FASHION
I ' ve always been one for charity shops , car boot sales and eBay , but this realisation convinced me to buy mainly second hand or source ethical fashion brands . Once I had committed to it , shopping became way more fun , creative , and affordable - which helps when you ' re a poor artist .
I started my blog , ' The Art of Slow ', as a lover of fashion and styling to highlight that you can still be very ' fashion ' with a charity shop haul , giving tips on how to best search for items on eBay and showing off sustainable cute finds from small brands . The intention is to show that you can indulge your love of fashion without compromising your morals or style . I wanted it to be motivating and inspiring ; I wanted to normalise second hand being the go-to when you need a bit of retail therapy .
The name of the blog goes hand in hand with the process , it is , of course , harder to find things if you have a specific idea of what you need , but the reward you feel when you see it ( and usually at a great price too !) is very satisfying . Once you ' ve changed your mindset from having fast fashion at your fingertips to a more mindful and slow way of buying , changes your attitude towards the clothes in your wardrobe . They are no longer an afterthought . They are a prize . One that you ' ve searched far and wide for , that you treasure and love . How great as well that ' s it ' s totally guilt-free ? When you buy from a charity shop you are saving items from landfill , it ' s cost you hardly anything , and it ' s unique to you . It already exists , so there ' s basically no carbon footprint , and the money goes to charity - winner winner chicken dinner .
Now for the fun stuff , let me throw some tips and tricks your way to get you started on your own second-hand style train . Shopping second hand can be pretty daunting . There ' s a lot of sifting and little inspiration , so you have to create your own .
Go in with an idea of what you ' re after and what gaps in your wardrobes need filling . Once you have a clear shopping list in your mind , you will be able to streamline your sift .
Ignore the brand tag . It ' s so easy to be tempted into buying something that is absolutely not your style because it ' s a fancy designer brand . You won ' t wear these items , and they will only go back in the charity shop bag .
You ' ve saved on the item ; now you can splurge on getting it tailored to fit . Pop into a seamstress and get your items adjusted to fit like a glove . It makes such a difference , and you will have garments that overall , you will have spent the same amount as if they were new , but they are tailored to fit you perfectly . •
Follow Abi ' s blog via Instagram @ the _ art _ of _ slow 25