Hello everyone
How are you all? OK, I hope, what with the change in the weather and everything else going on in the world.
Anyway, to fashion! Despite 90% of my clothing coming from charity shops I do buy the occasional new item, but hardly ever at full price, and pretty much always from the more ethical and sustainable brands like Thought and Hush. Tbh I haunt these sites, and others too, for their sales. Just recently I bought a Helly Hansen mac at half price, no less, although it was still a bit gulp at the amount I had to pay out. Never mind, I really wanted a raincoat that was guaranteed to be rain proof because, tbh, I think I’ve wasted my money buying macs in charity shops as there’s usually a reason why they are not wanted any more! This raincoat with its Norwegian label give me confidence that it will withstand an English downpour! You’ll see it soon.
Not so long ago I bought a really great skirt from Thought at 70% off the retail price. Now that’s a bargain! And it’s really fun to wear.
Looks fairly boring doesn’t it. But it’s got an interesting leisure-wear stripe down both sides.
And it’s got pockets – yay!
Here’s another view of the stripe.
And here I am outside my favourite place in Lewes, the Depot. More about the lovely film we watched at the end of the month.
Note the jacket. This was a bargain and half as it’s a tweed 100% wool jacket, which I bought for £9.99 a few weeks ago when it was hot (so I think it had been ignored because of the temperature). I have been wearing it practically every day as the temperatures become cooler in the UK.
That’s all for now, but before you go, we are still having IT issues and if you haven’t been able to get on to the site I do apologise. We’re really trying to sort it! I say we, it is of course, my other half, Mr F, who is valiantly spending time on this. And at last we think we might have the solution. Watch this space as there may be a slightly different look to the blog when I next post. Thanks anyway for putting up with the IT gremlins.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
Hi Penny
If you want a coat that is guaranteed not to leak, go to Seasalt.
Their raincoats are tested on Cornish cliff tops and they do not leak. I have been wearing my Janelle coat for 3 years it’s the best coat I ever had. Not only that it also has a lifetime guarantee, they will replace it if anything goes wrong.
Seasalt is also an ethnical clothing company and there is a sale on at the moment.
Thanks Jayne, I also love Seasalt and am very impressed with their clothes which are well made. I find them a little pricey so only buy when there is a sale. I have got three of their dresses, two are summer dresses and one is a more Autumn jersey dress, which with a top and leggings will go into the winter. You will see it soon. I shall look out for their coats and raincoats when they go on sale at the end of the winter season.
‘Do I look for clothes in sales?’ No, I know what I need. And I would rather ‘shop my closet’ or go to a charity/second hand shop.
Oh yes, always shop one’s closet and go to charity shops, yes, absolutely. But I pretty much only buy new clothes from Thought and Hush and only when they have sale. It’s a shame that ethical brands are so expensive (for my purse) but there you are, they are quality clothes. So I look very closely when their sales are on, it’s been worth it so far 🙂
I love the skirt, and the mustard beanie and accents. It’s a great outfit and I hadn’t heard of Hush or Thought. I don’t often go out in driving rain but you’re right – a mac that keeps out the rain properly would be great. We used to have lots of mac and coat companies like Dannimac ( trying to dredge up other names from the past but I can’t). They’ve either become so high end that they’re unaffordable or they don’t exist any more. I think their design quality suffered and the last time I saw one was years ago on a market stall selling old lady coats. Perhaps if they’d put their prices up like Helly Hansen, they’d still be around. Our better labels like Jaegar all seem on a decline. Sorry- evidently feeling a bit depressed at the moment – about everything. I just read your Other Blog but too depressed to even rage about it all! Stay well. Trish S
Helly Hansen is very expensive but it is a Norwegian brand and everything in Norway is expensive. But Hush and Thought are British companies (I think) and I love their clothes but they are also rather too pricey for my purse hence waiting for the sales. Here’s the link for Hush’s sale https://www.hush-uk.com/sale
I know, it’s all just simply ghastly at the moment. What we have to do is keep on, keeping on. And surround ourselves with things we love, like family and friends and other nice things. It will all pass – eventually! So you take care and stay well too 🙂
Love the skirt, Penny. Also, like the length of your hair! Very complementary!
Yes, weather is finally cooling. In Southern California, we’ve even had thunder, lightning, and a bit of RAIN in the last two days! Unbelievable! Was not even prepared so outdoor patio cushions are drying inside the house!
Yes, I do scour online retail sites, especially for their sales. We are preparing to take a road trip to the Pacific Northwest in November to visit our elder son’s new family home. We will be celebrating the American Thanksgiving holiday with his family. So, husband and I have added some new pieces and refreshed a few basics as well this past week. Took advantage of 50%+++ sales. Found some wonderful deals!
Stay dry, warm, and well in your new raincoat!
Charlene H
I’m glad you’ve had some rain at last, I bet California needed it! 50% offers are great particularly when it’s a quality brand.
Oh wow, sounds so good to be going to see your elder son at Thanksgiving – enjoy!
And thank you Charlene for those kind words, I’m pleased to have cut my hair, it was a good decision.
Enjoy the rest of the week 🙂
I have a lightweight waterproof from Joules that I bought in a sale. Like you, I’ve had several ‘shower’ coats/jackets which were absolutely useless. I also have a heavier jacket from Regatta which is also waterproof which I bought on E-bay several years ago. I’m not looking at clothes at the moment as I have so much. In fact I’m about to have another sort out as I go into winter. Our daughter came down from up North and she has already changed over ; we are so much warmer in the south. October has been a lovely month so far with all the autumn colours against a blue sky. We have some gardens near us – The Hillier Gardens – where we go a lot as we are members. For our Golden Wedding our family adopted a young hickory tree which has bright yellow autumn colour. We go to see how it’s getting on! I’m not sure if I mentioned I’d had more surgery ; it was quite a shock and now radiotherapy is recommended, as well as drugs. I’ll get through it some how but feeling daunted at the prospect at the moment.
First of all, yes, I did know about the extra surgery – yikes, but didn’t know about the radiotherapy -hmm. I too would be feeling daunted and overwhelmed by it all. Hang on in there, Lynda. I wonder if you can find a group of people either online or locally in a similar situation. Might help????
A couple of raincoats bought from charity shops were complete disasters. One was just ghastly – it was a trench raincoat and looked so stylish. It started to rain, and large patches of damp areas started to appear so much so that the whole coat was like the pelt of an animal. I charged around desperate to find something else, finally ended up in TKMaxx and found that red designer showerproof padded 3/4 length jacket. Bought it for a very reasonable price and asked the assistant to just bin the raincoat. But that didn’t stop me from still trying to find a raincoat in charity shops, none of which have been particularly good. It was about time to buy something guaranteed to be waterproof, especially with my lifestyle of walking into town rather than using the car.
October is turning out to be a lovely month – the sunsets at Dungeness were spectacular too.
What great bargains, Penny! Even the new rainproof Mac is a bargain at half off. There are times when it’s necessary to pay more to get the kind of weather protection that works. Your new olive skirt made such a lovely outfit. And the blazer was a great bargain.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Oh yes that skirt looks great! And I like the way you wear it. That’s a bargain for tweed! Why is tweed always so hard to find?
Yes, these jackets are quite rare and difficult to find. Funnily enough when I saw the jacket I didn’t buy it at first as it was steaming hot day and I couldn’t bear touching the wool! But I thought about it a lot and one week later I went back (it was still very hot) and there it was, I think it was the hot weather that put people off. Soooo glad I bought it!
Thanks Nancy!
Yes, sometimes we just have to pay that little bit extra and as we are such (well usually) a wet weather country I think a waterproof raincoat is really essential. You’ll see it soon.
The jacket too was just the best kind of find! Thanks Michelle 🙂
.Hi Penny,
Just reading your blog now. Loved your skirt so much I immediately got on to THOUGHT & ordered it online. It’s a terrific bargain. I’m only hoping that there won’t be a hefty tax on it as it’s coming from the UK to Ireland! I love the different ways you have styled it, especially with the yellow scarf & tammy. Also love it with the pink runners. Thank you so much for the tips. Also, your hair is absolutely beautiful in these photographs; this length is perfect for you and shows up the beautiful of your hair.
Love from Fran, Limerick, Ireland.
Oh wow, Fran, so glad you like the skirt – it really is a bargain, isn’t it! And thank you so much for those kind words about my hair. I am glad I cut it. I so wanted to keep my hair long but I realise it really is better at this length.
Thanks again 🙂
The skirt looks much better on and the stripe down the side is different and quirky. I love your tweed jacket btw – a great find! I don’t look for sales as if I need something I head straight for the charity shops. I used to be tempted by the La Redoute sales but not any more….
Hope you have a good weekend,
xxx
Hi Veronica and yes, it’s always charity shops first and foremost but when the Thought and Hush sites have 70% off items I do think twice. First they are both ethical and sustainable brands and second they are tremendous bargains. And I do love their style as well.
You have a lovely weekend too xx
I love to see you in yellow. I have been adding layers in the morning lately and am enjoying the cooler weather.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Is it finally getting cooler where you are? I have to say I couldn’t be doing the heat in the States!
And yes I do love yellow!
Thanks Mireille 🙂
Really liking the new skirt. The first combination in particular, it manages to look, to me, both elegant and edgy, if that’s possible. and the second look is bright and happy looking. In recent years I have not shopped much for clothing. Which is not to say I never but anything. During the past year I have purchased, as I have mentioned, three items from Eileen Fisher Renew. this, as you probably know is a brand which got on board with the ethical and sustainable concept years ago. The Renew is the used arm of the brand, which I buy on line. the line is pricey and even the recycled items are not inexpensive. but they are well made and I do like the overall concept. And again that haircut is so flattering.
We are finely getting some color in the foliage here, and even more a little north. yesterday I took a trip to Ridgefield Connecticut. about an hour away. visited a historic site and a contemporary art museum a short walk away . It was an exhibition of works by modern women artists. there was much interesting discussion of the meaning behind many of the pieces. much of it rather provocative. It was a good day spent with friends old and new. And the weather was spectacular! Here as in your country there is much to be concerned about but we try to find the positives, like art, fashion, family and friends. Love from New York, Darby
Thanks Darby re: the skirt which was both stylish and a good bargain. Actually I hadn’t heard of Eileen Fisher and so went to look for her website and they do have outlets here in the UK. It’s always charity shops first and foremost for me, but I will look for ethical and affordable brands.
The visit to the historic site and art exhibition sounded great – I am aiming to get to the V&A next Friday – can’t wait!
Oh my word UK politics at the moment – I think the words are ‘meltdown’ and ‘chaos’! Also ‘banana republic’! So yes, absolutely we have to surround ourselves with culture, plus family and friends.
Thanks so much Darby and very best wishes to you from Lewes 🙂
I love how you always find such fun things at the charity shops and then style them with your own personal touch! I am always perusing the sales online. I sometimes scout things out in the store just to find out about fabrics and fit, then wait for a sale. Now, if it sells out, I don’t stress (too much). It just wasn’t meant to be!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
It’s always our dinky little charity shops that get most of my custom but I do look at ethical brands and while they’re usually far too expensive for me, when they have their sales, I’m really interested!
Thanks Marsha 🙂
Ooh never heard of Thought! Off to check out their website. I have a few sites where I look out for the sales. For rain jackets I mainly wear those from hiking specialists, they’re effective but not very pretty!
Thought is brilliant, as is Hush. I have actually got three things this year from their sale. if you scroll through the Thought website I also bought this dress
https://www.wearethought.com/products/camden-hemp-bell-sleeve-gingham-check-dress/
Quite the bargain don’t you think! It looks amazing on.
Good buys Penny and agree with things like rain coats in the end it pays to buy from the specialists(sales help). I am not much of an online shopper prefering to support our small local businesses .
I have been thinking of you and the political situation in the U K.