Viva la recessionista!

BRITAIN: In the UK, the recession has brought out the resourcefulness in those determined to look good despite shrinking budgets. The British recessionista now shops at car boot sales.

People can no longer buy new wardrobes every time the fashion icons change the fads. Nor is it tasteful to do so at a time when throwaway fashion and other signs of excess are definitely out. And so, writes Sophie Eggleton in The Guardian, fashion shows today are full of “forever clothes”, “investment pieces” and “future heirlooms”. Which means less dependence on shops — and “time to unearth a timeless classic in a car-boot sale”.

People can no longer buy new wardrobes every time the fashion icons change the fads.

“People often ask me where I get pieces from and I revel in letting them know they are car-boot buys because I know I’ve got enough money to keep on shopping and, most importantly, they can’t copy my look,” says recessionista Natalie Weatherer.

Last summer, Brits spent more than €1.7 million at car-boot sales. "With so many people losing their jobs and others downsizing, 2009 could be an exceptional year for bargains," says Richard Franklin, who runs carbootcalendar.com , the online list of car-boot sales in Britain. It could also be a fabulous year for those who see money to be made by selling their old clothes.