At Sunshine Thrift we want to encourage seasoned second hand shoppers, as well as beginners, find their second hand style. Finding your second hand style is what transforms your approach to second hand clothes shopping from a purchase here and there to most of your wardrobe being preloved.
Recently, we chatted with Sophia Pria, otherwise known as ReCirculate Style on Instagram, to provide us with a much needed expert guide on second hand style this spring. Sophia’s Instagram is a treasure trove of sustainable style tips, creative inspiration and everyday good vibes.
As we move through Spring and towards Summer, we are inundated with new trends for the summer season, warmer days, holidays and festivals. In amongst this never ending barrage of fast fashion influencing, Sophie’s Instagram offers a refreshing insight into how you can style existing pieces in your wardrobe, new-to-you preloved pieces and also rework items you have fallen out of love with into something you will cherish.
If you’re struggling with your preloved style this spring, are looking for inspiration on how to style some of your wardrobe staples or would like to know more about transforming old clothing into something new, Sophie has kindly shared everything you need to know.
Where did your journey with second hand fashion begin? Was there something In particular which inspired you to get into thrifting?
"I always loved receiving items passed down through the family as they came with sentiment! I don’t really remember my first charity shop experience but it was possibly around 2016 and a few of us from work started to visit local charity shops on our lunch breaks at work.
I remember finding a gorgeous tan, suede, belted vintage jacket for unbelievably cheap and in immaculate condition. I still have it now and it goes with so many outfits! I think finding that one amazing piece really sparked off my passion for thrifting. The love of the hunt for finding amazing quality fabrics and pieces, at affordable prices and that were different to what everyone else was wearing from the high street!"
Do you have any spring wardrobe staple pieces? If so, how do you go about styling the same pieces in different ways?
"I am someone who likes to pack away my seasonal wardrobes as I really enjoy having the excitement of getting them out and feeling new thrill of re-wearing items I haven’t seen for half a year and probably forgotten about! For spring, I have my lighter jackets out.
You cannot go wrong with a white shirt!!
The trench is great over everything, but I particularly like it over a white shirt, red shorts and trainers, it gives me a bit of an edgier look combining classy and sporty together.
The black suede bomber is a shorter jacket but also has timeless cool! I wear it over jeans and a nice top, jorts and boots or a simple black dress for totally different vibes.
You cannot go wrong with a white shirt!! Two of my favourites are an oversized thrifted GAP linen shirt that looks great with absolutely anything! And a Burberry fitted one that I thrifted in Ludlow a few years ago. These both create different silhouettes and so versatile to allow for different looks."
Is there anything in particular which is inspiring your second hand style so far this spring?
You’re the master at reworking denim into cool and functional pieces that soon become wardrobe staples! What advice would you give to someone who is interested in reworking their clothes? Is there a particular skill set required?
"Literally just try it!! I do have a degree in Fashion Studies so I covered all aspects from pattern cutting to illustration, design, sewing and marketing. But I followed the design route for my career and didn’t touch the other aspects for years!
My husband bought me a sewing machine two years ago and I didn’t remember a thing! I have just been teaching myself, watching a few tutorials and honestly, just trying! Sometimes its successful and sometimes its not lol.
We had tickets to go to the Moncler Art of Genius Show in London and I decided to remake myself some patchwork jeans to wear. I cut up some of our old jeans and thrifted some charity shop ones and just started sewing them all together to create an extreme wide leg.
I had some leftover denim, so I stitched up a matching bag and created a design on one of my husbands’ old shirts to tie in, which he then wore. They are far from perfect, but they are so special to me because I made them, and no one else has anything like them!
I get so many ideas for reworking and upcycling projects and not enough time around my career, being a mum, wife and personal life to do them all currently. I have a big pile of clothes to adjust or rework and I just snatch small parts of the week to do a little bit more!
Anyone can upcycle clothes! My current ongoing project is a thrifted pair of heels that I am upcycling with all my denim scraps. Literally just using fabric glue and sticking them on! Hand embroidery is another good option for adding interest to existing pieces or covering faults or stains! Don’t be afraid to just cut off the sleeves of an old top you don’t reach for and tying some ribbons on the shoulders to transform it! Just go for it!"
Do you have a favourite spring piece or outfit at the moment? If so, what is it about this particular piece or outfit that has you returning time and time again?
"My current favourite outfit is a pair of thrifted striped, Linen Poetry trousers with a second hand gingham Zara dress over the top! I have had both items for a couple of years and only recently discovered that they look great together. We’ve had a fairly mild spring so far, so this outfit has been perfect for a casual, easy wearing and comfortable look whilst still feeling stylish!"
