This weekend, I had the choice between possible cheap vintage buys in Manchester by way of visiting some friends or staying in London for the Jumblist Massive today. Sadly, illness decided it was going to be the latter for me. Either option seemed a good one. However, after tripping it to Brick Lane and being faced with a queue going round the block to enter the jumble sale, the mind veered off into greener pastures aka unpicked vintage stores up north where I would unearth treasures beyond my wildest dreams (that's how exaggerated my mind goes when I'm thinking of greener pastures). It seems jumble sales need a cool-ish East End venue, a bit of publicity and the promise of accompanying DJ's to entice the young and thrifty because there was an overwhelmingly large turnout. I arrived at around 1:30-ish and had to occupy myself with a phonecall to shorten queuing time.
By the time I got in, rumours were already floating that there absolutely nothing left and indeed, the long table set up in the centre had an alarming amount of boxer shorts, Topman jeans and granddad shirts. Primark, Dorothy Perkins, Next and Topshop dominated the table with nothing of older/mintier interest to be found. Still, I coughed up the £2 entrance, so I might as well have a good old rummage. I picked through it quite a bit and came away with one thing being an old Topshop spring coat that I vaguely remember back in the days when it was in-store. At £1 I could not really complain. Incidentally, I have paired it here with a floral pleated top that I found for £2 at a charity shop yesterday so I'm thinking the moral of the story here is just stick to sane charity shopping where there's no snatching to be seen unless you encounter the mad old lady who has a Safeway bag wrapped around her neck.
My boyfriend's came away with 'random bits of crap' that he has no idea why he went for them but at a £1 a piece, there is no reason to question the possible crapness of the item there and then when in the throngs of bargain hunting madness. You just go with it and ponder this question when you get home. So I took the liberty of pondering his buys and decided that the paisley shirt, yellow and red checked shirt and green gingham plasticky shorts have some life in them yet.
So the demand is definitely there for jumble saling goodness, so I wonder why these 'trendified' sales are not more of a regular thing, to even out the initial enthusiasm for all things for a quid? Or better yet, why not go to a local jumble/car boot sale if you didn't already? I recommend Kilburn and Battersea for varied pickings...
P.S. Emphasis on the random bits of crap in this post that may not see the light of day...
Haha your post madde me laugh. It's so true! Even when I'm not at some crazy, uber hip "thrifting party" I go half mad while at charity shops. Perhaps something in the air? Anyway, love how you wore everything...especially that silver hat with a flower! Gorgeous! I have a vintage cloche sort of like that.
Posted by: Maddy | 20 January 2008 at 20:26
i really like the shorts! checks are so the new polka dot, well according to prada and er, me! they pull the shirt away from a mary-kate copy. i wonder how early people queued from!
p.s. manchester is definitely cheap as chips, and fabric is mega cheap too!
Posted by: selina | 20 January 2008 at 20:42
susie, i love your expression in the last photo... it's almost as if you don't want to touch the horrendo-shirt (much better on your colourings than it would be on s's though!)
Posted by: EJ | 20 January 2008 at 20:42
EJ, the expression is most definitely 'Er... what? That shirt? Really?'.... it does look pretty good on S though.... just need to find the right trews to go with it....
Selina: I will be heading up your way shortly!
Maddy: Thrifting I have to admit is more fun when you're doing it in un-cool environments.... less stressful too!
Posted by: susie_bubble | 20 January 2008 at 20:49
i love the floral shirt!
ohh..nasty man.
although, that's probably the only way he managed to get such a huge, magnificent collection...
Posted by: annah | 20 January 2008 at 21:06
i went along and i completely agree- there were faaaar too many boxer shorts! my friend (a girl) somehow managed to buy 5 pairs in a bargain induced frenzy. i think you picked the best things there! the shorts are actually really nice
Posted by: nina | 20 January 2008 at 21:47
I am loving mumbo jumbles!!!!
Posted by: diana | 20 January 2008 at 21:56
Ew... I really wish I could handle a jumble sale but I really prefer the calm and quiet of thrift stores. I'm not much of a grabber. The red checked shirt is fab by the way... your boyf has fab taste! As do you Miss Bubble...
Posted by: Lady Smaggle | 21 January 2008 at 05:28
Hmmmm...very interesting read. The queue thing is a nightmare! Looks like you got some interesting stuff anyway!
Posted by: bronwyn | 21 January 2008 at 08:30
i'm really fascinated by all those events taking place in London. jumble sale? queuing for clothes? sample sales? and anyway, all those superb charity shops!
Posted by: Saskia | 21 January 2008 at 09:46
yes the Jumble sale was a bit dissappointing!!! You look like you managed to grab some cool stuff.
Your comments made me laugh though.
My friend and I saw you there and both shouted "Style Bubble" at the same time!
A tad embarrasing! :D
Posted by: roro | 21 January 2008 at 10:35
Another vote for 'far too many boxer shorts'. I didn't rock up until half two and by that time there was nothing left at all and all the teenagers with their messy hair, skinny jeans and jaunty scarves were scaring me a bit. I am SO not Shoreditch.
I did find an amazing vintage green dress on the market in Truman Brewery for £3 though (need altering a bit so it's less Abigail's Party and more 'De-Lovely', but that'll only take an hour or so) and a border print 70s number in Absolute Vintage for £12 that I'm wearing with pride today. So all was not lost!
Posted by: Gemma | 21 January 2008 at 10:41
for some reason that floral pleated shirt seems very familiar....
love the skirt that you paired with the outfit. tell me about it, is it also a thrift find, made from chiffon?
Posted by: Fashion Tidbits | 21 January 2008 at 11:29
I love the first outfit, the coat is cute and the skirt and shirt are lovely, and look great with the hat! x
Posted by: Stephalicious | 21 January 2008 at 16:10
i went...quite early. i went in at 1:30 and left at 2:00. it was fucking dark..wtf?! did they not want us to see how ugly the clothes were? anyways...i brought 3 tees. nothing special...except for a 100% organic cotton giant white tee that i think was a good buy. there was a size 8 blazer that i didnt buy..not sure if im regretting it or not
Posted by: clover | 21 January 2008 at 16:23
You look awesome wearing that turban!
Posted by: Nadine | 21 January 2008 at 18:20
For just one pound, the jacket is quite amazing.
Posted by: Renée S. / FashionFillers | 21 January 2008 at 18:56
a better jumbling experience was had at the regular wills-moody jumble sale in euston. it's free entrance and there's a bar, woo! try it next month maybe, mostly good cheap vintage stuff there. and cakes! double woo!
Posted by: jenny jenny | 21 January 2008 at 21:08
Looks like everyone had some mixed experiences...
roro: You should have said hi!
Jenny Jenny: I'll def check that one out...!
Posted by: susie_bubble | 22 January 2008 at 11:31
i just love it !
i love when people show their style because it's not fashion it's about personality !
and fashion should come back to that !
kamel
street style photo romance in Paris
Posted by: Style and the City - Paris | 23 January 2008 at 07:09
Love the lace skirt in the first photo! where did you get it?
Posted by: Arsheen | 23 February 2008 at 21:05