Car Booty

After my assertion that summer is over and it’s time to wrap up in a cardie and bunker down for the autumn, the sun has popped its crafty little head out for one more go at summer. As excited as I was about donning my woolly socks I am looking on the bright side of this (undoubtedly brief) spell of Indian summer sunshine and gearing up for a weekend of bargain hunting.

I have an addiction. Every Sunday morning (regardless of the state I found myself in on a Saturday night) I am up at the crack of dawn, thermos of coffee in one hand, anorak in the other, a purse full of change,I head off to fields and carparks all around the South East. Before you and your dirty minds jump to the wrong conclusion, my confession is this: I love carboot sales. I can’t get enough. And while the sun is shining this weekend I am off to get the last of the summer bargains.

Now, don’t get me wrong it’s not like you’ll be bagging designer gowns every weekend, sometimes the best you’ll come away with is a sausage butty but if you know what you’re doing its all good fun. Sometimes the thrill of the hunt will mean you come away with the most bizarre outfits, blinded by the bargain. For example, last week I spent £4 on a hideous white gold and brown sequined shoulder padded dress, in the dewy early morning light I was thinking Balmain, I’m now thinking its more drunk gypsy at a late 80’s wedding. However I have however come away on a few good days with a Mulberry handbag, a couple of Vivienne Westwood T-shirts, a pair of Alexander McQueen trousers, a Stella McCartney jacket and a pair of vintage 1970’s cowboy boots! (Admittedly this was not all in one haul but the work of a good season of rummaging)

So, here are my top tips if you want to become a bootfair geek just like yours truly.

 
The early bird catches the worm. Get down there with the regular buyers and sellers and you’ll get the best stock. This will mean dragging your sorry self out of bed at about 6am on a Sunday but just think of the clothes!

 
Dress appropriately. Heels will not cut it. You will probably need wellies, even in summer (by the time the cars have churned up the field its bound to be muddy) Jumpers and anoraks are also a smart move, you’ve got to be practical and no one will be judging you at 6am.

 
Haggle. People selling stuff at car boot sales are usually trying to get rid so you as the buyer are in a good position to bargain. Depending on what you’re buying you usually knock about 10-20% off the asking price (without insulting the seller!)

 
Like vintage shopping it’s important to get to know the regular dealers. In any given area there will probably be two or three regular clothes dealers selling on designer garb. Have a chat, get to know them and they’ll be more inclined to show you their best stock and give you their best prices.

 
Keep an eye out for buttons and brooches; it’s a really cheap way of changing up stuff you’ve already got.

So go forth and bargain hunt! Just don’t use your newly found talent on my turf or there’ll be handbags and dawn!

By Holly Lowe