Tuesday 2 October 2012

From top to toe

Do you know lovely Lynne at Practical Paralegalism?

She's funny, she's stylish, she's so good-hearted, and she's hosting a Goodwill Goldmine party on her blog.

She asked her readers to send her a photo of their favourite thrifted/charity/op-shopped item or outfit. 


Me being indecisive me, I couldn't choose only one item, so I went for the complete head-to-toe charity shop challenge!



Parisian Schoolgirl Chic...







...a la Madeline!




Everything in this outfit has been bought from charity shops, including underwear.

I found an unworn Freya bra in my odd size for £1.25 (they retail for over £30), and the shapewear knickers and tights were still in their packets.





I couldn't swear to the prices of all items, but to the best of my recollection, nothing cost more than a fiver.

Gudren Sjoden cord riding jacket
Warehouse silk pussy bow blouse
1970s chevron midi skirt
Wool beret
Dorothy Perkins shoes
Bangles
Belt
Shapewear undies
Freya bra
 Tights


Total - I reckon the whole outfit cost under £25. 



Oops, forgot the petticoat. Add on another £1!



Charlie was a freebie. And he co-ordinates.


The brooch was a gift from darling Helga and my watch, rings and earrings were either bought retail or gifts.

But you'll let me off those, right?




I really enjoyed choosing what to wear for the challenge, and I know I don't have to remind any of my intelligent and savvy readers of the wonders of charity shopping.



I'm linking up with Lakota's Ta-Dah! Tuesday.
I think being dressed entirely from charity shops is worthy of a Ta-Dah any day of the week!

xxx

48 comments:

Vix said...

An outfit as good as that is definitely Ta-Dah worthy!! I absolutely love that skirt on you and pairing it with that pussy bow blouse is just genius! The red accessories are just brilliant.
How lucky to find decent undies in a chazza! Those Freya bras are dead pretty and a mental price even in the sales!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Krista said...

I love this outfit! IS it me or are you getting REALLY good at looking amazing!!! The hat with that lil bow and those sweet red shoes are my favorite part, oh and the red slip! I couldn't agree more about the joy of thrifting and how you become more creative in the way you put outfits together. I also love seeing what you other ladies do as that often inspires me to try something new.

Your body is totally banging in this, why just look at how beautiful and perky the girls are in that Freya bra :)

Loveyoumorethanbras:)
Krista

Sarah Jane said...

What a good idea for a post and my, what an outfit! Love it all. Black red and white is so Parisian. Love the red shoes and petticoat. I have never found bras in a charity shop but I've found the odd pair of tights. Always love a pussy bow too xxx

Fiona said...

Oh La La, tres chic ma cherie. (Sorry no accents grave or accute on this keyboard!) It's pretty damn impressive to not only buy all items of your outfit from a chazza but to co-ordinate them so beautifully too. Go straight to the top of the class, ma petite. (OK, enough of the french now)
Dreamt about you last night!! I'd been jogging with you (most unlikely!!)& you told me your neighbour was having an affair and instructed you to phone her only from a phonebox! (Hadn't even been on the sauce!)
Been meaning to say I love your new blog header. xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Melanie said...

You look lovely, I especially like the pussy bow blouse. I have a polka dot pussy bow but rarely it as each time I do Andy says I look like a Tory (he thinks it rather Thatcher-esque).

mispapelicos said...

Pure fabulousness at the right price, yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Cheking their blogs too.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Lordy I would LOVE to find an unworn Freya bra in my size for £1.25 (I'm a 32F, if you wanna keep an eye out!)

A total Ta-dah! indeed! The skirt is brilliant and I love that even your petticoat is red.

xx

Unknown said...

Brilliant outfit choice you look gorgeous ;-)) Red and black is such a lovely combination that skirt and top look great together and im loving the peak of the red petticoat to ;-)) dee xx

Louise Mc said...

Oh wow, I love this. The skirt and beret are my faves, but it's altogether a fab outfit. Xx

Vintage Coconut said...

This is such a good look for you. I totally love that skirt!!
It's nice to be dressed from head to toe in thrift shop finds. I love thinking to myself "My whole outfit cost me $15.50 or $18.62 *lol* How many people can say that?!

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Bonjour Curtise, bien sur (I think)a ta-dah moment. xx

Unknown said...

this is fit for Ta Dah indeed, quel coup de force! splendid Curtise, i love it - You are so cute in that outfit - I especially adore le beret et les chaussures (shoes) à la Madeline!

Ariane xxxxx

Unknown said...

I just realize i missed some posts! Gee sorry! Looking smashing in all your outfits and did i tell you i adore your hair?

Ariane xxxx

Anonymous said...

Always more marvellous!!!Everything you are wearing is beautiful, I love charity shops, this great outfit makes me want to go there now to shopping (sadly it's closed at this time..). I like the red accessories, that hat really suits you and the shirt is amazing!
Love xxxx

Paul said...

I love the black jacket. What a fabulous outfit.

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

love the black jacket. What a fabulous outfit.

A comment from me - not Paul (my husband).

Max said...

That outfit is FANTASTIC! The blouse especially and the red highlights-you look stunning x

Priscilla said...

How I Love this! Another inspiring photo :)

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VAL said...

You must feel fabulous in that outfit it looks stylish but wearable (I will avoid the word 'comfy' because it gives the wrong impression). The splashes of red make it something special.
V
xxx

♥ Miss Tea said...

the outfit is too cute! i love it and you look sooo pretty! charlie is adorable hehe...the wonder of charity shop and yes i love shopping for clothes in charity shops too! loving all the photos!

im blog hopping from ta dah tuesday over at lakota's

susan (http://tea-diary.blogspot.co.uk)

Anonymous said...

Ooh la la, je love this outfit, Curtise, and it is tres French chic! The chevron skirt, the hat, the petticoat, and of course, your new bob - everything is just perfect! xoxo

Helga said...

Fecking hell, I love this outfit!!!
You just can't go wrong with stripes, or black and white...every detail is perfect! I sepcially love the pussybow blouse, the sleeves are the MOST divine shape! I've got a couple of secondhand bras, either barely worn or unword.Peeps buy on impulse,I suspect,and then regret it, or find the fit isn't right cos they haven't trried it on.I've found knickers with tags still on too! It's amazing how EASY it is to frock up entirely secondhand!!!
No, I hadn't heard of Lynne, but I shall be investigating NOW!
You're fabularse, I love you!
XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ivy Black said...

Oh yeah! Just gorgeous and so chic. Too right it's a ta-dah.xxx

Rose&Bird said...

Lovely outfit, I'm glad that you explained the underwear is unworn!

Connie said...

Madeline as inspiration! Parfait! Which is French for perfect but it is also French for a yummy glob of ice cream which you most definitely deserve. Thrifted underwear? You are indeed a brave woman. Thanks for the nice words chez moi. Enjoy your dance watching snuggle. Hugs!
Connie*

Miss Simmonds Says said...

Yet another gorgeous outfit, though I'm still reeling from the village librarian with the sexy double life look. I love that beret, it's perfect on youm, damn it, it all is!! Charity shopping is the best. You've encouraged me to buy second hand tights, well made it acceptable, if you do it, I can do it!

Kylie said...

Gorgeous Curtise, (absolutely) head to toe.

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Ever awesome, Curtise! I heartily second everything you say about lovely Lynne! Also, I think you should preface every "inspired" outfit you do with "naughty" - last one librarian, this one Paris schoolgirl - you are that fantastic! Love the red slip!

I'm sighing with envy over your access to wonderful thrifting. Though I very rarely buy new anymore, and my proportion of thrifted items is growing, locally I just don't have the selection or the amazing prices. Nicely done, you!

P.S. Hi matching kitty! HI!!!

thorne garnet said...

you look lovely as always. I can't believe how much clothes at department stores cost. Thank goodness people buy them and then we can buy them at charity shop when they "go out of style" like clothes ever go out of style!

Fran said...

Lookin good Lady. Have a great week.

joyatri said...

You look stunning as usually. You're the queen of accessorizing!
I don't think I'd know how to shop retail anymore. Thrift store shopping is all about serendipity and finding potential in things. The way you combine items is a great lesson in finding potential! I'll look out for the challenge link. Thanks for letting us know.

Trees said...

What a fabulous Parisian Chic outfit - I love everything about this. Also I LOVE your hat - you should totally wear hats more often. I do hope you're feeling much better now? Turns out I've now hurt my shoulder at the gym - I think I must have pissed the universe off somehow and it seems intent on kicking me in the butt at the moment. Hope you're having a fabulous week!

bonsaimum said...

What a fantabulous outfit. The red hat, shoes,AND you found a red petticoat-I'm turning red with envy.The colour co-ordinated cat--what a hoot!!

CityScape Skybaby said...

This looks perfect with your little French bob Curtise, I love black white and red together and the stripes really work with those colours, that little beret is so cute. I want to find a beret that suits me this winter, I've always felt a bit awkward in a hat but you ladies are encouraging me to be braver and it's weird, I'm trying on things I always thought didn't suit me and I'm seeing them differently now and feeling like I can wear them. xx

Vintage Bird Girl said...

What a great outfit....I love how everything comes together in a Parisian chic kind of way. And your hair looks utterly gorgeous too. Xx

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

Brilliant, Curtise. You are such an artist with your outfits. I am always blown away by your stylish creativity.

Oh, I was so mad when the post looked awesome in Preview but some of the pics didn't show when officially published. I will be fixing this tonight, and sharing incredibly lovely pics, including yours, ASAP.

Anonymous said...

Lovely Parisian outfit - very chic. It's not often you find undies in their packets at charity shops. You were very lucky - or maybe much more diligent than me.

Unknown said...

Bloody arsebiscuit - you are more beautiful every single day! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this outfit - LOOOOOVE it to bits! The pussy bow and the skirt and the red accents - the SKIRT! Did I mention how much I love this outfit? Love YOU! Sarah xxx

Lynn Hasty said...

Ooooooo, I love Madeline! We studied it over and over in my homeschool, whereupon my four babies came up knowing about a house in Paris that was covered in vines. I love your outfit! Clever, darling, a bit on the sassy side! I love it!

xoxo
Lynn

Camelia Crinoline said...

You look fabulous. I love that everything including the underwear was charity shopped. The chevron skirt is amazing.

Kitty said...

Can't belive you even managed to op shop your undies, that is both awesome and hilarious (in a good way!). Superb outfits, I esp. love the red petticoat.xx.

Forest City Fashionista said...

I LOve it! Especially the glimpse of red petticoat. I wanted to participate in this, but honestly, I'm lucky to have been able to get dressed at all this week, so I had to pass, and I'm trying to plan for a trip next week, so I've been neglecting my blog.

Nikki @ Penelope Cat Vintage said...

I love this outfit - tres chic, ma cherie! I do love stripes... and berets. I'm also impressed at getting your unmentionables in a charity shop. I'm a Freya wearer myself (their Deco bra is the *only* bra that fits me properly) and I would love to pay only £1.25 for one - well done!

Nikki x

Kestrel said...

Great outfit - I'd love a skirt like that and you've accesorised it perfectly

Melanie said...

Bonjour ma joile jeune fille!! This is a fantastic look, chic, bold, and feminine all at the same time. It's one of my favourites. And the petticoat, well, the perfect way to to say, squeeze me!

Stacey said...

This outfit is incredible! And it's made even better by the fact that it's all op-shopped. You rock so much!

Dawn said...

Curtise that skirt is fantastic. What a find, I love stripes. I will check out the links. Your waist looks so tiny and the red belt is a perfect complement. dawn suitcase vignettes xo. Stop saying pussy bow...it makes me giggle.

Megan said...

Madeline! I loved those books as a kid. Fabulous skirt of strip-y-ness! Love it. Black and white and red is one of my favourite combinations.