Vintage or just being purely chiconomic?

So, along with most girls my age - keeping in with the fashion trends is just a great struggle really isn't it. We're all desperate to be part of the new cult trend, with only one problem on our hands...how on earth do you fund it. I always tell myself 'I am fashionable and I know what I want, I just don't have the funds to prove it'. If you're currently a student or even unemployed, you've probably reassured yourself with this statement many times.

As we all do, being on trend isn't cheap. Or is it? Fashion recycles and reinvents itself all the time, so who's to say that one day your  acid wash flares wont come in handy? You could always keep them until the next time round and re-work them (or not.) However, you can keep staple pieces or dig through your parents' wardrobe. You'll probably surprise yourself. I mean, never did I think back in the day that an oversized tee would be fashionable, now its all the range. Luckily, my dads wardrobe was heaving with them.

What I'm getting at is - just because you're on a budget it doesn't mean you can't be fashionable. Visit thrift shops, vintage shops, charity shops and look through your old relatives' wardrobe (with permission of course) and re-work/customize clothes so that its on trend but unique at the same time. In all honesty, all my life I have slated charity shops and thought it was the most embarrassing thing ever when my mum dragged me in one. Yet, these days I go in on a regular basis. I'll tell you how it is though - in towns like mine, the charity shops are shocking. You'll probably have to raid through a thousand garments bin worthy before you find a hidden gem. I was well impressed with my self the other week when I was looking in a shabby charity shop and came across a Yves Saint Laurent short. To later which I took home and cut up, to make slightly more on trend.

Shops you must visit.

With the help of social networking platforms such as Twitter and Instagram; over the past few months I've managed to collect several brands which I have really took a liking to. However, I normally keep this on the down low but as I'm feeling nice I shall share with you my deeply guarded secrets. Only joking, but seriously you should save these brands to your notes on your phone or check out the websites. If you like independent clothing brands and are fond of street style/ grunge clothing - you'll love these brands... 

The Ragged Priest - http://www.theraggedpriest.com/

(Not for the faint hearted. To wear their pieces you have to be brave and have a growing love for leather, studs and denim - my fave!)

Best Leeds UK - http://www.best-leeds.com/

(This is stocked in Best which is in Leeds and also at Eric Newcastle which is a vintage shop in Newcastle. Its a mixture of branded grunge style clothing with a charity shop chic, you'll love it)

DEEP Vintage Newcastle  - http://deepvintageclothing.wordpress.com/

(Located on a cobbly street in Eldon Square, you will love this shop. Its full of vintage clothes but unlike many other vintage shops it is set out neatly and doesn't look like a jumble sale. DEEP sells plenty of re-worked denim. None like any other!)

Abandon Ship Apparel  - http://store.abandonshipapparel.com/

(I discovered this brand on Instagram and instantly fell in love. If you're anything like me and have a love for beanies, camo print or printed tees, then you're bound to be fond of Abandon Ship.)

Sik Silk - https://www.siksilk.com/

(If you're a fan of Geordie Shore you'll have probably spotted some of their gear on the cast members. This brand will be big, I promise you. Its full of basketball tops, beanies, sports gear and snapbacks. Can't wait to purchase some items from here!)

My stuff!

Hello lovelys'! Right so I got bored the other week and decided to raid through my wardrobe as I was feeling extra creative! I stumbled across a vintage denim jacket; which to be fair I really liked because let's be honest you can't beat a denim jacket and printed tee. However, it was just a little plain that's all, so it just ended up in the back of my wardrobe. So, to give it a new fresh look, I cut up an old printed tee and pinched this Rolling Stones appliqué and stitched it onto the jacket...what do you think?!

Does anyone else have a Ted Baker bag? I couldn't live without my little tote bag; I use it everyday and it seems to match all my outfits. I love the little notes TB put on their products they always make me happy reading them. Can't believe my bag only cost £25, everybody seems to think I paid a small fortune of £200 for it - I never disagree though if they want to believe that they can ;)!

I'm so excited I just received an early Christmas delivery from Victoria Secrets and have the most gorgeous bra. I am in love with that brand, wish I could afford everything from there. Anyone else picked up some hot bargains this week? xo

The Ragged Priest

Ok so i recently discovered this fierce new brand: The Ragged Priest. Any closet fashionistas, lovers’ of grunge and all things leather will absolute worship this brand. The Ragged Priest quickly emerged and became more well known when it collaborated with Topshop and began to sell their products on there. Its not just us bloggers’ who have fallen in love with them, looks like the celebrities have caught on with the hype - as Rihanna and Jessie J have recently been snapped sporting the attire.
The Ragged Priest focuses very much on re-working vintage leather and denim by customising the garments with studs and various other embellishments. As well as being a wardrobe toughening brand, the products are affordable but will guarantee to set you aside from the crowd. What more could you want from a brand? - affordable fashion which is fierce and grunge heaven! It will save your poor little hands from getting blisters studding your vintage leather biker and spending hours on end perfecting the ideal look. I can almost smell the leather from here! Grab yourself a new staple item and make a new statement wardrobe quickly or i will!

www.theraggedpriest.com