Charity Shop Bop is a series on my blog that promotes a different sense of fashion. The fashion industry is a huge financial provider, yet is also creating so much waste that it's effecting our planet. Every year we create over 80 billion articles of clothing which is a ridiculous amount to even fathom.  With 95% of it being recyclable and 100% being reusable, why let it become waste?
My Charity Shop Bops are here to show the limitless horizons of reworking second hand clothing and that it isn't all 'old lady' stuff! Shopping from charity shops is more sustainable, a lot cheaper and also allows you to contribute to a variety of charities at the same time!
So get #CharityShopBoppin and let me see what you find...



Jacket, Top, Skirt & Bag: All Charity Shop! // Belt: Asos // Necklace: Forever 21 // Shoes: Zara

A recent aesthetic to hit social media has been the 'Racer girl' trend, with so many bloggers lusting over leather and racing full speed ahead with this trend! It's clear to see that the racer girl look stems directly from the influence of F1/Racer scene. The classic racing flag check print, the slick looking leather pieces and of course, the bold reds and yellow colours are all huge when it comes to this trend. Personally, I feel this trend has been around the fashion scene for quite some time. Summer 2017 was filled with racing flag prints, flamed clothing and a whole lot of red, so may be we should just leave it in 2017?
However, Tommy Hilfiger x Gigi Hadid's latest collection for A/W 18 took HUGE inspiration from the F1 scene, revamping the trend and giving it the limelight once again. From skin tight leather pants  and matching jackets to racer flag print two pieces, this collection had it all!
It's a bold look and if thats what you're after, keep reading...

The racer girl vibe was one I'd dabbled in throughout 2017, I was red obsessed and picked up a few pieces of this style. For some reason I never completely fell in love with this style, partly because it required skin tight clothing and 2017 Lucy was not about that life, but also because I didn't know if I actually liked it. Nevertheless, 2018 Lucy has overcome her insecurities and decided for the purpose of the #CharityShopBop I shall embrace it!

My FAVOURITE thing about this outfit is the jacket! I picked this up for £9 in a local Charity Shop which is kind of pricey to me, but it was brand new with tags. I found it a few days after seeing the Tommy x Gigi show and I was feeling so inspired by the racer girl trend. Even though I will never look like one of the Hadid's in this, I can only try! As much as I adore this jacket, it's a slightly odd length meaning finding bottoms to pair with it was quite a challenge. I opted for a classic leather skirt  that I've had a while as it's timeless, flattering and still ties in to this racer girl vibe. On top I wore a mesh tee I picked up from a kilo sale and cropped, it was giving me Y2K vibes which I think ties in nicely with the racer girl look. Anything that has oriental style graphics on them I LOVE, for some reason I just think it looks SO cool. As the tee is slightly meshed, I put a lil yellow bandeau underneath which added a contrasting pop of colour against the jacket!

To accessories I kept it quite industrial, focusing on chunky silver pieces which I think adds so much interest. One thing I think is so important when Charity Shopping is to think of how you can accessories your pieces. This skirt is ultimately, a plain black skirt, but adding this hooped belt makes it more striking than if it was just plain. If you see a plain top, think of how you could dress it up by layering necklaces, adding a scarf or even tying it! 
You really do have to look past what you see on the hanger...

Honestly, I don't know whether I'm completely in love with this trend but I am a fan. The trend to me screams SAS and I think the bold colours and harsh fabrics are a way of challenging the stereotypes of femininity in fashion. 
We're strong, we're fast and we're fierce!
HELL YES TO THAT!

 This Charity Shop Bop just proves how current the pieces you find in Charity Shops can be whilst still adding an essence of your own style. Bringing together second hand pieces gives them a new lease of life which is so much more exciting than the 'Jeans and a Nice top' Misguided feature.
(No shade if you love that, you do you and thats amazing! I just can't relate and want to try spread individuality and sustainability)
I hope I can open your eyes to the world of Charity Shopping and please tag me @lucysb_ on Instagram with #charityshopbop if you discover any pieces!
Get Charity Shop Bopping

Lucy Jane