Posh Swaps Blog

Swapping is really big news at the  moment. Apart from clothes swapping there are lots of other things that you can swap. The best thing about swapping be it clothes or anything else is that you don’t have to spend any money!

Car Swapping - if you want to swap your car for a different model you can do so on www.carswap.com. If there is a difference in value, you can also exchange some cash.

Skill swapping is a great way to get some work done or benefit from someone elses skills or expertise in a particular area. Think carefully about your own skills and what you could offer for others. Some ideas to consider are baby sitting, DIY, gardening or decorating, teaching a language or musical instrument or computer skills. Try www.swapaskill.com.

House Swapping - no chain, no conveyancy fees, what a great idea. If you go through www.homeswapper.co.uk you will also save on estate agency fees although you will still need a solicitor.

Home Swapping - this is where you swap homes with someone for a holiday. It is a great way to see the world at a fraction of the cost. Go to www.homeexchange.com for more details.

Some more lovely pictures for this weeks second hand style weekly. You may have noticed that most of our pictures are from the US. Is this because the UK doesn’t have any second hand style? Surely not. If you have any pictures of lovely outfits that you have put together including one or more second hand or vintage items, please email them to us at posh-swaps@heathcotecommunications.co.uk, we will gladly link back to you.

Another great picture from Pork Chop Rules on Flickr Wardrobe Remix. The pink looks great on her.

vintage boots,levis,Dior sweater from the thrift store 2.99

Thrifted:
Banana Republic Blazer - $6
Magazine brand polka-dot blouse - $3
Yellow leather handbag (weirdly, from Franklin Covey) - $4
Teal Fioni sandals (new) - $5

A lovely outfit from Karla of Karlas Bonanza - Karla explains why second hand blazers are great second hand buys, they are usually well made of sturdy fabric so do not suffer from piling, shrinkage etc,  they are not usually worn out as the styles change so often, women don’t usually wear them very much before recycling them.

Picture from The Sartorialist - A great place for style inspiration

Are you fed up with the credit crunch and recession? Are you broke but want to look stylish and trendy? The word frugal seems to have become a regular part of my vocabulary and I am now practicing frugality in most areas of my life. But is still possible to look stylish and be frugal. Here are my top ten tips to style on a budget.

1. Sell - Have a regular clear out of your wardrobe and sell anything that you no longer wear. I am sure that you can put the money to good use.
2. Swap -If you are getting bored of your clothes and need  a change, swap your clothes for a refreshing new look without spending any money. 
3. Buy - If you desparately need to buy something new, try second hand. Designer clothes expecially will be a fraction of the cost of new.
4. Invest - When you do have to buy new clothes, make sure that you invest in quality basics that will last for seasons to come and if they do no longer fit you can be sold second hand.
5. Mend - If you do damage your clothes, try mending them rather than just throwing them away. For a really good piece of clothing it will be worth your while.
6. Care - store your clothes carefully. The better you look after them, the longer they will last. Remember to use cedar wood to keep away those pesky moths that love nibbling at cashmere.
7. Accessorise - If you feel in need of  anew look a few new accessories can turn an old outfit into something completely different.
8. Inspiration - get inspiration on how to look stylish on the cheap from fashion blogs. There are many that focus on vintage and second hand style and fashion on a budget.
9. Discounts - when you do buy new clothes, buy online and look for discount voucher sites to ensure that you get best value for money.
10. Individual Style - It’s not about what you wear, it’s about how you wear it. Develop your own unique style instead of following trends, that way your clothes won’t go out of fashion and your wardrobe will be timeless.