Monday, 31 October 2011

Hippy Chic - On The Cheap


Inspired by Leticia's fabulous blog post yesterday I thought I'd recreate the Boho-meets-folk vibe of last month's Italian Vogue only on a tiny budget.


Ethnic print, fake fur, statement jewellery, aged leather heaven, totally gorgeous and prohibitively expensive.



Here's my cheapo version.


Tonnes of ethnic jewellery (Carnelian & silver ring from my girl Krista)


Lamani Indian gypsy anklet worn as a choker, earrings from the fabulous Sandy.



This 1970's English-made leather bag (50p, car boot sale) was a dirty cream colour but I re-dyed it denim blue with Dylon specialist leather dye (£3.95, local cobblers)


1970s Dashiki kaftan (£3.75, PDSA), Embroidered denim waistcoat worn inside-out (£1.99, Banardos), Skinny leather belt (10p, jumble sale), River Island boots (£2, Salvation Army)


Total cost - £12.29

Less money spent on clothes, more cash for living the hippy dream in Goa.

65 comments:

  1. You should do a tutorial on how to dye the bag - i would have never have thought to do that.

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  2. Gorgeous Vix, love the kaftan.
    XXX

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  3. Hi Vix just popped back, I thought about your wall of misery when I read this, it's a bit spooky:
    http://sdaedalus.wordpress.com/

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  4. Well I'm unsurprised that you can do an awesome hippie look on a budget - you usually do - but I AM surprised by the dyeing of a leather bag, what a great idea. And of course you look great - always enjoy seeing your jewellery.

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  5. Ooh I'd heard something similar to what Dash mentions, although I was under the impression it was that sickly green lady who was the culprit.

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  6. that kaftan is divine Vix!
    I love what you did with the waistcoat! :)

    Jules

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  7. Wow I have never heard of leather dying.....too cool & a great way to bring something back to life! Love your oh so less expensive inspiration!

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  8. You always amaze me how you get such fab looks at nth of price than the big fashion spreads.

    Just loving the whole look and particualarly your jewllery. Loving those chunky bangles. And those rings are just gorgeous!

    And what a great idea dyeing your leather bag. Never would of thought that would be possible. It looks brill.


    MBB x

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  9. Inspiring! The whole point of style is that you cannot copy it from a page but you take a page from something you admire and make it your own - as you always do.

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  10. Hi my dear-wow, the kaftan is simply stunning and loses the Vogue looks for sure-nothing beats authentic vintage for this look and your outfit is spot on, well done!! xxx

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  12. ABSOLUTELY FREAKING GORGEOUS!!!
    Love,LOVE this! So you,so Vogue-up-your-ass!!!Glorious details!Delicious!!
    Goodness,I'm nearly out of superlatives!!!
    LOVE YOU,you hippytastic beastess of spleddour!
    Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  13. Inside-out waistcoat, dyed bag - genius!
    I've fallen deeply in love with this ensemble, beautiful.
    I've been mentally adding up the cost of my daily outfits lately, sometimes with stuff donated to me it's only the underwear which cost me anything.
    Even with a budget of thousands, without the gorgeous gifts and creative flair you own, this look could never be replicated.
    It's time a magazine snapped you up Vix!

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  14. really beautiful and indeed folksy, my dear! love your bold and juncky jewellery, my dear. Spending less on clothing and spending more on travelling is just fine :)

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  15. Who does it better than you.....??

    NOBODY!!!

    x's

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  16. You look perfect for a fraction of the price of anything in Vogue. In fact most of your fab outfits are probably less than the cost of an issue of Vogue! M x

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  17. Fab outfit, as ever. Just shows what a bit of imagination can do. I definitely think that constraints (like budget) make creativity shine all the more. Anyone with cash to splash can spend it on the latest fashions, but a stylish and innovative look is different altogether.

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  18. Gorgeous dress, I so love navy blue, my all time fave colour.
    xx

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  19. I love this dress, in my opinion it sums you up! Completely something that I can imagine you buying at a jumble. It looks like it was made for you!
    Sophie
    x

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  20. vix i think you really must have the most fabulous wardrobe, you never stop surprising us with a new great look, and this ethnic print kaftan is so fabulous!!! especially love this radiant blue, haha i think i will dream tonight of this beautiful bright blue kaftan;)
    bloody kisses and happy halloween!

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  21. wow, such a n amazing hippie look. i really love to find cheap bargains - and i do - but your finds seem to be the most beautiful and most low priced.

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  22. Oh Vix, you look fantastic - that kaftan is amazing. Your bargain hunting skills still don't fail to astonish me

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  23. Vix, you always look so good and you rock the hippy look. It looks so much better on you than on a model because I know you actually wear it.

    Fab and frugal - I'm totally envious! xx

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  24. Fabulous as ever Vix! It always amazes me that people actually spend the type of money you see in fashion magazines, how do they afford it?

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  25. Fantastic - and even better for being so cheap! You could probably shift the decimal point 2 spaces to the right and be near the mark of some of the Vogue outfits.

    As Loulou said - it looks great on you because it's actually your regular style x

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  26. Your jewellery is stunning! Liking it lots :D
    xxxx

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  27. Wow what a fantastic job you did of recreating Vogues look. You look fantastic.....eat your heart out Vogue.

    Oh and wow to the dye job on the bag, you clever vintage goddess you.

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  28. You look Completely gorgeous in this ensamble Vix.
    This style really suits you too.

    Mr. Coco doesn't like me to wear Dashiki's *lol* Whenever I see a lovely one when I am thrifting he says "NOOOOO" "NOOOO NOOOOO" *God it makes me so damn mad!*
    I did sneak and purchase a African tunic top.. I still have not worn it .. but I will...I am trying to figure out the right time. (laugh)

    I will have to try to dye a bag! What a perfect idea. I pass up on alot of cream & white ones.. just cause I would prefer a darker color.

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  29. I think my Mum has got this EXACT kaftan! I adore it and tried to steal/borrow it from her but she refused! Instead, she gave me one that she'd made herself with kinda of chunkier patterns and black, orange, magenta and turquoise!

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  30. Fab kaftan...you look the business. You should do a leather dyeing tutorial for sure. xxx

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  31. You look amazing as ever, Vix. Far more inspired than the Vogue stylist!
    xxx

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  32. Rockin it as usual I've never seen you looking anything less that fab. I love those earrings.
    Happy Halloween!
    Karlene

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  33. Ooo Vix what an amazing outfit. Your jewellery is striking. Right now I love the thought of lying on the beach in Goa!
    Dx

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  34. It's this style that is absolutely purrrfect for 2nd hand, creative clothing. Great on the budget and great on you, Vix. And how much do I love this bag?! xoxo

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  35. I'd say your attempt was a success. Head to toe. How long have u been growing your hair? I always forget to ask.

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  36. You dyed a leather handbag? That so deserves a tutorial! Your look is, as always, perfect. The kaftan is beautiful, and I love the whole image. No-one can show you how to do hippy though, you're the hippy queen. Xx

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  37. I am a caftan lover -- that one is FAB! Love the look.

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  38. You look so wonderful in this outfit! Hippy chic is so your forte. That kaftan is amazing! I love the colours!

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  39. Italian Vogue here you come! I'd love to see one of these images photoshopped into the group photo - you'd be the best of the bunch.

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  40. Another amazing example of how you don't have to spend lots of money to look gorgeous. Although I am pretty sure I could not look this gorgeous on that little money. I love your jewellery.

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  41. Thats my kind of price!

    Looks fab.

    X x

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  42. You look stunning Vix! I love the hippy chic print, the blue is gorgeous on you! All your jewelry is so big and bold yet girlie, I love your silver style! The polish is delicious, the bangles, yum!

    I'm loving that necklace/anklet :) (such versatility) and those ear rings from Sandy are sooooo you-love them! Who would have thought to dye the bag, nice...note to self.
    You make me look at clothes differently all the time, I love you for that and so many other things!!!
    XOXXO~
    Krista

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  43. I think this is my 2nd favourite equal to my 1st favourite of your outfits I hope I can find one soon just like yours.xx

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  44. Very cool and groovy outfit! My favorite part of this outfit are the bangles, the earrings and the choker.

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  45. Well, I never knew you could get leather dye! I'm now planning some revamping....

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  46. Navajo prints are so in right now. Your dress is perfect!

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  47. You look marvelously gorgeous!
    kaftan is so stunning, love the colors. What a stylist you are, vogue should ask you fro style advice. I always eye all your bangles amor. Never thought of dyeing a bag. Great idea.
    Besotes

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  48. You look amazing! Plus your 'cheapo' version is WAY more authentic:)

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  49. love it all especially the jewellery. I used to have a top like your dress
    xx fee

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  50. What a stunning dress, you look magnificent! And excellent job on the bag, it's a great idea. Loving the fab Lurex from the last post too! I am a big Lurex fan! xxxxxxx

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  51. I've got some boots to reheel and dye but I find it hard to find the dylon leather dye - where did you get yours?

    Great outfit at a snip!!
    xx

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  52. i am in awe of your be-ringed hands and your anklet-y choker!

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  53. This is definitely YOUR look, Vix, you could tell those overpaid stylists at Vogue a thing or two! It's cheap, it's ethical, it's beautiful, and it's totally you, not just a "look" for a photo shoot.
    That's why we love ya, babe! xxxxx

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  54. Thanx for the get well message!
    That home-dye job on the bag looks amazing, such an even colour. Never tried it, but I'm well impressed.
    Z xx

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  55. Hi Vix, love the Kaftan - i see them once in while around here, genious with the fake fur!

    I struck luck last week! i got my hands on a local designer skirt for 4$ - a little hard to style since the pattern is quite bold, but i will find a way!

    Lots of love - Ariane xxxxx

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  56. Love those earrings and that waistcoat xx

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  57. Another stunning look! I adore the hippie boho look for this time of year; all the layers are great for the changing temps.
    I would also love to see a tutorial for dying the bag; what a great way to give a worn piece a new life!
    xo

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  58. I have some major ring envy going on!

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  59. I adore this outfit so much, Vix. I think it is soooooooo you and so magic.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  60. How did I miss this???

    I LOVE that kaftan - and the vest worn inside out and ALL of that fabulous jewellery!

    You are, as always, the GURU of bargain shopping/style!

    Love, Sarah xxx

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  61. you look like Russian beauty in this outfit :-) x

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  62. Oh my...this post has completely captured me, I am naturally mesmerized. You look so beautiful, this outfit has to be one of my very favourites.

    There is most definitely nothing cheap about this ensemble, as the eye for fashion you have Vix, is truly priceless. Nobody knows clothes like you do and that in itself beats any high street or infact designer version.

    You will always be my favourite hippy chick xxx

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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