#Choosereused for Haven House

I’m Fay, a thrifty Instagram blogger going by the name of @stylethemother. I am a fashion obsessed mum of two, who previously was a veterinary nurse. When I’m not rummaging around my favourite second-hand haunts, I am the ‘facility manager’ at my family home in Essex to my two boys and husband.

The fast fashion industry is all about encouraging you to keep spending on new trends but I am an advocate for a more sustainable approach to shopping and I’m a little bit obsessed with charity shops, buying recycled and pre-loved items. I believe in reducing waste as much as I can – that means shopping sensibly, but also reusing items in my wardrobe – there is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing an outfit more than once!

Shopping at my local charity store is always my first stop on the high street. They are a treasure trove for wonderful fashion finds – and despite myths you can find clothes that make you look and feel fabulous! It’s great fun trawling through the rails on the hunt for my next bargain and there’s nothing better than emerging triumphantly with something new (ish) to me rather than brand new.

Haven House Children

Styles range from genuine vintage pieces to fresh off the high street (at a significantly cheaper price!) I’ve found items from Topshop, Next, Marks and Spencer, H&M, Zara, and Other Stories to name a few. I’ve also found pieces from designer brands such as Burberry, Abercrombie and Fitch and Chloe. One of my greatest finds is a Burberry Coat for just £5.00 – my EUREKA moment!

I recently popped into my local Haven House charity shop in Loughton. When you shop with Haven House, your money is translated into vital care and support for seriously ill children and their families. Plus, when you donate your pre-loved items to Haven House you can help stop them going to landfill sites. This saves your local council paying landfill tax, helps the environment, and raises money for charity and equels a treble win.

Read on to find out about some of the items I found...


I love how the Loughton store is colour coordinated as it makes outfit building so easy. Trends come and go but there are some things that never go out of style. This season everyone has gone roaring mad for leopard-print. And in the Haven House shop there was plenty of leopard/animal print to choose from.

Haven House Children


Leopard print top M&S, Tesco Jeans, Sneakers M&S

Haven House Children

The colour of the season appears to be any bright shade of neon and I found this top at the bargain price of £3 Even though it was slightly big for me I was able to customise it by simply tying a knot at the front making it fit and unique. This can be matched with jeans and flats for a day-time look or for an evening look these gorgeous, may I add brand new unworn heels, give it that extra glam. I picked this gold necklace up which I think works perfectly.



Haven House Children

I'm a lover of all things vintage, making charity shops the perfect destination to find a one-off item. My eyes lit up when I found this vintage St Micheal skirt in store. I instantly fell in love with the print and colours of this skirt and what a steal it was at just £6.

The vintage skirt is teamed with a vintage shirt ( charity found) and vintage blazer ( also charity found...) with newlook boots ( last season).

Denim, denim, denim! A basic, essential staple in everyone’s wardrobe that is so versatile, and easy ear. There so much to choose from in store – from jeans, skirts, shirts, dresses and jackets. I found this Abercrombie and Fitch denim shirt in the Haven House shop at a jaw-dropping price of £4.

Haven House Children

I am excited to say that pleats are in for another season! I love wearing pleated skirts and was delighted to come across this number. I am teamed this H&M skirt with some Next rose gold sandals (charity shop find ) and a Primark tee current stock ) and vintage charity found necklace.

I hope that after reading this blog I will encourage you to check out your local Haven House shop – the hospice has seven boutiques dotted around Essex and North London.

Fay

You can find our boutique style shops in Chingford, North Chingford, Leytonstone, Epping, Romford, Crouch End and Loughton. For full details to shop, drop off pre-used items or find out more about volunteering to our shops, visit here


Additional facts:
The average lifetime for a garment in the UK is just 2.2 years. An estimated £30bn of unused clothing hangs in UK wardrobes, and yet still we shop for more. Each week we buy 38m items and 11m items go to landfill.

We have come runner up in the Time Out Love London Awards three times as one of the best places to shop in London. And if you Gift Aid your donations to Haven House we will get an additional 25p for every pound your donations raise back from the government… And it doesn’t cost you a penny!