Welcome to the Guest Bloggers section on “Collette Costello”, here you will find interesting articles by our guest “On-line Fashion Journalists”. This article has been writen by specially selected journalist Faye Banham”". If you love vintage style fashion, dresses, handbags and jewellery. Be sure to pay our on-line shop a visit, today!

Frugal Fancies

A No Frills Guide to Shopping Vintage.

With the rollercoaster of recession taking its second plunge into the depths of the unknown our pockets seem to be taking the strain, and with the tax threshold reaching the highest the past three decades have seen, it’s hard to feel upbeat about anything. So buying those must have fashion items for Spring Summer 2011, is certainly out of the question.

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Unlike the glitterati, of whom I religiously follow, I cannot afford this season’s must have Chloe sheers or the to-die-for full dresses paraded down YSL’s catwalk, nor do I want to be seen in the same outfit that every high street devotee seems to be wearing. When faced with this dilemma, I am glad to say I have a secret weapon or two tucked safely up my sleeve.

For years now I have been searching for solutions to find on-trend items that look unique, and don’t break the bank. On my quest I have stumbled across thrift stores, vintage shops and flea markets, all of which have provided me with some very fashionable fillers for my once style thirsty and dwindling wardrobe.

Even though these treasure troves of cut off denims, achingly cool worn leather and over the top embellishments appease my taste and budget, I can’t help but feel that since every ones purse strings have been reined tighter, more people seem to be jumping on the bargain bandwagon and bagging their own thrifty steal; In turn diminishing my once vast choice of vintage.

Alas my quest continues, not only do I traipse local markets but I rummage through bargain bins and scrutinise charity shops. After all, the items that adorn them were once loved by a previous owner. Even though the variety isn’t as great and my street cred’ couldn’t be further from the designer clad celebrities I look to as my idols, I can rest assured that I will be the only person wearing that authentic peter pan shirt or quirky oversized jumper that I have painstakingly salvaged from a not so promising future.

And I must say the feeling you get when you find a diamond amongst a pile of otherwise useless garments is totally worth the knock to the ego. Especially when you know you’re paying peanuts.

Places to visit:

Purple Rabbit vintage: The Piece Hall, Halifax.

Moderna Antiques: Moderna Business Park, Mytholmroyd.

Huddersfield Flea Market: Huddersfield

Todmorden Market: Todmorden

Ryann’s Vintage: The Northern Quarter, Manchester.