Friday 21 August 2009

Car-boot Guide

I wish I bought these - they were £1!

Many of you have asked for advice on bargain hunting at car-boots, so I thought I’d make a short guide!
  • It’s best to get there early so you can snap up items before everyone else sees them.
  • That said, the bargains are usually found at the end! This is when everyone is desperate to get rid of the last things – and they’ll accept very low offers.
  • If you’re looking for vintage clothes, you can spot bright 80s prints from a long way away. This usually indicates that there are other old treasures on the same stall.
  • Be imaginative! That long skirt may not look very nice now, but if you chop a few inches off and rehem it, it could turn into something great! (this applies to charity shops too).
  • If you fall in love with something, buy it – you’ll probably never see it again.
  • And the most important thing - always always haggle! You’ll be surprised how much cheaper you can get things.

For UK residents looking for a carboot sale location, there are many helpful carboot directories on Google. I found this site and this site quite useful.

Happy car-booting!

Sadie xxx

29 comments:

Cait said...

Haggling is key! I read somewhere that silence is the key to good haggling, just say nothing at all. I'm not sure about that, I always start at half what they are asking.

Gorgeous and a brilliant guide.

Elena said...

I hate that we dont have car boots here in Spain!! :(

text machine said...

this is really helpful! it makes me want to come back to the UK and wander around looking at old things.

Amelia said...

Those Rollerblades are so awesome. Even if you don't use them their great decoration.
I wish we had car boot sales in switzerland we don't even have charity shops,vintage shops or even second hand shops...
Meelzy

Unknown said...

Thanks for this post!
Those roller boots are awesome!

sophie la-la-la x said...

thanks for the guide, I've only ever been to one carboot and I was too busy selling that I didn't even have time to look around for any vintage treasures!
beautiful shots

sophie x

www.beautiful-rampage.blogspot.com

suzie said...

super post!
now i just have to go find a carboot sale SOMEWHERE in this city.. small chance haha!

Aya Smith said...

This sale looks amazing! I wish our areas carried such sales... thrifting here is actually pretty sorry, as much as I enjoy it anyway :)

Cloe said...

I could only wish there would be something like this around me.

Also,
I love your blog, and all of your outfits!

Parapluie said...

Oh, this is great!

My Passport to Style said...

Hi Sadie, I love your blog it so original! I will have to become a follower. I think your blog might just become one of my favourites. If you like clothes check me out! Sxox

Carlito86 said...

I'd love to go to these x

Noelle + Kendall said...

awesome rollerblades

-N + K
www.fanseapants.blogspot.com

Amy // The Girl In The Bowler Hat said...

Well thank you for this, I'm actually planning to go sell and buy at a car boot sale in a few weeks time! I'll be taking these into account! Although, I'm too scared to haggle :)

xxxx

Alexandra said...

hi! i have just discover your blog and i have to say that i love your photos!!!

i follow you!

kiss

sophie la-la-la x said...

your blog is so good that I've just had to tag you!

- see my blog for details -


sophie x

Anonymous said...

ahh, i love car boots! xx

Lauren Goddard said...

Just went to one this morning! It was a bad week though, so disappointing! Last week was amazing, mini sewing machine and floral zipper dress were the haul.

x x x

Laura y Lola said...

I love those markets!!

Kavita @ She Wears Fashion - UK style and fashion blog said...

Awesome guide Sadie! And you should have got thwem skates, wow, they're beautiful! You seem to go to very vintage-esque carboots, which i am yet to find. I go to just you know, peoples old crap carboots haha, but there are still some lovely vintage finds. I'm trying to use an old shirt to make into a skirt like you did on a previous post, because it looked that good :) <33

Emma x said...

Brilliant idea for a post, i love your phots too x

Flashes of Style said...

Aww cute skates. I'd love a pair.

Natalie Suarez said...

So i guess "car-booting" is the same thing as "garage sale" here in the USA?? Your blog is amazing, i love it. and those skates are so vintage. would have been cute for decoration or something if they didn't fit! :)

xoxo

colormenana.blogspot.com

Amelia said...

I've always wanted to go to a sale like that. You definitely should have bought the skates! So perfect.

Unknown said...

I wish we had car boot sales here!

M said...

how many cute things there are!

Dodo said...

Its funny that you posted it because I'm not in England and went to a carboot sale. Bought some amazing things!
And definitly too bad you didn't bought the skates. I'm still looking for a descent pair that will keep up with my boyfriend xD

PinkBow said...

oh i always wanted the white roller skates when i was little!

Bea said...

that red and green dress in the picture is incredible, my mouth gaped open a bit!