A FORMER airline cabin crew worker says stop-overs in fashion centres like Milan are part of the inspiration for her Peebles pre-loved clothing store.

Susan Tait, of Edinburgh Road, opened ‘Armoire’ – which specialises in good quality pre-owned outfits and accessories – on the town’s Eastgate last Saturday.

Items range from a humble Hobbs £12 skirt up to a £450 Bulgari handbag.

Ms Tait, 60, said: “I have taken a 10-year lease and am confident the concept, which is based on a 50/50 split with sellers, will work. It is also about sustainability.

“We sell ladies’ designer wear and luxury high street brands but it will not be vintage as everything is up to the minute. Peebles people have already brought me some beautiful items and my opening day was very busy.

“I tend to take what I like and aim to have a mixture of items to cater for all ages and sizes.”

In a varied career Ms Tait worked in her father’s printing business for 20 years before joining Flyglobespan and latterly Monarch Airlines, as a member of cabin crew, aged 40. She enjoyed flying to European capitals and beach resorts for 12 years.

This was followed by four years in house sales including for Persimmon at South Parks.

Ms Tait said: “I have always had an interest in fashion and, travelling with the airlines, occasionally spent time in places like Milan.

“Another inspiration is a Cheshire pre-loved shop owner who posts great videos online.

“Clients’ items are sold on commission basis with a 50 per cent split and clothing goes on the hanger for 12 weeks.

“I’d always wanted to open a shop and had been looking for the right one for some time but kept being pipped at the post before finding Armoire’s home on the sunny side of the street.

“My partner is a kitchen fitter and he worked really hard on the interior fit-out with all the signage, lettering for the name, contracts and business cards being made by Lemon Digital in Cavalry Park, which keeps it local.

“My labels are all handwritten which is much more stylish than using printed ones.”

Ms Tait joins Steffy’s Boutique selling vintage clothing and Graham McGrath’s men’s outfitters on Eastgate.