Tuesday 13 September 2011

Stop Me If You've Seen This One Before




There's nothing new about what I'm wearing today.




Just call me the Queen of Recycling, not only is my entire outfit second-hand but I've worn each component tens of times previously.



My clothes are like old friends, we're deeply attached and share fond memories. I rarely get bored with my wardrobe and wear things until they fall apart, constantly patching them up and eventually chopping the remains to re-purpose into tote bags or patchwork curtains and salvaging the zips and fasteners for other sewing projects. I only keep things that make me feel fabulous so even if it's the hundredth time I've worn it I still feel happy and confident each time I pop it on.




There's a distinct Autumnal nip in the air today. I've brought my suitcases down from the top of the wardrobe, laundered and packed away my flimsier clothes, pressing and rehanging velvet dresses, tweed jackets and cord skirts in readiness for the coming season. 



Shopping for a new winter coat or boots? Never! I love what I've got regardless of whether it's deemed to be fashionable. My boots were re heeled and my coats & capes freshened up at the end of last winter.

Coral and silver ring (the fabulous Krista) and mirrored bangle (the goddess that is Helga)

I've been wearing my Lapis ring for almost 34 years!

Julius 1970s cord maxi (courtesy of the lovely Alex), hand-made off-the-shoulder blouse (75p, Salvation Army), leather Gladstone bag (20p, jumble sale), Nordiska suede belt (20p, car boot sale)
Hopefully I can hold off wearing my warmer gear for another couple of weeks but at least when the time comes I'm ready.

66 comments:

  1. Never mind wearing bits of it before Vix - it still looks totally refreshing on you x

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  2. Favourite clothes are great, they always work because being favourite we know what they go with etc'! You look great.

    Well done on already re-heeling those boots. I always forget, remember on the 1st day of autumn and then have to wait till the weekend wearing ballet pumps in the pouring rain!

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  3. All of those rings are utterly covetable! x

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  4. I wear my favourite clothes to death too. My boots have been reheeled so many times I've lost count. Let's hope the weather doesn't get too cold too soon. Lovely outfit for today.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  5. I have a small wardrobe as I wear everything .. I love that bracelet the one with the turquoise ends .. .fabulous .. gorgeous xx

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  6. As Rod Stewart says, you wear it well!

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  7. I soooo love that blouse, I love everything about it! The style of blouse, the dots - the gorgeous girl wearing it! Perfect!

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  8. Hey Vix I love this look! You look great, I always look forward to seeing how you wear things differently. I am also thinking about dragging out the old winter garb-it's heading that way isn't it!

    Much love Amie xxxx

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  9. Look at that jewelry!!!

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  10. Your jewelry is fantastic! Also, gorgeous outfit and fabulous bag. xoxo

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  11. always loving your jewelry and style!
    And I agree with you about wearing our well fitted clothes and boots until they fall apart!, it's so nice to unpack autumn-winter stuff, it's like welcome old dear friends!. My coats have been worn for decades and I still love them!
    (I miss some autumn vibe here, it's damn hot these days!)
    besos

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  12. Lucky you, we are 0ver 33ºc at 8, 30 in the evening, ahhhhhhhh.
    So fed up, honest, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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  13. You always look fresh and seem to come up with different combinations, even if you've worn the components loads of times. I was eyeing my own autumn/winter threads a couple of days ago, but I'm trying to hang on!

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  14. I definitely felt the chill in the air today! Time to get the winter woolies out, I think. Though to be honest, I've not stopped wearing tights all year this year, apart from a few weeks away in the summer. That's shocking! Emma

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  15. Very chilly here too. Off to dig out some long-sleeved T-shirts to wear under stuff. xx

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  16. Yes autumn is very much in the air, i'll be getting the coats out soon! You look fabulously chic in this outfit and i love how you but your bangles together. Very much looking forward to seeing your autumn/winter collection ;o) Mwah Scarlett x

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  17. I've been wondering when to unleash my winter wardrobe, I think I'll try and milk it for another couple weeks though. Its great to never get wardrobe boredom, I've got a bit of wardrobe block right now, I need to sort it out. Xx

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  18. i think the thing i love about you most vix is that you are true blue to yourself. that is indeed a quality that is in short supply these days. you look amazing as always. i'm loving and wringing all the joy out of the last days of summer here. all i want to do is eat grilled veggies and chilled wine.

    xo

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  19. You look great. I loving your style!

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  20. I know so many people that won't recognize they've bought a piece from second-hand. You're cool.

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  22. With a wardrobe as fabulous as yours it's no surprise you love every piece!

    You are so organised! I always forget to get boots re-heeled!

    You are looking as lovely as ever :)

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  23. This is one of my favourite outfits. I agree totally in wearing what you love. I need to get my winter coats pressed ready.

    X x

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  24. Clothes have deeply personal significance for me too, and Itend to love them more as they age and fray.
    You were made to carry these clothes off to their best advantage.
    There will be a fortnight of mild, even warm weather before Autumn makes itself comfortable. You mark my words!
    Having said that, I'm looking forward to seeing your winter wardrobe, it'll be a first for me.

    Lucy

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  25. I'm with you on wearing what I love, not what I'm told to love by mags/fashion types :o)

    Well done on getting the autumn winter stuff out, I'm not there yet but maybe this weekend, although despite an autumnal look, it's still not cold here yet.

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  26. I wish I was like that I always get bored with my wardrobe.

    That outfit is lovely x

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  27. Forget Kate Middleton, you are officially the Queen of recycling! I cannot wait to see your Autumn outfit posts xx

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  28. You look gorgeous; having interesting and original clothes which you cherish and feel great in is surely the key to a fabulous wardrobe.
    I don't understand why some people are forever clearing relatively new stuff out just to buy more of the same. I have things I wear over and over again which I wouldn't dream of chucking out while there was still life in them. And this post proves that the same pieces can be used to create all sorts of different looks.

    And I am always sooooo impressed with how efficient and well-prepared you are!

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  29. I'm with you...some of my clothes have names.....loving the bag!!x

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  30. You do look fabulous in everything. The problem I have is periodically deciding that I shouldn't have anything that doesn't make me feel great - ditching loads and then discovering I have nothing left!

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  31. It's the mark of quality of of knowing your personal style,I guess,to be happy to wear something over and over!! It's great,it's shopping your own wardrobe!I love pulling out something I've had for years;the frock I'm wearing today I think I've had for about 10 years!!Sometimes I re-model things,either a little or a lot,and they feel new again.I think you bloody rock,whatever you do/wear!!!
    LOVE YOU!!!
    Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  32. Vixcita,
    I adorar all you in all seasons. polka dot gypy top is divine.
    all your wardrobe is fantastic.
    lapis ring is amazing.
    I am starting to feel cold and I do love wearing coats because in California the weather never let me wear warm coats long enough.
    Your always prepared with cape and all amor.

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  33. It's fall-like here in Ohio, too, babe. I'm so glad. It was just far too hot and humid this summer.

    You look fabulous, as always.

    Love,

    SB

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  34. But your outfit looks EACH time you have worn it!!! I REALLY like your rings!!! REALLY :D

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  35. This post has made me drool, rings!!! pretty rings!! and bracelets!! And gorgeous bag! *faints* it's all too much!

    xx

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  36. I'm in love with your jewellery! Where i'm from theres hardly any jumble sales.. i'm so jealous of how many you get to go too and all the beautiful stuff you get!! xxx

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  37. Hi Vix, you look fabulous as always, and I agree about wearing clothes that make you feel confident. Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog. Here in NZ I am hoping to put my winter woollies aside for my spring / summer wardrobe but the very changeable weather makes this v difficult. Thank goodness for layers!

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  38. I hate all this 'fast fashion' nonsense! Its great that you have old faithfulls that come out time and time again. Being comfortable with your own style is key, and you make your things look fresh every time! My mum has a wool cardigan that she has had for 30 years, and still wears it every winter :)

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  39. I respect people who love each piece of clothing they own, mend it rather than replace it and recycle it when it's had its day far more than someone who is wearing the latest trends which they spent a fortune on and when throw out once it's out of season. Here's to sensible, stylish women!! You look gorgeous, I love that top on you.

    Thankyou for your kind, supportive words on my last post Xoxox

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  40. I never get bored with some of my favorite pieces. I have a pair of suede boots I've had for 35 years and I still love them. You look great! -T

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  41. I always have serious jewelry envy after reading one of your posts!

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  42. Ah Vix you look fantastic, and it's all new to me. I love that you re-wear and recyle, that for me is true sustainable style, and you have got style in spades!

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  43. Your skin looks wonderful today-have you done something??
    So much wardrobe maintenance in a cold climate, urgh, we don't have to do any of that changing around, winter is only 6 weeks a year here.x.

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  44. Your jewelery is stunning and
    reading that you've had your lapis
    ring for 34 years made me gasp!!!
    And you yourself, are stunning!
    love love love your blog!
    Following now.

    xx Tribal Fox Vintage

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  45. You know that is the great thing about Vintage they really don't make stuff like they used to the clothes have gotten so flimsy I just bought 2 shirts recently and both ripped the first time i wore them. We found this store here called the treasure box asked full of antiques and things from India. He has lots of turquoise and he was telling me the darker and more brown it gets the older it is. I did not know that He has some like interesting big chest plates completely made of turquoise that is hundreds of years old. You have absolutely gorgeous jewelry and your clothing choices are fantastic. I would love to get lost in your closet hehehe I am going to remember what you said you should only wear clothing that makes you feel fabulous thanks for sharing that it is very good advice!! ~Love Heather

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  46. With the exception of the jewelry, I think this outfit IS new to me. But then I've only been reading for a few months. Recently I did a search on Wolford Tights and do you know what was at the TOP of my search results? A blog post YOU wrote in 2009!

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  47. You have the most varied wardrobe I have ever seen. I love the way you stash clothes away and bring out a whole new bundle for the new season.

    That polka dot gypsy style top is gorgeous!

    I'm very much looking forward to seeing you in your Autumns finest! xxx

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  48. You perfectly voice my thoughts on all those cherished friends we have in our own wardrobes. It's wonderful to find new ways to wear all those glorious treasures and personally, I love to see repeat looks at items in blog posts as it proves that being thrifty is certainly not boring. I love your brown bag so much, your jewellery has me drooling (those earrings!) and your spotty top is so wonderfully versatile. Keep on with the repeat cycle - I love it!! xoxoxoxo

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  49. I love this post and I do agree - I really don't care if I am "Unfashionable" I wear stuff because I like it and it suits me.

    I really love the off the shoulder top - it looks so great on you.

    Lovely rings too - I especially like the fact you have been wearing one of your rings for 34 years. I think that's really amazing and awesome:D

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  50. I love wearing the same things when I know they look good! It's great to recycle instead of buying new atuff that isn't going to last.

    E :)

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  51. I have a feeling that you are the same with friends...loyal and true <3 You make everything look great EVERY time you wear it!

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  52. Sigh, I guess I should get out the woolies soon to. It has been starting to get cold in the morning. I recently had a shoe blitz, and got everything re-heeled and soled that was needed. It was very expensive, but so much more satisying than just buying new things xx

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  53. I have so many favourite clothes that I often find myself re-wearing them and neglecting the rest! I love how you've drummed up a fresh new outfit from favourite pieces xxx

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  54. Oh, amor, you look just beautiful in that off the shoulder top - I love it more every time you wear it. And that skirt is just lovely... well, everything is so lovely. And your JEWELLERY is particuarly spectacular today - those EARRINGS! Oh you are a divine creature.

    It's cooling there and warming here... we had 20 degrees today but it was still -3 this morning. Bbbrrr.

    Loveitall, Sarah xxx

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  55. Now are you a rings off at night kind of person? I'm thinking so with the size of them but you never know! I take mine off every night and people say - you have to put ALL of those back on in the morning?? Um, yes, it takes about 10 seconds!!

    xx

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  56. There's nothing wrong with recycling your clothes, and that skirt is so pretty, I love the colour. Paignton is a sweet place to visit. xxx

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  57. i love to see those pieces again and again... every time you wear them, their combined and mixed so differently.

    this old friend outfit is amazing as always. gorgeous pattern mixing. totally in love.

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  58. love love love the jewelry!

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  59. And you SHOULD wear your things many many times - I love seeing your different fabulous combinations! X

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  60. Oh my heavens I love your turquoise rings.

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  61. I so love your outfit...beautiful lapis ring too! I also just love how you put everything together....I now finally have some time to read your past posts :)

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  62. I have never met anybody who embodies such a natural flare for such a good sense of style. Your wardrobe is completely your own and this blog alone shows how much passion and love you have for your clothes. It really is admirable xxx

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  63. Great mix of jewelry!

    Dont forget to enter my $100 Nordstrom gift card + Nars polish giveaway

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  64. I think I've already said that a few times before, but thar blouse is gorgeous. Love polka dots)) The blouse is so pirat-y and\or gypsy and it suits you so much)))

    http://tri-skelos.blogspot.com/

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Lots of love, Vix