Volunteering as a window dresser some tips and what i wore..

I have been volunteering as a window dresser at my local Age UK for just over two months now and i have enjoyed every minute of it. I do there shop mannequin's and main window mannequins every Sunday and just have to freedom to pick out which of there stock i want to put onto them and use there accessories, handbags and shoes to make outfits. Giving the customers an idea how to out things together or just give them some inspiration on how to style up things if they are unsure on how they would style it. I sometimes even forget im helping them by giving my time because it doesn't feel like im actually working. 

Ideally i would love to be a professional stylist and style real people! for editorials more on the couture or concept side. Creating high concept outfits for shoots which is what i am best at. Coming up with an outfit for a unique theme. However dressing mannequins and people for normal everyday wear is still fun.

They photos aren't as good as camera quality as i could only take them on my photo camera.

I started off by dressing the main window mannequins and decided i wanted them to very summery. They could provide inspiration for people going on there holidays but i still wanted the clothes to still be able to be worn in england. so i added a cardigan over the strappy maxi dress in case it is a little bit chilly. I also added the chunky necklace as a statement piece and because they are very popular and in fashion at the moment.

I added the over the shoulder bag and picked out the blue flowers in the dress and added a blue scarf to the bag to add more colour to the outfit. However i wasn't to sure on the cardigan i added to the dress because i felt it was blending to much into the dress and wasn't standing out as a good cover up and wanted to chose a colour that would pop against the floral print.

TIP! - it is important when you are adding accessories to an outfit to pick out a colour within your main garment and go from there.

I added this lime green cardigan over the top of the maxi dress because i thought that it stood out against the dress instead of blending in. And it is a very popular colour for the summer. I also decided to add a sequin beanie hat to make a look more fun and youthful also make the look more bohemian.

The next window mannequin i dressed was influenced by the races and of course Ascot. Since a lot of people have been coming in recently looking for hats for the races i thought i could give them a little inspiration on there outfit.

I put this hot pink lace pencil skirt with ribbon bow which you tie at the back with this floral tunic top. which i decided to put together to keep the floral theme running through the two main window mannequins.

I added this black statement necklace to make the outfit look more classy and i chose black to keep it toned down. I also added this black and cream wicker beach bag so the outfit could be worn on holiday.

And of course i added a hot pink hat to complete my races themed outfit. And the finished window mannequins.

I chose this black and white ruffled shirt and decided to add this red and gold studded belt so i could then use reds blues and golds for my accessories.

TIP - black and white is a great colour palette for any outfit then you can pick out any other colour for your accessories.

I put this red, blue and gold nautical beach bag with my black and white ruffled shirt because pattern clashing is very popular and in fashion at the moment and these prints clash but at the same time go hand in hand with each other. And i chose these cherry red shoes to match the red belt.

I then added this statement green and black necklace to finish off the look. And i chose green because the green goes with the red belt and shoes i chose.

When constructing this outfit i started with picking out this paisley mini skirt and picked out this pleated purple top. I then added this black statement necklace.

Then added this silver and gold Chanel style handbag to complete the look.

I started this outfit but choosing this navy blue skirt with rouched waistline and added this navy blue printed scarf and added it as a belt.

I then picked out the orange from the scarf and added this strapless top to add a pop of colour to this outfit.

I added this green and orange necklace to complete the look and give it a tropical feel.

I created this look picking out red and black from the top, and added strappy sandles to make it suitable for summer.

I added this purple necklace to this neutral outfit to add a pop of colour but not to much colour.

And now for what i wore..

Todays outfit was nautical themed but still comfy and casual for window dressing.

Hat - Local vintage market £6

Scarf - bought today Age uk £2.50

Dress - salvation army £4.50

Bag - British heart £5

Shoes - British heart £4.99

Belt - charity shop £1

Gloves - Herman brown Edinburgh £12

This is the print on my giant scarf, love the summery beach/nautical print. Which i couldn't resist buying today while i was window dressing and for only £2.50!

Outfit of the day and a few charity shop buys!

Today i was heading off to work at the vintage shop ( dingdong) so put together an outfit to wear for work even though i wear vintage everyday its still fun getting to wear vintage at work and not having to wear a uniform.

i also finally tried out my foam rollers which where featured in my last post. and the results are shown in the photos below.

Dress - salvation army £5

Shoes -£6.99 salvation army

Finally managed to get my hands on some vintage cubans!

Hat came as part of a job lot on ebay!

Brooch £1 car boot

Necklace - £5 age uk

Belt £1 charity shop.

I also couldn't resist popping into the local charity shops on my dinner break and ended up grabbing a vintage dress and shoes.

Picked up this amazing blue striped vintage dress perfect for the summer at salvation army for only £4.50

close up of cute white button detailing and elasticated waist.

amazing over sized pockets.

I was amazed when i found these babies! i have been looking for a good summer shoe for a while and especially with a good sized chunky heel! and these were only £4.99 from British heart.

Recent charity shop buys all under £8!

Recent charity shop buys all under £8!

SO... ive been doing a lot of charity shopping recently and what can i say ive became obsessed over the last year or so with grabbing a ridiculously good vintage bargain. Because that's what charity shopping's all about ( except for giving to a charity) The THRILL! of a good vintage find. And for a crazy low price. thinking why on earth do people get rid of amazing things?! And sometimes i even forget that im giving to charity! because im so happy ive got a good deal on something great and sometimes ( nearly all the time) on things i do not need.

But today i decided to visit my favourite local charity shops one being age UK where you can get amazing vintage bargains for the fraction of the price you'd pay in a vintage shop. It has a vintage department upstairs selling vintage hats, bags, clothing and accessories such as jewellery.hats, lingerie and nightwear. And of course a good pair of vintage gloves. They even sell some home ware and have started to sell vintage baby clothes and baby toys. today they even had a sausage dog pull along toy AMAZING!!! 

I also visited some of my other favourite charity shops such as salvation army and British heart which is usually quite pricey. But ended up picking up some great bargains. So here they are.

Finally managed to get some original fully fashioned (seamed) stockings in the original packaging. They are going for crazy prices on eBay. For only £4 and got these Balmain designer tights for only £4 both from Age uk.

Another pair of vintage stockings which came in original packet £5.99 - Age uk

cream and whiteVintage girdle with suspender clips £4.99 -  Age uk

Vintage white lace bra/bustier £2.99 - Age uk

I already have WAY!. to many wicker handbags but couldn't resist this one i cant resist a good vintage handbag! and this one was only £4.99 - British heart

Since reading my " vintage handbags" book  and was looking up across body bags and long strap bags were also worn in the late 1940's through to the 50s i have wanted one so badly. And this one is perfect as i love red and even more perfect because it is leather and was only £2.99 - Salvation army

1950s hat £7 - Age uk

Ive been looking for a cute old glass dish to hold some of my most worn jewellery that wont fit into my jewellery box and got this cute pink one for £1

clip on earrings £2

I Couldn't decide which belt to get so i bought all of them i mean a girl can never have to many belts right? when you have a different colour belt to match each outfit then you have enough.

I love matching my belt to my outfit. £1 each

I was so exited when i found this amazing right ( cant remember the stone?) recently one of my amazing instagram followers (muskopam) sent me 27 pairs of amazing vintage earrings all the way for Canada and one of the pairs are identical to this ring! so i knew i had to have it! £2.