Reset Your Style On A Budget

New year, new you..Blah, blah, blah. If I’m being painfully honest, the thought of writing down any resolutions, setting goals, or trying to hit 2023 objectives makes me extremely anxious. I’m running on minimal sleep, feeling like death warmed up, accompanied by taking care of a newborn 24/7. But this is Secondhand Styling, you say, and you only ever get feel-good content that makes you excited about fashion! And believe me, I won’t let you down on this blog, but I will say that I’m sure many of you are feeling the pressure as we dive headfirst into the skyrocketing rates that come in a world of rising cost of living. So the optimistic nod towards a reset, refresh button is a little harder when most of us have no means to do so.

Fashion has always been my go-to when going through hard times. It helped transform my attitude during a break-up, helped lift my soul when grieving for my late Mother, and now I’m looking towards fashion to help relieve me from the daily duties of a new Mum. It’s true, clothes can help you reframe your mindset and help to alter what you see in the mirror, and this Winter, they have come to the rescue once again.

Post-Christmas it all just got a little too much. I burst; in fact, I exploded. I was overwhelmed. It’s funny how all of the festivities can help decorate and disguise troubles before the 25th, and then after, everything seems to unravel. So where was I? Well, I was lost. I was trying to understand who I was becoming as a Mum and needing a little help from my closet. Well, I peeked inside, and there was nothing. Just last year’s memories, pre-pregnancy when my Mum was alive, maternity outfits when all I had to think about was myself and taking care of a bump and nothing to dress this woman who I had now become. I felt empty, but of course, a big shopping spree was not the answer. I would feel the shopping rush for an hour or so, then ultimate guilt once looking at what I had spent.

So instead, I hit the charity shops and sourced 4 life-changing pieces that altered my mood instantly. I’m confident that these pieces will do the same uplifting reset to you as well, and of course, they are affordable yet still look premium. Ready for them?

Here goes…

Jeans

Vintage denim is always a good investment; the key here is knowing what makes them valuable; always look at the condition, age, and size. The next step is knowing what style and sometimes brand suits you. I know that Ralph Lauren is always a good fit on my shape, so when I came across a pair, I know I was in luck! In fact, I sourced a light stone wash pair of boot cut Ralph Laurens the other day. It’s no lie that it really does lift your mood when you find a good pair of jeans. And remember, you can style them in so many ways, meaning you can reset your wardrobe instantly by switching tops, jumpers or cardis without having to think about the bottom half.

Blazer

Buying a good blazer is a great way to elevate an outfit. There are always so many different types in charity shops because the truth is people become bored of them or dont know how to restyle them in a way that modernizes an outfit if the blazer was brought a few years back. I sourced a Cos blazer that made me go “oohhhhh” It really did give me that “power play” feeling that I have seemed to have lost living in newborn chaos.

Bag

No matter how you feel physically, a bag will always fit you. That’s how I see it anyway, and owning a well-crafted bag helps to transform your look from “Mediocre” to “Hot Stuff” so sourcing a bag to help reset your year and make you feel positive about your upcoming achievements is a must. I managed to source a tote sturdy, strong in shape, with beautiful hardware with a croc finish. It cost just £8 and is a great item to help me feel in control, even when the world is spinning faster than I would have hoped. It’s also nice to have a bag that will hold all my “mommy duty pieces” without it having to be a baby-changing bag. A change in bag can help you reset more than you would have thought.

Sunglasses

And once you have saved all that money from secondhand, you can afford to make room for something new without breaking the bank. I spent a few extra pennies on a brand new pair of sunnies that I had had my eye on for a long time. For me, the idea of being able to throw on an accessory that looks and feels as though it was made to last helps lift an outfit and makes you feel 100% better even if you are not feeling it. And yes, you heard me right, I am about buying new with intention. Your new item will one day be someone else’s pre-loved, and when you save so much on your secondhand treasures, it won’t be a guilty pleasure when you choose a new piece. It will instead just be an investment.

And trust me, my theory works… When I got a last-minute call to join friends on a walk with my baby, it was easy to feel good about my ‘thrown together” look just by adding my sunnies.

Regardless of what you decide to source though, remember your clothes don't make you. It's not where they are from, or who they were made by; It's how you wear them. Choose those pieces that make you feel good about your future. Because trust me, if you dress the part you want to play, you will make that scene happen.