I've bought The Guardian since I was a teenager but as part of our on-going economy drive we stopped last year, reading it online for free during the week and treating ourselves to the bumper edition at weekends. Along with car boot sales and vegetarian sausage & mushroom sandwiches it's become a Saturday morning tradition.
Whilst I'm all for it's left-of-centre politics the fashion and lifestyle sections often make me curse out loud.
Take the main photograph for last weekend's summer-themed lead article.
Take the main photograph for last weekend's summer-themed lead article.
Silk dress £605, by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jewelled cuff, £324, by Lucy Hutchings, Gold-framed sunglasses £219, by Fendi Eyewear. Vintage Welsh rug £165 from Liberty. Catered hampers from a selection by Fortnum & Mason
A lovely image but at over £1000 for a picnic outfit which would probably get ruined? Maybe not.
Here's my budget version:
1970's cotton sun dress, £5 local junk shop. Tribal copper & brass cuff, £1 Indian market. Gold framed sunglasses by Ted Lapidus £3.95 (for two pairs) Acorn Hospice charity. Vintage Welsh wool rug, £1 car boot sale. Fortnum & Mason hamper, £2 car boot sale.
Okay, the dress isn't posh or a designer label but the grass stains won't show up and I can have fun without worrying about spilling my rose.
The fashion pages went on to feature five pairs of sunglasses from £12 upwards. Not a bad price but if you keep your eyes peeled at car boot sales over the summer I can almost guarantee you'll find an attractive pair for much less.
Whilst I do love a pair (or two) of sunglasses I never spend much as I'm forever losing them or sitting on them in an alcohol-induced daze.
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| My sunglasses addiction |
The most I've ever paid for a pair is £5. There's everything in my collection from vintage Yves St Laurent, Ted Lapidus and Gucci to crazy high street cast-offs.
Thanks for the brilliant tips regarding money saving toiletries yesterday, it's fantastic to know I'm not the only person who doesn't believe in spending a fortune on skincare.
For me less cash spent in the bathroom means more left for fun with friends.
Oh dear, according to this article in the Guardian the peacock print dress I wore at Glastonbury last year here is out of date, I should be wearing flamingos. Thank goodness for my trusty rain poncho I made from a second-hand shower curtain.
At least my top half will be fashionable.
For me less cash spent in the bathroom means more left for fun with friends.
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| Glastonbury, 2010 |
Oh dear, according to this article in the Guardian the peacock print dress I wore at Glastonbury last year here is out of date, I should be wearing flamingos. Thank goodness for my trusty rain poncho I made from a second-hand shower curtain.
At least my top half will be fashionable.
I think you shut yourself indoors until you are Guardian standard, you are shame to society! ;)
ReplyDeleteI only magazines and papers if I get a free gift worth more than the paper.
Caroline
xxx
Hi Vix,
ReplyDeleteWell once again I have found myself making mental notes on your thriftiness...the shower curtain poncho is out of this world!
I love your thrifty bathroom too...even though I crave pricey products I ALWAYS get them in the sales (like my 66p bronzer!) or from TK Maxx which has a really good (and cheap) selection of posh products!
I did a LOT of vintage shopping when I went home to visit my mum-Devon charity shops are sooooo much cheaper and better than the ones where I live which have specially marked 'vintage' sections where everything is 10x the price!
Love your blog soooo much Vix. You are an inspiration and an absolute stunner to boot!
Love Amie xxxxxxxxx
I prefer your version and the poncho is aceness!
ReplyDeleteLove it! You have to now rise to the challenge of presenting us with a Vix-Version of the Guardian's fashion each week. And probably only you could find a flamingo shower curtain, let alone make an outfit out of one... Maybe your next book, after the one about living the thrifty life, could be an annual round-up of all the Guardian's fashion spreads, thrift-style?
ReplyDeleteWell I LOVE your flamingo poncho, I think I said that last time, fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteand BAH to those prices, honestly nowadays who but the very rich would pay those prices, even successful business people I know are feeling the pinch! In fact honestly I find those prices obscene to be honest!
I prefer your options!!
Vix, in the Guardian weekend they have the All Ages double page fashion spread. They need to do something similar with expensive fashion and similar in vintage. You would be ideal for this of course!!
ReplyDeleteha ha ha bless you i did smile at the poncho ;-)) Such a classic stylish look ;-)) But i have to say i really loved your picnic photo its so soft and natural and i would much prefer yours and the outfit choice to the one in the Guardian. And to be honest even if money was no object i still wouldn't waste that much on clothes where is the joy and the satisfaction in walking into a shop and taking something of the peg that lots of people will have? No the beauty in thrifting and vintage buying is that thrill and butterfly like moment when you spot a bargain and knowing that no one else will have the same ;-)) Nothing beats it ;-)) dee xx
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. Interpret Guardian fashion VV style. Bloomin' champagne Socialism! Spending a lot of money on clothes isn't big or clever. You dress beautifully and don't spend stupid money.
ReplyDeleteGosh don't these papers spout a load of tosh! We only buy a weekend paper now and I've started to vary which one each Saturday (just to confuse the males!!).
ReplyDeleteLove your sunglass collection - just wish I could wear any pair I liked - but I have to had prescription lenses and I've yet to find someone who'll fit them to just any pair of frames :(
Hahaha. That is a fantastic rain-cape!
ReplyDeleteIt is a rather odd "tip", to wear silk to a picnic. The Independent's fashion pages are just as silly, though.
I adore that you've remade the Guardian's ridiculously expensive picnic ensemble even more prettily and cheerfully, for like 1/100th of the cost! I think you should submit your photographs and item costs to the newspaper, as well as your opinion on their fashion and lifestyle recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI'll only spend around $10 USD on sunglasses -- I wreck or lose them far too easily (or my children do). I like the idea of shopping vintage and thrift for them, though -- I'll have to try that and see if I can't find something more striking than the generic el cheapos at Atrget or Wal-Mart.
I have a sunglass fetish too! What an amazing collection you have there!
ReplyDeleteYour flamingo rain gear is fab, you really do look like the song 'pretty flamingo'!
I read that article too. Must say I much prefer your take n the outfit.
ReplyDeleteThat poncho is soo cool. You really are talented my dear.
X x
Like your picnic set much better than the Guardian's. Any 'socialists' who spend £600 on a dress should be ashamed of themselves.
ReplyDeleteHi my dear!! You have so much unique style in your outfits and can certainly give the Guardian Fashion pages a run for their money-your picnic version beats theirs hands down for loveliness and of course moneywise too! Just adore your flamingo poncho, it looks adorable!! xxx
ReplyDeleteYou are sooooooooooooo funny. I love the flamingo pic, hahahhhaha.
ReplyDeletelove u.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The sunglasses in the very top left are ones that ive been searching for since I was born. Seriously. Omg.
ReplyDeleteAnd also, if someone's beautiful - which you are - there's no point in spending money on body products. I have the same mentality.
You are fab. The Guardian is ridiculous. [gavel]
ReplyDeleteYou have rivalled equalled and beaten my sunglasses addiction :P )) xx
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned The Guardian can carry on with their fashion guidance - far away from our lovely charity shop vintage and bargain buys - all the more for us!! Ebay is fab for sunglasses - last year I bought enough dead-stock pairs to last for several decades for silly prices.
ReplyDeleteHuge fist-pump to all your fab commenters btw - between this post and the last one is a treasury of positive thinking.
E
You can also make a poncho from a vinyl table cloth.... the cloth lining means it won't be quite as sticky next to your skin.
ReplyDeleteYou have such cool ideas!
ur sunglass collection is cool
ReplyDeleteHA! Love your rain proof poncho! How excellent!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that your picnic dress and rug looks much more my style than that crazily over priced thing the model is wearing! You could probably get something similar to what she's wearing from primark for a fraction of the price!
I really don't see how anyone can justify spending that much on an item of clothing! Even if I was rich I still think I'd be shocked by the prices of designer brands! haha! They'll all end up in the charity shops at some point!
I bet you're looking forward to the Glastonbury festival! I'm going home to Glastonbury on the Friday that it starts for 10 days to visit family and friends. I love the atmosphere of Glastonbury when the Festival is on. I can go up the tour and see all the lights in the distance at night. I really can't wait to go hippy shop shopping! It's my favourite thing about going back home to visit! xxx
You ooze charm and grace, I love your dress and basket. At least there will be no-one else dressed like you (or as elegant) at the picnic. I love love what you have done to that shower curtain, its brilliant. My daughters sending my a pair of sunglasses from her works lost property box, can't wait to see what they are like, I have never worn any apart from £1 Primark one that hurt my nose.Don't think I'll be starting a collection tho.
ReplyDeletePlease open a sunglasses shop!
ReplyDeleteDearest Vix, fabulous post. You know I love the flamingo poncho. It's a billion times better than a hideous old kagoule!
ReplyDeleteThat made me laugh! Who goes for a picnic in a £605 silk dress and a £324 jewelled gold cuff? I would ruin it in minutes. I love your budget version and I'm jealous of the F&M hamper for £2. That is the best picnic basket ever.
Love you xx
Man I'm still in love with that poncho! Great job recreating the photo - I seem to have seen that Marc Jacobs dress everywhere the past few months and I dont even buy magazines! Like your budget version better :)
ReplyDeleteLoving the frugal posts Vix, I'm currently trying to run down my stockpile of body lotions and live a bit more sparingly!
ReplyDeleteSorry that last comment was meant for the previous post, not sure how I managed that! You look brilliant in your reconstruction! Love the purple dress xx
ReplyDeleteHey Vix;
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know I mentioned you in my blog post today!
Big kiss xoxo
I just find it so crazy that people would actually spend thousands of £££ on clothes. Obviously you need to be mingling in the circles where everyone else where same sort of clothes so people'll know how ridiculous amount of money you've spent on your clothes (cause I wouldn't) :)
ReplyDeleteYour picnic outfit/look is the one that should be in Guardian!
Lovely Vix, I've been reading your blog each day but today is the first time I've got to comment. I love your frugal posts because they are so useful. I was having a conversation with my mum today about how expensive everything has got. The Guardian is my fave too but I suspect their fashion pages might be a bit out of touch with the masses and your look is much better. I love patchouli too but lavender is my fave, its great for everything from insomnia to sunburn, can't be bad. Xx
ReplyDeleteLove this post and you're absolutely right about the Guardian and it's ridiculously priced fashion.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see the flamingo poncho again!
Love the picnic dress and the basket. A designer label is a wonderful thing if you have the cash, the resources and the taste for it but for me thrifting and mixing pieces it's what gives me my personal style.
ReplyDeleteohhh, how I love the sunglasses in the top left corner! and I love the picknick picture idea - such an expensive outfit is really totally ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteThe fashion pages of the Guardian generally drive me SPARE by being crappy. Their news, food and travel are so good: surely they cannot still believe being ethical means looking scruffy and duffel coat (she - of the duffel coat in electric pink houndstooth- says)? The irony is the more 'right wing' Murdoch rags tend to have quite good high street and bargain fashion tips... I usually scrounge them from the college library or a relative to avoid putting money in the monopoly's purse!!
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous in your pics Vix. That purple dress is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThat picnic basket is lovely and looks huge!
omg Vix - firstly a f&m hamper for £2!!!! Then the amazing collection of sunnies and you go and put the knife in with the flamingo poncho!!! Im sat here lusting after it all but ive so got to get me a flamingo poncho - totally in love with it! I'd even be happy with just the flamingo shower curtain! Also having glasto lustings, waiting for my little man to be a bit bigger so I can take him :o) Scarlett x
ReplyDeleteI love your flamingo poncho so much. You are my personal style icon xxx
ReplyDeleteWell, firstly Vix, I am most disappointed that you'd be so careless as to be spilling rose wine. What a waste. But, therafter, your info/advice is very sensible and I chuckle to see you recreate the Guardian fashion pages - you've such imagination. And, by god, there you go flaunting those gorgeous legs again! I go green every time! Love the flamingo poncho. Genius!
ReplyDeleteI love your recreation of the Guardian picnic shoot. Think you should do it more often, and prefer your dress! :)
ReplyDeletexx
I prefer your dress to the models it's much nicer. I bow down to the flamingo poncho, it is indeed amazing. I'm desperate for something with flamingos on in my house so I will be searching for said shower curtain. x
ReplyDeleteGoodness, don't you look demure, Vix! I hope the Fortnum and Mason basket held cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, cut into triangles of course.
ReplyDeleteGreat sunglasses collection, I have always bought a new (cheap) pair every year but have yet to find any that suit me secondhand, to comply with my resolution of not buying anything new/from a "proper" shop all year. But they will come, I have faith...
Hilarious, isn't it, the notion that peacock feathers are soooo last year, while 2011 is all about flamingos! Buy what you love, and it's never out of fashion.
Curtise xx
tu est superbe, et tes photos sont magnifiques
ReplyDeletecute dress... perfect for a picknick!
ReplyDeletehttp://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com
LOVE the shower curtain poncho !!
ReplyDelete£1k for an outfit? Hahahahaha...oh, they're serious? Yikes. Much prefer your version. More house pics please! I need some inspiration as my flat badly needs some sprucing up. xx
ReplyDeleteUnas gafas superchulas.
ReplyDeleteI love that Marc Jacobs dress!
ReplyDeleteI always adore your post where you give an example of how to live the high life on pennies. You have such a talent for finding amazing pieces!
ReplyDeleteLove the sun dress and your hair looks gorgeous like that!
Sophie
x
You are the high-priestess of fashion,my darling heart!!
ReplyDeleteWe read the paper at work,and I always get a giggle out of the Wednesday fashion/food supplement.They have people on the streets wearing flash labels,and I wonder who the hell can afford this shit!I've written and recommended they look at thrifty ways to look fab,and maybe photograph street fashionistas wearing secondhand,but they didn't reply to ME! Hahahaha.
Your picnic outfit totally rocks-PERFECTO! O,and if peacock feathers are out of fashion,then thats the best time to be wearing them!!Silly feckers!
LOVE YOU!!! XXXXXXXX
The Guardian a bit ridiculous aren't they, how would ruin such an expensive dress at a picnic?? Oh I love your flamingo poncho it is so amazing!!! I have been keeping my out for a nice pair of sunglasses, I usually get a pair in TK Maxx but they were all crap this year, I have to get big black ones. Hmmm might go take a look on ebay x
ReplyDeleteNever ceases to amuse and frustrate me how many magazines and papers have 'affordable fashion features' that never have anything under £50 in them!
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know, I'm going to come to your house and brazenly steal that picnic hamper it's awesome.
I always love seeing your sunglasses collection, Vix! I'll have to live precariously through you - as I need prescription lenses in mine they're always quite expensive! x
ReplyDeleteAnd your picnic outfit is miles better than their expensive trollop - I agree - The Guardian fashion editors always seem to be trying to outdo Vogue in expense and impracticality.
ReplyDeleteHi Vix, i love your picnic outfit! xxx
ReplyDeleteJesus wept - I just do not understand the mentality of anyone who would spend 600 pounds on a frickin dress!
ReplyDeleteAnd your gorgeous 1970s picnic frock is SO MUCH lovelier than the other one. And I ADORE the rug and picnic basket too! Also your hair looks fabulous.
Sarah xxx
I can't believe you got such great deals on designer sunglasses. I actually like your dress more than the designer one. The shower curtain looks awesome as a poncho, I can't believe I never thought if that.
ReplyDeleteMy Heart Blogged
I totally love your version. Feels so much more real :) Also love your poncho and sun glass collection. you have so much wisdom to share Vix. I wish I am able to implement in my life more actively.
ReplyDelete♡ from © tanvii.com
love the purple drss and of course the poncho! great photo collage
ReplyDeletelove from San Francisco,
Britt+Whit
WOW! What an expensive outfit just to go on a picnic. Your version is much better Vix.
ReplyDeleteI will join you with sitting on sunnies,i'm forever plonking my big bum on mine.
ReplyDeleteI sooooo love your poncho,least nobody else will have the same,even if we do all want it lol
xx
Ha, Vix, You're awesome! The shower curtain poncho is particularly inspired... :) xxx
ReplyDeleteWith fashion spreads such as this, it does make one scratch one's head as to the Guardian's impression of their own readership, doesn't it? Marc Jacobs dresses and horribly expensive picnic hampers in the Telegraph, now THAT I could understand ....
ReplyDeleteLovely to see your flamingo cape again - I hope it's not going to get too many outings at festivals this year, though, and that the sun shines instead!xx
With fashion spreads such as this, it does make one scratch one's head as to the Guardian's impression of their own readership, doesn't it? Marc Jacobs dresses and horribly expensive picnic hampers in the Telegraph, now THAT I could understand ....
ReplyDeleteLovely to see your flamingo cape again - I hope it's not going to get too many outings at festivals this year, though, and that the sun shines instead!xx
I want that shower curtain for my bathroom! Adorable, you weart it well my lovely! x
ReplyDeleteVix - your photo is a zillion times better than the Guardian one!
ReplyDeleteOh I MUCH prefer your picnic outfit! I can't believe how much people spend on clothing, just to have the trendy styles and brands. It's a pity. Oh well, it's less fighting for the good stuff in op-shops for us, I guess!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you rocking the flamingo poncho! Cutee!!!
Xxx
Love love love your dress in the top photo its gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you on Sunday as we went to a car boot sale. I was thinking I am going to get some great bargains like Vix gets BUT this one was rubbish! Only polyester trousers and childrens clothes ha ha xx
I love your poncho!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Saturday morning Guardian addict too and I did scoff at said dress as well. I love your F&M hamper basket, I've got one too but it isn't as nice as yours as it is a boring square one - see you're not square!! xx
We love the Guardian here (we have to really, the Aussie used to work for them) but I cheat nowadays and just have the 'app' on my phone.
ReplyDeleteYou kick the designer ass of that Marc Jacobs dress Vix x
Your version of the picnic outfit is amazing! I never want to turn into someone who will drop thousands of dollars on a single outfit. Honestly, I just don't see the point spending that much, especially on something that will probably just get ruined.
ReplyDeleteLove the shower-curtain poncho! I'm another one who is taking notes on all your thrifty habits.
still completely in love with that flamingo poncho ! and i think you are just as stylish in your picnic pic! xxx
ReplyDeleteDitto to all the above comments!
ReplyDeleteAfter this post, the Guardian should be blushing with shame! Hopefully someone on its staff will be enlightened!
In MY book, you are the standard for good sense, good fashion, good taste, and good times!
Vix, you HAVE to send the Guardian a link to your post - it's genius. Actually, I think they should give YOU a column. I stopped reading the Guardian a few years ago when they sounded more and more like the 'voice of the government' and for fashion I love the FT weekend magazine (which made me 'Posh Totty' in the eyes of my Central Saint Martins teacher... oh well, never been one for PCness).
ReplyDeletexxx
you should send a link of this post to the guardian style section.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! and the bottom half? Legs as good as yours will NEVER go out of fashion.xx.
ReplyDeleteI like your version much much better! It always drives me crazy when magazines always publish outfit articles and the outfits cost so much.
ReplyDelete£1000 for a picnic outfit. Who are these people anyways? roflmao, I like your outfit better
ReplyDeleteI adorar your flamingo poncho and sexy kegs amor.
ReplyDeletePicnic basket is huge, i prefer your version, thats too bloody carero (expensive)
I am loving your angelic picnic foto, bet you had some hidden wine in there.
Vix, I adore you! You really should write a book about your vintage and frugal ways, I'm sure everyone thats commented would love to read it! I certainly would!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely trying to be more frugal at the minute, and you have inspired me to be.
We're currently waiting to find out if our offer on a flat has been completely and utterly accepted, and if so, we're getting everything second hand, or for certain things (it will need a new bathroom and kitchen), I am entering competitions to win them :) If plans fall through, and we don't get the flat, or we end up with 2 new kitchens, either set of parents is willing to take the prize haha. I'm definitely becoming more frugal since reading your blog though, and I hope over the coming months, I can live as happily as you do, how you do :)
Thanks for always writing such wonderful posts xo
I so agree with you, I don't read The Guardian but these kind of articles grace the face of every glossy magazine out here. I personally don't read any of them: I don't need any of the "aspirational" crap they aim for. I'm also a bargain hunter, I love clothes, I have a mild addiction to sunglasses but I try to spend as least as possible. Don't take this the wrong way but I love you - I'm a follower from now on!
ReplyDeletePop Culture&Fashion Magic
Alice&Sara
Shame on you for looking more gorgeous than the model holding up a thousand quid's worth of picnic gear! My calculations have come up with two return fares to Goa in just that one god awful dress she's wearing plus all the other useless shit in the pic. Give yourself a huge hug from me for putting those Guardian aspirers to shame. Actually come to think of it ... what the hell is going on with that paper now? xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was "what a nice picture", then I saw the caption for the prices and my jaw literally dropped. Who in their right mind would pay so much? Your picnic ensemble is every bit as good and at a fraction of the price! They must be insane!!!
ReplyDeleteYou should be writing a fashion page-it'd be so much more interesting! I love the green sunnies and also the red/gold/green sunnies-I often get my glasses at Primark as they are never more than £2 and I even got a pair for 50p that I love.
ReplyDeleteI got a picnic basket for my birthday that I was so leased with, I love eating outdoors. x
Oh my goodnes, that flamingo shower curtain is inspired!! I love it! Well done on your wonderful creation xx
ReplyDelete