Tuesday 8 March 2011

You & Me and a Waistcoat



Here's that You & Me cotton lawn maxi dress I snaffled for 20p from Saturday morning's jumble sale, freshly washed and ironed.

Saturday's sneak peek!


I do love a vintage label.




I made the waistcoat from a 1971 McCall's pattern last year, the fabric was leftover from a pram coat my Mum made for me as a baby and I found in my parents' attic. I lined the waistcoat with a vintage silk damask curtain from a jumble sale. I usually wear the waistcoat fastened with a leather thong but the pintuck detail on the dress was far too pretty to hide.

I love this pattern, I'm tempted with a long waistcoat and some hot pants.

Gratuitous jewellery close-up complete with nails painted in Barry M's Turquoise.


From left: Turquoise & silver (courtesy of my dear Helga), Giant turquoise chip (Jon commissioned for my 35th birthday), 1970's dress ring (Inherited), Channel Islands sand pendant (Salvation Army), Art Nouveau lady (Courtesy of darling Kitty), Silver tribal ring (Goa, India), Middle-Eastern Lapis Lazuli in silver (treat for passing my Eleven Plus from my Dad)

Vintage maxi dress worn with a hand-made waistcoat, battered leather boots (local market selling Schuh seconds £5) and vintage leather bag (Jumble sale 20p)
Happy International Women's Day!

In the States, Hilary Clinton launched the "100 Women Initiative: Empowering Women and Girls through International Exchanges", last night. In the Black Country I had my own international exchange this morning by chatting to the fabulous Kitty and her gorgeous little girl, VB on Skype and to beautiful Sarah Misfit on MSN Messenger.

57 comments:

  1. Just as beautiful on as it is on the hanger, what a dress. You should definitely make a long waistcoat, I still have a long quilted Indian print waistcoat from the 60s at home in Oz, I wore it all the time when I was at uni. I must get myself back onto MSN so I can get in on the chatting action xx

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  2. gorgeously-sumptious maxi and nails(sublime:)!

    xoxox

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  3. "I usually wear the waistcoat fastened with a leather thong..."

    I read that as you wear a leather thong and just the waistcoat, fastened, to cover your bits!

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  4. The waistcoat is a great piece to wear with this maxi & your turquoise accessories & nails are great with it, too.

    I KNEW that dress was a winner when I saw it folded up in an earlier post!

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  5. I have often looked at that ring of yours from Goa (you wear it often, much to my appreciation) and wondered where I could get a similar one from . And now that I see that it's from a place so close to home, I am positively dancing at my desk! I AM, in fact, going to Goa next month. Will look out for gorgeous rings as the ones you wear.

    And also, you're a diva.

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  6. Wonderful find and I love the long waistcoat pattern - you must make one. It was wonderful to get the jewellery run down. I must send you some xx

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  7. That dress is stunning, the detailing is immaculate. You & Me is such a lovely name for a brand too.
    The waistcoat really does make for a great make, I really wish I had the patience and skills to make my own clothes xxx

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  8. oh what a lovely outfit, and i love to see all your jewellery!
    i think you should definitely make a long waistcoat! :)

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  9. Oh, I do wish I could sew! How talented you are! I love it and your gorgeous Turquoise rings!
    Thank you for your oh so sweet comment on my blog!
    Hope you have a wonderful day!
    xo
    gi gi

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  10. Oh you absolutely must go for the long waistcoat and hotpants look (preferably with those ace platform boots of yours) - you've got such killer legs.

    That maxi looks amazing. Lawn, pintucks and a bit of broderie anglaise trim (if that's what it is?) is such a winning combination.

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  11. Your jewelery is so gorgeous, love the way it looks with the turquoise nail varnish as well!
    ps. please do a long waist coat and hot pants...

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  12. I have that VERY nail varnish and am bonkers about turquoise. I have a very old necklace of rebored 'flawed' turquoise that look like loads of little planet earths strung together.

    Plus, working in Mexico, hubby brings home unusual silver bits and bobs - usually with turquoise in it somewhere!

    Great look with the waistcoat!

    Ali

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  13. Hi my dear-what a stunning look, the dress was an amazing and gorgeous buy and I love how you've paired it with that wonderful hand made waistcoat! Just adore the silver and turquoise, your hands look fabulous. Great to have those International chats too!!

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  14. The maxi and the waistcoat are a match made in vintage heaven. I enjoy reading about the history behind the waistcoat! As well I as all of your rings and finding out where they came from and whom gave them to you!!!

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  15. You can't go wrong with a maxi in my book and I love the way that you've re-fashioned your pram coat into the waistcoat. As for all that silver and turquoise jewellery (and nail polish)- wonderful! xxx

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  16. Mmm, I love turquoise, one of my fave colours. Another gorgeous outfit Vix, that dress is lovely.

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  17. Wow, the dress is just beautiful and even more so on you with those lovely locks. I can't get over it being 20p. Amazing find vix
    x

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  18. I like how you paired green accessories and green nails with ur gorgeous dress. Its small things like these that make you such a awesome dresser. The jacket is also perfect length. You look fabulous!

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  19. Amazing dear!
    Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! <3

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  20. O,I looooove that frock! Very Picnic at Hnaging Rock! So funky with the waistcoat!! Yep,a long waistcoat would be fabulous!!!
    All that gorgeous jewellery looks soooooo divine!! Each detail;the boots,the bag,the hair-perfect!
    LOVE! Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  21. Isn't it wonderful when we can transform one thing into another? Great waistcoat, Vix, you're way talented! And it goes perfecty with the romantic dress. xxx

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  22. That dress is just fantastic! Very jealous!! Love the nails, too. Barry M is my fave.

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  23. This is your best dress ever, ahhhhhhh you look like an angel my dear Vix.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  24. I love this outfit! Hope you are having a great night xxx

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  25. Fab outfit! Adore the rings too.

    X x

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  26. What a lovely long flowing some what Victorianesque dress!

    I love that pendant necklace! So many pretty jewels! xxx

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  27. You look like an Angel amor.
    waist coat and tan shoes,bag look lovely with your vestido.I adore all your jewelry
    your a total fashionista!

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  28. Such a beautiful dress (so hippie-chic-faerie) and love your rings and nail polish!, so great ensemble!
    You're always awesome!
    besos

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  29. I just love your nails-and-rings combination! Beautiful. And of course, the dress and waistcoat are perfect. x

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  30. Gorgeous Maxin but I love your nail color the most!!!

    Tanvi
    from © tanvii.com

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  31. Sweet and lovely outfit ! I love the blue/green touch on your hands !
    http://selenite.weebly.com/

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  32. Lovely dress and v cute waistcoat, excellent sewing! :)

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  33. All those rings are gorgeous, and the green nail varnish looks great with them.

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  34. Oh you are PERFECTION as always Vix! That frock is (as Lady Helga says) very Picnic at Hanging Rock - how divine! And I adore the waistcoat and the accessories - you're so clever. I would also love to see you in a floor length waistcoat - perhaps in a vertical stripe?

    Sarah xxx

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  35. I love the ring your dad gave you. Did you tell him what you wanted or has he got the same amazing taste that you do? Love this look, by the way, I was trying to think what it reminded me of before Helga said 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'. Amazing xx

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  36. Your style never disappoints. An enchanting outfit.

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  37. When you open a shop let me know coz you have the bestest awesomest stuff ever.

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  38. tu est superbe, et j'adore ton look, cette robe est vraiment très belle, j'aime beaucoup, et tes bagues sont magnifiques

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  39. Oh my, I thought of picnic at hanging rock too! You look divine, as per. usual...I must get me some barry!!

    My favourite ring is the one that Jon had made for your birthday...beautiful AND sentimental!

    Xx Claire

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  40. You, plus waistcoat, retro pretty maxi dress (I may have had one like it), gratuitous jewlery, vibrant Barry M (I don't think we get that here)EQUALS awesomeness! Honestly I love the way you put things together, such sublime talent! Loved reading all your posts.

    xo Bonnie

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  41. Dearest Vix, the dress is totally AMAZING!!!! It could have been made for you. I love all the jewellery and your turquoise nails they are perfect with it. We must have a catch up this week. Love you xx

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  42. Gorgeous, gorgeous dress, just as I knew it would be from the previous peak we got of it. Love all the jewelry you're wearing with it.

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  43. You look stunning, its as if the dress was made especially for you, such detailing.I love waistcoats, I do like to add vintage buttons to mine if they're not old just to make them special.Well done for making yours, I def think you should try making the long one for wearing with hot pants.

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  44. That dress is perfect for you, absolutely perfect. Maybe the best 20p you have ever spent!

    Carol x
    www.mystylisms.blogspot.com

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  45. You are right, the pintucks on that dress are just too good to hide. Yet another amazing vintage frock!

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  46. Dear Vix, that maxi dress is perfect on you and looks fabulous with the waistcoat and your gorgeous collection of rings, you look beautifully ethereal.
    XXX

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  47. Was waiting to see this dress on and it is even more gorgeous than I imagined. Love that green pendant you're wearing with it. xx

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  48. You look stunning and so graceful in that dress the cut is just beautiful on you. I love your waistcoat of memories to what a lovely idea. You should so make a long version you really do suit this style, dee x

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  49. You look gorgeous from head to toe...

    I love maxi dresses and this one's perfect, especially with the little waistcoat. So sweet that you made it out of the same fabric as the coat that your mother made for you when you were little.

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  50. Hey thanks for the mention, I couldn't think of a way to lead into it but you did a grand job of it-as you did with the waistcoat, will you make a long one next?? You have the slim figure to pull it off, thats for sure!!

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  51. Love love love this look on you, what a fab label too! I wish I had the patience and skill to sew my own bits.
    (and thanks ever so for your sweet words on my blog x)

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  52. You look brilliant in white - such a great contrast with your long dark hair. xx

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  53. Yay! Awesome dress and ridic bargain! It's so Abba-tastic in a good way (can there be any other? Actually yes - two words - camel's hoof). And, again, love seeing old Schuhs! We (Schuh) are 30 this year so there's been lots of archive trawling and turning up of old gems - it's been great!

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  54. **Sigh** I'm doing some major Vix catching up here and oh my one just cannot go past a fab vintage label - OR those intensely gorgeous rings and nails!!! xoxo

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix