Wednesday 23 May 2012

Festival (Anti) Fashion


The sun is shining, weather is sweet, I've got a pint of chilled cider by my side and I'm dreaming of festivals.


Grubby Portaloos, cremated vegeburgers, mud, queueing for a beer, not washing for days, ratty hair, no sleep, losing your mates and missing your favourite band's secret set. I love every single minute.


Liz snapped up these 1970s high heeled wellies at a jumble sale so now I'm all ready and raring to go.


Twelve months ago I customised this 1960s St Michael nightie by chopping a few inches off the bottom, sewing the petals from some fake flowers on the shoulders and adding some pearly vintage buttons.


It went down a storm in the mosh pit at the Pulled Apart By Horses set at last years' Glasto. It was a hideously muddy day and the last thing I wanted was a maxi dress trailing in the filth.


If you're a Brit you'll be inundated with "festival fashion" features in the media from now until September. Most of it's dull as ditch water, who wants to dress like the thousands of other festival-going chicks?  Your friends will never find you if you wander off to the cider bus.

Vintage St Michael nightie (20p, jumble sale), tribal brass bangles (inherited), Italian-made wellies (gift), daisy chain headband (free from the garden)

Here's the guest post I wrote for my mate Rachel's blog last year on packing for a festival:
http://firebirdretro.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/festival-fever-vixs-rough-guide-to.html

I'd better go and comment on my favourite blogs before I drink any more cider.

88 comments:

  1. fabulous nightie frock. which festivals are you off to this year?

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  2. Too true about the endless magazines telling you how to dress! It's a festival not a place to be a fashion statement and you don't want to be buying brand new clothes or wearing your best for the mud that's going to be there!!

    Enjoy your cider!

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  3. You should never wear maxis. You have the best legs. There should be a law against you wearing maxis!

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  4. Love the dress vix, your customisation skills never fail to amaze me as usual! Love PABH, can just see you shaking your hair in the mosh pit! Go girl!

    Much love Amie xxxxxxxxxxxx

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  5. You'd never guess your dress used to be a nightie - fabulous make-over, as always. You must be Queen of the jumble sale make-overs and they always end up looking amazing. Those 70's wellies are real find too - just the ticket for muddy festival sites.

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  6. Love how you customized that dress! Im about to glue flowers to some heels as soon as I can find some cheap ones. Festival wear is funny now days isn't it. It's considered it's own look. Life should be a year round festival, in "festival wear"

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  7. You're the it girl, oh my I'm thrilled I found your blog. Luvin your style to the max. Keep doing your thang <3

    Tye
    http://www.lagelledailydose.blogspot.com

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  8. Genius! I love the flowers on the top!

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  9. You are the festival queen, hands down! I LOVE YOU!!!
    big hugs
    Reva

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  10. Love the collage of festie fashion. The wellies were a great find. My best ever festie outfit for not getting lost was a neon pink silk shirt with silver fake leather jeans that kept the rain off. Sometime back in the early 90's at Glasto. Great memories. Glasto was our summer holiday back then. We went for a week and for about 10 years the sun shone every time. Have to admit bringing an extra tent one year for hanging my frocks up. Think i was the only one there with a walk in wardrobe.

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  11. You most beautiful love child! This sweet nightie gone moshing is just scrumptious on you. I adore the flower petals on the straps! Your wellies will keep you dry and rocking on! I love seeing all the happy pictures of you enjoying everything about it!

    The daisy chain in your hair handmade fresh from your garden just goes to show how in the moment you are. Your making me smile pretty lady!

    Rock on!
    Krista

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  12. Great wellies and customisation skills. I love that picture of you wearing black and white gingham with pink in the guest post. You really suit pink xx

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  13. Your customising skills are fab Vix. I love the pretty flower detail. Those wellies are a real find too.
    Dx

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  14. I love festivals and I'm sure I need a colorful wardrobe, as the one you posted on Rachel's blog,everyday!!
    I'm very inspired by its mood:feathers, flowers and amazing prints and the dress you've pimped up is so beautiful I can cry, the shoulders are amazing!! I also loved the flamingo cape and hat, brilliant!
    xxx

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  15. Great stuff! I've never been to a festival here in England and would like to go before moving on :) Who knows?
    Pulled Apart by Horses are great - I saw them live in Lincoln some time ago and the house came down!

    To answer your question: the sun has been out today for a few moments here and there, yay!

    The Barry M neon yellow Nail polish I had to order from Ebay because I couldn't find it at Boots!

    xx

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  16. For festival fashion tips there's only one place to go: You! If the weather holds (here's to hoping) the nightie and the wellies should get you through many days! xxx

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  17. I don't even drink cider, but today's been so hot that even I've been on C'est Cidre lol. I love your festival fashions, they are what festivals should be like, full of colourful hippies. :-) enjoy your cider xx

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  18. If only I could join you - I so want to go festivaling again, I really miss it although not the crowds! The makeover rocks, maxis are the worst thing for mud and the high heeled wellies are the best - can't believe they were scored at a jumble!

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  19. There's a cider bus? Can you send me the timetable lol. You are looking as beautiful as ever. Wellies with high heels, who knew lol. I am growing my hair long again, you have inspired me, all I need to do is stay away from Mad Men and I will be fine. Sigh, just look at that Megan
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-vN4H4KBpA
    Enjoy your cider, I am away for a bath and a glass of wine.
    VB (the other one lol)
    xxx

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  20. Vix, you are by far the festival queen. I sure would love to bump into you at a festival one day, you wear the most fabulous of outfits and I agree all these festival fashion newsletters are so dull and unimaginative- who wants to look the same xxx

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  21. Amazing dress... then paired with wellies? Perfection!

    Love & Lollies... Jessa

    Caked Vintage Blog

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  22. Adorar your revamped nightie festival dress with wellies. love the added fake flowers and shiny buttons. looking like a magnificent flower powerin that flower headband.
    Your so ready to hit them cool festivals. I would walk around all day in bikini and fur coat, if I had your hot bod.
    Besotes

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  23. I adore that customised nightie, so cute! I heart that!
    xo

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  24. I would trust your fashion sense and festival tips over any media..
    and those are great wellies..good friend!!!

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  25. If I was ever to go to a festival (the thought of all those people fills me with horror) I would go with you. Love the boot they would look great here on the farm, would you bring them over when you're done with them, ta muchly! PS I went to Robbie Williams Escapology concert at Knebworth years ago and stayed for about 30 mins, never even saw the show, had a massive panic attack, 250,000 people! Left and walked about 5 miles to a place where Joe could pick me up!! lol. That's whay I like NZ only 4 million people in the whole country! lol

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  26. PS I left a reply to your comment on my blog, I thought it could be of some interest!! ;-D lmao

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  27. You'll be bringing more than a touch of glamour to those festivals, Vix
    :-)

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  28. Haha too right, a great reason NOT to dress like everyone else is the inevitability of either getting lost...or not spotting each other in the beer tent so whoever gets served 1st gets them in! ;)

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  29. I just love that collage full of festive photos. You look like every girl's best friend, seriously!

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  30. Love this look! Especially the boots!

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  31. Your customised nightie is ace Vix, so pretty and much nicer than all those Alexa Chung-esque outfits that festival floozies wear. The wellies are a fabulous find and such a lovely colour. What's your favourite cider? Last night I tried a pint of Addlestones (cloudy) I thought it was knats piss, my preferred pint is Stowford Press.

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  32. I like those wellies and wish my legs would look 1/2 as fabulous as yours in them. The altered nightie is so cleverly crafted.....Oh. And I think "cider" must be something slightly different from what it is in north east Indiana, U.S.

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  33. Fab customised dress oh Queen of the mosh pit! Great wellies too x

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  34. Great outfit! Love your wellies xx

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  35. I am loving what you did to the night dress!! When I was a teenager me and my mates used to wear petticoats and camisoles as clothes in summer. We were doing the underwear as outerwear well before Madonna did !!!! And as for your daisy chain, well that brings back fond memories!! You have fun at the festivals now ♥

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  36. it's official. you are my favourite. those boots make my heart skip a beat. every post, i think to myself how will she top that? sigh.
    xo
    k

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  37. Your really are a gorgeous gal! I love the dress, the flowers really make it xx

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  38. I hope it's so sunny you won't need your wellies! I loathe the festival fashion guides in magazines - clearly written by people who have never been to one! Sad to say I currently am not embarking on the festival season this year, can't wait to see what you get up to though x

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  39. Gawd,you are FECKING fabulous!!!
    Who could ever lose you in a crowd?! No one,those silly tarts who slavishly follow those stupid "what to wear to a festical" thingys are donkeys!You are Queen of the Festivals!!!
    Loving those amazing wellies,perfecto for stomping through the mud and excrement!!!
    I remember you putting that fab nightie frock together,yaya it gets another outing or 2 this year!
    WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!
    ParTAY!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  40. How could I forget this fabulous nightie refashion with the gorgeous flowers? I always look forward to Vix's festival season, I get so excited coz it feels like I'm going too!! Oh those wellies are simply glorious, isn't Liz a darling? I know, "festival fashion" yawwwwwwwwwwwn!!! I was just hanging out some washing and thinking about you (I dunno, the outdoors always makes me think of you!!) - that entire book should have been written about you. Topics: refashion projects, your amazing home improvements and interior decorating projects, packing and festival lists, jumbly tips and awesome finds, how to live fabulously without spending a shitload of moolah ... oh please write a book!!! xxxx

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  41. Gawd I LOVE your style Vix - a revamped nightie cum dress! What will you think of next?
    And high heeled wellies?? Who'd have thought ha!
    It's official - you have Festival Fever honey x

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  42. So cute it makes me want to go full on peace, love and rock and roll! Love the dress from the last post too. I honestly think you could wear a burlap bag and look FAB

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  43. The way you restyled that vintage nightie makes me swoon. The flowers on the straps were the PERFECT touch. :)

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  44. At first I thought these were stock photos from Woodstock! Wow! Amazing!

    http://yaconundine.blogspot.com/

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  45. Love what you've done to the nightie. And that sweet garland in your hair. Happy cider drinking.

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  46. So pretty! I love what you did with the dress - and those wellies are awesome! So amazing you`re going to festivals. I`v never been to one. Well, yet anyway!

    >'.'<

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  47. Cute dress--and you're right. Why dress like everyone else at a festival, which is all about getting away and feeling free.

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  48. So in love with your heeled wellies! Like your flower dress too & what mates could possibly loose you!

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  49. I love your festival flower strap dress it's very cute & the boots are awesome.

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  50. I love that you updated that frock - its so cool! What a simple and effective DIY. Also I love you have high heeled Wellys!!

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  51. aahh i love this outfit you look so pretty. Its so girly and lovely those boots are smashing to. I so agree with you dressing in your own fresh and your unique style is much better than being a sheep so to speak ;-)) Have a lovely weekend, dee xx

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  52. those wellies are immense....rock 'n' roll!!x

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  53. You look perfect for a festival. Since reading all about your customising i've enlisted the help of my cfraty friend to help me sew! I'm determined to make things! I've just got to pay in cookies ;)
    Sophie
    x

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  54. You always look amazing! I love the frock with those boots : )

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  55. You look fantastic!

    I think I have the same 1930s parasol as you! It's a treaured item I picked up for 30p at a jumble sale! I love your packing tips. I need some for my camping trip next week - a full week of camping - if you have any advice I'd love to hear it!

    I hate "festival fashion" it's all about being a boring little bint in shorts and wellies and whatever else that teaspoon for a personality bimbo Alexa Chung is wearing. Saying that I'm not that good at festivals, maybe I'm too much of a diva or perhaps everyone I wanted to see live is long dead!

    I'm off to Vintage this year to help out so I will probably need more festival advice then!

    I love what you've done with the nightie, it's so good, you're brilliant at jazzing up clothes. XXXXX

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  56. oh - and I have cream versions of those wellies too!! xxx

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  57. Vix- I’ve been having a mad clear out and have found a few pieces I’d like to send you. I know you are always receiving packages from your friends across the globe, and you are probably wondering why I’m bothering, but you always have inspired me and genuinely make me want to be a better person and I consider you to be a great blogging friend. I have no idea if they will fit/be suitable in the slightest, and they are of no real value- just old and unloved, but I thought of you and would love to see them go to a good home. You are more than welcome to chop them up/use them in a craft project, I’m not sure if they are your cup of tea, part of me thinks maybe they are, but I’m not sure! They’re not vintage which I know is your one true love, but they are pretty unusual and have been in my closet for years, but just don’t fit/work for me. Of course if they are really of bad taste (I’ve been told I have bad taste on numerous occasions) or not suitable, you can donate them to charity- I really don’t mind. Let me know what you think. Alice xxx

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  58. Oh red Wellies!!!! Gumboots here!!! They are just Too stylish!!!!!!
    Festival fashion fabulous, lost in a crowd never.
    Cider bus, Yay!!
    So looking forward to the pics of the fun.
    I've never been to a festival.
    Love v

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  59. you will be the best dressed festival goer around! I love the flower details and the wellies. I've never been to a festival before but if I do I will definitely be checking out your tips. xx

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  60. High heeled wellies, quite hilarious but so perfect for you!!! I wonder if the heels will be noticeable if it all muddy? Not that you'll care by that point I guess. Helga will be here in less than 8 hours, I'm far too excited to sleep!!!

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  61. I would never have thought this dress to be a nightie. Aren´t you clever???
    I am so glad you are enjoying the sun and warm weather.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  62. I hate all the little girls who've read the mags and bought the wellies ;) Well not hate but wish they'd be more themselves.

    No Latitude for me this summer - instead a folk festival - so I shall find something colourful to wear. MrVV will of course be in his summer uniform of shorts & sandals channelling his inner hippy ;)

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  63. What a beauty you are, love. A minx in red wellies!
    Enjoy this sunshine.xxxx

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  64. You look fab as ever - power to the flowers.

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  65. I like so much your advices for packaging!, they're really wise and practical advices for real life and fun!
    And you look so lovely in your minidress and wellies, it's a pretty perfect outfit for partytime!
    besos

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  66. I can't imagine you ever being lost in a crowd! Love the re-make of the nightie; definitely a festival outfit. We are moving into festival season here too, but I have a feeling our festivals would pale in comparison so I will live vicariously through you.

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  67. Anti-fashion? Hardly!!! You're the trend setter, not follower!! Love your "upcycle" :-)

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  68. You actually seem to be getting even MORE stunning (is this possible?) I can't think of anyone else who could look quite so festival-fabulous as you in a cut down, customised nightdress.

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  69. Cute dress - cant believe it was a nightie :D

    Sal x

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  70. Ah the cider bus will miss it and Glasto this year.

    Your wellies look fab! They look great with your restyled nightie too.

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  71. Ooh I look forward to your festival season too - so I can live vicariously through you! I remember that dress well, since you were attaching the flowers one night while we were skyping - the boots are the PERFECT finishing touch! I agree with Rosalind - have you had some secret work done? You are getting more beautiful! Love you more than pear cider! Sarah xxx

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  72. Great Job on the nightie....looks fabulous...ahh yes the Festival...here in the US that was my days of going to Grateful Dead shows (R.I.P. Jerry) and selling my jewelry and veggie burritos( I weave a pretty fantastic hair wrap as well!) ...that was before I had my kids...I have a feeling though when they leave the nest I will hopefully have a few more festivals left in me :) ~Wishing you a most wonderful Festival Season filled with wonderful memories and great sound ~Be Blessed xx Heather

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  74. Oh man, you've almost convinced me I should give festies another go, though seeing PABH at The Flapper was pretty good fun, and the toilets are not dissimilar! You look festival-perfect Vix, and I love lasophia's comment "Life should be a year round festival" Amen to that. xx

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  75. I saw a headband made like a daisy chain on Monday, it was beautiful, but not only would it have got lost in my hair, but it was £6!

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  76. I love all those pics of you at festivals, Vix, looking so happy and chilled and occasionally a little drunk, haha!
    The dress is perfect, so pretty and so uniquely you. Any of those "what to wear when you..." articles tends to be so blah, don't they? I've just been looking at a "what to wear in the sun if you're over 40" article on the women's room blog, and thought of you - you break all their crazily conventional rules and look a million times more fabulous! xxxxx

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  77. Weelies i love that word for boots!
    yes you are ready for the festivals Lady! i love what you did with the nighty-

    Montreal has its share of festivals too- all summer long, but not in the mud:)

    Take lovely have a pint of cider on me!

    Ariane xxxx

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  78. Oh Vix I always love your style. Those high-heeled wellies are fantastic! I love that dress on you Miss pretty! Have a lovely weekend.

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  79. oh, those wellies are so cool ... beforre my foot broke i thought about buying a lovely pair of cowgirl-rubber boots on ebay ...

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.de

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  80. You look gorgeous and I love how you have your own style. xx

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  81. Oh, how I want to go to a festival!!! And I've found the perfect caftan; I think you'd be very proud of me! :) You look fantastic in all of these ensembles/pictures. What fun!

    I love what you did with the strap on the St Michael nightie--gorgeous! XO

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  82. Your festival collage is beautiful, as is the dress that you customized. And your ensembles must be a breath of fresh air amongst the boring parade.

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  83. You have the most fabulous style; I am so glad that you don't dress like everyone else! And I bet there are many Brit festival goers coveting your look.

    High heeled Wellies?! I must have a pair; I've never seen them before! Love!

    xo, A.

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  84. I love you festival outfits, definitely much nicer than all the high street 'festival fashion' I see. Can't wait until we go to our festival!

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  85. It's not about fashion, m'lady. It is about style. And you've got plenty of it.

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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