Skirt Swaps From Brazil

Finally, I have got the chance to wear my gorgeous new skirts that I got from a clothes swap with someone from Brazil. Some might wonder why I would bother to swap with someone that far away in Brazil, but whilst it took a little while for the skirts to arrive it only cost £5 for the postage to return my swap items. I think they are really different from anything that I have seen in the UK and the clothes that I sent back were things that I don't wear, so effectively, I have gained 2 skirts for £5. If you have never tried swapping, I would thoroughly recommend it. It is an even more exciting feeling to recieve a swap package than to recieve something brand new that you have ordered online.

One is tie dye with a mixture of reds, greens, yellows, orange, purples and blues. The other has a dip dye effect in a peach and sort of khaki green colour, it reminds me of a sunset.

Mesh Shirt - H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams
Strapless body with zip - Motel Skirt - swapped on Posh Swaps
Shoes - Karen Millen (very old
necklace - a local boutique

The skirt is bright red and very clingy at the back so I though that the longer hem on the back of the shirt covered it up a bit without covering the tie dye at the front.

I am sure that there are lots more outfits to come with the tie dye skirt. Also not sure of any of these outfits really do this tie dye skirt justice. I will keep thinking.

Top - Next
Skirt - swapped on Posh Swaps
Necklace - a present from my mum

Top - Laura Ashley

Diesel Shirt - 'borrowed' from a pile that Mr Style Eyes was getting rid of.

Bangles - New Look

Belt - from a pair of M & S trousers

Weathered leather shoes

Recently Mr Style Eyes recieved some tan lace up trainers from Blue Inc. I am currently loving weathered leather for shoes and bags. These look great as they have a retro look about them and the leather looks slightly creased and battered. I am not usually a big fan of trainers, especially white ones and I don't think white trainers have any place in an outfit (for men or women) unless they are exercising. Even worse brand new shiny trainers, they just don't look right. These tan leather trainers are the perfect alternative and great for the summer as they go with so many light weight casual outfits.


That got me thinking about some weathered leather shoes or boots to go with my new white dress. I was also inspired by Style of a Fashionista's recent Old Boot post. I have a great big stack of accessories and a rail of clothes in my office/ spare room which I have been meaning to swap, sell, donate to charity for quite some time. For some reason I have procrastinated and much to Mr Style Eyes disgust they have been there for nearly a year. I keep taking stuff back out of the pile and putting it back into my wardrobe. The latest thing that has managed to sneak its way back into my wardrobe is a pair of old cowboy boots the didn't fit me for a while after having my second child but seem to fit again now, the funny things that pregnancy does to your body. They are not vintage but they are well loved and I have had to stop Mr Style Eyes polishing them up to make them look new again (he says you can tell a lot by peoples shoes!).

I was really excited to recieve a package from Brazil yesterday. It was two skirts, one tie dye, one dip dye, that I swapped on Posh Swaps what seems like forever ago. I already have some outfit ideas in mind and hope to post them soon.

Finally, congratulations to Jasmine from the Girl Under the Stairs who won the Yumi Birdcage Dress Giveaway and thanks to everyone who entered.

Win £100 of shoes and more on Posh-swaps.com

This month my clothes swapping website posh-swaps.com has had its first birthday and in celebration, we have a great prize draw that I would like to share with you. Anyone who lists clothes to swap on Posh-swaps.com during May 2010 will be automatically entered into the draw. For each item listed you will get one entry into the draw so the more items that you list, the more chance you will have of winning. If you have been meaning to have a go at clothes swapping but never got around to it now is the perfect time to get started, posh-swaps.com is completely free to use including swapping, buying and selling second hand and vintage clothes.

The winners will be drawn at the beginning of June and notified by email, all prizes should be claimed within 2 weeks or there will be a redraw to determine a new winner. So here is what you can win:


First Prize - £100 of shoe vouchers for Spartoo.co.uk (this prize is only available to those resident in the UK) - take your pick of some of the latest styles of shoes and handbags including some great designer brands.


Second Prize - a new Initial wallet by Lollipops Paris - a large and well organised purse with large coin pocket and sections for notes and cards, this is the perfect balance of style and practicality.

Third Prizes - three winners can take their pick of one item from our own Posh Swaps swapping account. With a selection of second hand accessories and clothes in a variety of sizes (and a few vintage pieces), new items are being added all the time.


Runners Up - ten runners up will each recieve one of our stylish reusuable Posh Swaps cotton bags.

I'm Taking Dame Viv's Advice

Last week one of my favourite British designers Dame Vivienne Westwood appeared on BBC London News and told shoppers to stop buying clothes for 6 months. At first, to many who love their fashion and clothes, this might seem like complete madness but the comments made in support of a campaign to protect the environment and reduce landfill, which is being led by London Mayor Boris Johnson, highlight a dilemma that I am currently facing as a fashion blogger regarding the sustainability of my shopping habits. Dame Vivienne urges us to avoid buying clothes unless we absolutely have to, in which case we should look to invest in quality pieces that will last.

I have already stopped buying clothes since January in an attempt to help the environment with my no more wants challenge, where I have been creating outfits around SS10 trends using clothes that I already own. I have decided to extend this for at least a few more months. Although I am not sure whether I will last 6 months, when I do start buying clothes again, I will do so with more though and buying more eco fashion, second hand clothes and quality pieces that will last.

There has been much debate over the sense in Vivienne Westwoods comments and claims of hypocrisy and that we should continue to shop to help the countries economy. But I believe strongly that we should all try and live more sustainably (and there is no time like the present). I am still going to be spending my money, just not on clothes at the moment.

I think it is a great way to help promote sustainable fashion and clothing. I am even starting to notice a few benefits to not buying clothes.

• I have got more money, I am using this to join the gym and save up for some really nice pieces of quality clothing when I need them.
• I have discovered and started wearing some great clothes in my wardrobe that I had forgotton all about.
  Not buying new clothes has forced me to think more carefully about what I wear, I think this is making me more creative with my outfits.
• The clothes in my wardrobe have been tried and tested and are the clothes that I love wearing. I have made many buying mistakes in the past, but the clothes I have left are hopefully the ones that look best and really suit me.
• If I get bored with my clothes I can always indulge in a bit of clothes swapping or refashioning my clothes.

So what do you think? Am I completely mad? Does the economy depend on our shopping? Could you give up buying new clothes for 6 months?

picture from http://www.vogue.co.uk/

Eco and Ethical Fashion Got Affordable

I have long been of the opinion that we should make an effort to live in both an ethical and sustainable way including the clothes that we wear. I have even set up a clothes swap website to help promote the recycling and reuse of clothes. I often rant for some time about second hand clothing being the best option and the ultimate in eco fashion as it has minimal environmental impact but is still affordable. But whilst I often buy second hand or vintage clothing, when I need (or want) new clothes, I have often shied away from Eco fashion and ethical fashion in the form of clothes made from organic, fairtrade, recycled and other sustainable fibres due to the high price and lack of choice.

Things are improving though and there has been a distinct increase in design quality and choice over the last few years. No longer are eco and ethical fashionistas limited to buying organic cotton t shirts and relatively bland leisure wear, there are a steadily growing number of innovative ethical and eco fashion labels.

Renewal Rare Eighties Party Dress £70

Whilst recently researching an article on ethical and eco fashion, it suddenly struck me that eco fashion has become distinctly more affordable with the growth of companies like People Tree and Ascension, even Urban Outfitters stocks a line called Renewal Rare which brings back to life old vintage pieces.

Eley Kishimoto for People Tree Tunic - £48-£64

The People Tree designer collaborations are amazing, with pieces by Eley Kishimoto, Bora Aksu, Richard Nicoll, Karen Nicholl and Jessica Ogden available in all the main sizes in the sale at the moment.

Ascension bamboo Isabel Dress - £28.50

Annie Greenabelle Panelled Pinafore Dress - £29.50

Ascension stocks a number of different labels including Bibico, Karen Cole its own label which includes organic cotton and bamboo clothes produced ethically at price comparable to the mid to high end of the high street (the above two items are in the sale).

The great thing with about ethical and eco fashion is that not only do you get a guilt free conscious but also a really comfortable and well made piece of clothing that is likely to last for years. As gorgeous and affordable as these clothes are, I will be sticking to my shopping ban for now, as buying clothes that you don't really need, however eco friendly the clothes are, is not really sustainable or ethical.

Swap a lot - my items for tomorrows online swish

I have finally got round to listing my items ready for the online clothes swap party tommorrow on posh-swaps.com in celebration of International Day of Swishing. I am really excited and can't wait to get swapping, hoping lots more people and some other fashion bloggers will be joining in. Sherin from Hi Fashion has already started listing her items.

Pink Jaeger Jacket

Topshop crochet dress

Cream Chiffon ASOS dress

Vintage Eighties Paul Costelloe Suit - black quilted silk mix with spots in gold thread.

Cream studded leather handbag

Marks and Spencers black and white tweed jacket

Coast vintage style green beaded choker

Jigsaw Maxi dress - chiffon with light blue floral ditsy print

I actually have quite alot more swap items listed so feel free to come along and have a look. I look forward to swapping with you!

Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Party - Bath

After the success of the last Posh Swaps clothes swap party in Chiswick, I can't wait until the next party in Bath. A really fun evening which combines a chance to have a chat with friends, a glass of wine and refresh you wardrobe with some new (swapped) clothes. At the last Posh Swaps clothes swap party, there were so many gorgeous clothes including a Marc Jacobs coat and Missoni dress. So if you live near Bath, I would strongly recommend that you get your ticket now before they sell out. Details are below:

When? 24th November 2009 7.00 -9.30pm
Where? Brunswick Room, Guild Hall, Bath
How? Just bring along 2 or 3 items of clothing that someone else would be delighted to own
Why? It’s fun, it’s frugal and it’s eco friendly, plus a great chance to refresh your wardrobe!
Cost? £10 in advance, £12 on the night including…
entrance to the swap party and our fashion and beauty market
a glass of wine and nibbles
the chance for one lucky person to be styled by Personal Stylist, Emma McDonnell of Style to Wear
a reusable goody bag with fashion and beauty goodies

Why not arrange a girls or work night out? Buy 5 tickets in advance and get the 6th Ticket free!

For further information and to buy tickets visit Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Parties or email Ceri (at) heathcotecommunications.co.uk.

Moi in the Mail on Sunday

I am very excited to have had a little tiny mention in the Mail on Sunday regarding my clothes swap website Posh-swaps.com. I couldn't help telling everyone about it and it is also great to see that swapping and second hand clothes are becoming so popular.

Posh-swaps.com to hold it’s first ever clothes swap party in London

Posh-swaps.com, the clothes swap website is holding it’s first ever clothes swap party in London. The party which will include a pamper treatment, glass of wine and goody bag for each guest will be held on 17th September from 7.30pm until 10pm at St Michaels and All Angels church in Chiswick.

Posh-swap.com is a website where users can swap, buy and sell second hand, vintage and recycled clothes for free. The latest plan to hold clothes swap parties in various locations around the UK in collaboration with Total renewal beauty and Style to Wear, Personal Styling, reflects the growing popularity of clothes swapping and second hand clothes. The website has proved a huge success, but many swappers also want to combine the clothes swapping with a social event and the opportunity to look at the clothes up close. The pampering treatments provided by Total Renewal will allow swappers to really relax and enjoy themselves.

Clothes swapping parties which are also referred to as swishing originated in the US. Their popularity has quickly grown in the UK as consumers abandon fast fashion in favour of sustainable style. This change in consumer behaviour is due to a much greater awareness of both the environmental and ethical issues surrounding fashion and the current economic conditions.

Each attendee at the Posh Swap Clothes Swap party will be asked to bring along 5 pieces of unwanted clothing that someone else would be delighted to receive. All of the clothes will be laid out so that swappers can browse and socialise while enjoying a drink before the beginning of the swap is announced. Once the swap begins, swappers can claim up to 5 pieces of clothing. Swappers will also have the opportunity to indulge themselves with either a mini manicure or neck and shoulder massage and one lucky person will receive a styling and makeover session.
Tickets for the first ever Posh Swaps clothes swap party in Chiswick are £15 by advance purchase only. Full details of Posh Swaps clothes swap parties are available on www.posh-swaps.com/blog/posh-swaps-clothes-swap-parties/.

For further information and free online clothes swapping visit www.posh-swaps.com