There’s something magical about shopping for second hand clothes; it’s a treasure hunt for a hidden gem and when you find something, you cherish it forever. Tell us about your favourite vintage buy and how you came to fall in love with it!
Every summer, I make the journey to the south coast of England to visit my great-aunt. This has been a tradition for many years. I first started going with my grandma as a child but now, being in my twenties, I travel down by myself. For a few days, we enjoy going to cafes, relaxing at her beach hut and doing arts and crafts.
Last summer, I learned to knit. Whilst I am far from being an expert, I am currently making my own accessories and hope to move on to more complex projects soon. Above all, our favourite activity is to visit the charity and vintage shops. Over the years, I have spent many hours digging through the rails of Dorset’s second-hand shops and have found some absolute gems.
Several years back, I was on one of my charity shop hunts when my great-aunt called to me suddenly. I rushed over to find her holding a beautiful green silk dress. That wasn’t even the best part though. She showed me the label which read ‘L.K.Bennett’. And then I saw the price; £10. Brand new, this would have cost 30 or 40 times more!
I tried it on and it fit like a dream. Despite having no occasion in mind for which to wear this dress, there was no way I was leaving the shop without it.
Sadly, I haven’t had many events glamorous enough for such a garment. However, fortunately for me, I did all my growing at an early age and haven’t changed size since I was about 12 years old!
Last week I graduated from university and whilst others were fretting about what they would wear (and how much they would have to spend), there was no doubt in my mind about what I would wear. Out came the green dress that has been waiting for me for so long. It finally got its day!
I can’t recommend shopping second-hand enough. There is nothing more thrilling than finding that standout piece after a long hard search. You never know what you may find and sometimes you uncover something that completely blows your expectations.