Charity shop find of the week #21

Warehouse bardot top £4.99 St Peter's Hospice

I'm often posting my chazza finds on the blog and usually they are vintage bits and pieces that I've picked up, but I wanted to show that you can also tap into very current trends c/o the chazza. Granted, it's a little late in the season to start considering bare shoulders, however I am hoping for an Indian summer and that I'll at least have a couple of opportunities to wear this top!

I've wanted to try the whole 'off the shoulder' thing since Alexa Chung launched her AC for AG collection which included a hugely expensive off the shoulder dress in chambray denim. Of course it was super pretty and despite being way out of my price range, it did get me thinking about ways I could try this look out. I spotted a similar dress in Topshop but at almost £40 it was still expensive for a style I wasn't completely sure about.

This top that I found in the local chazza is basically the top version of that dress, with the bardot neckline and overlaid ruffle. Not being a huge fan of boho styles, I thought this would look really cool with my Warehouse suede mini and also with my fave black skinnies and ballet pumps; I think stonewashed denim would be a little western but a darker colour might edge it up a little. I do feel like I would need a tan to wear this and I think it will be a great holiday buy; if I go away next year somewhere hot I would definitely take it with me!

My arms and shoulders aren't my favourite body parts; I don't mind my upper arms too much as they are fairly toned from yoga but I hate my underarms being on show (I know that's weird!) and I also don't really like wearing strappy tops as I just feel a bit naked! I am also permanently slightly chilly so unless I am abroad, it's rare for me to ever wear something so minimal. I feel this top would actually cover up the bits I don't like, but it's not too heavy for full on sunny days, and diminishes the naked factor!

This is what I love about charity shopping; you can pick up an item you aren't that sure about, or try a trend you might otherwise have disregarded, for a fraction of what you'd pay on the high street. For under a fiver this top was a great find, and if I decide it's not for me, I can just donate it back, without being too out of pocket!

XO Amie