Posted by Claire Culley
Autumn is hot on our heels now, so in this month's Second Hander I'm talking autumn and winter seasonal trends, alongside ways to hold onto summer a bit longer in your wardrobes. And there's also some tips on how to get a slice of celebrity style for less on Preloved. Buying secondhand is no longer seen as taboo, in fact it's downright thrifty and, let's face it, we all love a brilliant bargain, don't we?!
Every summer the high streets are flooded with fifties vibes and this year doesn't disappoint. And even though Autumn is looming, we have high hopes for an Indian summer to let you dig out those fifties faves. Lots of high street brands are now collaborating with celebrities on fashion lines, including Kelly Brook who has launched another 1950s style collection this year with New Look. The great thing about Kelly's collection is that it's especially made with an hourglass figure in mind. She regularly promotes curvy women and puts out the message to embrace our shapes and the fifties style is just the ticket for this. We particularly love her Peplum dress. Peplums are a big trend for autumn/winter this year, so if you pick your print right it will be a dress that carries you all the way to your Christmas parties.
Another celeb joining the fashion bandwagon is none other than Towie star, Jessica Wright. Actress-turned-songstress, she has also just launched her own fashion label called Lipstick Boutique. The designs are feminine, chic, affordable and most importantly wearable. She also prides herself on the fact that the designs are created in-house and made in England. The pieces are very dressy but perfect if you fancy a night out on the town or still have a few wedding invites in your diary. Lace features heavily in the collection which is a perfect transition for AW12.
Purple is a really important colour this upcoming season. With different shades from warm plum to dark purple it is really wearable and suits most skin tones. This Hobbs dress shows how you can incorporate print and colour for a frock that stands out of the crowd, as well as being super stylish.
As I mentioned before Peplums are quite a new trend, although they actually stem back from the fifties with designers like Dior creating the shape and using it to mould what we now know as the 'new look'. Peplums, if worn correctly, can add volume to your shape if you have a boyish figure or hide your problem areas. This style works better for a smarter look, so perfect for a night out or an important business meeting. The outfit below from Internacionale shows you how to work the peplum into a sophisticated yet fun look for the office.
It wouldn't be autumn and winter without some tartan. It just exudes the idea of warmth and cosiness which is exactly what can be said for this Hobbs coat. Don't just leave tartans at coats though, it's a brilliant print for shirts, dresses and accessories and what's more it's really wearable. Perfect for dressing down with a pair of jeans or dressing up with some heels.
We love a good bit of knitwear at Preloved HQ, and we've all got our favourite jumpers that we would never part with. However, it seems this year knitwear got a sense of humour! Jumpers with animals on, patterns and silly phrases are set to be really popular. So next time you're in charity shop and see a hideous, yet amazing jumper, snap it up and wear it proud just like this one from Warehouse.
If you're looking for a way to stay warm then FAUX fur is where it's at. Notice the emphasis on faux! River Island has designed a fabulous printed jacket that is just on the right side of crazy. The good thing about faux furs is that they can be very versatile, easily dressed up or down and super snuggly. Add one to your outfit, whether it's plain, printed, cropped or long for instant style.
Claire Culley is a blogger and style writer with a vision on how to mix the vintage look with more modern threads. Combining a finely-tuned thrifty nous with a well-turned out sense of fashion, she cuts a dash in the trendy environs of her home town, Brighton, where she's half of the driving force behind one of the city's creative hubs, Super+Super. She's also a long-term member of the Preloved team and knows a thing or two about giving nearly new fashions a fresh lease of life.
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