Recycled Fashion

Skirt to Cape Refashion

2012-05-30T12:40:00.002+10:00

You may recall my second-hand tweed skirt, purchased with the intention of refashioning into a cape...

Unfortunately, the task set out was not so simple, I therefore searched for an appropriate cape pattern McCall's 3033, found here at LetYourselfSew.

Going with pattern B (the easiest of all), she turned out great. The biggest problem I faced was not enough tweed fabric to complete the entire pattern, resulting in an improvisation, using an alternative fabric for the rear; a navy off-cut fabric piece I picked up from resource rescue.

You can see the contrasting fabric change here (hood shown, is not part of the cape)..

To fasten the front, I used a brooch I picked up for a dollar on last weekends op-shop tour.

Shared with Tah-Dah Tuesday, We Sew Retro, BurdaStyle Projects, and Refashion Co-op

May Bayside Op Shop Tour Wrap Up

2012-05-28T13:30:00.002+10:00

Last Saturdays Melbourne Bayside op shop tour proved that..

...you can still find $2 clothes in Parish op shops.

.. some op shops choose colour coding to organise prices

..you can still find original vintage if you look carefully.

.. we should Keep Calm and ...

..occasionally, you'll find not just one-of-a-kind pieces, but many of the same. Stag head brooches.

..not all that you see, is for sale, in this case, a lamp that may have otherwise come home.

.. some op shops like to organise their designer labels on separate racks...

...whilst others display their designer labels on mannequins. Karen Millen dress

.. you'll be touched by nostalgia. #MumsOldClock

..there are treasures to be found under the counter. Brooch for a dollar.

..and sometimes, you really will find the extraordinary. Pig bag.

The next Melbourne Bayside Op Shop Tour I'll be leading is planned for 11th August, which can be booked through Melbourne Op Shop Tours website.

Nick and Charlie's YouTube Channel - Op Shopping Sydney

2012-05-27T21:31:00.000+10:00

Readers, two young men from Western Sydney, Australia, have started broadcasting their "op shop cops" (new phrase for op shop finds?) to the virtual public.

Quote from 'ItsNickandCharlie' YouTube Channel "Hey guys :) this channel is all about style focusing more on how to still look fresh without a lot of money!"

In addition to broadcasting their "op shop cops", Nick and Charlie share their op shopping tips and advice, plus they refashion their second-hand finds, yes they can SEW too! All of the above, with a background music choice of their favourite hip-hop tunes.

Nick and Charlie's take on the difference between Thrift Stores vs Australian Op Shops

Denim jacket sleeve customisation

Tribal Necklace DIY by Ari of Boat People

2012-05-25T21:31:00.001+10:00

Found this YouTube tutorial today, and had to share. Beautiful music too.

How-to: Tribal Necklace by Ari of Boat People

Recycled Fashion Finds #45

2012-05-25T15:31:00.001+10:00

So I'm almost done sewing my cape from this pattern, all it needs is a big pretty button, which perhaps I'll find on tomorrow's op shop tour. In the meantime, lets see what you've been up to readers, as seen on last week's Recycled Fashion Finds #44

Refashioned floral shorts by Mongs ...

Alison shows us how to DIY Dip Dye a skirt...

In the same shade of blue, Adin's incredible vintage thrift dress,

which would you believe, cost a mere 0.25c...

Have you been thrifting, refashioning, sewing or crafting this week? Would you like to participate in Recycled Fashion Finds? Click here for the rules, and don't forget to grab yourself a Recycled Fashion Finds blog badge for your blog post or side bar.

A Recycled Refashioned Handmade Vintage Skirt

2012-05-23T18:58:00.002+10:00

A recycled, refashioned, handmade, vintage skirt good enough for two. But how can a skirt possibly be recycled, refashioned, handmade, and vintage-all-in-one? Here's how..

Recycled? A gift from friend and fellow blogger Leeyong of Style Wilderness
Vintage Handmade? The original, a handmade vintage skirt, purchased for $7 from Savers

Refashioned? Can't take much credit for a refashion here, however, kudos to Leeyong for using the bottom hem of the original piece to rework into a wearable knee length skirt to suit her style. Here's how it looked 'before' and 'after' on Leeyong

My version..

You know what this means readers, there are two almost identical second-hand vintage skirts that have the potential to appear at the same Melbourne event, almost unthinkable! Big thanks Leeyong, loving my gorgeous skirt.

Gratuitous matching coloured bird photograph, you know, just because..

Orange and Black Baltimore Oriole c/o digidiva

Facebook Page Liking, The Good and The Bad

2012-05-22T11:19:00.001+10:00

When I log into facebook of a morning, my feeds are not limited to everyday life updates from my worldly friends, but I am also flooded with news-feeds of numerous blog and business pages that I follow.

I have to admit I 'like' far too many facebook pages than I perhaps should, and have becoming somewhat of a facebook page hoarder. (I just checked, I like 508 pages..uh-oh)

There is nothing better than checking through my facebook feeds of a morning to; be tempted by sustainable fashion pieces, be ~~intrigued~~ flabbergasted by upcycle projects, read up on market and op shop news, see what some of my favourite bloggers are up do, and check out a nice wildlife picture or two, you know, just because.

This morning, I am delighted to see I am tempted to clothe myself in a stunning fair trade dress...

Fair Trade Bold African Print Dress

as seen on Fashion-conscience.com

Which, wouldn't you know, match the most amazing lampwork earrings as seen on Artizen Magazine's facebook page..

Lampwork Earrings Handmade available here

Some of my fellow bloggers have been talking about the following (brilliant) article

Why Charity Shops Aren't Cheap

from Pearls and Wisdom

Altogether now, awwww.. a newsfeed from Our Beautiful World & Universe

And then, there was this... what the?

Now don't get me wrong, I adore Recyclart, which is filled with upcycling inspiration, and fabulous recycled art, but I am just not sold on the idea of 'seat and weigh'!?

Do you follow lots of facebook pages? Do you find facebook feeds interesting or annoying? Is there a facebook page anonymous group I should know about? Anyone care to join me?....

Love Vintage Show Melbourne

2012-05-21T21:30:00.002+10:00

Vintage fashion proved to be alive and well in Melbourne last weekend, on a visit to Love Vintage Show. I met Laura from A Little Boutique Near Home (her review blogged here) we thoroughly enjoyed the morning exploring Royal Exhibition Hall's vintage wares and activities. It was a delight to see visitors wearing an array of vintage fashion outfits to the show, and the variety of vintage fashion from the 1900's to 1980's available to buy.

Model @ Love Vintage Show

Judging by the hustle of visitors and shoppers, Love Vintage Show appeared to be a great success. It was a pleasure to meet Linda from Recycology, who'd traveled to Melbourne from Sydney to sell her vintage wares. Linda tells me she'd had a successful weekend, she'd won "Best Small Exhibit" award for her stall, and her famous "newspaper" trench-coat appeared Melbourne's weekend Herald Sun.

Linda from Recycology

Recycology's Newspaper Trench

As featured in the Herald Sun..

Linda's display using an upcycled vinyl record cake stand, and her adorable jewellery pieces

For visitors game enough to pose for a beautiful vintage photograph, All About Eve offered very reasonably priced photo shoots for $20, aimed at individuals visiting Love Vintage Show complete in their vintage attire, alternatively for visitors that may have taken part in a vintage hair and make-up workshop.

A necklace by Circa Collectables, so good I could eat it...

The coolest lounge setting I would very much like in my own home please..

Whilst juggling motherhood with fashion is not always recommended, I did take my 3yr old son with me to the show. With a bag of 10c op shopped toys I picked up during the week, leftovers from a party bag, and a promise of a visit to Melbourne Museum, Junior RF behaved himself very well!

Op shopped treats for Junior RF

Replacement Zippers

2012-05-19T20:05:00.000+10:00

Do you have clothing in your wardrobe, unworn due to a need of a replacement zipper? Perhaps you've donated or thrown away a clothing piece for the very same reason? Of course the likelihood is, a thrift store, opportunity shop or charity shop would discard of such pieces, rather than sell a broken clothing garment to the public.

A few weeks ago, a friend gave me two of her son's jackets, for me to replace broken zippers. I have to be honest, I've always been a little intimidated by sewing zippers of any kind, although have successfully sewn a zipper into two dresses made from scratch seen here, and here.

The task of replacing zippers to my friends children's jackets was far easier than anticipated, and filled me with a sewing confidence boost. As such, I've repaired a zip on a satchel bag I bought about a year ago from Round She Goes second hand market.

Attracted to its paisley pattern, shiny beads, and useful travel size, the bag cost me $8. Unfortunately, as with some second hand purchases, the zipper lasted a week. Having a rather large stash of op shopped zippers, collected for my zipper brooches, I found a replacement zip, in navy blue, not the perfect match, but hey, it fits perfectly.

Happy to have the paisley bag back in action again.

What do you do with clothing pieces in need of replacement zippers?

Thrifty Fashion, Frugal Living, Coupons, Discounts and BOGOFs!

2012-05-19T18:48:00.004+10:00

Many of us choose second-hand fashion over new for a number of reasons.

1) to save money
2) moral reasons (questioning the ethics of fashion manufacturing)
3) environmental reasons (to use and buy what is already in circulation)
4) the thrill of finding a bargain
5) preferring the fit or style of fashion from a bygone era

A blog post asking why we choose recycled fashion can be found here, (with a blog poll which is still live), however, the topic I'd like to cover today, focuses on the suggestion of whether one might follow an overall preference for frugal living, if one's choice is thrift fashion over new.

Image c/o frugal for life

If an individuals' main reason to choose second-hand fashion is based on 1) to save money, it might be expected, they'd look at other ways to live a frugal life too; hunting out free coupons, discounts, vouchers, specials, and "BOGOF's" (the universal sales slogan of buy-one-get-one-free).

Whilst thrift fashion is absolutely a priority over new in my own lift, I'm not really one to chase the coupon. However, if a discount comes my way or a money saving offer is suggested, I'll be sure to take advantage. Loyalty card coffee stamps? Sure! $10 movie deals at the cinema? Absolutely! Money saved, is money earned.

Readers, as most of you are thrifty fashion lovers, I ask if you also look at ways to save money in other areas of your life? Do you grow your own vegetables to save money on your grocery bill? Do you search for coupon codes for future cost savings? Are you a member of frequent shopper loyalty card schemes which give you free or discounted products after you spend x amount of money? Would you only eat out if you have a voucher or a BOGOF?!

For Canadian readers interested in coupon savings, there is a site called couponcodes.ca a sister website of MyVoucherCodes.Co.Uk, which could be a great reference site for coupon codes for Canada – click here.

Recycled Fashion Finds #44

2012-05-18T10:15:00.003+10:00

Happy Friday, which means Recycled Fashion Finds!

A few picks from last weeks Recycled Fashion Finds, more of which can be found right here

A big fan of bed sheet sewing here, and therefore adore Amber's skirt from a thrifted sheet made for her daughter

Another amazing vintage dress and accessory outfit by Vintage Bird Girl's

And clever Mongs come up with another fantastic refashion idea, earrings become a collar accessory

What have you been up to this week, readers? Have you been thrifting, refashioning, sewing or crafting? Would you like to participate in Recycled Fashion Finds? Click here for the rules, and don't forget to grab yourself a Recycled Fashion Finds blog badge for your blog post or side bar. Thanks readers!

Guest Post: On Trend Prints

2012-05-17T08:49:00.002+10:00

The following guest blog post is written by a freelance writer Sarah Leeds, focusing on fashion trends which can be found in vintage fashion, with a selection picked from ASOS Marketplace.

On-Trend Prints

This season it’s all about prints and there’s one to suit every style and personality. From delicate floral to wacky cartoons you can create a look that’s individual to you. And the great thing is they’ve all been done before, so check out those vintage fashion boutiques for the following prints this season:

Monochrome

From classic stripes to check or dogtooth, there are so many different ways to nail the monochrome trend. Wearing black and white doesn’t have to be boring! If you prefer a sophisticated and understated look, opt for a black sixties shift dress with white piping or update your wardrobe with a dogtooth blazer. Or choose 80s polka dots for a look that’s fun and flirty. This is a trend that you can wear well into next season, so it’s a great investment.

Floral

Be daring in bold 50s floral dresses that cinch in the waist and emphasise your shape. Or for a more understated, casual look opt for ditzy floral printed tea dresses. Another era that’s perfect for floral is the 70s which is famous for vibrant prints and the maxi dress. Have fun with floral this season and choose colours that reflect your mood and personality. This is a print that can be worn in so many different ways; it’s easy to put your own stamp on it.

Cartoons

Not for everyone but this is a trend that has undoubtedly been inspired by Prada’s cartoon Cadillac prints. Anything goes as long as it’s bold and wacky – tropical fruit, animals, nature. Look for 70s and 80s vintage fashion for the most eye catching novelty prints on jumpers, dresses and t-shirts. To avoid looking tacky, keep the rest of your outfit neutral and keep accessories to a minimum. All of these prints can be found at vintage fashion boutiques or online, and pictured are a few favourites from ASOS Marketplace.

Thank you Sarah, monochrome and florals outfits are certainly firm favourites in my own wardrobe.

Love Vintage Giveaway - Winner

2012-05-17T08:22:00.001+10:00

Thank you to all that entered the Love Vintage Show Giveaway, a name has been drawn from hat

Australia’s premier vintage events set to bring a touch of ‘Old Hollywood Glamour’

Congratulations...

Retro ReInvented

You are the winner for a double pass to Love Vintage Show this weekend!

Fashion Inspiration: The Cape

2012-05-16T10:06:00.002+10:00

The cape, a refreshing alternative, to a winter jacket.

Traditional Cape

INEZ French Vintage Brown Wool Cape $128 from bOmode

Modern Cape

As seen on http://prettystuff.tumblr.com/

Celebrity Cape

Victoria Beckham as seen on pinterest via The Trend Diaries

Boho Cape

As seen on pinterest via vanessajackman

1960's Cape

John Bates at Museum of Costume, Bath c/o busstop.typepad.com

Capelet

Black Victorian Velvet Capelet from melsvanity

Vintage Inspired Capelet

Made to order, vintage inspired pleated wool capelet US $225 by ThomasOgdenDesigns

In an effort to make my own cape, I've purchased a tweed skirt from Family Life op shop for $8.

I've stared at this skirt for the past week, which I've unpicked along one seem (seen above), puzzled as to how I can refashion it into a funky tweed cape. It is not as straight forward as first thought, the former elasticated waist does not sit nicely along my neck and shoulders.

Rather than give up on the idea, and stitch the skirt back together, followers on facebook will know, I've ordered this cape pattern from Rosie of LetYourselfSew

I'm considering patten B, as seen on the second row, left, in red. Let's see how she turns out.

Do you like cape's? Do you prefer a shorter capelet length, down to the knee, boho or faux fur?

Introducing The Bird Cage Boutique

2012-05-14T15:12:00.000+10:00

Recycled Fashion introduces a new sponsor, accessory and vintage clothing online store; The Bird Cage Boutique, based out of the charming and beautiful Canadian sea-side community of St. Andrews, New Brunswick.

What does your online store sell?

I sell a mixture of both vintage and modern, but with vintage being my focus. I love vintage not only because I care about the environment, but also because you can build a truly signature wardrobe like no other. We need that in an era where many "fast fashion" retailers dominate the market. You don't need to be rich to look good and wear one of a kind, quality items.

Jenn, tell us about you, and your motivation to start your store?

I started the shop after being laid off when my employer was sold. This had been a dream of mine for many years. I spent most of my 20s in visual merchandising. Since I was a little girl I have had a love of costume jewelry, both modern and vintage. My grandmother had an enviable collection, some passed down to her from generations before. I had a vision in my mind of what my own shop would be, and I decided to make that dream a reality.

Vintage Paisley Suede Handbag

Are there any particular products in your store that are most popular?

To date our vintage earrings have created the most buzz. My personal favorite are the Vintage Grace Earrings on the front page of the site. I am also very fond of the Hopeless Romantic vintage dress. Next week we will be adding some great items including high end modern costume jewelry, a powder blue pleated and ruffled vintage dress, and a hand beaded pre-WW2 scarf! We also have a free shipping offer for our next 10 customers.

Vintage Grace Earrings

Copy Writer Dress

Thank you for sharing your story Jenn, very much looking forward to seeing your hand beaded pre-WW2 scarf listed on The Bird Cage Boutique.

Second-hand Outfit = Red White Black

2012-05-13T19:09:00.001+10:00

Yesterday, a few friends got together, we chatted, our kids played, and we swapped our unwanted's. Our swaps were not limited to fashion, we contributed children's toys, books, house furnishings and even food. I swapped Branston pickle, for this skirt and turquoise top (I kid you not readers).

Cropped jacket - previous clothes swap party

Zipper brooch - me made

Belt - op shop

Boots - eBay

Turquoise top - yesterday's get together swap

Skirt - yesterday's get together swap

Secondly, following a recent obsession with recycled paper bead making, I've finished my outfit with a me-made arm party paper bead bracelet, to match my 'new' skirt.

Paper bead bracelet made from a Lindt chocolate box, a postcard, and a page from a real estate brochure.

Can also be worn as a necklace

Paper bead arm party, in red, white and black.

Inspired by Mother Nature, the Red Bellied Woodpecker

Image c/o Ron Jones

Shared with Not Dead Yet Style

Recycled Fashion Finds #43

2012-05-11T20:07:00.002+10:00

Hello lovely people, Friday brings you Recycled Fashion Finds!

A few picks from last weeks Recycled Fashion Finds, more of which can be found right here.

Edris made her daughter a Yoga Skirt from old t-shirts

Speaking of t-shirt re-do's, check out Christie's tutorial to make a hat from old tees

Desiree has been making lace headbands for her new shop (check it out: Sassy Vamps!)

Stacey's brilliant Star Wars customised denim jacket...

Sown Brooklyn's wonderful circle skirt, made from a bed sheet..

Thrift find of the week has to go to Far's pretty $2 embroidered bag

More right here.

What have you been up to this week, readers? Have you been thrifting, sewing or crafting? Would you like to participate in Recycled Fashion Finds? Click here for the rules, and don't forget to grab yourself a Recycled Fashion Finds blog badge for your blog post or side bar. Thanks readers!

Melbournian's don't forget to enter our current giveaway for a double pass entry to the Love Vintage Show @ Royal Exhibition Building next weekend!

Love Vintage Show - Melbourne Event Ticket Giveaway

2012-05-09T22:46:00.002+10:00

Australasian's are in for a recycled fashion treat, as five vintage fashion extravaganza's have been arranged across Australia and New Zealand, at Love Vintage Show weekenders.

Australia’s premier vintage events set to bring a touch of ‘Old Hollywood Glamour’

"Whether your fashion obsession is fabulous 1920s beaded dresses (think Underbelly Razor and The Great Gatsby), glamorous couture gowns from the 50s, or seriously groovy 70s suits, boots, belts and buckles, you’ll find stylish, funky, quirky and glamorous gear for guys and girls at Love Vintage. Discover designer fashion brought in from New York, London and Paris – you might just find a vintage treasure from Mary Quant, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Versace or Prada.

However, it’s not just about clothing, with Australia’s best dealers in vintage, antique and retro textiles, jewellery, homewares and collectables, all set to come together under one roof. Specialist traders will be selling wonderful antique tablecloths, hand-made aprons, vintage sewing patterns and magazines, antique prints, jeweled 50s compacts and lipstick cases, rare Bakelite brooches, the prettiest parasols, quirky kitchenalia, vintage posters and prints, and so much more!

Visitors will also enjoy fashion parades, workshops and music all weekend, and are especially encouraged to dress in vintage chic at the show’s ‘Red Carpet’ opening on Friday evening. Wear
your favourite fashions from the 1920s to 50s, 60s to (uh oh!) 80s complete with accessories, makeup and hair styling – strut your stuff on the catwalk for our judges and you might be crowned ‘Best Dressed in Vintage’. There are lots of fabulous prizes to be won! Our glamorous hostess and mistress of parades, Miss Bonnie Rose, is pictured above."

2012's Love Vintage Show's kicked off in Canberra last weekend, followed by Melbourne in a few weeks, Brisbane, Sydney, and Hamilton New Zealand later in the year:

HAMILTON, NZ Love Vintage Show September 7-9 2012
Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton

Admission: Adults $14, Aged and Disability Pensioners $12, Children (10-16 years) $7, Children under 10 free, 2-day ticket $26, 3-day ticket $38

Opening Hours: Friday night opening evening, all welcome – open for shopping: 5.30pm – 9:00pm, Saturday: 10am to 5pm, Sunday: 10am to 4pm

Tickets for Love Vintage can be purchased online, or on the door.

LOVE VINTAGE TICKET GIVEAWAY

(MELBOURNE)

I have a one day double pass to giveaway to The Love Vintage Show in Melbourne 18 - 20 May 2012, for one lucky Recycled Fashion reader. To enter, do one or more of the following, please leave a comment below with each activity, as each activity counts as one entry.

* Leave a comment below
* Like Recycled Fashion on Facebook
* Like Love Vintage Show on Facebook
* Follow Recycled Fashion on Twitter, and retweet the giveaway

Winners will be drawn Wednesday 16th May. Please provide a way to contact you, so that I can arrange for your names to be held on the door for your free entry.

Recycled Military Fashion

2012-05-09T11:07:00.001+10:00

Army clothing may not be considered flattering in the traditional sense, but at no point should military fashion be limited to menswear.

Urbandon's Winter Collection

c/o Urbandon

Reporting for Duty

Source unknown, found on chictopia

1950's/60's Black Leather Army Boots

c/o StellasGroove

A Military Beauty

Source unknown, found on Lou, Boos and Shoes

Army Green Crochet Vest

c/o sheHEARTSvintage

80's Army Khaki Green Cargo Skirt

c/o SecondHandAddiction

Trench Army Military Coat

c/o alleycatsvintage

Olive Green Army Camo Field Jacket

c/o rerunvintage

Women's Army Green 1980's Blouse

c/o feathersndust

I have an army jacket, given by a friend, which comes with only a limited, yet interesting, history. Her husband found the jacket in a box of old wiring and army surplus supplies a few weeks ago, that he wanted to build his own headphones with. Aforementioned army jacket is now in my possession, as it did not fit my friend.

What are your thoughts on army surplus clothing as fashion pieces?
Do you have an interesting story linked to a second-hand clothing piece you have in your wardrobe?

Recycled Fashion Finds #42

2012-05-04T16:53:00.002+10:00

Friday.. Recycled Fashion Finds! Thank you so much for last week's fashion link ups, which can be found here

Picks from last week, Kim's thrift-ed outfit, her main pieces under $10 each

Alison's cute scrappy skirt (inspired to make an adult version of this)

Vintage Bird Girl's gorgeous frock and amazing accessories..

What have you been up to this week, readers? Have you been thrifting or making anything? Would you like to participate in Recycled Fashion Finds? Click here for the rules, and don't forget to grab yourself a Recycled Fashion Finds blog badge for your blog post or side bar. Thanks readers!

Fashion Faux Pas Of The Past - Guest Post

2012-05-04T07:56:00.001+10:00

The following, is an amusing guestpost written by Simon Bloomfield, a freelance writer, giving his take on fashion faux pas of the past.

From classic faux pas through to more recent horrors, there have always been trends that probably should stay forgotten. However, these fashion mistakes also act as useful reminders of when style can go horribly wrong. Reasons for these mistakes can range from everything from people wearing clothes that don’t suit their ages, to being worn with the wrong figures.

Sometimes they can be misguided, or just plain bizarre, or successful enough to become a craze without people perhaps realising how odd a style actually is. The following list represents some classic fashion faux pas, from past trends and perennial missteps, through to some more recently criticised items that should be consigned to the dumpbin of fashion history.

Past Trends and Classic Faux Pas

The 1960s and the 1970s were responsible for, among many other things, the rise of bellbottom trousers. Capable of making virtually everyone who wore them cringe in embarrassment when photographs come out, they rank somewhat above other fashion crimes like tie dye shirts as some of the worst things to come out of the decades. Fast forwarding to the 1980s and 1990s, misadventures with shoulder pads and parachute pants represent some of the most unfortunate examples of fashion gone wrong.

Other trends that seem to mysteriously persist over time include the odd habit of wearing sandals with socks. Frequently seen on beaches or around English towns, the sandals and socks style is one that might be comfortable for its wearers, but scores fairly lowly in terms of style points. The same problems apply for mixing black shoes with white socks, particularly as part of a formal outfit.

4 - Crocs
Part of more recent trends, crocs, or plastic holed flip flops, are still holding on with large numbers of the public. Aside from their apparent hygienic and exercise benefits, crocs are associated with loud, colour clashing styles and a distinct lack of cool that no amount of clever marketing can disguise. Definitely one to avoid.

Photograph c/o we heart it

5 - Oversize jeans
Long a favourite with teenage boys and older men who still behave like teenage boys, oversize jeans are a threat to both the wearer’s personal style and the tastes of others. Low hanging jeans are not recommended, either for impressing others or for most forms of walking.

6 - Jeggings
A blend of jeans and leggings, jeggings’ main appeal seems to lie with their name, rather than their impact. Not so much a fashion disaster per se as something that carries the potential to be misworn with different outfits, jeggings notoriety primarily seems to come from their improbable attempt to do two things at once, and achieve neither.

Photograph c/o Pretty Stylish London

7 - Ripped tights
Similar to jeggings in terms of trying to blend together different styles, in this case the ripped aesthetic of jeans with tights, these items more often look messy than stylish. One rip can also lead to several, and ripped tights do little to endear themselves to long term use beyond acting as a novelty item that’s more uncoordinated than stylishly decorated.

Image c/o fashionising

Author Bio

Simon Bloomfield is a freelance copywriter specialising in the Fashion industry, currently writing for an ambitious startup company on women's fashion.

I'd love to hear your feedback readers, on your own fashion faux pas views. From a personal perspective, I adore bell-bottoms and tie-dye, but agree wholeheartedly on the rest, especially crocs..

(Check back later for Recycled Fashion Finds link up)

The Rise of the Thrifty Shopper

2012-05-02T13:09:00.002+10:00

As we hear stories of recession woe's, with many high street retail venues closing their doors as a result of decreased sales, charity shops may be the only retail outlet benefiting in troublesome economic times.

News from The United Kingdom, The Sue Ryder organisation, have opened a third charity superstore in the historic Norfolk town of Kings Lynn.

"The Sue Ryder organisation, which provides palliative care in communities, has opened a 2,965sq ft store in King’s Lynn which took more than £2,100 on its first day of trading.

In the past year, the charity has opened a 4,000sq ft shop at a retail park in Fakenham, Norfolk, and another 2,723sq ft shop in a former golf store in Meanwood, Leeds.

Oxfam’s 700 shops and online store announced annual takings of £85.9million in 2011, an increase of 6 per cent on the previous year. Wendy Mitchell of the Charity Retail Association, said: ‘People feeling the pinch in their pockets are turning to charity shops to buy high-quality, low-cost items.' "

Image c/o DailyMail

Read more: here

Readers I wonder, is second-hand shopping growing in popularity in other parts of the world too? Are you seeing an increase of shoppers in your local charity shops, opportunity shops or thrift stores? Do you ever see an empty second-hand shop? I can't say I've seen an empty second-hand shopping outlet in the past few years, yet I have seen vacant high street retail shops. Are we seeing a trend, and a rise in the thrifty shopper?

Wardrobe Weekender - Sustainable Fashion Event

2012-05-02T12:26:00.003+10:00

Melbourne fashion folk take note, the Wardrobe Weekender, a three-day festival of all things eco-fashion, will take place in Barkly Square this weekend.

As seen in Melbourne Times Weekly; “The great thing about Brunswick is that the area is so receptive to things that are a little left of centre. I think that’s why so many designers have found a home in the area,” says the founder and director of Sustainable Fashion Australia, Lara McPherson.

The Wardrobe Weekender celebrates the $17 million refurbishment of Barkly Square with pop-up shops, Take2Markets, upcycled workshops (hosted by Recycled Fashion, Fourth Daughter and The Treasury) and exhibitions, including McPherson’s Melbourne leg of the clothes-swapping event The Clothing Exchange.

The full program can be seen here.

Refashioned Sweater Skirt and Legwarmers

2012-04-30T15:22:00.000+10:00

Following on from last week's sweater skirt inspiration, I found a great second hand knit in Salvos for $6 which turned out to be perfect for this refashion project.

I did touch on a moment of guilt, cutting into an otherwise completely wearable garment. Having said that, when I located a store label inside the jumper marked as 'poly-knit', I didn't feel as bad as I would have done cutting into a home knitted jumper.

The former arms of this jumper, are now leg warmers, perfect for dance class during winter..

This is an incredibly easy project to do, cut off sleeves, and neckline. Sew sides shut (I serged with my overlocker, but you don't have to), add casing and elastic to the top of the skirt and leg warmers, and you're done.

Recycled Fashion Finds #41

2012-04-27T14:35:00.000+10:00

Happy Friday.. Recycled Fashion Finds. Thank you so much for last week's fashion link ups, which can be found here

Look at MaryBeth's Anthro Inspired DIY Polka Dot Goodwill Pants

c/o SecondHand Couture

Have you been thrifting this week?

Have you been refashioning?

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