If you are in need of some preloved fashion inspiration then our Instagram influencer @chelseajadeloves is here to help!
Our 16 charity shops, including our online eBay and Vinted stores, are veritable treasure troves when it comes to seeking out classic, vintage and unique items that you are unlikely to find elsewhere on the high street.
But, if you are searching for help and ideas on how to style your secondhand steals then Chelsea Jade is on hand to share her top tips, as well as her own favourite preloved fashion finds.
Here, she gives us the lowdown on what inspired her love of secondhand fashion and why she has teamed up with Isabel to support our work in this way.
Q. What inspired your love of fashion? And why secondhand fashion in particular?
A. I think that the creativity of fashion is what drew me to it. Being able to create outfits with different patterns, mixing prints and colours is something I really enjoy. I like to keep up with trends and look forward to catching up with the London Fashion Week shows. I love secondhand fashion, whether it’s from a vintage shop, charity shop or car boot sale. I enjoy hunting for something amazing, but I also like the idea that I’m likely to find something unique and different to what’s currently on the high street.
Q. What are your fashion credentials?
A. I didn’t study fashion, I studied psychology, but I have written a fashion blog since I was at university. I used to take photos of people’s outfits on the street, I wrote trend predictions and went to press days and events to see new collections. I also interned for a month at an online fashion magazine where I got to write about the shows and do street style photos.
Q. What did you know about Isabel Hospice before you volunteered as our Instagram influencer? Had you visited any of our shops previously? And why have you decided to support our work in this way?
A. I didn’t know a lot about the work that Isabel Hospice does, but I had visited the shops previously. I used to work in Welwyn Garden City and would visit the charity shops on my lunch breaks. I also started going to the Hertford shop when it opened and have found some amazing pieces there. I decided to support Isabel after finding out that the Hospice was looking to grow its social media presence. As I was already sharing the pieces I’d found from Isabel on Instagram, it made sense to continue what I was doing but in a way that would better support the charity.
Q. What is the best bargain you have found so far? What has been your favourite find?
A. I found a short sleeve knit in a zebra print in the Hertford store that was originally from M&S and was brand new with tags! I’ve had some other great pieces, including an amazing pink coat and the cutest yellow ring, but I would say the M&S knit is my favourite find so far from Isabel. I wear it all the time!
Q. What feedback have you received so far from your Instagram followers about your Isabel Hospice finds?
A. I’ve had some positive comments about some of the bargains I’ve found. An Instagram reel I did recently did well and had more views than lots of my other videos, so people definitely like to see the pieces styled up.
Q. What is your top tip when it comes to secondhand style?
A. I have lots of tips after shopping secondhand for so many years, but one of my top tips would be to look at each rail, and with patience. Charity shops have so many hidden gems – it might be an amazing shirt in the men’s section that you might not normally look at, or a skirt put back in the wrong section by another customer that is perfect for you. Plus you might come across a little sale rail somewhere in the shop.
You can read Chelsea Jade’s blog here and follow her on Instagram at @chelseajadeloves.
