Hello everyone
This is a short blog to show you some photos of blustery Dungeness and also to say a huge thank you for all your comments on the last blog, which were so appreciated. I was so uplifted and warmed by the fact that many of you feel the same way as I do. It’s hard this ageing lark, but it’s good to know we’re all in this together!
Because of all your comments I feel much better in myself, and for starters, I feel my hair is OK, mainly because it is the sixth week since the ‘cut’ and I have adjusted to it. I now think, let’s see how the style pans out over the next weeks and months 🙂
I’m also in the middle of a thorough closet/wardrobe clear out, which I started once we got back from our week’s holiday in Dungeness. Actually, I’d like some advice about something I keep dithering about. I really need to get my act together and sell on Ebay, or Poshmarck or Vinted, or… somewhere, as the Dress Agency takes 50% of the sale price and refuses to take many items (because she only wants a certain Lewes look – fair enough. She knows what she can sell.) I shall continue with this Agency for heavy items like coats and jackets, but with many of my lovely dresses and fru-fru skirts and tops – I’d really like to sell these myself. So, have you got any advice for me as to which platform I should choose and any further advice on what you’ve learnt and what to avoid.
And then I have had this idea. Why don’t I create a page on this very blog and sell to you? Using a link on the main page to the selling page? And using Paypal, of course. Could be an option? What do you think? Because the more I read about Ebay, and the others, I think, how complicated. Or is Ebay easy. Do let me know your thoughts on this.
But now for some pix of Dungeness with myself, and our friends Pete and Sue who came for part of the week.
It started out with some lovely sunny weather and, quite unusually for the UK, Wi-wurri has a front porch as do many other cottages in Dungeness.
We had some lovely chats together and we sorted out the world’s ills.
As you know Dungeness is a flat shingle spit with a few fisherman’s shacks and old railway carriages that have been modernised. No dwelling is above the ground level and although far too many of these unique houses are being used for holiday homes and Airbnb, there is still an unspoilt wilderness feel to the place. And don’t forget the nuclear power station.
This is part of the garden surrounding Prospect Cottage where Derek Jarman, the artist and film-maker lived for many years until his death in 1994.
His garden has inspired so many to use shingle in their own gardens, which I think will eventually be the only way to garden, what with the increasingly hotter weather we are getting in the UK.
Here is another view of his cottage.
We went for walks and explored the nearby lighthouse and the beach.
My friend Sue loved beach combing and Pete is a birdwatcher and wasn’t disappointed – there were so many birds visiting the area before their long flight to warmer places.
But a couple of days after we arrived the weather turned and several layers were needed when we went out.
And it was so windy!
I could barely stand upright. I think the wind was the remnants of a hurricane that had crossed the Atlantic. Whatever, it didn’t matter, those dwellings have been through many a storm and are very resilient. The whole experience of those few days of rain and wind was exhilarating but I stayed indoors one day, which of course is no problem as the lovely Wi-wurri has so many books one feels inspired to write and think and read, which is why we come back to Wi-wurri so often.
In this room I read and watched the sunsets, which are lovely.
And as for the sunrises, they are magnificent. I managed to capture one on our last morning when I got up early to make the tea.
We stopped in old Hastings to break the journey.
And of course I bought an amazing hat!
It’s very steam punk! I have plans for that hat – watch this space!
Well, there you are. What a great little holiday! I have returned rejuvenated and full of plans for the future and a big project to sell a lot of my clothes. And, incidentally, wear slightly different clothes and change my image a bit. I think it’s exciting. I mean, never ever give up, or say, I can’t change, or, you know, stay stuck in a rut. Or. Have an over-stuffed wardrobe full of clothes you don’t wear, which has been my problem for some time now. Yes, quite excited at the prospect of selling. But do, if you’ve had experience of selling let me know what to watch out for. Btw, I want to package my sale items nicely – any tips will be very much welcomed by me.
Thank you again for reading this and for your empathetic response to my last post.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
I don’t sell my no-longer-wanted clothes. I find it too much hassle. I take them to a charity shop and enjoy the thought of them being enjoyed elsewhere.
This clear-out which I did over the weekend includes a humungous charity shop bag – so they will get and continue to get many items from me. But you are right I have looked at Ebay and it’s anything but simple.
Thanks Nicky 🙂
What an amazing hat! I do like a bit of steam punk but never sure I could carry it off.
Am currently decluttering/downsizing as about to move to a bungalow from our large family house. Bags of clothes have gone to charity shops, books likewise, but it is so hard to give away or sell items which are essentially parts of mine and my husband’s life. He is becoming progressively more disabled (late effects of severe stroke 10yrs ago, and other issues), I can’t bring myself to get rid of items which he treasures, so mine are first on the list to go out of the door!
Problem is, a bookcase still takes uo the same space whether it holds 75 books or 100, so the first cull has made minimal visible difference! Ditto large family heirloom wardrobe – still as large when half empty.
So difficult!
Hi Sue and I do feel for you and totally understand the challenge of downsizing, which includes thinking about furniture, having done it myself. Here’s my take on large furniture. I think that first of all it depends on the size of your bungalow. Some are quite roomy and may take your large furniture including bookcases and large wardrobes, no problem. Yes, it is a reminder of who you are or were.
The thing is we were moving to a small flat which wouldn’t take large pieces of furniture, so we made the radical decision to get rid of all the ‘big brown’ furniture and start afresh with basically white walls and white shelves on walls with colourful easy chairs and a very modern but firm small sofa. So comfortable for my heavier husband. He won’t mind me saying that as he always hated the softer larger type sofas and loves this little one we’ve got.
Btw, over the years I got rid of all my heirlooms as I had a lot of Edwardian furniture from my mother, which probably was worth a fortune at the time, but just wasn’t me. And then before we moved as I said, we got rid of all our heavy furniture and we went to Ikea and it was like we had a new life – so cathartic.
The thing is, as opposed to saying what should I keep. could you say what kind of style do I really really like, and aim (because it won’t happen overnight) to furnish your place with love and, well, eagerness because it is what you really like, if you see what I mean. Now, I rather favour mid-century modern and think, hmm, could I get a new sofa emulating that look. So, there you are. Kind of see the downsizing as not only a challenge but something new and lovely.
Hope that helps, but I do know it is hard. All the very best 🙂
Sell on your own site here what better model than you! Packaging — my daughter swears by black tissue paper, always gets compliments on that. And a little card saying thanks for buying, enjoy. If you don’t like black choose a signature colour lilac or bright yellow — buy in bulk on EBay.
I love the idea of black tissue paper! And I think selling a few items on a separate page on this blog website is something we will work on (we being my IT manager!).
Thank you Pauline 🙂
Hi Penny,
I’ve recently sold on Vinted for the first time (I have sold on Vestiare Collective but their fees are a bit excessive in my opinion). For what its worth here are my views on Vinted: it’s pretty easy to use, the seller gets 100% of the price adverised, don’t be disappointed when people ask for more information and then show no further interest whatsoever, price your items higher than you would normally ask because people drive a hard bargain, I agree with the person who said nice wrapping and a little card are appreciated because generally this is true and it marks you as a good seller and finally the transfer of payments into your bank account is really quick. For me it was a good experience and worth trying. Hope this helps in your deliberations.
I’m definitely going to try Vinted as you’re not the only one to say how easy it is. Ebay says it’s easy but just reading up on it, it’s far from easy.
Will also work towards selling a few items on a separate page here on the blog.
Thanks so much for your tips on Vinted which are very much appreciated 🙂
Hi Penny, I recently decided to try and sell some of the HUGE amount of clothes that I never wear, and make some room in my wardrobes. I started selling on Marketplace, which has been great, but quite a slow process. Spurred on by my granddaughter, I decided to try Vinted – it’s a much faster process, much easier to post items and I’m pleased with how it’s going. Two tips I have learnt – I do not use PayPal – it’s great for the buyer but not the seller, and take photographs of parcels when the item is packed and before it’s posted, and proof of posting.
Yes, I’m going to try one item on Facebook Marketplace, a heavy jacket that would cost a lot in postage, and see how that goes.
Will also try Vinted and see what happens. Yes, will take lots of good photos.
Isn’t it great to make that space in one’s wardrobe! Thanks Liz 🙂
We saw, your, cottage in Dung the last time we visited. Because I looked for it. And Hastings…..I love Hastings. Sell on Vinted! I do, it’s easy and fast.
Old Hastings is amazing and next time I shall aim to look at the vintage shops. And Wi-wurri is lovely – we will go again next year of course!
Thanks Nancy 🙂
I love reading your posts, wish I could find bargains like you when charity shopping , I have had a couple of buys which I love and could never part with one is a beautiful red wool coat with black velvet detail , that’s my December , Christmas coat and a lovely pair of black boots , your holiday photos are lovely , thank you for sharing your posts .
Your beautiful red coat sounds just lovely – what a find! Actually I so often walk out of charity shops empty handed. It is important not to get seduced by a cheap price – think I have been guilty of that lately when I look at how many charity shop items I am clearing out of my wardrobe.
Thank you, Doris, for those kind words about the blog 🙂
My daughter and I sell on eBay but it is time-consuming to list and they take a lot in fees and a percentage, of sales but they do provide good buyer and seller protection. We always wait for a 80% off charges offer which tends to come through every couple of weeks. But then if you have things listed on Buy It Now you have to delist them when the offer ends and relist them again when you get another which is relatively quick but a pain. Auctions will keep the offer but you risk selling things at a much lower price if just one person bids. Vinted is much easier, as others have said, and my daughter tends to buy on there because things are cheaper, and sell on eBay because you can get a better price and it also has good buyer protection. I’d say, if the price doesn’t matter hugely to you and you’re selling, not buying, Vinted sounds more straightforward.
Vinted does sound much easier and I shall give it a try. Also will aim to set up a separate Page on this blog and sell a few items and see which is best. Really only thinking I must get rid of the huge piles I’ve made of clothes to be clear out. It’s not a business. Actually, on the one hand rather appalled at the amount there is to sell/donate and on the other delighted to be rid of so many clothes that have been cluttering up my wardrobe.
Btw, as a writer you might find Wi-wurri a good place to write in. It was the playwright Snoo Wilson’s writing retreat and still has his work and many, many other books both fiction and non-fiction in all the rooms. If you’re interested https://www.wiwurri-dungeness.co.uk
I take my decluttered clothes to the charity shop – selling online is such a hassle and even though I am told eBay ‘is easy’ it isnt to me! So selling and buying on your site would be great! Btw love the steampunk hat, but not sure I could carry that look!
I too am trying to update my look – getting too boring and grannyish but so difficult to find the right clothes. Afraid the bright clashing colours I see atm are not for me – and being 5.2 “ I have to be extra vigilant!
Ebay seems very complicated but with everyone saying Vinted is easy I’ll try that with a couple of items, just to see, hopefully next week. The charity shops are still getting a lot of my items.
Oh yes, changing one’s style isn’t easily done overnight. I’m still in the middle of this change and not finding it easy. Cost for starters. I think we can only try and it’s good to say we’ll update as what is easy is to get stuck.
Best of luck with this and thanks Linda 🙂
Your holiday cottage looks lovely and very atmospheric I should think. I can sort of imagine it swathed in mist! I live not so far from Dungeness and I really should go to the Derek Jarman cottage some time. I’ve know about it for donkeys years. Just pure laziness I haven’t been there 😄 Re your selling problem, I’ve sold on eBay and generally think that clothes and shoes, apart from boots, go for a lot less than you think, and unusual things can go for a lot more. I wouldn’t sell good jewellery on there. I learnt my lesson when a lovely gold and Pearl ring went for practically nothing. My own fault, as I hadn’t put a reserve on it or a buy it now instead of an auction. Generally it’s wise to check the sold prices on things to see what an average price is, but an auction is an auction. I don’t find it too difficult to do but you have to describe clearly, take good photos and be prepared that someone will find fault with it and want to return it. If you have had good experiences with your dress agency and not too bad selling price I would think that is easier. Or sell on your own site, as you have a tailor made bunch of us who love your style? Hope it goes well. Trish S
Oh Trish – if you live nearby you simply must go and visit Dungeness – everyone should visit it at least once. It is very unique. Go between Wednesday and Sunday as that is when the Fish Shack is open between 11&3pm. The fish is literally the catch of the day and it is absolutely nothing whatsoever like a pub fish and chips. What I always eat is the two little fried fish in a bun with salad. It sounds nothing but is sublime especially as it is all outside seating and you sit buffeted by the wind and rain. I can’t think of anything better!!!!!
I was quite put off Ebay through reading the how to do it advice – seemed awfully complicated. And sorry to hear of your ring selling for so little. I shall try Vinted and also aim to set up a separate Page on the blog to sell a few items there. Feel as though I’m getting less anxious about selling on one of those platforms, especially as Vinted does indeed look less complicated.
Thanks Trish 🙂
Thanks Penny, I really must go and see Dungeness mustn’t I- after such an amazing description. The fish sounds lovely. I don’t suppose you know if they do gluten free? And I’ve always wanted to go beach-combing. Apparently quite interesting jars and vessels turn up there. Someone I know found a face handle from a Bellarmine jug. I’ve always wanted to go mudlarking by the Thames too. Maybe one day!
The Fish Shack sells the fried fish in other ways, with flatbread and, on its own with the most amazing potatoes that are halfway between a chip and a roast potato – delicious. They fry the fish as you order it so you could check out the gluten at the hatch. It is a very unique experience as is Dungeness itself.
Welcome back from your holiday Penny. I loved this post because you and your readers are still so involved in inventing and reinventing yourselves, caring about how are perceived by the world. It’s funny but I have been thinking about a wardrobe clean out myself. My daughter and I had a long conversation yesterday about this exactly on yet another dreary stay at home day. I think I have held on to some items for far to long and some others more recently purchased look silly on me. Others I might have received as gifts are nice in themselves, like a cashmere poncho , overwhelm me. I feel guilty getting rid of them. I wish I could be more helpful about how to sell. I would have no idea of how to start with my limited tech skills. I miss the neighborhood shops both new and resale where they know you and helped you find something that suited you. Internet shopping isn’t the same. Perhaps I will put things aside until the church up the road has another tag sale, but that won’t happen until the spring if they have one.
I think your hair looks good in these photos Penny. I know you have not been happy with the new cut but I like it. I am never happy with my hair. When I cut it I cant wait for it to grow and then think abut going shorter. all my life.
Next week my learning in retirement classes begin, so I am looking forward to that. Bye for now, love, Darby
Oh Darby I am just like you, once I cut my hair I want it longer, especially so if I have had layers cut but once it’s long I shall want to cut it!!! I am growing it out a bit but I am now near to actually liking the style!!!
Getting rid of clothes can be hard particularly if you have paid full price on them. But actually I found this clear-out very satisfying, it felt right to move on from some of these clothes, especially ones I bought for a cruise but are all wrong. I still feel a bit nervous about selling online through a ‘platform’ but I’m getting less anxious now that people have recommended Vinted. I shall try the extra Page on my website to sell, but still lots to organise first – even packaging is a challenge as I want the packaging to look exactly right.
Enjoy the start of your classes – they sound really interesting .Thanks Darby and bye for now. 🙂
Hi Penny, Depends on what you want. I think Vinted is really easy. You also get the full price and the buyer pays the postage. the prices are low but I have found, even if you have to wait a couple of months, things do go. If someone favourites your item you also have the chance to offer a lower price. My advice would be try a couple of items and see how you feel. Always use the search to have a look to see if there is anything similar and at what price to give you an idea.
Good luck
Jane
Thanks Jane, it’s interesting that many of you are recommending Vinted and say it is easy. But I’ve just skim read the terms and conditions which are being updated – that’s when you think, wow, what a palaver. But I am willing to try it now. Plus I shall aim to set up a Page for selling on this blog. Lots to do and sort out first though.
Thanks again Jane – your tips on what to do and what to watch out for are very much appreciated 🙂
I’ve recently sold some items on vinted. Quite easy to do, but I found buyers seem to want to pay very low prices and keep offering reductions which make it seem like you’re almost giving the stuff away.
I’m sure you’d make a great job of doing it yourself on here. Great to de-clutter though and a change of style direction to look forward to x
It’s been great doing this big clear-out – I’ve really enjoyed it. Will definitely look at how I can sell on the blog using a separate Page.
And thank you for suggesting Vinted – it seems it is the one to go for 🙂
Re: recycling of your clothes, I would take the best to your local dress agency, even though you might not get what you think they are worth, as packing up and taking to the post office for weighing is a bit of a chore! I only buy clothes that accept returns on ebay, as sizing is erratic, so if something did not offer this possibility I wouldn’t be buying it.
Hope this helps – please report results!
The manager of the dress agency is very fussy (fair enough, she knows what she can sell) and hasn’t taken some of my items. Also I know she doesn’t take any cruise type frocks and absolutely nothing vintage, so I am at a disadvantage when it comes to selling some of the clothes that are in the piles I’ve made.
Vinted somehow doesn’t need you weighing clothes, not 100% sure why you don’t need to do that. And there are various ways to post your parcel off and the buyer chooses one. Then Vinted provides you with a printed postage label. So it seems easier! I say seems as I am not 100% sure about it, but it does appear easier than Ebay.
I will definitely report back to you all, especially re: the possibility of selling on my blog – on a separate page of course.
Thanks Victoria – I am so grateful for everybody’s advice. It really has made a difference. 🙂
So glad you enjoyed your break away Penny. I think your hair has settled beautifully and really suits you. I’ve no experience of selling online but could we have one just for our group I wonder? Just a thought. I have far too many clothes and consequently find myself wearing the same items rather than delve into the dark corners of the wardrobe for other options, of which there are plenty.
I am really glad I did this clear-out. It was enjoyable to do and great to see space in the wardrobe and know there are a few good things you can wear rather than scratching your head and saying ironically when the wardrobe is stuffed, I’ve nothing to wear, and really that’s all about clothes that are squashed together!
We will definitely work towards, as in Mr F will work towards (!) creating a Selling Page on the blog. I won’t overwhelm it nor will I put anything too old or tatty, but just put up my mistakes and really all the good items that I have decided are no longer for me.
Thanks Lynda 🙂
Check what shipping and handling will cost. If you bought something for $5, you’d sell it for something less, maybe $3, and lose money on packing and posting. Unless you just want something to keep you busy, donate it back to a thrift shop and let the charity take advantage of the income.
Charity shops will still get a lot of my clothes. If I use Vinted, the buyer pays for the postage, which is why I shall try it.
Thanks Katji 🙂
Hello Penny
I bet Lynda doesn’t know that my wardrobe is a close relation of hers as mine too has dark corners I can’t be bothered to delve into. It seems I’m like a lot of your readers: a right royal sort-through is long overdue. 😱
Dungeness fascinates me but is so hard to get to from my neck o’ the woods that I rely on you for updates. So glad you and your friends enjoyed yourselves and that you found time for some retail therapy in the way home – great titfer: I just love steam punk for some reason and that purchase certainly ticks the (hat) box. And I was delighted to see one of your berets had an outing while you were away.I really must get me one of those…
Good luck with your resale venture. Just the thought of all that sorting, pricing, advertising, packing and posting puts me in a tail-spin; I’d opt for Darby’s learning in retirement classes any day! But you’re so positive a person that I’m sure it will be a huge success.
All the best
Zepherine x
Hi Zepherine, I really enjoyed doing the clear-out, it’s quite a cathartic thing to do, you get a’wow, look what I’ve done’ kind of feeling afterwards!!!
Even for us, Dungeness is out of the way. It could take us just under 2 hours from where we are but we always break the journey and now do that in Old Hastings. The last 30 minutes is nothing but very windy roads. But because we love it so much, it is worth the effort.
I do still feel a bit anxious about this selling lark, but will try Vinted which everyone says is the easiest.
Thanks Zepherine and good luck with those dark corners 🤣
Afternoon Penny,
Glad you had a good holiday – a nice set of pics. I’m glad you’ve ‘settled into’ your hair – it looks good to me and I’m excited with your hat! Matter of fact I bought a top hat recently: really love it.
It sounds as though you’re going through an interesting renewal-growth period what with your plans. Exciting. We’re certainly into autumn now so perfect timing for wardrobe clearing.
Sorry, I can’t offer any suggestions for your selling project. I’ve never sold anything on ebay or anywhere: I take the easy route – charity shop. I did buy a couple items of clothes and a pair of shoes a few years ago but was not thrilled. I really prefer to see and touch. Having said that, Derek buys and sells books on ebay and does quite well. He does ‘buy it now’ or ‘best offer’ rather than auction.
I was intrigued with your comments in your last post and look forward to your email in due course.
All the best, Mary
PS:
Overnight thought: you could sell your clothes via the blog and invite readers to sell their stuff too; take say, 5% commission which give a little extra £ and ensures sellers are reaching their target clientle. A win-win. I might be moved to sell through you too.
Mary xx
PS:
Overnight thought: you could sell your clothes via the blog and invite readers to sell their stuff too; take say, 5% commission which give a little extra £ and ensures sellers are reaching their target customers.
A win-win. I might be moved to sell through you too!
Mary xx
Hi Mary and thank you re: the pics. This time they’re mostly Mr F’s and my friend Sue’s photos. Dungeness is very photogenic, I think!
I’ll still take masses of clothes to the charity shops, but I want to sell some of my lovely cruise dresses and frou-frou skirts. Will try Vinted rather than Ebay. And also I intend to reduce my buying somewhat. I am beginning to make more mistakes – need to stop that.
You will definitely get a separate email from me shortly. thanks Mary 🙂
It’s great to read that you had a wonderful time in Dungeness. It seems to have a special effect on you every time you visit. Although I haven’t commented lately, I make sure to read every post you publish. I found your recent posts about your cruise, haircut, and ageing gracefully to be informative and interesting. I turned seventy in May, and it has affected me in ways I didn’t anticipate. One of your readers mentioned in a comment that we don’t have to stick to one particular style, and I completely agree with that sentiment. I like to experiment with different looks, from a bohemian style to a more sophisticated and elegant one. It’s all about having fun and trying new things!
Thank you June and I read all your posts too, I wish I could comment, but WordPress is a bit difficult when it comes to self-hosted platforms – they will not recognise who I am!!! Grrrr!
I agree that trying out different styles is a very good thing. And getting to 70 is a big step. Mind you, it’s 80 for me, in 3 years time – wow!
Thanks so much June 🙂
I know nothing about buying and selling online but I would like to say that your hair looks wonderful under your hats, curving gracefully toward your cheeks. You look terrific in these photos. I look forward to seeing where your enthusiasm takes you in creating a fresh new style for yourself. xo karen
What a nice thing to say about my hair and looks!!! Thank you so much Karen 🙂
Penny, yellow is definitely your signature color! And, that hat…oh, my goodness! Definitely steam punk and can’t wait to see what you do with it. You are making me want to go to Dungeness because it looks like the best place to see nature and get away from it all.
As for selling…I’ve done both eBay and Poshmark as well as a local consignment store. I don’t have any selling tips, but I think you should list them here on your blog. Make sure to figure in plenty for postage or say pay for the exact postage as it’s so high here (as I’m sure it is there). I’ve found, on Poshmark, people want to get quality for a little bit of nothing. I’ve had people offer me 1/3 of what I’ve listed for. I think that may be true of most selling sites.
I love your attitude!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thanks Marsha. Yes, Dungeness is such a lovely wild place and fortunately there re still locals who live there. I see New York has cracked down on Airbnb, we really ought to do that here. Airbnb ruins so many lovely places here in the UK. I say that in the full knowledge that I too am a holiday visitor but at least the place we stay in is owned by a family that visits regularly. Consequently it feels so homely. And the whole experience is very rejuvenating and, in that wind, exhilarating!!!
Vinted seems the easiest platform to use, but we will work towards having a selling Page for some of my clothes.
Thanks so much Marsha 🙂
Hi Penny,
Straight to the point – I have found Facebook ‘Market Place’ the easiest selling platform. So far I have sold only ‘household items’ – small furniture, dinner service etc. But I am just about to try clothes, I like the fact that mostly ‘local’ people are buyers so no packaging and posting. And for me – strictly cash to purchase. It has worked well for me. I do not ‘use’ Facebook for posting info. about myself or my activities!!
Tips for selling – Plenty of good photos, show the makers label if poss. Measurements – ie not just the size, state the actual length of garment, even sleeve length. As much info as possible. Show garment on a good hanger so that the garment looks its best. Do closeups to show fabric and design. Make it look appealing!
You now have the job of sifting through all our very personal opinions! but hope some ideas work for you. Look forward to hearing your results. Do let us know what you decide and how it works.
Kind regards,
Pauline
There’s one heavy jacket that I’ll put up on Facebook Market Place. The Dress Agency didn’t take it and it’ll be too bulky to post. I’ll do this over the weekend and see how it goes. I agree that cash in hand and no posting is a bonus!
I’ll also try Vinted as you don’t have to use Paypal, just a couple of items at first, and see how that goes.
Thanks Pauline 🙂
I can’t offer any advice on selling but I would advise waiting a bit before you sell half your clothes. Perhaps you already have things that go with the new style aim ‚ferocious chic‘. Look in your wardrobe and take everything out that you would consider ‚ferocious chic‘. Are there many items? Do you wear them a lot? If not, why not? Perhaps just needs a bit of restyling. Are there none at all ? Then perhaps ‚ferocious chic‘ is more something that you like in theory but doesn’t suit the life you actually live. With your love of skirts and hats and odd jewellery I’d say you are much more the type eccentric Englishwoman than American rock star. Think Vivienne Westwood !
What I did when I went through my wardrobe was to say, do I love this?, do I even like this?, and if it was near to that, out it went. Also there were the two lovely cruise frocks that I cannot get into, my shape has changed, and several others that I had bought for cruises but really were not for me anymore, also several frou-frou skirts I had hardly worn or hadn’t worn at all. As a result it was amazing how much of my wardrobe I cleared.
Not entirely sure I want to be an eccentric Englishwoman, but anything near to Vivienne Westwood, yes! A great role model but also I think Debbie Harry, who is just a year older than me but still looks amazing. This slight restyle I’m aiming for won’t happen overnight, for starters it’s the cost. But I’ve got a good idea of how I want to look.
Thanks Ruth, I have so appreciated everyone’s thoughts, they have helped 🙂
It seems vinted is more popular on here and with my family too. My daughter, with a 4 month old baby and a a new school starter has managed to find the energy and time to sell on vinted. Not the energy to sort her printer out, but we live nearby. She loves being able to drop items in lockers at the local Co-op, she would not find using the post office convenient. My other daughter , with a 3 year old called Oscar, also sells on vinted because she can drop parcels off at a locker nearer than the post office. We also send things regularly to charity stores.
Interesting to hear that both your daughters use Vinted, and that one of them has an Oscar!! My grandson Oscar will be 3 in November, not long now!
And charity shops will still benefit from me as I’ll still donate clothes to them, plus paperbacks of course.
Thanks Lindsey 🙂
Hellooo Penny! I have nothing to add about selling but that I’m glad you had a wonderful getaway!! Also, it is nice that you’ve “settled” into your haircut. 🤗
May your closet clearing go well!
It took me nine months, but I finally removed/gave away my husband’s clothing. He was an avid shopper. I kept a favorite sweater, a Hawaiian shirt, a much loved sweatshirt, and his fishing t-shirts. I found a YouTube that teaches how to make memory pillows out of those t-shirts. I am making them for the grandkids.
Hope your selling project goes well!
Charlene
Glad you’ve got your energy and enthusiasm back Penny! Unfortunately I’ve come back from my cruise with Covid, contracting it for the first time. It had to be a risk of course but I had a booster at the end of June. Only feels like a cold so as soon as I’m clear I’ll get back into gear again. The big seasonal changeover awaits! HI also has health problem, bad reaction to a drug, so it will take a few weeks to sort that out no doubt. It never rains………. I buy successfully on Ebay but now selling is too time consuming and profit negligible. I recently returned an item using their pre-paid label which I thought would be charged according to weight/size of parcel but was not so I’ll be careful about using that again. Where I’ve made ‘bad’ or mistaken purchases I try to learn from them but pass them on to the charity shops anyway.
I went through a phase of selling on eBay but I haven’t bothered since Brexit because it was mostly British people that bought them before. These days, I just pass on my clothes to my friends—they take what they want and then the rest goes to charity. I’ve been buying from Vinted lately though and it seems to work really well. That might be an idea to try?
I love the look of your holiday. It’s not an area I’m familiar with. Hastings has been on my list for a while now but I don’t know when we’ll ever get there!
Hugs
Suzy xx
What a lovely holiday! It looks like quite a pleasant place to stay at and very different from places around here. I have not advice sadly about the selling clothes as I am too lazy to do that. Hope you get some good tips from your readers.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
That little cottage is so cute! And that hat.. very cool!
It is the best place ever to be in and that hat is amazing isn’t it. Thanks Erin 🙂
That sounds like such a wonderful holiday; despite some rather blustery weather. I loved seeing your lovely photos!
This is my first visit to your blog but I love that hat and can’t wait to see what you do with it. It looks like you had an amazing holiday. Some beautiful views and I love the room where you read.
I’ll have to go back and read that other post! Not my curiosity is piqued!
Thank you for visiting my blog Lisa, hope you continue looking at it. The other post, the one I wrote before this one, was huge rant about ageing. There’s too much advice given out about ageing these days, always it seems written by people who aren’t actually old!!!!! Really gets up my nostrils, in a big way! Will stop now as I feel a rant coming on!!!
Thanks again for visiting and if you are nearby in the UK I thoroughly recommend a visit to Dungeness – it’s wild – literally!
Love the Dungeness pictures. I must get there some time! Your hair’s looking very good after 6 weeks.
Ebay is not particularly easy to sell on but it is good for certain brands and styles. I use it when I have several things to sell, and take photos in one go. I wouldn’t sell on Vinted, everything goes so cheaply it’s hardly worth the effort.
Dungeness is great – do try it for a few days as there’s bird watching and lots of flat cycling to do. And in that place loads of books to read.
Unbelievably as a nervous first time seller on these platforms, I got a time-wasting Russian on Facebook Marketplace asking me to do odd things so went off it pretty smartish. Then on Vinted on my one item (put up to see how things went), twice now I’ve been asked to send pics to an email outside Vinted! Have reported to the Help Centre, but if this happens again or isn’t resolved I won’t sell on Vinted ever. So much for it being easy! Easy for scammers it seems!!!!!
Penny, your trip to Dungeness sounds absolutely divine! 🌊 The descriptions and photos paint such a vivid picture. Dungeness is truly a hidden gem, and I’ve always been fascinated by Prospect Cottage and its unique garden. The influence of Derek Jarman’s work in the area is palpable.
Regarding selling your clothes, I think the idea of having a page on your blog is brilliant. 🌟 Your dedicated readers (myself included) would love the opportunity to own a piece from the Frugalfashionshopper’s collection! Plus, it feels so much more personal. While I’ve heard both good and bad stories about Ebay and other platforms, selling directly through your blog with PayPal can keep it simple and straightforward. And for packaging – perhaps consider sustainable, eco-friendly options? They’d align so well with the spirit of frugality and caring for the planet. 🍃
Lastly, that hat sounds fabulous! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got planned for it. Your spirit of embracing change and evolving is so inspiring. Here’s to never staying in a rut! 🥂
Sending you warm wishes and looking forward to your next update! 💕👒🌸