Tuesday 7 February 2012

The Right To Bare Arms



As a teenager I was constantly picked on for having freaky skinny, bendy arms and told to hide them as they made my classmates sick. 


Did I give a toss? Like the hell I did. Most of my youth was spent wearing vests and halter necks just to sicken the haters all the more. They soon got bored and moved on to hound someone who actually cared.


After a lifetime of baring them I never feel the cold on my arms. Despite the snow flurries and icy temperatures I went out with naked arms today.  They're toned rather than skinny these days but they're just as bendy (and still freak people out).

My new pendant - thanks, darling Helga
Don't worry, I'm wearing Tibetan yak socks and thermal long john's today. Maxi skirts are brilliant for hiding away the most ugly of layers.

Crochet beret (the fabulous Elizabeth), 1970s Mexican maxi (the sauce pot that is La Dama), 1960s Astraka fake fur gilet (bought from a car boot sale by a friend), vintage cow hide belt (50p, car boot sale), Leather clogs (£5, Top Shop 2010), 1960s curtain couture bag (hand made by me) plus a heap of inherited brass jewellery
See you soon.

68 comments:

  1. LOVE your bag and your fur gilet, wishing I could thrift something similar but we don't heve thrift stores :(

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  2. brrr! You brave woman! Your arms have some serious zen.

    I'm loving that skirt fabric. So hippie. :)

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  3. I have two long, obvious scars on my left arm and a slightly warped elbow due to several childhood dislocations. People were always pointing it out when I was younger, and I used to feel ashamed to show them off. Now I couldn't care less, and I love my war wounds and my wonky arm :) xx

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  4. Some (silly) people will always recoil from anything 'different', but I love that you don't give a damn - bravo, Vix! x

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  5. I have freaky wrists, it's funny how these features become special to us, I always point my knobbly bones out to people.
    I love this outfit, why not bare your arms? You have a killer tan to display, and its no different to wearing a short skirt.
    I'm gutted you didn't flash your thermals though!

    Lucy x

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  6. Ooh, you almost look double-jointed, how amazing! Don't people make a fuss about anyone different? It's so ridiculous, good for you that you didn't give a toss!
    You are made of stern stuff (physically and psychologically) so I'm not surprised to see you baring arms in the snow. Beautiful outfit, all the elements work so brilliantly together and you look fabulous.
    PS. Bloody Skype! I think it hates me! xxxxxxxxx

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  7. You are definitely thick skinned being out in the snow with bare arms! I'm one of those people have love to get all wrapped up and snug, then I get too warm and it's messy just the same!

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  8. Another reason why I adore you Vix x

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  9. I like your bendy arms! And I want to shop where you shop...♥

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  10. Gorgeous outfit! That thing you do with your arm is cool ; )

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  11. Haha love the freaky arm photo!! I wish mine were as toned maybe I need to get them out more in the cold to scare them into submission xx

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  12. Going outdoors with no sleeves?!?! OMG!! :o

    I do adore your gilet, though. And yep, I do wear layers UNDERNEATH my leggings too.... :)

    xx

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  13. I envy you your gorgeous arms... my heavyset ones aka "bingo wings" have always been the bane of my life! A friend once told me I have "swimmers arms"!
    Lovely outfit....

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  14. love your writing! :)this outfit actually will be an inspiration for me - will have to give my furry vest a 'day out' ;)

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  15. Your freaky arm bending rocks - i have double jointed toes that freak people out :o) Loving the beret and gilet combo Scarlett x

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  16. you look amazers as ever hun! Get those arms out they're fabby, not a bingo wing in sight unlike my flopsy beggars xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  17. Man kids are awful arent they! Its a shame you didnt grow up with me as you would have been worshiped in the playground with those bendy are skills! xx

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  18. Vix, your arms are fabulous! I get cold arms so have a vast array of cardigans, but I very rarely get cold legs so I had a similar experience as a teenager - once a boy told me he'd seen better legs hanging out of a nest. But in all but the coldest weather I have my bare pins out, so whatever! Welcome back xxx

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  19. Vix...the gal with I'm sure the prettiest arms in all of England! I love your tan, toned, bendy and beautiful limbs :) Haters gonna hater, feck em! The pendant from Helga is beautiful and so you.
    ILOVEYOUBUNCHESandwannarunawaytoEnglandand playwithyou~
    krista

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  20. dearest vix, lucky you being able to bare arms and not feel like they will succombe to frost bite at any moment. it always amazes and impresses me when i see the chicks walk down the high street in the middle of winter in a miniscule dress, no tights and no coat...i can't help but thinking their blood is fortified with anti-freeze. i am loving your groovy ensemble and i'd love to have a closer look at those yak socks...sounds toasty ;) lot's of love jennie xxx

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  21. good story about the teasing of the arms. i was teased also for being so skinny. haha, the laugh is on them now! bullies are so boring!

    i love the way your personality shines through on every post vix.

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  22. I really want Yak Wool socks! I've got alpaca insoles I'm yet to use

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  23. Oh blimey you're brave - it's bloody freezing here. Going to be the coldest night of the winter. Wrap up warm!

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  24. great boheme outfit.... makes me think about spring too. want to see more of these clogs...

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  25. Love your look Vix! I'd never thought of wearing a fur gilet with bare arms! Looks fab! Definitely right not to care- you're confident and fab and as you say, sad little people who pick on people for things will eventually go away if ignored!

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  26. I love your bendy arms :-D

    I was the opposite of you today - I was wrapped up in multiple layers including hi viz jacket and trousers...nice.
    xxx

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  27. Excellent bendiness!!
    Looking fab. Mmmmm...Tibetan yak socks..toasty.xxx

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  28. As an ex-yoga teacher I was always a bit jealous of over-bendy people... and you're VERY bendy indeed. Go bare arms! (brrrr-shiverrrr)
    xo

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  29. So brave for wearing short sleeves in this bitter Blighty weather. Yay to 2 fingers up to the haters. I've only in my adult years started to develop that same sense of couldn't care less but it would have done me very well at school! :)

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  30. You crazy lady, my top half always feels the cold, gah! Looking fabby :)

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  31. If you've got it, flaunt it! It's great that you're able to fight convention (and skinny-arm haters). I'm afraid it's layers all the way for me x

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  32. Your my super hero! bendy arms are great for Indian dancing.
    You look lovely wearing the Mexi-maxi skirt. love how you layered your outfit.can we see your long johns.
    I would hide my enormous breast from all the old pervos.
    maybe that's why I love to show them off now.
    besios

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  33. Very brave to go out in the cold weather. My arms are not exactly toned but I will show them off, when it is a bit warmer. Great idea to wear a maxi skirt with thermals.

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  34. Well... your arms don't freak me out! What would freak me out is if you had hair of snakes like Medusa or something. *lol*

    <3 Your outfit!

    I don't mind the cold much either and would go bare armed at times.. except since I am light complected I would end up looking like little Miss blotchy girl or something! eheeha

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  35. Glad you said you were wearing therma's ;-)im terrible i feel the cold so easily i have to wear so many layers its not even funny. You have an amazing figure and body and should show it off like you do. Love the skirt you suit full length so well with your height. dee xx

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  36. Don't sem freaky at all!!! love the vest with that belt over maxi skirt!! So you!! And soo GOOD! :)

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  37. Your very brave Vix. We have had managers walking round in tshirts and its dropped to -9 here! Crazy folk..

    Skinny arms are cool, (I would say that as I have them too! Plus its the only part of me that is skinny!)

    X x

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  38. ..Fantastic outfit , I love the bag , it's such a great print and size !
    Love your cute clogs , I'm regret now I didn't bought those as well !

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  39. Good for you with the baring of arms!! I wish we could teach people to keep their unwanted and unnecessary comments to themselves. Your parents must of been proud that you were so happy in your own skin and confident enough not to give a toss what the tossas were saying.

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  40. I feel better with bare arms too, despite the teasing I got for my ugly elbows as a kid. And despite the fact that I keep hearing that after such and such an age you should never bare your arms. Whatever!

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  41. I had very skinny limbs as a kid and was double-jointed so I could do weird things with my arms, but I can't bare them to the elements though. Love the faux fur Gilet and belt--another super-vixen outfit!

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  42. Even your arms are talented. I need about four layers on my arms during the winter! What a glorious combination of elements!

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  43. But I wanted to see the yak socks!

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  44. Fabulous outfit, as usual! I adore your inherited brass the most.

    I love that you stood up to bullies. I wish that every young woman could learn to do that; the world would be a much better place. Keep rocking those toned arms; you look stunning!

    xo, Anita

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  45. Got any leftover curtain fabric? That bag is divine. You could haul a whole load of treasures in there. Your friends have great taste, too -- wonderful pendant and skirt.

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  46. I love the outfit girl! My family also has bendy elbows, let your inner freak out and play! haha
    http://www.badbarbara.com

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  47. Your header! Very Casino Royale ...

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  48. I think your outfit today is my favourite so far.
    I love maxi skirts for the very same reason.

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  49. You can't beat maxi skirts, I live in them all winter long. I wish my arms were as toned as yours, and as for the bendy, we are all a bit like you in that department with my brother, myself and my daughter, nothing wrong with that I say :)

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  50. Amazing handbag on very cool arms! I love that you stuck it to the haters! xx

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  51. Nice work hiding all the extra layers under the maxi skirt!!

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  52. You look gorgeous, I love your bag it's really neat. I never would have guessed that you have long johns on!

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  53. I love your freaky skinny bendy arms, lol! I also love this outfit. The colour combo on that maxi is great, the vest is awesome & I do adore you in a beanie.

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  54. I locve your words about 'sickening the haters even more' so much, I need to make them my daily anthem)))
    You look lovely! Amd also - what a brave woman you are) I'm freezing all the time and can't wait for the spring to come))

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  55. I could never get my arms out in the cold- I get affected by temperature so much, it makes me feel ill, angry, tearful even! You look fantastic in that gilet.

    I have knees that bend backwards a little bit, which can gross people out if it happens unexpectedly!

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  56. Brrr! Ok, I'll believe you, sure it's not an excuse to show off your tan? (says the woman who is usually translucent). It's snowing here!

    Tibetan yak socks sound far more sensible xx

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  57. dahlink you have lovely arms! so soft and feminine!

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  58. Gorgeous skirt and gillet. Totally fab!

    Wow you are hard core being able to brave bare arms in the cold conditions that we have had!

    My sister used to be able to wrap her legs around her neck years ago, not so sure she could now though. I think you have lovely looking arms! I hate displaying mine even in summer!


    MBB x

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  59. Hi my dear-your faux fur gilet is gorgeous and you look lovely as ever-very brave going bare sleeved too, lol!

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  60. Hi Doll! I hope you enoyed your vacation! I've missed reading your posts, either because you were away or I was.
    You are beautiful and who cares which way your arms bend...That just means you can give hugs like no one else can!!

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  61. well the cold only exists in our imagnation right;) and i love that you don´t give a fuck what others say, you have such a stron personality, i really love that about you vix!
    kiss,mary

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  62. I love the arm candy! Your arms are very flexible! So sad that you got picked on. My fingers are that way. I can bend them so they make an almost perfect 90 degree angle. When I was in school, my classmates constantly wanted me to do it. They thought it was funny!

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  63. You are too funny! Your flexibility is a Gift, and those Haters of the Past are very likely not as limber as you still are so you've had the last laugh! *winks* And you wear Vintage Fabulously!!! Love this whole ensemble!!!

    Thanks for stopping by for a visit... tatty, yep, that's me. *LOL* I have this strange fascination with it in fact... absolutely eccentric I am. *Smiles* And I too please Myself in what I wear and how I feather my Nest... how boring it would be to just go along with whatever is allegedly on trend! Never!!! *Smiles*

    Blessings and Happy Valentine's Day from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  64. you are looking great as usual!

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  65. whahaha, it's simply ridiculous that somebody could comment anything about another people arms aspect!
    And you look fabulous and love every color and every piece you're wearing!!, so pretty vest and skirt and bag!
    besos & layers

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  66. Holy guacamole, you're Teflon-Woman! That maxi is divine and I love all of your jewellery treasures. That tote is always a fave too - the fabric is marvellous! Love! Sarah xxx

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Lots of love, Vix