Forties Trend | Ethical Fashion and Clothing Blog

Dress - Oxfam (Originally Laura Ashley)
Tights – Henry Holland for Pretty Polly
Boots – Dream in Green (at Spartoo)
Necklace – a present

For todays Charity Shop Chic, I decided to feature one of my favourite pieces of clothing, the classic shift dress. I love this style as it is both flattering and slimming. I found this cord version recently in Oxfam and I wear it loads because it holds its shape so well. There are also so any different ways that you can accessorise it for different looks. The shift dress was a key shape throughout the forties, fifties and sixties, all of which featured heavily on the catwalks for autumn and winter 2011.

I treated myself to some new tights for autumn from Tights Please, this pair by Henry Holland being one of them. As I wear dresses and skirts most of the time tights are pretty much an essential for autumn and winter and I also love using them to add a bit of colour and pattern to an outfits. I haven’t yet discovered an eco/ ethical option for tights (please let me know if you happen to know one) but kind of justify buying them with the following. A pair of tights is a small addition to my wardrobe that can be used to update numerous outfits for the season. This pair were also made in the UK. That doesn’t change the fact that most tights are made from nylon which uses non renewable resources (coal and energy) and lots of chemicals to make. They also do not biodegrade. It’s a difficult one. I want to minimise my impact on the environment but I also need to keep warm.

I have in the past also talked about difficulties in finding ethical shoes. I am pleased to say things are improving all of the time and this pair of boots is my latest discovery by Dream in Green at Spartoo. They are made in Spain from vegetable tanned leather.

I hope that you are having a good week.

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Dress – Sandwich
Faux fur Bolero – Oxfam
Necklace – Swarovski Crystalized
Shoes – Irregular Choice

Today I have finally got started on a charity shop chic series for AW11 that I have been meaning to do for some time. I wanted to illustrate some of the trends for the season using charity shop clothes. If you hunt hard enough it is pretty easy to find on trend stuff in charity shops. I always think we have kind of been there before with most trends one way or another with .

I have managed to get some usable pictures although I really must get on and send my camera off for repair. I think part of me is scared that it might get even more broken in transit or just never come back. Any way I have played about a bit with the settings and editing on the two photos above and this is what I ended up with.

Todays charity shop chic trend is forties style. This is probably one of my favourite looks of all for the autumn and winter and was seen at Miu Miu, Donna Karen, Marc Jacobs and Jean Paul Gaultier to name but a few. I spotted the faux fur bolero in my local Oxfam, I can’t remember whether it was £6 or £8 but either way, I see it as an amazing bargain as it is originally from Marks and Spencers and good as new.

Next up on my Charity Shop Chic AW11 series is tunics and trousers. Have you managed to find anything on trend in a charity shop lately?

With warmest wishes

Ceri X