Esther Rantzen has accepted a challenge set by the BBC's The One Show to find the perfect summer outfit from a charity shop.
But having accepted, she thought she'd go a step further and see if she could buy an outfit for every occasion this Season - and all on a shoestring.
Here's how did.
WIMBLEDON (left): I found all kinds of fashionable treasures at the Cancer Research shop in Highgate, North London (020 8341 6330).
This turquoise skirt was just £5 and the blue and white Next wedge sandals were £6. I found a blue jacket (£12) and a striking orange and blue print shirt (£5.50) to complement it at St John and Elizabeth Hospice shop (020 8341 6330).
The sales assistants were very helpful.
</B>
AFTERNOON TEA (middle): At the Notting Hill Housing Trust shop in Hampstead (020 7435 3453), I bought a print skirt for just £4.75.
I was hoping to find another bargain to go with it somewhere else - and I did! At the St John's shop (as before), I found a cardigan by Whistles and its embroidery matched the skirt. A bargain at £6.
My shoes were £10 from Cancer Research UK Highgate (020 8341 6330).
</B>
ASCOT (right): I couldn't believe it when I came across this genuine Diane Von Furstenburg pink-and-black wrap dress at the Cancer Research shop in Highgate, North London (as before).
I've never previously owned a real one. New, they cost around £400 and even on eBay they're nearly £50, but this one was just £20.
I teamed it with a black-and-cream straw feather hat, £15, and Kurt Geiger black strappy shoes which had never been worn, £9.
</B>
COCKTAILS (left): This slinky red H&M dress with a frill detail was £5.99 from Oxfam, Hampstead (020 7794 4474).
My red-and-white shoes were £10 from Cancer Research, Highgate (as before). There was not a bag lady in sight in the Cancer Research shop; they were smart young women after good-quality elegant clothes at knock-down prices, and they were finding them.
</B>
GLUNDEBOURNE (second left): This dashing Karen Millen leopard print dress - £14.50 from Cancer Research in Highgate (as before) had beautiful turquoise embroidery.
The brown lace and blue frill wrap (£4.99) is from Oxfam, Hampstead (as before). The shoes were £5 from Cancer Research in Highgate.
</B>
WEDDING (second right): I found this whole outfit at Cancer Research. The glossy pink dress, £7, was from its Kings Road branch (020 7352 4769).
The long jacket, £13.50, this handy pink-and-white striped bag, £4, and these £12 shoes were from its shop in Highgate (as before). All were in immaculate condition and go so well together.
</B>
HENLEY (right): This high-neck black dress with red and pink flowers was £10. The black hat was £15 and the shoes £10. All from Cancer Research, Highgate (as before). I've learned that with lots of energy, time and patience - and if you don't mind that someone has worn the clothes before - you can find the most fabulous bargains and help a good cause at the same time.
Article: The Dailyfemail</B>
But having accepted, she thought she'd go a step further and see if she could buy an outfit for every occasion this Season - and all on a shoestring.
Here's how did.
WIMBLEDON (left): I found all kinds of fashionable treasures at the Cancer Research shop in Highgate, North London (020 8341 6330).
This turquoise skirt was just £5 and the blue and white Next wedge sandals were £6. I found a blue jacket (£12) and a striking orange and blue print shirt (£5.50) to complement it at St John and Elizabeth Hospice shop (020 8341 6330).
The sales assistants were very helpful.
</B>
AFTERNOON TEA (middle): At the Notting Hill Housing Trust shop in Hampstead (020 7435 3453), I bought a print skirt for just £4.75.
I was hoping to find another bargain to go with it somewhere else - and I did! At the St John's shop (as before), I found a cardigan by Whistles and its embroidery matched the skirt. A bargain at £6.
My shoes were £10 from Cancer Research UK Highgate (020 8341 6330).
</B>
ASCOT (right): I couldn't believe it when I came across this genuine Diane Von Furstenburg pink-and-black wrap dress at the Cancer Research shop in Highgate, North London (as before).
I've never previously owned a real one. New, they cost around £400 and even on eBay they're nearly £50, but this one was just £20.
I teamed it with a black-and-cream straw feather hat, £15, and Kurt Geiger black strappy shoes which had never been worn, £9.
</B>
COCKTAILS (left): This slinky red H&M dress with a frill detail was £5.99 from Oxfam, Hampstead (020 7794 4474).
My red-and-white shoes were £10 from Cancer Research, Highgate (as before). There was not a bag lady in sight in the Cancer Research shop; they were smart young women after good-quality elegant clothes at knock-down prices, and they were finding them.
</B>
GLUNDEBOURNE (second left): This dashing Karen Millen leopard print dress - £14.50 from Cancer Research in Highgate (as before) had beautiful turquoise embroidery.
The brown lace and blue frill wrap (£4.99) is from Oxfam, Hampstead (as before). The shoes were £5 from Cancer Research in Highgate.
</B>
WEDDING (second right): I found this whole outfit at Cancer Research. The glossy pink dress, £7, was from its Kings Road branch (020 7352 4769).
The long jacket, £13.50, this handy pink-and-white striped bag, £4, and these £12 shoes were from its shop in Highgate (as before). All were in immaculate condition and go so well together.
</B>
HENLEY (right): This high-neck black dress with red and pink flowers was £10. The black hat was £15 and the shoes £10. All from Cancer Research, Highgate (as before). I've learned that with lots of energy, time and patience - and if you don't mind that someone has worn the clothes before - you can find the most fabulous bargains and help a good cause at the same time.
Article: The Dailyfemail</B>