This Old Thing

Vintage can be quite a controversial subject. There are the purists, who believe that anything pre 1940 or 1950 can be called vintage and nothing else.

There are those who believe anything secondhand can be called vintage and it’s all fair game to edit and reshape as they see fit.

I’m sort of in the middle. I love a rummage and to buy things secondhand, but know that if I buy a dress from two seasons ago, it’s not vintage. It’s preloved. But I don’t mind, if I like it, I like it. I believe that vintage is style, vintage is class. I can walk into a vintage shop or charity shop and recognise if something is 1960s, or 1990s, I can tell if it’s reproduction or original (and if it’s the latter and a bargain, hands off).

I think in some ways that’s why This Old Thing, the television series with Dawn O’Porter initially worried me. There was talk of revamping and re-using. I had visions of beautiful pieces hacked into mini skirts, like the classic pieces of 1930s furniture I’ve seen sanded and painted black. I mean, why???

But I didn’t need to worry, even most of the vintage purists I know love the series and for me, she strikes a chord. I love wearing a piece that no-one else has. Or putting pieces together that people wouldn’t think to do.

And I like to think it suits me, whether it’s my 1970s green maxi dress, my 1980s Jaeger blazer, or my reproduction 1960s shift dress.

We’re incredibly lucky in Manchester too – if you’re inspired by the show, people like Junk, Ministry of Craft and Stitched Up all offer courses and advice on making something yours, whether that’s changing buttons, or learning how to dart and upcycle. Vintage shouldn’t be scary, it’s beautiful, adaptable, and for everyone. You just have to dive in and find what works for you.

Given all this, I was thrilled when the guys behind the show got in contact to talk about their charity projects with Oxfam – I’m a charity shop fiend – I love knowing that I’m not only buying something I love, and helping charity at the same time.

Dawn has teamed up with Oxfam on two projects, the first is easy, fun and gives everyone an excuse to wear something fabulous. Vintage Friday for Oxfam is this Friday 1 August. Oxfam and Dawn O’ Porter wants to see us all rocking our finest retro chic to raise money for a great cause.

It couldn’t be easier, whether you pop on a vintage brooch, hat or dress, wear it with pride #VINTAGEFRIDAY tweet about it, talk about it on Facebook, show it off and donate £3 to Oxfam by texting Vintage to 70066, helping to transform lives around the world with one little text message.* 

Then there’s the DIY Vintage Swap-Shop. From Monday (yesterday) Dawn and her team are calling upon the us all to hold our own #THISOLDTHING vintage sale.

Get your friends involved, clear out your wardrobe (we all have those things in the back of our wardrobe that don’t fit any more) and flog them. There are no set prices, buyers can donate what they think the item is worth. All the profits and any items left over can be donated to Oxfam to help fight poverty around the world.

Do something at work, at home, in your local church hall. We can make 2014 the summer of vintage.

If you fancy it (and I do, I’m emailing the ladies in the office now), more information and advice can be found on the Oxfam website.

This Old Thing by Dawn O’Porter is available in stores nationwide, an eBook is available exclusively from the iBookstore. Search iTunes for This Old Thing.

Discover more about This Old Thing – http://amzn.to/1oamzip

Join the conversation with @OxfamFashion and @hotpatooties using #THISOLDTHING and #VINTAGEFRIDAY

*Messages will be charged at £3, plus one standard rate message. By texting consent is given to future marketing by Oxfam. To unsubscribe from SMS send NOINFO to 70066′