Discotheque Confusion

A Weekend in the City

It's amazing how the sun can have such a huge effect on the atmosphere of a city. For those of you who aren't british, you should know that the summer here this year has been somewhat non existent (a hot april, and the odd warm weekend here and there since), and so the fact that this weekend has been both a scorcher and sunny as well as a bank holiday has been enough to add a serious buzz to the streets.

The past two nights I stayed in London, and though I don't usually talk about my own wardrobe, my new buys are just too fantastic to be kept in the closet (ahem). My mission whilst in London (shopping wise) was the leave having finally concluded my relentless search for the perfect pair of trainers, as well as some goodies from charity shops (up until now I've loved the idea of coming across fantastic second hand bargains, but just haven't had any luck...) and possibly a black patent leather bag (of the distressed variety, no Victoria Beckham nonsense for me!)

First up. The scene is the Islington salvation army charity shop. Things seem promising when I walk in a see a sweet square leather handbag with bamboo handles for £5. I dither over it, but decide in the end that it's not for me. But tucked away at the back of the shop however, was a sweet little floral dress made up of tiny flower like splodges. Quite 1940s shaped with a fairly high waist line and maxi hemline. (So ontrend, dahhling.) It was mine for £5.95, which isn't actually very cheap for a charity shop, is it? Found out whilst paying for it that it is actually handmade. Also, (being the good citizen that I am) I pointed the lady at the till in the direction of a lovely battered leather jacket at the back of the shop, and recommended that she might like to put it on display at the front of the shop, seeing as they're everywhere right now. So if you get down there quickly, it could be yours for £25!

Next, I succeeded in my trainer mission, after popping into Foot Patrol in Soho for a bit of trainer porn, I decided that rather than some flashy nikes, I'd rather go for something more in the style of 1980's Reebok Freestyles, seeing as I'd originally been scouting around for a pair in Bristol but had had no luck. So off I went to Carnaby Street, and did a double take when passing the windows of "Undisclosed shoe shop" (hahh). A corner of the window display was dedicated to the 25th Anniversary Reebok Freestyles. Feeling very smug (and rather "Oh my, it's fate!) I went in and bought myself a pair in white. I could have gone for something riskier, as there was also neon green, yellow and pink to choose from, but these are much easier to tire of, no? Especially with the Nu Rave backlash, which I predict shall be starting very soon. The price was a mere £49.99. And there was me with my budget of 80 quid...

After a quick stop at the Liberty tea room. An English afternoon tea of fresh scones and finger sandwiches, darling, I headed in the direction of Beyond Retro, to fufil my second hand intentions. But passed a rather promising looking place called "Retro Clothing." It did was it said on the tin, and more, as it stocks a fantastic collection of designer too. I think it's on Berwick Street if you fancy popping in. I left with three items for £19, and decided to leave it there before I got too cocky or developed the shopping bug (Oh hell, I have it already!).

My finds included a Uniqlo mens plaid shirt for a tenner, nice cotton and pleasingly oversize. Also a forest green suede skirt, which I thought was rather Prada Fall 07, which actually has a rather small waist (26), so I decided to wear it as a high waisted piece, preferably with some thick ribbed tights, and a sweet little short sleeved tee (french style) tucked in. My last piece I spotted just as I was heading to the till. After inspecting an outrageous coat next to it on the rack, it caught my eye. A bubblegum pink tux jacket (think Annie Hall gone girly), very 80's for a mere £4. And the added bonus? A peek at the label told me it was from a Maxmara Cruise collection.

All that needs to be said; I walked out of the shop with the biggest grin on my face.