Snag a stylish steal at your charity shop with advice from Dolly Theis

For many of us, the journey to a charity shop is a one-way street. We visit our local shop to donate items, but do we actually take time to scour the rails for a bargain?

Dolly Theis, a fashionable individual working in London is a firm fan of charity shops. I know Dolly through my work in politics and digital comms, and her Instagram and Twitter feeds are two of my favourites! Dolly's charity shop advice is in high demand, and she has recently started to run charity shopping days, taking friends to some of her best haunts in London to scour out the best buys! For those of you who don't live in London, Dolly shares her advice and charity shop story below.

When did your interest in shopping at charity shops begin?

I used to go to charity shops as a child, but my interest really began when I started working for Baroness Anne Jenkin. I met her in 2010 at her Women2Win (an organisation supporting Conservative women to run for Parliament) event with the late Baroness Thatcher. Here was this inspiring woman dedicating her life to elevating other talented women in politics, who looked amazing in head to toe second hand clothes. She despises waste of any kind and when I worked for her in Parliament as her researcher people always commented on her brilliant outfits and to their surprise, she would say 'I found this in a charity shop in Essex,' or 'I got this for £2.99 on EBay!' So I started visiting my local charity shops and never looked back!

What difference has it made to your shopping habits, approach to fashion and outlook on social/ethical issues?

Shopping in charity shops is the best thing ever. You find top quality clothes (often with the labels still on) for under a tenner. You waste and spend much less. But best of all, there is a strong community element to charity shopping. Charity shops rely on dedicated volunteers and it means there is such a wonderful atmosphere. They are always so relaxed, full of laughter, with everyone chatting to each other. My favourite memory was when Yarna, who works in a British Red Cross, was blasting Earth, Wind and Fire as the Charity Shopping Club shopped. We were all dancing, singing and trying outfits on, it was brilliant!

What has been your best charity shop find?

I love the charity shop crawl in Victoria and Pimlico as British Red Cross, Fara, Oxfam, Sue Ryder, Royal Trinity Hospice and others are all within a couple of minutes of each other. In British Red Cross, I bought a suede black Bally dress for £35. I looked up the original price and it was a whopping £1800!! Now if that’s not a reason to go charity shopping, then I don't know what is?! One Christmas I also bought my father a Hermes tie from Fara on Warwick Way for just £15.

Where are the best areas of London/UK to shop at charity shops?

The Londonist published a great article about the best 6 best charity shopping places in London, but my personal favourites are Pimlico/Victoria, Kentish Town, Tunbridge Wells and even my local village charity shop in Sussex, the Celia Hammond Animal Trust in Wadhurst, is packed full of amazing things. However, I would also highly recommend Oxfam Online. It’s incredible and you can search for stuff in your size and by brand which makes things a lot easier.

What do your charity shop days involve and how can readers get involved?

The Charity Shopping Club sessions are arranged on an ad hoc basis. People can contact me to join on Twitter and Instagram. I send round a running order of the day before so people can join anytime and know where we'll be throughout the day. We usually start around 11am, go to a couple of shops, then stop for lunch before carrying on till everyone shopped-out. It’s very relaxed and fun, and everyone helps pick stuff out for each other.

What are your top tips for shopping successfully at charity shops?

I have found that so many times I have specific items in mind, and then go into a charity shop and find pretty much the exact thing I was looking for. In terms of top tips, my first is to be open to what you may find. Secondly, you can afford to be fussy. Thirdly, I would recommend looking through rails systematically. Often the real gems are hidden. And finally, try stuff on that you wouldn't normally choose. That’s the great thing about buying stuff so reasonably priced - you can afford to experiment with style. I get the girls to do that in the Charity Shopping Club and so many of them fall in love with and buy pieces they said they would never normally try, and they look absolutely stunning!

Who are your style icons?

My three major style icons are Grace Kelly, Moza bint Nasser and Ralph Lauren.

Dolly Theis

Infographic: All of Theresa May's Clothes Since Becoming PM

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We know Theresa May is a stylish leader, but what do her sartorial selections really suggest? I decided to take a deeper look at the clothes and accessories she has been wearing since becoming Prime Minister.

Focusing on public appearances and official photographs since July 2016, I've put together this infographic analysing all of Theresa May's clothes since becoming Prime Minister. From the steps of Downing Street to her Maidenhead constituency, I've taken a look at Theresa May's favourite shoes, her most worn accessories and the outfits she has turned to time and time again.

Here's what I found: 

• Amanda Wakeley is Theresa May's most frequently worn designer. She has worn a piece from the British legend almost 75% of the time between July and December 2016. 
• Theresa May's favourite colour is navy. At almost 45%, this 'true blue' staple forms the majority of the PM's tailored dresses and smart suits. 
• Russell & Bromley wins the battle for the Prime Minister's most loved shoe brand. She wore a shoe from this British institution 46 times between July and December 2016.
• Theresa May wore the Divine flat by Russell & Bromley the most during her first six months as Prime Minister. This was closely followed by the black embroidered heel by Issa x LK Bennett and the red patent Minu kitten heel by the same retailer. 
• And unsurprisingly, Theresa May is championing British designers with Amanda Wakeley, Anya Hindmarch and Halcyon Days as her staples. 

But what was surprising about the data? 

• Leopard wasn't the winner in the shoe stakes. In fact, sparkly adorned footwear and patent numbers were worn more by Theresa May during her first six months in office. 
• And the Prime Minister's trademark kitten heel was also given a rest during July-December 2016. Theresa May wore a range of fancy flats and loafers almost 45% of the time. 
• We obsessed about the chunky silver chain necklace by Amanda Wakeley that Theresa May wore when she entered Downing Street. But, the traditional pearl necklace was her favourite accessory during her first six months, with May choosing freshwater or a bubblegum style pearl 37% of the time. 

So what does this suggest about Theresa May's style since becoming Prime Minister? 

She is undoubtedly a champion of British fashion and design, relying on established designers like Amanda Wakeley to form the bulk of her wardrobe. She has her staples, and she relies on them for public appearances, state functions and to keep her stylishly chic for the day to day running of the country. Similarly, May knows what works for her and the prominence of Russell & Bromley for example, shows just how beloved the brand is to our Prime Minister.

Whilst May is predictable in her choice of designers and colour palette, she has mixed it up during her first six months in office. The choice of Dolce and Gabbana for footwear to the Pride of Britain Awards and a daringly thigh high cut evening dress by Amanda Wakeley showed just how much fun she likes to have with what she wears.

Theresa May has made many a fashion headline since July, and as we enter a new year full of political challenges, perhaps the focus on her clothes will be a welcome respite. As a blogger who has closely followed our Prime Minister's wardrobe for six months, even I was surprised by what the data revealed. Theresa May is an interesting leader and I'm looking forward to seeing what 2017 holds for this fashionable figure.

I'd love to hear what you think of this infographic - share your thoughts with me in the comments or on Twitter! View the full infographic here.

The new Prime Minister's stylish first week

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UK politics has experienced a seismic shift over the past month. The decision to leave the EU in the referendum caused a change of Government and our second female Prime Minister- Theresa May.

The new Prime Minister has been in office a little over a week. She's picked her new Cabinet, visited Scotland, Wales, Germany and France as well as answering her first Prime Minister's Questions. I was in the gallery in the Commons Chamber for the latter, and believe me, it was as explosive in real life as it looked on the TV.

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I was asked by German news outlet Deustche Welle to comment on Theresa May's sense of style, a question which I have been asked quite alot recently. A common response from people is 'Oh, that's a sexist thing to be asking,' or 'You wouldn't be commenting if the Prime Minister was a man.' Maybe we wouldn't, but there would still be an interest in their personality, what they enjoy to do in their private time and with much probability, an interest in what clothes their spouse or partner was wearing.

Personality forms a big part of our modern political environment. The dominance of the 24 hour news cycle, social media and blogs like this one have all pushed this interest, and consequently, we all want to know everything about our elected officials and their families.

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Take Theresa May. She's interesting because we don't know too much about her. In her campaign launch speech she said she is a 'hard worker, [who] doesn't tour Parliament's bars and doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve.' We heard a little about her family and more about her record as Home Secretary. During her time as Conservative Party Chair and Home Secretary what we did find out was her love of fashion, and in particular shoes. She's partial to a bit of leopard, a good handbag and oversized necklaces. Russell & Bromley is one of her favourite places to shop and a Conservative Party donor once paid £17,500 to go on a shoe shopping trip with her. So lucky! Her choice of an Amanda Wakeley outfit as she entered No 10 will be iconic for many reasons, with the pop of neon sunshine yellow on a traditional navy dress and coat a sign of optimistic change.

Theresa May will be expected to and will deliver on the commitment to British fashion during her premiership. Attention on this side of her role will be greater than her female predecessor Margaret Thatcher, who was known to wear her now iconic suits and pussy bow blouses from British designers such as Burberry and Aquascutum. May has already shown her love of UK fashion, with her Black Watch tartan two piece Vivienne Westwood making many headlines. Similarly, her choice of sparkly Russell & Bromley loafers (of which I own a pair,) has demonstrated her playful side and reconfirms that you can be a powerful, professional woman and have fun at the same time.

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Whether they freely admit it or not, many working women will be closely watching what Theresa May wears. Her choices will be scrutinised more than ever, and there will be a demand to know what she's wearing and who it is by. This change brings great opportunity for bloggers like myself, and you can expect regular posts and analysis throughout May's time in office as well as exploring the sartorial choices of other female members of the Prime Minister's government.

There's not been a more exciting time to follow the powerful and stylish worlds of politics and fashion. With Theresa May as Prime Minister in the UK, Angela Merkel as Chancellor in Germany and the possibility of Hillary Rodham Clinton as President in the USA, women are truly in charge.

Here's what the Prime Minister wore this week...

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Scotland: navy cardigan coat and trousers; white cami top; patent red shoes from LK Bennett.

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Wales: red dress; white cardigan jacket; LK Bennett x Issa Parrot pumps.

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Prime Minister's Questions and Germany: navy tailored skirt suit; white cami top; LK Bennett leopard pumps.

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France: black dress and tailored jacket; oversized chain necklace, LK Bennett x Issa Parrot pumps. 

If you want to score a little May style, then these navy and neon yellow trim pants from Amanda Wakeley are currently on sale!

Julien MacDonald designs bespoke dress for the Fashion for the Brave catwalk finale

Fashion for the Brave

The Fashion for the Brave black tie charity gala at The Dorchester on Friday 8th November promises to be a night to remember, with Julien MacDonald showing his support for the injured soldiers of the Household Cavalry by designing an exquisite bespoke dress exclusively for the event.  The dress, referencing the Union Jack, will be unveiled and modelled by Abbey Clancy on the steps of The Dorchester on Friday afternoon.

Abbey will also be wearing the signature piece in the catwalk show element of Fashion for the Brave - leading the finale in the bespoke dress and a beautiful red lace glove from Sheeva.

Fashion legend Hilary Alexander OBE has created an extraordinary show for the black tie event, featuring the Best of British fashion, and says of the event, “Fashion for the Brave is the absolute apogee of British fashion all in one place, at one time, one dazzling evening in aid of the Household Cavalry and Soldiering On - the 2013 show is going to be sensational!"

Make up has been generously provided by Laura Mercier and hair by Paul Edmonds, Sponsors of this year’s event include The Dorchester, Laurent Perrier Champagne and Sheeva Moshiri.

HRH Princess Beatrice is patron of the event, and will be attending to show her support for the injured soldiers of the Household Cavalry and for the work of Soldiering On, a charity helping injured soldiers throughout life.

Designers who have kindly lent pieces for the fashion show include Alexander McQueen, Marchesa, Hackett, Emilia Wickstead, Jenny Packham, Temperley, Beulah, Jonathan Saunders, Richard Nicoll, Simone Rocha, JW Anderson, Sibling, Henry Holland, David Koma, Holly Fulton, Burberry, Moloh, Hackett, Sheeva, Mulberry, Paul Smith, Michael Van Der Ham, David Koma and Todd Lynn.

For more information click here.

Reel Style: House of Cards, Claire Underwood

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I love House of Cards for many reasons, and the style of Claire Underwood (played by Robin Wright) is one of them!

How can you achieve her refined and perfectly polished look?

Notte by Marchesa beaded silk and satin dress

Christian Louboutin Pigalle 120 leather pumps

Burberry London Cotton blend shirt

Halston Heritage Crepe coat

Fendi 2 Jours medium textured leather shopper

What's your favourite aspect of Claire's style?

Body of Proof: Fashion Favorites

Body of Proof may have ended, but its fashion legacy will live on! The show has made wearing 4inch+ shoes to work (and particularly crime scenes,) absolutely acceptable, as well as matching a mix of colorful high and low designer fashion.

Body of Proof inspired me to reassess my own wardrobe, filling in the gaps with stand out classic pieces that will stand the test of time. The show encouraged me to splurge in a little Alexander McQueen, Prada as well as finding similar pieces on a more affordable budget.

So what were my favorite looks from the series?

This Alexander McQueen scarf is so fantastic that I purchased one for my own wardrobe!

This orange riding jacket from Prada was a stunner to open Season 3.

This Tory Burch Emmy Leather Jacket is also one of my favorites- too bad I missed a chance to purchase it!

Megan Hunt wears a great color palette, and this striking red coat with side button detail (left) and this purple and red cardigan are simply perfect.

The Prada Saffiano bag has to be one of the show's standout pieces. Megan has it in both red (above,) black and in Season 3, debuted a patent purple model. I invested in the black version earlier this year, and whilst it was expensive, I know the bag will last for a lifetime.

Other standout looks is this great Alexander McQueen number from the Season 2 premiere, and these great leopard pumps from Series 3. I took the plunge and purchased a similar pair from J Crew!

Megan's accessories are always classic with a twist, and these cat's eyes sunglasses are a great indicator of the character's personality.

I've interviewed Body of Proof Costume Designer Susanna Puisto for Political Style on two occasions (here and here,) and it's great to hear about her favorite pieces!

"This green velvet blazer by Gucci scored high in our Costume Department, as did the burnt orange over the knee boots."

"Skinny pants and jeans were also some of my favorite looks to dress Dana in,"said Susanna. I personally love the purple and green combo (especially with the patent Prada bag,) and the black and purple is a great look for a dress down day at the office.

"This Ann Demeulemeester black asymmetric velvet coat is a firm favorite amongst the Costume Department, and it is great to re-use pieces from Season 1 and 2."

"This turquoise leather trench coat by Burberry was a favorite of my assistant, Caroline!"

"We all loved this orange cape that made a welcome comeback in Season 3,"Susanna revealed. It's one of my faves too!

Susanna is perhaps most proud of three couture dresses that she designed and created along with her team for Season 2. "I designed a purple silk charmeuse that Megan wore for a dinner with her mother, the green silk dress for the medical awards ceremony (above,) and a great purple tweed dress (also above) with Esther Hamboyan who created the dresses for the film The Artist. It was a joy to see them on screen!"

The big question... what were Dana Delany's favorite costumes?

"Dana loved this gorgeous orange dress by L'Wren Scott, and these pair of red candy apple pumps by Prada. In fact, she loved anything that was by Prada!

Megan-Hunt.com/Susanna Puisto

What are your favorite looks from Body of Proof?