Sunday 9 January 2011

A Smock & A Tunic(k)


Introducing yesterday's floral smock and silk scarf which I've worn with a 1970's crimped jersey maxi skirt bought for pennies at a jumble sale last year and found lurking in the depths of my wardrobe this morning. The leather and brass eyelet waist belt is stamped Carrs, Australia and was 20p from a car boot sale and the brass jewellery is more of the extensive collection I inherited from my Mum. The brass earrings are hand-crafted and bought from a destitute women's charity in South India.


I do love a vintage man-made fabric. I popped this polyester smock in the washing machine when I got up, hung it to dry next to the woodburner and after my daily session on the Wii Fit it was ready to wear to the supermarket.

A tad overdressed for shopping? Ha! If there's one place you're guaranteed to bump into an ex, an old boss or a long-forgotten schoolfriend then it's Asda on a Sunday afternoon. I'd much prefer them to go back home and say, "That Vix, she's as mad as ever," rather than, "Freaking hell, that one's really let herself go".
I haven't done a close-up for fear of offending anyone of a delicate nature.
Remember the naked photo shoot with Spencer Tunick? Our limited edition photograph arrived with yesterday's post and is now taking pride of place on the mantle piece.

Spencer asked for volunteers at last years' The Big Chill last summer. Seven hundred of us hungover festival goers met at 9am on Sunday, August 8th 2010, stripped off and daubed ourselves (and others) from head to toe in body paint. It was a brilliantly liberating experience and not embarrasing in the slightest, despite the hoards of TV reporters, paparazzi, security guards and bemused festival goers watching from beyond the lake.

The yellow paint didn't half take some scrubbing off, not an easy feat when you're in a communal festival shower.


What with full frontal nudity and my blingy jewellery perhaps I should have called this post, As Bold As Brass.

49 comments:

  1. Dearest Vix, that's so cool you are in the Spencer Tunick picture! I was asked to go to the one they did in the Shoreditch House pool but I didn't get up in time. Typical!

    That tunic looks wonderful!

    Loved your comment on my blog - I didn't realised that Sinitta's mother was Miquel Brown! She looks amazing still. And Weekend chocolates! That took me back - I'd forgotten about them.

    Dying to catch up with you, are you about tomorrow? Love C xx

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  2. Love Spencer Tunick's work, how exciting to be part of one! I too adore vintage polyester and other man-mades - simple as you like to care for. You look fab in that gorgeous top! xxx

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  3. Oh i hear you about dressing up for weekend shopping. You're pretty much guaranteed to bump into someone if you're slumming it!
    And the photo is fantastic Vix. I'm sure it'll take prime position on the mantel. Love it!
    xxx

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  4. ♥♥♥♥♥the scarf and smock. I swear! You can wear anyTHING anyWAY you want to! Don't know how I missed the post about your hip surgery - but if you already weren't my favorite fashion blogger, you certainly are NOW. You're one spunky lady (but I already knew THAT)!

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  5. Wow you look fab as ever and love your Dudley shop finds, the green is so cheery.
    Is the Wi fit good - not that I've got one but need something to motivate me. xx

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  6. I don't like his work unless people are painted. Colour. Colour! COLOUR!

    Your pic looks like a student scarf knitted by someone without much in the way of skills or colour-sense. And is much more interesting for that very reason!

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  7. You look amazing - that skirt gives you endless legs, you lucky girl! I must admit I slum it, but it's camoflage! I had to look twice at the photo - I didn't realise what it was at first, but well done you for having a go x

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  8. How fantastic! Could you actually pick yourself out in the photo? What a great oppotunity! I agree - I would rather be though of as crazy than boring!

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  9. You are beyond funny. Your words bring you straight to the ground, and things are called for their name. You are FANTASTIC!!!!
    At first I thought it was a close up of a type of fabric, until I read that they were bodies...There are lot of crazy ( in a very good way) and generous people out there. A fabulous pic.
    You look very gipsy my dear friend. Love your blouse.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  10. The floral smock looks fabulous on and the silk scarf looks ever so delightful too. This outfit reminds me a little of a fortune teller and has lots of gypsy vibes that I just love. I do wish I looked this good to go to the supermarket! xxx

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  11. Hi my dear-you look fabulous, the whole outfit just looks lovely! Congrats on the picture too, a very cheerful and happy achievement, lol!

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  12. The maxi skirt looks fantastic. The photo is a wonderful momento of such a unique experience - well done you for being so brave! xx

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  13. doing the pic sounds like it was so much fun x

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  14. Wonderful supermarket outfit! You are so right: it's always the supermarket or the post office when you bump into people to impress!

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  15. Vixen--the body-paint and festival photo is so cool. Another something to put on my bucket list.

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  16. I love your blouse - beautiful. Reminds me of when I used to live in 70's polyester at Uni in the nineties - the louder the better. I was always giving people electric shock though - it transmits static electricy brilliantly! :-)

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  17. I'm usually in way too much of a daze when I'm supermarket shopping to notice anyone so that's my excuse for not dressing up when I go there. Well, and that I'm a lazy so and so.

    The smock is fab. Bet it doesn't need ironing either - another laundry bonus!

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  18. Vix, you always have something interesting to tell us... cannot believe you're in that photo somewhere, sans vintage! :)

    Love the maxi skirt by the way - so chic. x

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  19. I totally agree with you, there's nothing wrong with dressing up to go grocery shopping. I love dressing up for work... makes me feel special. Love this outfit, once again. Everything you wear I love!!! x

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  20. Love this outfit, especially the blouse & belt. That's very cool indeed that you got to be part of a Spencer Tunick piece!

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  21. Haha, I just love that photo! I salute you, Vix, I wouldn't have the guts to do it.

    Ah, ze perfect black maxi skirt <3 Loving your jewellery aswell!

    x x x

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  22. Vix! what a dark horse you are posing for that photo! So brilliant that you'll always have that to keep and look back on :) x

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  23. THAT Vix doing 'her daily Wii session' before putting on the most amazing, chic outfit. Who could not love you???? xxx

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  24. Ha ha I too thought the Spencer Tunick photo was of a piece of knitted fabric :D Love the outfit - I would wouldn't I as black is my favourite colour especiaaly when there are splashes or bright colours with it - looking fab as always. xxx

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  25. i am obsessed over this look! gorgeous!

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  26. Naked, painted, had your photo taken and shared the experience with others during a music festival...
    Fantastic!
    I'm back to 1967 (to bad I was not a hippie but a 6 years elementary school girl)

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  27. Oh the blouse is absolutely beautiful, what a find! The nudie picture look fantastic, must have been so much fun! x

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  28. You look so tall in the maxi skirt; the scarf and tunic give it a gypsy feel.
    The photo's a great momento of your photo shoot.

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  29. loving your head wrap!!! I need to do this with the bunches of scarves I have stuffed in my drawer. Can't wait till festival season:)

    xx hali

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  30. Vixcita,
    I love all your amazingly beautiful stories.. Oh mama i thought that was a colorful scarf.. Thats so astonishing and brave of you mi amor.. You and helgita need to write a book of your lifes..you and helga do wonders to all your scarfs and outfits..that skirt is endless batwing vintage poly blouse is so you.. Glad to have discovered you mi gypsy goddess.

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  31. You are just flippin fantastic. That is all x

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  32. Oh. My. God.

    Just when I think you can't possibly get any more fabulous...

    The outfit, yes, spectacular as always - I LOVE the gorgeous patterns on the smock and the scarf.

    And you were in a Tunick shot??? Vix - you are the rockingest!

    Sarah xxx

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  33. That's another outfit of yours that I love/covet/inspired by - and there's already plenty of the blighters! I'm totally with you on vintage crimplene/ polyester etc. - it dries so quickly and with the right cut can be extremely figure flattering.

    Your Spencer Tunick photo is great, you all remind me of a shoal of exotic fish!

    xxx

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  34. What a story, and can't wait for the comments you get when people pop round..."ooh look that's colourful...it's NAKED PEOPLE!!" hehe I love it.

    The tunic has a lovely pattern, and you totally suit a headscarf.

    xxx

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  35. No such thing as overdressed Vix,
    Love this outfit, in my top 5 of yours for sure x

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  36. Wow, what a great photograph! I would love to do a nudie photo shoot, so liberating.

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  37. You're the first person I've met to do one of those shoots - kudos! I love this gypsy fortune teller look - I love the blouse and maxi skirt together. I never thought that about grocery shopping but you have a point!

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  38. That's a great tunic, i love the print!<3

    ♥ kisses ♥

    http://thrilloftheheel.blogspot.com/

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  39. I really liked the print of this top . Which color are you in the pic:-)

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  40. was just passing thru, but loved your post...everything from your outfit to your sense of humor. miutes later and i'm still chuckling about you going mad rather than letting yourself go....love it.

    rockoomph.blogspot.com

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  41. i love that blouse and the stacks of bangles! You look like a glamorous gypsy! =)

    http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

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  42. Gorgeous outfit! You never disappoint. :) And that nude photo is really cool. I personally don't mind a close up. Ha!

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  43. Good on you! The photo turned out great!
    You really made that smock work...it looks fab with the maxi!

    You wouldn't be Vix if you were any other way :)

    x

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  44. I love the fact you are in that photo, just chuffing brilliant.

    I also am taking on board the tip about dressing up and running in to exes. I have no idea why mine seem to be walking down the street in the five minutes I need to go to Tesco Metro in my trackie bums...

    How did you tie your headscarf, it looks beautiful?

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  45. Ah, it's always a pleasure to visit your blog - I adore your maxi skirt and the blouse marries nicely with it too. xx

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  46. I know what you mean, I always like to have my make up and pretty shoes on when I go out! Fab blouse :)

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  47. The tunic is fantastic on. The shape is much nicer than you can tell from the picture previously.

    That's cool you got your picture through. Can't get over the thought of you all trying to decolour at a festival! Crazy!

    x

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  48. wow, this dark hippy-look is perfect on you.
    looove it.

    www.wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  49. Spencer was at the Opera House late last year!

    I agree re dressing up for the supermarket... everyones there! Like hell I'm going to be see in sweats (gross) outside of my house and even then... I don't do baggy, saggy gear.

    I really love this look. LOVE.

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Lots of love, Vix