Despite the fact that Grace works in one of the best vintage shops in town – Tramp on Trafalgar Street – she’s most likely to be found rummaging about in charity shops. “There’s something very satisfying about getting something from a charity shop,” Grace says, and she’s right.
The golden days of finding a whole history of fashion for pennies might be over, but there are still gems to be found among the rails bulging with last season’s Primark and George. And you get the bonus of no one else turning up in the same outfit, especially if you customise your purchases like model and violinist Grace. As the latest round of austerity measures bites into our wallets, there’s never been a better time to buy a sewing machine. With great chazzer finds becoming rarer, you have to make the good items fit.
Makeup
“I always wear vibrant lipstick. Personally I think, more is more. I don’t feel like I could ever go subtle, so I always wear quite a lot of makeup.”
Top from Topshop
“The lace is from a net curtain I got from a charity shop which I made into a collar, and added some ribbon and a charity shop brooch. I customise a lot of my own clothes.”
Belt from charity shop
“I have to wear stuff that fits me on the waist because I’ve got quite a curvy figure and I like the fact that this belt is quite chunky.”
Skirt from a friend
“I’ve got a couple of skirts underneath it to pouf it out a bit. I like that it’s a bit 50s.”
Shoes from New Look
“They’re just a nice staple item to have”
Watch from great grandmother
“I got it when she died. It doesn’t work any more unfortunately but I’ve got used to wearing it. I wear pearls and brooches quite a lot, but I don’t really wear any other jewellery.”
WORDS BY JAMES KENDALL
PHOTO BY KEVIN MEREDITH AT LOMOKEV.COM
SPOTTED BY SAM HISCOX
