Style Chat #1: Gaby Foley, and her love for charity shops

My friend Gaby - effortlessly cool without realising it, can style up pretty much anything. She can wear a rainbow crochet top with a bright pink jacket and somehow not look twelve years old, but instead, like a really fun and kooky individual. Maybe it's the relaxed and positive attitude she exudes, or maybe she really is just that  cool. I decided to snap some photo's of her on a casual day out in the Summer, and talk to her about why she wears what she wears, where she gets her inspiration from, and her favourite charity shops. 

Kat: Hi Gabz, where would you say your favourite place to shop for unique clothes in London is?
Gaby: I mainly like to shop in charity shops around London, for example in Hammersmith, Richmond and Ealing, and whenever I'm out and about in London and see one, I'll pop in and have a look. I also really love vintage and thrift stores. I like going to The East End Thrift Store in Stepney Green, and also to shops in Brick Lane and Covent Garden,  like Rokit and Blitz, and to vintage markets.

Kat: Thats ace! And where did you find this amazing pink jacket?
​​Gaby: I almost forgot, another love of mine - car boot sales! I found this jacket at the Chiswick car boot sale for a quid. Screw Topshop - car boot sales are where it's at!

Kat: What do you think most influences your style? Pop culture, music, other people?
Gaby: Mostly other people, I guess. When I'm walking around and I see someone wearing something I like, I try to remember it and then  look out for something similar.  I also watch quite a lot of tv shows set in the 70's, 90's and early 2000's, and so that gives me inspiration as well!

Kat: If you had to pick one charity shop to be your favourite, which would it be?
Gaby:  Kat, I can't give  away my secrets like this - I'll be clotheless!  But honestly, I don't really have one.  I guess one I really like in particular is Octavia Foundation in Ealing. It's always really cheap but with cool, individual items.

Kat: And lastly, what are your everyday staple pieces?
Gaby: Thats actually quite a difficult question, to be honest. I think I usually base any outfit with a denim item, and sort of work around it. And obviously that varies season to season. I really like mom jeans and flared trousers (a nod to the 70's and 90's seperately), and I have one pair of vintage Calvin Klein mom jeans that I found at a charity shop in Richmond that I love. I prefer them to Levi 501's as they're more comfortable and seem to suit me better. I guess another staple of mine is thrifted printed t-shirts, and items with bright colours, like knitted jumpers and jackets, so items that make any outfit pop.

I'm hoping to make StyleChat a regular segment of the blog - so keep posted for more coming soon! Thank you to Gaby Foley for her time and face - you're fabulous, chica.
#galsRgoals