Truly Gifting and The Wardrobe Angel

Before Rich and I headed off on our honeymoon I found Truly Gifting on Twitter. Now I love a sustainable gift every now and again, a piece of vintage clothing always has the ability to catch my eye and I'm not averse to some pre-loved clothing coming my way via eBay but I've never seen anything like Truly Gifting before. They provide packaging and gifting cards, designed to encourage consumers into giving pre-owned items as gifts. Now, I'm sure we've all done a cheeky re-gift before, I know I have (usually with scarves) but the sense I get from Truly Gifting is that they want the pre-owned gifts to be given more gravitas in the gift giving arena. And rightly so - according to a survey carried out by Truly Gifting, over 50% of respondents were interested in second hand gifting. I guess it's just dusting off those preconceived ideas that only a "box fresh" gift is a real gift. 

Here's one scary ass fact from the Truly Gifting website: if everyone in the UK were to give just one second hand present per year, 60 million new items would never have to be produced. WOW.  Even the Ikea's Chief Sustainabilility Officer, Steve Howard, said earlier this year that we've hit "peak stuff."

“If we look on a global basis, in the west we have probably hit peak stuff. We talk about peak oil. I’d say we’ve hit peak red meat, peak sugar, peak stuff … peak home furnishings,” Steve Howard said at a Guardian Sustainable Business debate. 

One of the gorgeous cards to go with your pre-loved gift

As I unpacked the box of Truly Gifting goodies I had a stroke of genius thought. When I'm working with clients we sometimes create a space in the wardrobe for 'heirloom' pieces: pieces that the client won't wear again but may leave to a family member or friend further down the line: a silk dress, a designer handbag, a piece of vintage clothing. These items would be perfect for the Truly Gifting packaging, especially when paired with one of the awesome cards (the LOVE one is my favourite - see above - and blank for your own message) that come as part of the set. I am more than happy to recommend this packaging to clients in the future, especially as the ethos is just so delicious:

Now to play devils advocate you could just buy a box yourself to do the re-gift, use a shoe box maybe. But then there's the wrapping of the box, finding your own card and ultimately it looking like a bodged Blue Peter job if you aren't craftily inclined. I'm much rather use this packaging which is created from sustainable sources and looks AWESOME than have a go myself. Plus I think the wording on the package really explains WHY you are giving a second hand gift. For those who don't re-gift or trade in pre-loved items with friends and family, Truly Gifting packaging will hopefully spur them into action. 

The Silence & Noise jacket that no longer cuts the mustard in my 'joy filled' wardrobe

Luxury tissue paper is provided which makes your gift look AMAZING. Bye Bye jacket!

All wrapped up with the sleeve explaining what's inside.

I regularly send Wardrobe Angel clients clothes which I have found on my travels - be that clothes from charity shops I think they'll like, or clothes from my own wardrobe after I've had a clear out. I am so bad at wrapping up said clothes that I inwardly cringe from the thought of these wonderful, successful, awesome women opening the gift I have sent. And that's where I see the boxes and packaging options that Truly Gifting sell coming in handy. 

Instead of just handing over a piece of pre-loved clothing, give it the honour it deserves! It served you, and your wardrobe now say 'thank you' by gifting it on. 

A couple of weeks ago I re-Marie Kondo-ed my wardrobe (read my 1st post here) and came across an orange jacket that had survived the 1st joy sparking cull. I've used it to style many-a-dress in the past as due to the jazzy open back feature it looks nigh on awesome with a back splash of pattern poking through the material. BUT. This time as I held it in my arms I realised that it wasn't structured enough for my liking. So, a client that looks AWESOME in orange is the lucky recipient of said jacket, all packaged up mightily smart thanks to Truly Gifting. I hope she likes the jacket as much as I loved the packaging. 




Please click here to visit the Truly Gifting website.

Oxfam Decades of Vintage Fashion and Style #VintageFaceandStyle

The search is on at Oxfam for 4 lucky fashion bloggers to be the faces of four decades of fashion at their online shop. I’ve chosen to pitch my stylish tent in the 1980s; supposedly the decade fashion forgot. Notwithstanding mullets, the 80s have had their archives plundered for plenty of things over the years: peplums, jumpsuits and shoulder pads (yes, I’m looking at you Balmain).

I popped out in November 1980 and my love of the subsequent decade has never gone away. I've wrestled with 60s shift dresses whilst being mistaken for a pregnant woman on the tube, dismissed 70s flares and meekly attempted 90s grunge in the midst of growing an hourglass figure, but it's the shapes and textures of the 80s I keep revisiting: defined shoulders, double breasted power jackets, patent, high pointed stiletto heels and the odd raglan sleeve.

Vintage 1908s jumper and clutch, coat and shoes from Sue Ryder, Topshop Mom Jeans, Mikey earrings

For me as a stylist there’s no shame in loving the 80s; it was the decade which understood my figure for what it is. Fashion finally offered women tailoring that helped them get a sartorial foot up in a man’s world – Melanie Griffith epitomises this in the film Working Girl. And how can anyone forget Cindy and her tribe of Supers, giving us the gift of the original “strong not skinny” body type?

Oxfam, I’d love to be the face of the 80s; it’s time to set the record straight and let the 80s back into the fashion fold.  

The Wardrobe Angel

What I bought in the sales 2016...

I didn't just buy half a dress....

Between seeing family over the festive period, a few personal shops between Christmas and New Year and lucky wardrobe angel clients using their Christmas Gift Cards, I didn't have the luxury of a full day to go and browse the sales in January like I usually do. Wouldn't change it for the world, however, The Wardrobe Angel business is booming!

Here's what I did pick up in January....

First up -

Midi dress - I have been after a midi dress for ages. I had seen one on the Atterley Road website but with no sizes 6 or 8 left I was left despondent so the search continued. Since getting married last year I have opened myself up to the possibilities of 'big'dresses and the one I found lurking on a sale rack in Banana Republic in Trafford Centre certainly fitted the bill. The store was closing down (boo! They had a great petite section! You will be missed, BR!) but they had 40% off sale prices to sweeten the deal. So the Heritage Dress (below) was picked up for £17.99 down from £110 originally. It is awesome - two deep pockets in the skirt, beautifully cheeky cut away front and constructed in a wonderfully dense cotton.  I need to get it taken in at the sides, and up on the straps, as I have a slightly short torso, but that'll be a £10 outlay at most. I'm going to layer a black cashmere jumper and a leather jacket over it so I don't freeze to death.

It's a massive, full skirted thing of beauty.

Zara Jumpsuit - £14.99 down from £29.99.  All you need are shoes and jewellery to complete a jumpsuit. Wardrobe Win. I find they are great for work - I can be cleaning out a wardrobe on my hands and knees and in that situation a pencil skirt just won't work (believe me, I have made that mistake once or twice...) so I need clothes where there is loads of room for manoeuvre but still look super cool.

Joseph Trousers - I've been upping my wardrobe label game in the past year: MIH jeans, Baum und Pfungarden dress to name 2 pricey but "worth it" items. However, I still bought a fair amount from Zara BUT this love affair was not destined to last. The Zara trousers I bought last year in the sales gave up the ghost in November - bobbled, dye fading at a rate of knots and the stitching coming undone on the hem. I read an article in the Telegraph about what fashion editors wear - mostly navy and mostly Joseph it turns out. So I bit the bullet and headed to Harvey Nicks in Leeds to try on some Joseph goodies and yes, there is a reason why I can see the trousers especially are a favourite with fashion's top women - the FIT. Superbly flattering, fantastic weight of fabric and considered detailing - inset pockets, neat zips and fastenings, basically nothing too bulky. Being my frugal self I went home and ordered some from eBay for a wallet friendly £14.99.

And finally..

Vintage t-shirt - I spend a lot of time advising women and men what to buy and wear. Occasionally I lose sight of what I like to buy and wear so last month I sat down and wrote a list of all the things I feel awesome in: vintage, logo t-shirts and sweatshirts, big necklaces, structured jackets, black, 80's inspired stuff, jumpsuits, fur. Then I hit up eBay to find some gorgeous logo beauties. I found an amazing MTV sweater for the princely sum of £0.99 and bought this super cool t-shirt (above) for £15 from Cow Vintage in Manchester. The t-shirt got an added seal of approval when my 3 year old nephew, Ben, said "that's a cool t-shirt Auntie Stephy." Rock on, Ben!

So mostly basics really! What did you buy in the sales?

Stay wardrobe happy....til next time x

The Wardrobe Angel

The Wardrobe Angel and the Life Changing Magic of Tidying

What didn't spark joy in my wardrobe

I was going to call this post "How The Magic of Tidying Changed My Life" but I thought that's a bit dramatic, isn't it? Well, no. If you've read the book and been following Marie Kondo's progress around the world then you'll see that she really is changing lives, mine included. My friend Dawn gave me her copy of the book before Christmas and I didn't wait to finish it - I started working over my wardrobe straight away, then came the kitchen, then the dining room, then my office. The sheer sense of relief I felt after holding my possessions in my hand and asking whether they sparked joy was...overwhelming. Straight away I could see what was going to stay and what was going to go; I felt the joy of treasured pieces fill my face with a strong smile and the words "Oh I love this" blurting from my mouth before I even knew what was happening.  Conversely the pieces that sparked NO joy made my mouth crease up like a cat's bum. And the thing is - I had been wearing ALL the items I got rid of. The process was nothing short of magical, enlightening and has changed and informed the way I work with my Wardrobe Angel clients.

Marie Kondo's magical book

Here's what I got rid of from my wardrobe:

A checked shirt from H&M, a pair of pleather trousers from H&M, a Wildfox t-shirt with an angel on it, a striped top from Topshop, a Stella McCartney jumper, a vintage houndstooth pattern top, 2 Zara blouses, an Alice & Olivia blouse and a leopard print jumper from M&S. 

Here's what I learnt from going through my own wardrobe:

1. I love a very specific type of animal print  I had a grey/black zebra print sweatshirt from H&M which I loved. I bought a leopard print wool blend jumper from M&S Limited Collection which I thought I loved. When I picked up the M&S Jumper and asked it if it sparked joy it dawned on me - NO. Why? The leopard print was brown and blue, not black and brown. I don't get on with brown at the best of times and this jumper's main colour was brown (Hilarious considering I am now Mrs Brown) so into the charity bag it went. 
2. And another point on patterns  I'm not a huge fan of stripes or checks as it turns out. I have a fitted H&M basic navy and white t-shirt which I love BUT a square cut navy and cream top from Topshop was placed in the charity bag. And my only checked shirt was bagged up for charity as well. As soon as I held it I knew what was wrong - it made me feel masculine. Bye bye checked shirt. 
3. How strong my connection to my body is  Turns out I like the feeling of being fully covered on my top half. Hence why deep V necks, scoop necks and strappy tops are generally out of my comfort zone. Why? I have a distinct memory of standing at a bus stop one summer when I was 14 wearing a scoop neck white vest and a thigh length wrap skirt. A car drove past and the 3 males in the car wound down the windows and wolf whistled at me. I've felt uncomfortable exposing a lot of skin "up top" ever since.  
4. Muddy colours are a strong no  As soon as I picked up the Stella jumper I knew why it was going - the muddy blue colour only looked good with a tan and since I don't tan very well anymore it was thankfully jettisoned. Same for one of the Zara blouses in a muddy orange colour - even looking at it made me feel pale and awkward, Gone. 
5. Finally realising I'm just not a blouse person  And man, I have tried. In myself I just don't feel that ladylike and blouses, to me, are the epitome of ladylike. A while ago I decided I needed  to 'grow up' my wardrobe so I went and bought some blouses. They are both now on eBay. At heart, I just love to wear t-shirts. Yes, with a jacket to smarten them up, but t-shirts nonetheless. And some shirts are awesome; I stole one of Rich's shirts last summer and hardly had if off my back. When I dug down to the preferential feeling of a shirt over a blouse, a shirt means structure which I LOVE (I'm a HUGE fan of structured jackets). In comparison I find blouses very flimsy. Even though mine were crew necked and collared I felt they didn't give me enough coverage (see no.3) as they were sheer. Funny, eh? 

Looking like a right mardy git but, to demonstrate my love of shirts, this is me last summer in Canada wearing Rich's shirt!

And finally...

It's ok to get rid of things that are given as gifts  I am a hard person to buy for - especially when it comes to clothes. Soon after I started The Wardrobe Angel a good friend bought me a Wildfox t-shirt with an angel on it as a gift. She had married up my love of logo t-shirts with my brand. The t-shirt was shoved in a draw and never got worn - I didn't want to offend her so I kept the t-shirt. The book teaches you that it's ok to give away gifts you don't like or want because it is the act of GIVING the gift which is important, not the gift itself.

So, a couple of hours later and stronger sense of colours, patterns, textures wiser. I've read a couple of fashion bloggers take on the book. One blogger asked her clothes "do you serve me?" My mum said she asks the question "would I take you if I moved house?" However you decided to tidy, clear out and get rid I would urge you to do it - give yourself some time to re-evaluate how you want to look and feel in your clothes, and how you want your home to look and feel as well. 

Have you read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying?? What did you action as a result of it?

Til next time. Stay wardrobe happy...x

The Wardrobe Angel

Buy Less, Wear More and Introducing Always Wear Red

I bet she's warm. draped in all those yummy cashmere scarves!!

I just got off the phone with Michael Owen, the brains behind and founder of Always Wear Red, a luxury cashmere and silk accessories company launching on 14th Feb this year. We talked about how cashmere is a worthwhile investment for any wardrobe - soft, durable, and when it's made of superior quality cashmere, like the Always Wear Red cashmere scarves are, it won't pill because the longer the stand of cashmere when it's woven, the less the chance of bobbling. How's that for sustainability! (They are hiring by the way - check out the job opportunities by clicking here.)

We also reminisced about owning fewer items of clothing when we were teenagers but loving them more and an image of my favourite jumper from my teenage years popped into my mind - a funnel neck knitted jumper from Warehouse, pastel ice blue in colour with 2 darker blue lines running horizontally across the bust. I LOVED that jumper. After each wear and wash I would carefully fold it, wrap it in tissue paper and place it on the middle of the second shelf in my wardrobe (yes, my clothing memory is THAT GOOD!) I owned that jumper for about 4 years and when it gave up the ghost during my second year of uni I was distraught, convinced it would never be replaced. In fact, I did try and replace it with a camel roll neck from Miss Selfridge. Much to my disappointment, the "roll" bagged after every wash only compounding my grief for my much loved Warehouse number. That jumper was just...awesome. I felt so smart when I wore it, so cosy (a must if you live "up north"), and so stylish.

How often do you feel absolute love and joy for an item of clothing?

I tidied my own wardrobe this morning, re-ordered my shoes for the new season and re-folded the items in my draws - I call it "spending time with my clothes" - it helps me see what has given up the ghost, what is missing, what I need to buy next, what I'm loving, what I'm wearing and most importantly, what I'm not wearing. Today turned up a surprising item - a faux sherling coat purchased in early December last year. When I bought it I couldn't wait to wear it - I wore it out of the shop I thought I was so in love with it! I wore it with some white jeans and an awesome grey knit underneath a week later. But since then the love has waned: it just ain't ME. So, jacket, in the words of Carrie Bradshaw to Big, it's the end of the line:

"You and I are like that red wall. It's a good idea in theory but somehow it doesn't quite work."

You and I are like that red wall. It's a good idea in theory, but somehow it doesn't quite work.' Carrie
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/542963/sex-and-the-city-the-best-carrie-bradshaw-quotes.html#pHJAdFc8UWTHZTKs.

You and I are like that red wall. It's a good idea in theory, but somehow it doesn't quite work.
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/542963/sex-and-the-city-the-best-carrie-bradshaw-quotes.html#pHJAdFc8U

Here are the pictures and the measurements. If you want to make me an offer then please do. Just email me at info@wardrobeangel.co.uk or leave a comment below. I'll post it to you this week.

Size 10-12, faux sherling coat with 2 real pockets, spare buttons available, fully lined. Chest 36” Length 28” (approx.)

100% Polyester

Til next time...stay wardrobe happy x

The Wardrobe Angel

Easy Styling Secrets

I carry a small wheelie suitcase with me to each wardrobe sorting appointment and have to reassure the client that I'm not moving in, just bringing some kit with me to help their appointment go more smoothly. I thought I'd share what I use to help clients style and look after their clothes - I've been doing The Wardrobe Angel job for nearly 4 years now and these bad boys have stood the test of wardrobe time:

1. M&S Stain Remover Wipes - my Mum bought me these as a joke one Christmas. Well Cathy Roper the joke is on you: these wipes are immense at stain removal and a must if you look after young kids who wipe snot/food/paint on you as you attempt to leave for work. Buy them in the food section by the tills, 2 packets for £1.50.

2. A Bic razor - some knitwear bobbles. Even Brora cashmere has been known to bobble. A jumper will be more prone to bobbling the more fabrics that are included in it: say Cotton, Wool, Acrylic and Viscose. This is because as more fabrics are added to the mix the fabrics begin to lose their original properties thus weakening them and Hello Bobbles! A quick shave with a razor will remove the bobbles and relieve your jumper of its scruffy state. If the jumper in question isn't that bobbled try a velcro roller to remove fluff instead; it's a bit more gentle.

3. Bulldog clips - if you are thinking of getting a garment shortened or taken in but it is a delicate fabric like silk (and a pin mark will show through) or a really heavy fabric like gaberdine (so a pin won't stay in it) then clipping the fabric with a bulldog clip holds the fabric in place. You can also use hair grips if you don't have pins - they won't mark your garment either.

4. Scissors - there's nowt worse than those pesky loose threads and labels ruining the look of garments. I always cut the labels out of sheer garments.

5. Masking tape and sellotape - great for removing fluff and bits from clothing if you don't have a clothes brush to hand.

6. Ecover spray and a cloth - when cleaning out a wardrobe the last thing I want to do is damage clothes with a bleach spray. This is a gentle formula with no parabens which I have successfully cleaned the shelves, rails and corners of many-a-wardrobe.

7. Labels - a useful tool for labelling clothes that need to be altered, dry-cleaned or washed so that the client doesn't have to remember what all those clothes piled up on the chair are for after I've left the building. They are also great for labelling an outfit to give you a jolt of inspiration in a morning.

8. Spare buttons - I take a bag of these with me in case buttons need replacing or changing. I also take thread and heel replacements for shoes. What a well prepared Girl Guide I am!!

9. Bin Bags - an essential for any wardrobe clear out. The most I've ever removed from a client's wardrobe was 18 bin bags. A good day for the charity shop!

10. Calibri Anti-moth - All cashmere needs protecting with this stuff; it's an odd smelling insurance policy against moths!

11. Dylon Dye - if a client wears a lot of black clothing this stuff is essential. Black can wash out at varying degrees so you can end up with a grey/black top and black trousers which can cheapen your look. Cheaper than buying new clothes, I often recommend Dylon Dye instead.

12. And then there's my contacts. A client emailed today saying

"I have some amazing Citizens of Humanity flares, but they are too long. Is there a shop/way/person who can take them up without losing the flare?"

I sent her to The Denim Doctor in Manchester. Click here to see the website. Michael has repaired all of my jeans and turned a pair of heavily flared Diesel jeans into boyfriend jeans for me a couple of years ago. As jeans go, he is beyond talented at fixing, re-styling and patching up.

13. And finally a recommendation I leave with clients - to carry some extra jewellery, spray deodorant and foot spray with them. I have a make-up bag under the front seat of my car with all of the above packed away in it. Extra jewellery because sometimes you just need a little more ooomph, spray deodorant and foot spray to keep everything peachy fresh. A must with summer just around the corner!

Til next time...x

#Oxclusive Oxfam Sustainable Fashion Event

Ever wondered what happens to your clothes after you've dropped them off at Oxfam? Last week I had the chance to find out. Situated in Batley, Oxfam have a HUGE warehouse where clothing magic happens. On a huge conveyor belt, 25 grades of stock are sorted on a daily basis. Items which have been donated in clothing bins and unsold items from charity shops are separated. Between 9 - 12 tonnes of handbags and shoes are sorted each week alongside separating out vintage and on-trend clothing for the Oxfam shop and creating bales of clothing to sell to ethical clothing traders in Africa. It's fair to say no other charity sorts your second-hand clothing like Oxfam does.

Oxfam is all about sustainable living and squeezes every penny out of each donation; nothing goes into landfill. 

I can't even begin to describe the sheer scale of the operation.

After a tour of the warehouse we were treated to a fashion show showcasing all the awesome stock which the online shop sells. The fashion show ratcheted up an impressive trend round-up including denim and 1970's glamour which are all hanging out on a high street near you as we speak.

Suede? TICK. Fringing? TICK. That's 2 key new season trends right there!

Place your pre-conceptions at the door - just because it is a second-hand shop doesn't mean the stock isn't bang-on-trend. 

I spotted Whistles shoes and clothing amongst the stock plus we all recognise these red soles don't we....

One thing that really impressed me was the grass roots customer segregation which Oxfam has completely nailed. They have a dedicated festival shop which tours the country visiting Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and Bestival to name a few. They also have a stall at the Clothes Show. The stock is rotated and customised for the specific festival they are at - talk about customer segmentation! Savvy!

Follow the team from the online shop over on twitter @OxfamOnlineBTLY and check out the Oxfam Online Shop by clicking here.

How to New Season your Wardrobe

I spotted a big ball of sun in the sky over the weekend which, coupled with the abundance of sunny daffodils and sprightly lambs lolling around in the fields (this is all rather picturesque, isn't it?!) seems to signal spring is indeed here! Around this time of year, I get incredibly twitchy - keen to cast off my winter coat and thick black tights and hurtle headlong into the new season. After I filched a blue cotton shirt from Rich's wardrobe last week, absent-mindedly pairing it with a pair of jeans, white mules, and silver jewellery, I thought I'd better get this post done before he notices it's gone.

So here's a step-by-step of how I "new season" my wardrobe:

1. Get Inspired. I read all the magazines and blogs I can get my hands on. I have a very good magazine feeder system: my mum and sister-in-law stockpile magazines and fashion spreads for me. I get a monthly subscription to some magazines, I read the rest online. I use Facebook, blogs (click here to see my favourite blogs from the blogosphere) I am also incredibly nosey - I eye up what people are wearing at networking events, in shops, on the street - outfits fascinate me no end. 

2. Make some Decisions. Like chia seeds on your already tasty granola, flares have been eating up the fashion pages for breakfast with a sprinkling of 70's suede for good measure. The last time I wore flares was in 2007. I so remember my outfit (Que weird wardrobe recall moment...): brown moc croc mid heeled courts from Kate Kanzier, flared jeans from Monkee Geans via Topshop, a blue and cream striped top with a scoop neck also from Toppers, and a gold wrap bracelet picked up on my travels. Now being a pint-sized 5'3" the flares kinds took me over and I never got used to the feeling of loads of material bagging out from the knee down (they were HUGE badass flares, FYI).  Plus they were a nightmare in the rain; talk about soggy bottoms. So, entering into flares territory is a big commitment - to pull if off it will require new footwear: chunkier heels, blocks rather than stilettos, platforms. See? Decisions, decisions. I'm sitting this season's flares out.

(Ergo Wide legged trousers. Delving into the Telegraph Style page it seems the fash pack, lead by Lisa Armstrong, have already done a new season U-turn:

"Having recently dragooned my colleagues into modelling wide trousers for these pages, I now sorrowfully conclude that they're a pain to wear, and best avoided by most.")

3. Put something in. I bought some off-white "lady" trousers from Zara and a black strapless jumpsuit, also from Zara. The trousers are the most grown-up item in my wardrobe and fit into the culotte category although on petite old me they are slightly longer than calf length (which, with my man calves, is a god send.) Here I've styled them with my (Rich's) blue shirt and Zara snakeskin heels for day and with a black H&M Trend vest for night.

4. And take something out. I've removed a pair of ASOS lime yellow heels from my wardrobe (which even by my standards are too high to walk in) and a Zara 60's style shift which has washed appallingly. It bobbled after 5 washes. Lets hope my new lady trousers fair better! I've also sent my camel coat to the tailor to be re-lined and have cleaned all my suede winter boots.

Til next time...x