Last weekend I was invited for afternoon tea at the stunning Hartford House in Oxford. Styling my secondhand outfits to fit the occasion never gets boring, and I was thrilled to be able to conjure up a pre-loved magic treat for such a historic venue. But did I go traditional? A big striped no! Instead, I took a bold and unforgivable monochrome stripey pattern and used a fiery red to heat up an old-school English tea party.
The Re-Style Objective
Not only was I curating an outfit that could be chic and glamorous, it also had to be extremely comfortable; with the current heatwave and pregnancy, comfort, ease, and versatility were key for a 2-hour drive to Hartford House.
Stripes For The Occasion
So the pre-loved story begins with the dress. This beauty was sourced in a secondhand store in Alderley Edge, a silhouette I generally would have never chosen due to the lack of shape and my curvy figure. But now accessorised with a bump, I felt as though the shape would flatter my in-between shape and would also be a pleasure to wear in the heat.
The back was also a feature I couldn't resist. A draped edge and a loose bow help to boost that elegant feeling, even when combined with a stark pattern such as the black and white stripe.
The Basket Clasp Bag
Everyone needs one of these. A basket bag is not always a style statement, but if you source the right type of shape, you can trick your passer-by into thinking it's a lot more expensive than it actually is. This little number is a high street design, but the handle is what makes it. It came with two choices, a leather strap and the wooden looped version, which is what you can see below. I opted for the wooden hoops as the contrast between the weave and wood certainly gave it a premium feel.
Elevate Your Look
A bright pump is always key to unlocking the "wow" factor behind a solid, predictable print. The truth is, if I had matched the shoe with a neutral colour the whole outfit would have lost it's overall impact. It's the pop of red that makes it stand out. Never be afraid of styling outfits with bright colours, it's what I like to call the unexpected clothing delight. But when zooming in on these shoes, you will notice these are satin. Even though they were sourced in a pre-loved store, they had never been worn so the condition was super. When choosing bright coloured shoes, inspect the condition carefully, and always store well according to the materials as bright coloured shoes have a tendency to highlight any stain that comes their way.
The Verdict
Every item in this look was less than £8, but the overall look made me feel like a million dollars! By elevating the outfit with a bright pop of colour, and combining fabrics and materials, the outfit suddenly had a playful feel to very traditional and simple shapes.
Remember, just because it's secondhand, doesn't mean it can't be completed with a modern twist!
