clear out and listed a few of my own items to get the ball rolling.

A cream chiffon dress
A black floral embroidered playsuit
A navy striped blazer
A cream linen maternity dress
A black floral skirt
Black high heel boots

Where to buy great second hand clothes

2009-04-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

There are so many great second hand clothes outfits finds and so many places to buy second hand clothes. A great find is partly down to luck but it is also partly about knowing where to look. Specialist second hand and vintage shops will usually have a gorgeous selection of clothes but you will pay a premium for the privilege of browsing the rails of hand picked clothing. Jumble sales, charity, shops and car boot sales can sometimes unearth some surprisingly stylish clothes for very little money but you will have to work much harder and know what you are looking for.

Finally second hand clothing websites open up a massive market place of second hand clothing. From specialist websites to online line market places like ebay, there is such a huge variety of clothing available, you will be spoilt fort choice. The disadvantage of buying online is that you cannot try the clothes on so remember to check measurements if you are unsure. There is a certain amount of skill involved in bidding for second hand clothes on ebay. The more you practice, the better you will get and the more often you will get what you want at the price you want. For a more straight forward way to buy second hand clothes try www.posh-swaps.com.

Posh Swaps - Reducing the Environmental Impact of Fashion

2009-04-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Waste and Landfill Reduction

The increasing prevalence of man-made fibres such as polyester or nylon means many clothes may never biodegrade. Even the natural textiles that do biodegrade produce greenhouse gases as they do so. Dyes and chemicals from textiles can washed into water systems by rain water.

Swapping buying and selling of second hand clothes through websites like posh-swaps.com will help to ease the volume of clothing reaching landfill in the UK each year.

Carbon Footprint of Clothing Manufacture

Manufacture and transportation of textiles and clothing both use valuable fossil fuels and contribute to global warming by releasing Carbon dioxide. The manufacture of many synthetic textiles such as polyester also uses petro chemicals and is particularly energy intensive. As many clothes are manufactured outside of the UK, their transportation and distribution also represents a significant carbon footprint.

Swapping, buying and selling clothes through Posh-swaps.com helps to reduce an individual’s fashion carbon footprint by reducing the number of newly manufactured clothes that are bought. The Posh Swaps Blog promotes eco fashion with natural textiles and locally produced clothing being preferable to synthetic clothing manufactured abroad.

Pollution Caused by the Textile Industry
The manufacture of polyester releases emissions including volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and acid gases such as hydrogen chloride, all of which can cause or aggravate respiratory disease. Volatile monomers, solvents, and other by-products of polyester production are emitted in the waste water from polyester manufacturing plants. The EPA, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, considers many textile manufacturing facilities to be hazardous waste generators.

The environmental impact of pesticides used in cotton cultivation is also well documented. This has led to an increase in production of organic cotton but for many the price is still a deterrent in buying organic. Posh-swaps.com offers users the opportunity to indulge in affordable and sustainable style that helps to lessen the impact of pollution caused by textile manufacture. The Posh Swaps Blog also promotes the use of natural and organic textiles.

Fast Fashion – Quantity over Quality

The phenomena of fast fashion have contributed to all of the environmental impacts with consumers buying cheap up to the minute trends then throwing them away after only a few wears. Fast fashion is a result of retailers and advertising creating new trends and low cost clothing that often also has ethical implications.

As well as promoting the swapping buying and selling of second hand clothes to refresh a wardrobe, Posh-swaps.com promotes the concept of individual style over fast fashion. This is the wearing of well made quality clothes that suit an individuals shape, colouring, lifestyle and personality. By developing their own unique style individuals should look and feel great without having to follow the latest trends.

Secondhand Chic - The Book

2009-03-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

Secondhand Chic - Finding fabulous fashion at consignment, vintage and thrift stores is a book that has been sitting on my bookshelf for at least five years now. I regularly dip into it and use it as a reference for just about everything that I need to know about buying second hand clothes. In fact I think it could well be credited for getting me started on this whole second hand clothing lark.

It is a bit like a bible for thrifters giving all sorts of useful tip bits of information such as how to spot quality second hand clothes usinf clues like the buttons, pockets seams and fabric, finding your size in clothes that have no labels, fixing problems or damage in second hand clothes and buying the styles to really make you look and feel your best.

The book is written by expert shopper Christa Weil who gives you all the insiders secrets to help you shop like a pro.

Why Swap Second Hand Clothes?

2009-03-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

I will try not to bore you too much with another rant on great swapping second hand clothes is. Well it really is. There is no better way to clear out and refresh your wardrobe, get rid of those clothes that have never looked quite right and replace them with gorgeous clothes that fit really well and look amazing. The best thing about clothes swapping is that it is free, you don't have to spend any money (except perhaps on postage) and you end up with lots of lovely stuff.

And if that wasn't enough to tempt you, there are also some very good environmental reasons for swapping your old clothes. First there is the reduction in waste and landfill. Then there is the reduction in pollution caused by clothing and textile manufacture and last but not least there is the reductiion in carbon footprint.

Whilst swishing or swapping parties are a great way to swap clothes with friends, there are some people who are a different size to their friends or don't have the time to go to a swishing party. Swapping through a website like www.posh-swaps.com is the perfect alternative for these people.

If I haven't yet convinced you, read some more of our posts, I hope to convince you soon.

Second Hand Clothes and Eclectic, Individual Style

2009-03-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

Susie of Style Bubble with her unique style (the dress is vintage)

There has recently been a bit of a trend for eclectic individual style, perhaps this is in part due to the rise in popularity of second hand and vintage clothing. It may well also be due to a huge number of other factors including increased fashion choice on the internet, the influence of celebrities, the recession and the infuence of fashion blogs.

This move from following trends to looking different and unique fits so well with wearing second hand clothing. You will find lots of styles of second hand clothing that is a little bit different to the ususal stuff that looks the same in the high street shops.

The move away from fast fashion due to ethical and environmental impacts has also made consumers aware that there is a heavy price to pay for keeping up with the latest trends.

The key to looking great with eclectic style is not so much about what you wear as how you wear it. Combining patterns, clashing colours and mixing different styles for example biker jackets with floral dresses are all great way to get your own unique style.

Second Hand Clothes Swap Website

2009-03-04T12:56:00.000-08:00

A brand new second hand clothes swapping website is due to launch in the next few weeks. Posh-Swaps.com is completely free to register, swap, buy and sell, second hand, vintage, restyled, recycled, designer and high street clothes, shoes and accessories. It will have sections for mens, womens and childrens clothes and a great blog celebrating individual style through second hand and restyled recyled clothes.

If you love swishing parties but don't always have the time or want to swap your clothes and be in full control of what you get in return then Posh Swaps is the place for you. Second Hand Clothes swapping is fun, environmentally friendly, frugal and free.

Second hand clothing is sustainable style

2009-03-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

At London Fashion Week, Lord Philip Hunt, Minister for Sustainability announced the governments new sustainable clothing action plan. This sets out agreed stakeholder actions from over 30 clothing and fashion stakeholder organisations to improve the sustainability performance of clothing. It includes designers, manufacturers and retailers. The action plan cover social, environmental and ethical issues involved in the production of clothing. The manufacture of clothing has been shown to have a high environmental impact which is made worse by the consumption of clothing as a result of fast fashion.

Many well known names such as Marks and Spencers, Sainsbury's, Oxfam and Tesco have signed up for a variety of actions including increasing fair trade and organic ranges and increasing the awareness of the environmental benefits of clothing reuse.

Swapping, buying and selling women styles of second hand clothes is a great way to help the move towards sustainable clothing. There are also now a number of designer recycling second hand clothing in to new garments.

Further information can be found on the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090220a.htm

Second Hand Clothes and the Eighties Revival

2009-02-24T12:53:00.000-08:00

The eighties revival is officially in full swing this summer with jumpsuits, power suits and everything in between. bright neons, batwing sleeves, leggings, coloured tights and ra ra skirts are all making a come back. It has even been rumoured that shoulder pads are making an appearance.

If you don't remember the trends of the eighties first time around, second hand clothing is a great way to grab a bit of these looks. The look includes masculine shapes, wide shoulders, leisure wear and tracksuits, Doc Martins, matching shoes and bags.

Major fashion influences if the eighties were Princess Diana, Dallas and Dynasty, yuppies and Margaret Thatcher. The whole feel of this era was about money and power.

Dance wear was also big news in the eighties with legwarmers Fame and Flashdance being big favourites amongst teenagers.

Removing Stains from Second Hand and Vintage Clothes

2009-02-20T06:25:00.000-08:00

One of the less savory aspects of buying second hand and vintage clothes is that they have a history and sometimes there may be lasting evidence of their past life in the form of stains. It is always advisable to consider any stains when buying. It will not always be possible to remove them e.g. perspiration stain on silk and linen and mildew. For items of clothing that are very old or valuable, it is always best to send them to a specialist cleaner for stain removal. If you do want to have a go at removing the stains yourself, here are a few suggestions. However I would recommend always testing any stain removal including water on a small inconspicuous area as I accept no responsibility what so ever for any damage caused by these suggestions.

Perspiration

try baking soda and water mixed into a paste

then rinse

then salt and water mixed into a paste

then rinse

next paste of crushed aspirin, cream of tartar and water, leave for 20 minutes then rinse

Wash by machine or hand with an aspirin tablet

Make a solution of 1 tbs. of white vinegar and 1 cup water, dab on stain, rinse well.

Make up

Rub with a slice of white bread!

Blood

Rub with plain toothpaste then rinse (beware of bleaching on coloured fabrics)

Dirty Collars

Try rubbing in a mild shampoo then rinsing. For yellowing try shampoos that are used for bluing grey hair.

Rust

Stretch the fabric over a pot of boiling water, squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the stain then rinse.

Vinegar is also a great stain remover and can be used to pre treat or soak a number of different stains before washing including tomato, tea, coffee, wine, mustard, grease, sweat, grass, ink and deodrant.

Stains that are set in can also often be removed by applying a paste of vinegar and baking soda.

Second Hand Wedding Dresses

2009-02-16T08:47:00.000-08:00

Your wedding day will be one of the most impoartant days of your life and yo will want to look gorgeous in every way. But weddings are very expensive affairs and there are bound to be some budget constraints stopping you from getting everything you want for the big day.

When it comes to a wedding dress,a second hand dress can be a great choice for a number of reasons:

As most people only get married once (or at least in the same dress, a second hand dress is likely to be almost as good as new.

A second hand dress will be a lot cheaper than a brand new alternative. This means that you can buy a really gorgeous style and you will probably be able to afford a much better quality dress second hand than you could afford if you opted for new.

How gorgeous, you look is dependant on finding a style of dress that really suits you. You can try on all sorts of dresses before deciding which style of second dresses to go for.

With a second hand dress, you can have it altered to ensure that it fits perfectly. This is almost as good as a made to measure dress and as good as a new off the peg dress.

If you have spent a bit less money on your wedding dress, you will probably feel more relaxed and able to enjoy yourself without worrying about damaging it.

By saving money on key wedding items like the wedding dress, you can ensure that you get off to the right start in your married life with no debts and years of paying off your wedding to contend with.

Vintage Jewellery

2009-02-13T05:18:00.000-08:00

picture from www. vam.ac.uk

I love vintage jewellery. It is such a great way to make an plain and ordinary outfit look really special. I also love the V&A museum. They have so many amazing fashion related exhibitions.

The V&A have one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of vintage jewellery in the world making it an absolute paradise for Magpies. The William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery displays 3,500 jewels from the V&A's jewellery collection and concentrates on European jewellery from the last 800 years (wow that is some really old jewellery).

The display includes jewellery from some of the top designers of the time including French art-nouveau designer, Réné Lalique, and a Cartier 'tutti frutti' ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond bandeau bought by Lady Mountbatten in 1928.

But it is not all really old stuff, over 140 of the exhibits are made by living goldsmiths and jewellers with a representation of some very modern and contemporary designs.

A great place to visit, especially if you love glitz and glamour.