When Barnardo’s set me the challenge of styling an item from one of their shops in three different ways, I was so excited. I love charity, pre-loved and vintage hunting; it is so much more rewarding than high street shopping, especially when you find an incredible piece! I headed down to my local Barnardo’s in Whitley Bay, and it wasn’t long before I found something. A white shirt, or blouse, is a basic which everyone should probably have in their wardrobe, but I didn’t actually own one since I’ve never quite found the perfect one for me within my budget. Cue this amazing Wallis number! The ruffles on the front are so on trend for S/S17 and I love the balloon sleeves. It is such a versatile piece and I actually got it in the sale for £1.55!

The first way I styled this shirt was with some paisley shorts, which I picked up for free when I was working at a vintage kilo sale. I love the print on them and they are so lightweight and comfortable, so perfect with tights or with bare legs in the warmer months! If you read my blog, then you will know of my love for fishnet tights. They add more interest to really basic looks and are so easy to style. I also wore my beloved leather jacket, which I got a couple of years ago for my 18th and was such a good investment piece! I wear it all the time during spring and summer!

For accessories, I wore some pink sunglasses from  Monki at ASOS. Pink is one of the key colours for this season and I love the retro shape of the frame. My bag is from Kate Spade and is the only designer bag I own. I received a bonus at my old job and had a voucher for Fenwick, so buying the bag of my dreams seemed inevitable.

The second look is ideal for those chillier days we’ve had having lately (the warm weather seems to have come and gone in a weekend). A-line denim skirts are one of my wardrobe essentials and are so versatile; I’m so glad I discovered them! A blouse and denim skirt are a match made in heaven, and I topped the look off with my beloved leopard print coat from Topshop, which adds a more 70’s vibe to the look, as well as added interest because of the print.

To add more 70’s flair, I added a black fedora, which I definitely need to wear more as my hat of choice tends to fall to a baker boy cap or beret. The bag is vintage and I thought it went perfectly with this look. The mock croc fabric and gold hardware is really reminiscent of YSL, which is fab since it was a fraction of the price!

The last look features this amazing Primark pinafore. The shape and fit of it is so flattering and I love the wash of the denim. It is definitely vintage inspired! For those days when you’re not sure what to wear, a pinafore or pair of dungarees are perfect as they go with everything and look so effortless. To add some interest to the front of the pinafore, I added a few pin badges. These usually live on my denim jacket but I have been wearing them on other pieces more recently, to make my outfits slightly quirkier.

My favourite type of hat is a baker boy and this H&M one was a bargain on Depop. I’ve had it almost a year now and cost-per-wear is down to very little, I wear it so much!

We all know that basket bags are in fashion. They’ve been seen on everyone from Alexa Chung to bloggers including Liv Purvis and Lucy Williams, and I am also a huge fan of the trend. They make me feel slightly like Jane Birkin (a girl can dream) or Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and can be found in charity shops, so can be picked up super cheap. My version was from Depop and it is almost Mary Poppins style bag – I can fit so much in it! I finished off the look with some glittery trainers and fishnet tights to keep with the casual vibe of the outfit.

Holly Olivia x

To see more of my charity shop finds, and outfits, make sure to follow my blog- www.bisoushollyolivia.co.uk or follow me on Twitter or Instagram- @hollyyolivia

Want to share your top Barnardo’s looks with us and feature on The-Thrift? Comment below and we’ll get in touch!