Thursday 25 June 2009

Hot pink, slate grey and second hand shopping

This is a post totally dedicated to my latest new buys! Just to make one thing clear, I didn't buy all these at once, every little thing has its own story. Let me elaborate...

My new peep-toe flats in slate grey patent. Found myself browsing through H&M one morning, and my eye stopped on them. They where €12,95. I was sold.

Next, we have a simple hot pink cotton skirt, also from H&M. Don't remember the exact price, but it was quite a bargain, too. Because, let's face it, who doesn't need a simple hot pink cotton skirt, right? Jokes aside, I find this will come in quite handy when I want to create a simple, cool summer outfit with just a top and a skirt, and then liven it up with some accessories. I'm thinking of doing a remix post on the ways I can wear it. We'll see..

And here we have one of my Bucharest trip buys, my new grey ALDO bag. I love grey accessories and this is a perfect shade, plus the gold hardware makes it a bit more grown-up, for when I want to look more like a laydee.

It's not real leather, but the quality of its construction makes up for it. This and the amazing pink praisley-print satin interior. God is in the details!

The pièce de résistance, the one I already talked about in this post by Shopping Therapy, my new fuschia strapless fitted dress. Perfect fit, cute colour and an extra pair of straps in case I feel like I need more support, all for just €29, 90. Well, thank you H&M! Now, all I need is an occasion to wear it...
hm_fuschia_strapless_dress
And last, but definitely not least, a pair of Maloles metallic grey ballerina flats. Another pair of flats, you may ask? Well, I see a Maloles pair of flats as an investment.

I will explain more about the company and their shoe-making philosophy in one of my following posts, but for now let me just say that a pair of Zoe ballerina flats, like the ones I got here, retail for over €250. Ouch!

So, how did I get them? Cause I sure as hell didn't pay that much, even though I believe their quality quite justifies the asking price.

Well, my secret is called BOHBO.

I discovered that little second-hand designer goods shop recently, when I covered it as shop of the week for ermoumag. And people, I got hooked! I may not be a labels girl, but one can find some serious bargains in there, including these babies above, which I got for a mere €40. Used yes, but in perfect condition. And it couldn't be any other way, as Mandica, the owner of BOHBO, only brings in items in perfect condition. Do read my shop of the week coverage (in English here) as well as the interview Mandica gave for ermoumag, where she shares lots of fun trivia about the merchandise, her clients and her own thrifting adventures abroad, before she came to Greece and decided to open BOHBO.

So, Greek readers, I'm basically asking you: What do you think of second hand shopping? Granted, here in Greece there are not many second hand shops, designer or not. Moreover, second hand shopping is still considered a taboo in our country. I've already talked about this, in one of my first ever posts, back in April 2008.

More specifically, after you check out the BOBHO shop and Mandica's philosophy I'd love for you to tell me, would you shop there, like I did? Do you shop in other second hand shops in Athens? Do you have any to recommend? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

28 comments:

eleni said...

ooh, i love the hot pink skirt! and the aldo purse! my favoooorite purse of all time i bought there 3 or 4 years ago and it's still in perfect condition, amaaazing quality for little money, what's better than that?!
and i dunno about there, but here second hand shopping is horrible! i live in a pretty small town, so there's not much of a good selection anyways, once i was looking at a belt and it had
something white and nasty on it :S not sure if i wanna know what that was but it turned me off thats for sure... i wanna go vintage shopping in new york or some other big fashionable city one day! thats my dreeam :) who knows, maybe next time i'm in athens i'll check out this store you're talking about!

Elena said...

I wanted to buy the H&M flats as well! They're awesome!!! The skirt is lovely and I looooooove the colour! And I LOVE the Aldo Bag! I LOVE IT!
As for Bohbo I HAVE to go there! I HAVE to!!!!

ShoppingTherapy said...

first of all, the dress is really celeb like indeed!
but that's not the reason my jaw is dropping
maloles?
I drool over them at netaporter or shopbop,but all that money for a pair of flats.
I have to visit bohbo NOW
as you realize I wouldn't mind at all if I found a real bargain like that in a second hand shop.

Annisa Anjani said...

that skirt is hoooooooooooot and anyway i heart the flats. oh yeah i also wants to buy some secondhand things in thrift shops because besides its cheap its good as also! ah you're lucky to have those

check out mine,
http://gutter-exhibition.blogspot.com/

Annisa Anjani said...

that skirt is hoooooooooooot and anyway i heart the flats. oh yeah i also wants to buy some secondhand things in thrift shops because besides its cheap its good as also! ah you're lucky to have those

check out mine,
http://gutter-exhibition.blogspot.com/

Jo said...

It would be so cool if we were more open to second hand shops and not consider them "cheap"...You can find such treasures in there...

Mairyliscious said...

eeeeeeeeeeeee adiko einai akribws ta flat peep toes pu thelw auta apo ta h & m!!! teleia h tsanta mou aresei kai to megethos kai to xrwma ths !!! kai h fousta kai to forema super fouxia sexy things!!!!

Hari K said...

i've read your article for ermoumag and wanted to visit the store. haven't done it so far but definitely will go now!
i love second hand shops!!
i even go to athinas second hand shop (amerikaniki agora!) myrizei nafthalini alla exei akoma kai prom dresses kai exei treli plaka!!!

Πρασινη νεραιδα said...

ενα λιγο ασχετο σχολιο:
οσες φορες προσπαθησα να μπω στο σαιτ του περιοδικου (σχεδον ολες) μου εβγαζε σφαλμα φορτωσης της σελιδας.
ενημερωτικα τωρα αυτο, δεν ξερω αν φταιει κατι στο διακομιστη τους..

Lopi said...

Thanks girls, you should definitely visit BOHBO, and say hi to the little doggy from me!

Mairyliscious: Να τα πάρεις και εσύ αν σου άρεσαν, δεν τα πήρα εργολαβία! :p

πράσινη νεράιδα: το ξέρω, υπερφορτώνεται συχνά ο σέρβερ... πάντως δεν κρατάει πολύ, αν δοκιμάσεις λίγο αργότερα, φτιάχνει το πρόβλημα.

ToKataifi said...

prepi oposdipote apoti vlepo na episkefto afto to katastima...

orees agores... =D
kne 8eloume ena post me to pos 8a sindiasis tn fousta...

K@terina B. said...

haha what if the Malole's initial owner reads the post...!! :P
Ok I have questions...! How does it work? exactly? the system I mean...for ex. I have a gucci bag I go there and she exchange it for money? and how are the prices? that gucci jacket for example?

Lopi said...

How it works: You take your designer goods to the shop, Mandica verifies it is genuine (sometimes she even takes LV bags to the LV boutique for official checking to make sure). If it is genuine and in good condition, you tell her how much it cost you originally and together you decide the asking price. The bag/dress/shoes stay at the shop for about a month, and if they are not sold by then, Mandica returns it back to you.

And read the ermoumag interview, Mandica talks about all that stuff herself!

Thalia said...

i loved both pairs of flats that u got!!!
as well as the bag!!! i like anything grey!!!! as far as 2nd hand is concerned, i was a bit hesitant at the beginning but being in UK so long i got used to it and actually discovered all the "right" shops!!!
its great to have a 2nd hand shop at such a central location!!!!!!

battered couture said...

usually I the items I go for in second hand shops are outerwear and dresses mostly. I remember the old american market opposite the meat market (not the one above it) I had bought a 50's wedding gown for 5000 dracma so that I could dress up as a vampire for the carnival. No need to tell you how much of a succes my costume was. I also bought for 2000 drachma a pin stripe suit. Amazing that was. aaarrrghh..

Marietta said...

I'd love it if they were any second-hand or charity shops.Teleio to ar8ro, pote de 8a fantazomoun oti iparxei tetoio magazi!

ambika said...

I adore that last pair!

Nicci St. Bruce said...

those are the cutest shoes : 0 xx

Jessie said...

Oh my word, I have GOT to have that bright pink skirt! Too bad we don't have an H&M near by. It is so cute, and I really hope to see some wardrobe remixes, bc I'm sure you'll think of lots of great ways to wear it!

Thalia said...

ok ok after seeing the skirt live yesterday i must say that it looks great!!! this picture doesn't do much justice!!!!! hope u ll put some picts of you wearing it!!!

Alice said...

I love love love your blog!First of all you give me some ideas about stuff I haven't tried to wear before! And second, you are a cutie!:)

Christiana said...

I love 2ndhand shops especially charity shops in London but concerning the shoes I have some doubts concerning hygiene rules!! what if For example the previous owner had problems???

DaisyChain said...

I want to steal your new bag. Amazing.

Anonymous said...

to bohbo fainetai apisteuto magazi,elpizw n anoixun k alla paromoia..dn exw agorasei tipota secondhand akoma alla oxi gt distazw,aplws dn exw petuxei tetoio magazi afu pswnizw kuriws voreia k oxi kentro pu uparxun merika..
oso gia tis nees agores,me geiaaa einai ola polu omorfa,latrevw k ta duo fouxia clothes k fusika k ta duo zeugaria flats :)

Mairyliscious said...

nai lopaki mou alla pws afou dn eimai athina kai oute tha erthw suntoma!!
:)*

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

I love your new bag and both your H&M buys. You have to love the steals at H&M!

Stylianee said...

Ppl with european flair or who live abroad would certainly shop second-hand! Thanx for your secret ;)

Unknown said...

OMG! I had been looking for vintage shops in Athens and one friend suggested me Bohbo. Now that I read your post there is no way I'm not visiting it. I really like the hot pink skirt by the way, and the dress. Your blog is pretty amazing and very well organized! I have one as well so if you're interester check it out, I'd be very glad!

http://www.fashionistalooks.blogspot.com/