I have been inspired by Sharon-Rose's intrepid thrifting trips.
Just check out her blog and see what she has found.
All I ever seem to find in my size are washed-out tops and dresses from Primark.
I did have some luck a few years back when I had a regular writing assignment to interview people in their posh homes.
I have to say that this Interiors feature got very boring.
To paraphrase Tolstoy - all immaculate homes are the same but messy homes are much more interesting in their own way.
I always preferred the quirky stories like the two up two down fourteenth century cottage made out of poo (wattle and daub!).
But I digress.
The best thing about these homes was that they were always located in the more affulent areas of Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire and to keep me motivated between the yawns and checking my watch I would think of the charity shops I could locate in Heswall, Nantwich, New Brighton and West Kirby.
Luckily, I was freelance at the time and the hours after the feature were my own. If I had been a staff reporter I would have been sacked spending large amounts of time browsing through the bargain rails.
Sadly, as a result of the recession the feature was dropped along with my shopping trips.
This week I made a determined effort to scour my very own High Street and look what I found.
OK, this dress/tunic may not be designer but I love it.
I will wear it on its own, under skirts, layered over longer dresses and over jeans.
All for the princely sum of £2.50 from Age Concern.
Now I just hope some of Sharon-Rose's charity shop chic will arrive in my wardrobe.
I wore:
Dress - Age Concern
Tights - Flake
Shoes - Clarks
Black slip - (from another Karen Millen dress)
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