My vintage guide to Belgium - Weggeefwinkel Leuven ( Huisje van Overvloed )

Today I went to the Weggeefwinkel in Leuven and I loved the experience! Weggeefwinkel translates as the Free Shop and the concept is very simple: you give some things you dont need and you take home as many things as you want from the shop, no money involved. The picture above shows all the things I "bought". Everything is in really good shape and for instance the scarf and the white sandals -very 40s style ;) - are unworn. The people working there were very friendly and they sort the goods in categories, fold them and hang the clothes. I was amazed of how clean things were.

This is what their Facebook page says:

Je kan hier kosteloos een object uitkiezen (of enkele) en zelf spulletjes achterlaten waarvan je denkt dat je er iemand anders een plezier mee kan doen.Bedoeling is overvloed te delen, samenhorigheid en sociale contacten te versterken, het milieu te sparen en ... vreugde te brengen! 

Wie kent dat niet? Van die spulletjes die al jaren onaangeroerd in of op de kast staan, zaken waaraan je gehecht bent maar die je nooit gebruikt of cadeautjes waar je niets mee bent. Er is goed nieuws: je kan er iemand anders blij mee maken!!

Breng ze binnen in de weggeefwinkel (kringloopprincipe) en bouw mee aan dit initiatief waar iedereen beter van wordt . 

Iedereen kan iets uitkiezen. Voor een geliefde, voor zichzelf, of zelfs -waarom niet- voor een wildvreemde. Kijk thuis ook even rond of er iets is dat je zelf graag aan iemand anders schenkt. 

Je mag zo vaak komen als je wilt! Je hoeft niets binnen te brengen, om spulletjes mee naar huis te nemen!!!

Translation (not very accurate since my Dutch is not so good): 

You can choose an object here (or a few) and leave some stuff that you think can do someone else a favor. 

The aim is to share, abundance and togetherness, protect the environment and ... to bring joy to others.

The stuff that has been untouched for years in your closet, things you never use or gifts which you dont like. There is good news: you can make someone else happy! 

Bring them inside the free shop (circuit principle) and contribute to this initiative, which benefits everybody. 

Anyone can pick something. For a loved one, for himself, or even, why not? for a stranger. 

You may come as often as you want! You do not need to bring anything in order to take something home!! 

If you live in Leuven or nearby dont hesitate to pass by. Me? Can´t wait for the next one!

Photo Credit: Weggeefwinkel Leuven Facebook Page

WHEN AND WHERE ?

Twice per month. Dates announced on their Facebook Page and their website

Brouwerstraat 47. Leuven, 3000

CONTACT

Facebook Page

Website

Tip: Take your own shopping bag/tote or trolley...

thrift it!

FALL TRENDS YOU CAN EASILY THRIFT / TENDENCIAS DE VERANO QUE PUEDES CONSEGUIR EN UNA TIENDA DE SEGUNDA MANO

Since I´m moving to Belgium in less than two weeks, I started considering seasonal clothes, not a familiar concept in my very warm, season-less tropical country. Looking for the latest trends for the fall, I got to the conclusion that some of them can be easily found when thrifting. Here are some / Como me voy a mudar a Belgica en menos de dos semanas, empece a considerar a la ropa de acuerdo a las estaciones, un concepto poco familiar en mi muy caliente país que es tropical y sin estaciones. buscando las ultimas tendencias para el otonio, llegue a la conclusión de que algunas prendas se pueden conseguir en tiendas de segunda mano. Aquí les dejo algunas:

Ankle length trousers - Look for a pair in a smooth, light weight wool blend that's relaxed through the thigh but tapered at the ankle. Make them modern by hemming them two inches above the ankle like the one above / Pantalones al tobillo - Busca un par en una mezcla suave y ligera de lana que quede relajado hasta los muslos pero mas angosto hacia los tobillos.

Bright Blazers — Avoid basic black and opt to amp it up with a slightly oversized, double breasted blazer. For fit, find one with a length that hits your mid-thigh. Keep it buttoned to look perfectly polished or unbutton it to show your softer side / Blazer en colores brillantes - Evita el negro basico y opta por amplificarlo con una talla mas grande y cruzado. Busca uno que llegue a mitad del muslo. Úsalo abotonado para lucir pulida o desabotonalo para mostrar tu lado mas suave.

Office Dresses - For an alternative to the typical skirt and jacket combo, try a button up dress with a nipped waist (cinch with a thin belt if necessary). To keep it workplace appropriate, choose one that falls either just above or right below the knee. Steer clear of denim weight cotton or flimsy satin-like material which wrinkles easily and looks cheap / Vestidos de Oficina - para una alternativo al combo de chaqueta y falda, intenta con un vestido abotonado con cintura definida (ajustalo con un cinturo finito si es necesario). Para mantenerlo apropiado para el trabajo, escoge uno que caiga justo sobre la rodilla o bajo la rodilla. Mantente alejada de las telas pesadas o de las muy debiles como el saten, que se arruga facilmente y se ve barato.

Oversized sweaters - Pick one with a cool cable-knit detail or contrasted buttons. Go up a size or check the men's section for one has that just the right amount of cozy / Sweaters grandes - Escoge uno con tejido punto de cable muy cool o botones contrastantes. Sube una talla o chequea la seccion de hombres para encontrar con la cantidad correcta de comodidad.

Chunky Gold Jewelry — Look for bold 80s’s pieces. High five worthy finds include big links and huge animal heads. Paired with a silk scoop necked shirt, let your new animal friend be the icebreaker in any place / Piezas doradas gruesas - busca piezas muy marcadas de los 80. Los hallazgos que merecen un aplauso tienen uniones grandes y grandes cabezas de animales. Unidos con una camisa de seda de escote marcado hacen que tu nuevo animal sea el que inicie las conversaciones en todos lados.

Loafers - Go for the classic look, bells included. Choose any color but caramel and brown are cool, or even a different kind of material, like the ones made of suede look hip. Mary Kate Olsen digs them and who knows more about fashion better than her?/ Mocasines - Intenta el look clasico, con campanitas incluidas. Escoge cualquier color pero en caramelo y marron se ven cool, o inclusive en otro tipo de material como los hechos de gamuza se ven muy modernos. A Mary Kate Olsen le gustan y quien sabe mejor de moda que ella?