Fashion: £74 for an entire winter wardrobe at Forget Me Not trust shop

Oct 15 2009 by Hilarie Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Just £74 for an entire winter wardrobe

Our next discovery was a Per Una blouse and stylish denim skirt, which we teamed with court shoes and a tapestry bag - for a total of £17.

Because she spends quite of lot of time during the winter living in Spain, Anne needs lightweight jackets and plenty of casual clothes - she’s also a keen bowler and enjoys being out of doors. Our third outfit was perfect for warm winter days and cool evenings. The casual jacket, combat trousers, striped jumper, small bag and shoes added up to just £26.

For a total of only £74 we’d found everything we needed and had money to spare. With boots in the shop ranging from £8 to £10 and accessories such as hats and scarves only £1.50 to £3 we reckoned that we could easily get an entire winter wardrobe within our budget.

A former geriatric nurse, Anne delights in being fashionable and says she mixes and matches items in her wardrobe with garments bought in Spain, at home and in the Forget Me Not charity shop.

The key to charity shop shopping is to call in regularly. “We put things out every day, we’ve got to for our regular customers,’’ explained Diane.

“Some items are only out for a short time before they are snapped up, you’ve got to be quick,’’ she added.

The Lindley shop was the first in the trust’s chain. Last year a second shop opened in Brighouse and a third will be opening in Holmfirth in mid November.

Trust supporters are holding a fundraising fashion show on Sunday, November 1, at the Holiday Inn, Brighouse.

Tickets are £10, including a glass of bubbly, and available from participating shops, including the trust’s own outlets, Kevan Jon, Pure of Lindley, Dawson & Hall, House of Elliot, the Staite bridal room, Brief Encounter of Brighouse, House of Fraser and Bar 1535 in Queen Street South, Huddersfield.

Outfit One - Per Una blouse, £4.40; denim skirt, £4.50; court shoes, £5; tapestry bag, £3:

Outfit Two - Fake fur coat, £12; black trousers, £5; lurex top, £3.50; flat shoes, £5; woven raffia and leather bag, £4.50;

Outfit Three - Pink casual jacket, £10; combat trousers, £2.50; Next stripy jumper, £4.50; shoes, £6; bag, £3.

Grand total: £73.90.