Charity Shops and Designer Sales

Fashion: Noun: 1. a popular trend, especially in dress. 2. the production and marketing of new styles of clothing and cosmetics. This is how the Oxford Dictionary defines fashion. But when you say London and fashion in the same breath the connation that comes to mind is usually expensive boutiques thronged with frantic shoppers clutching designer bags. However, London does have some cheap alternatives worth checking ou

Designer Sales

Considered by many as the best designer sale in London, Designer Sale UK has over 140 rails from over 70 of the top designer houses with savings of between 40-90% off retails prices. And, you have plenty of time to plan ahead as this event is from 5-7th September 2008 - www.designersales.co.uk .

Charity Shops

Victoria Beckham has shopped at Oxfam. It's not so unusual for find celebrities in London occasionally forsaking the designer stores for something more lateral. Successful charity shopping is best treated as a fun day out with the notion that finding a bargain will be a bonus. But it's amazing what you can find if you look carefully enough in some of London's charity shops. Marylebone High Street has 3 such shops - while Oxfam on New Bond Street is the only menswear charity shop in London. You can find the British Red Cross in upmarket Chelsea and Crusaid in Victoria. For the low down on your nearest charity shop click no further than: www.charityshops.org.uk .

Bargain Market

Leather Lane market is in the heart of city and yet is almost unknown to the legions of tourists who visit London each year. This is THE place to head for if you're looking for rock bottom prices for skirts/shoes/hand bags/jackets Lunch time - with office workers enjoying a liquid grazing nearby - is the best time to visit as this is when the market is most alive. Take the tube to Farrington. Leather Lane, EC1N: Monday-Friday 10am-2pm.

Vintage to Contemporary Fashion

Think affordable prices. Then get the tube down to South Kensington and let your Jimmy Choos guide you to 17 Elystan Street (Sign of the Times) - the definitive haven for vintage and contemporary fashion. Tops/jeans/bags/shoes that will leave you with enough change to put towards a diamond ring.

Hybrid Feather Duster Swap

Make sure you are wearing clan underwear. When the klaxon sounds this is the signal for you to swap something you're wearing for something you like off a fellow party-goers back. Hybrid stage regular 'feather duster' events to help you de-congest your creaking wardrobe and unload those reckless impulse buys onto someone else - www.myspace.com/hybirdproductions .

Cabbages and Frocks Market

For fashionistas who love bargains but can't face the Sloane street handbags-at-dawn routine then head to www.cabbagesandfrocks.co.uk in Marylebone Village. Open every Saturday from 11am-5pm this is one of the best fashion markets in London. New designers and cottage industries are also represented here and there's also food from macaroons to fine cheeses. Held in the sedate surroundings of Marylebone Parish church grounds. Blue rinse optional.