Friday 13 September 2013

Couture In The Kitchen


Despite me despairing over how too many women fear colour sometimes it can work to my advantage.


Take my new dress, for instance. This 1950s beauty had been in the window of one of my local charity shops for over a week without a smidgeon of interest, that is until I snapped it up this morning. 


It's raw silk, there's not a single bead or stitch missing and it's got a fancy label. We Midlanders may be a long way from London but a Mayfair label has to be something special.


The market sells New Look seconds for more than the price the shop was asking. I can only think that the almost-neon shade scared the bejesus out of them - Vix Pink, as my mates call it, after my beloved Barry M lipstick.


As you know, I'm not generally a fan of fifties fashion but I couldn't resist trying it on and guess what? It fits like it was made for me. I feel like a vintage Bollywood starlet, ready to burst into a song at any opportunity.


In my world all good dresses have to be worn immediately even for the most mundane of purposes....making a shopping list,


Sorting out the larder


Making a dentist appointment


Washing up...


Planning our next party.


Marjon Couture dress cocktail dress worn with 1970s Ravel platforms (£4.50, Cancer UK, 2011) and 1960s pearl earrings (inherited from Mum)

Who said Friday 13th was unlucky?

Have a fantastic weekend.

90 comments:

  1. Love your fabulous fifties' frockfind(makes you look frickin' young like a girl :-)!

    X

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  2. This is like a Bollywood magazine's photo essay on how domestic some glamorous starlet is. That dress was made for you.

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  3. What an amazing dress ! An an amazing woman in it ! Love love ...

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  4. Wow, what a bright colour! Suits you perfectly and makes you look really tanned! I have actually made an effort today and am wearing a new Dollyrockers dress - although it's probably covered in black hair now as Donna is curled up next to me!

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  5. You look lovely doing your chores. I on the other hand look a hot mess. I just spent the last hour crawling around the kitchen floor pulling off 1/4 round,moving the fridge ( lots of dust under that) and scrubbing the floor, well the part under said fridge. I'm putting new flooring in this weekend. Wish me luck. Hmm...I'll should wear a flower headband and some bastard jewelry!

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  6. That pink is ace on a grey day like this! It's always nice to have a trademark personal colour, isn't it? (Mine is teal/turquoise, according to all my mates)

    You definitely look a tad Bollywood here, any chance you're going to break into a dance routine for us? :)

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  7. Oh wow, this is such a fabulous frock! Hope you have a great weekend x

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  8. What a beautiful frock, Vix! I am definitely trying to work more colour into my look, you're my main inspiration! I find it fascinating how fashion continually evolves; despite this dress being from the 50's it wouldn't look out of place on a modern day couture catwalk. Such a vibrant shade! Especially with neon being such a big trend of late! I love it and you look amazing in it. This is my second favourite dress of yours, after that chartreuse number (I think it's from the 60's) which I think you wore for a new years party? (definitely some sort of party!) Anyway, that's my favourite dress of you'res ever, if you ever decide to part with it please give me first dibs! Much love and hope you're well xxxxxx

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  9. Wow what a dress! Awesome !! :) And friday 13th seems to be my lucky day too:D

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  10. This one! http://vintagevixon.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/bit-of-do.html If you should ever see anything like this, please point me in the general direction of it! This is truly the dress of my dreams! xxxxxx

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  11. Gorgeous dress. I didn't realize they were already using the overlock stitch to finish seams back then.

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  12. That dress is luminous! And so are you :) This post makes me think of that Dita Von Teese quote:

    "I advocate glamour. Every day. Every minute".

    Love the "Homemaking in Colour" book!

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  13. @ janavi
    I was surprised, too, but yes, overlocking was used in dresses as far back as the 1940s according to this wonderful mine of info:
    http://www.rainbowvalleyvintage.co.uk/howtodateyourvintageclothing.html

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  14. Such a lovely and flattering colour that coral pink. My daughter has a cardy that colour and she looks beautiful in it too.
    Did you paint your larder? What a beauty! Just like its owner. xxx

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  15. This dress was MADE for you. India Pink. Brilliant! This reminds me of one of those home making tip ads from the 50's only BETTER!!!! Words can't explain how much I love this post.

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  16. I've gone and changed out of the scruffy black dress I was wearing because I wasn't going anywhere today: you're always inspiring.

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  17. LOVE IT - also it's catching - I scored two pairs of shoes for The Dapper Man I Live With - handmade Italian, baby - one pair complete with shoebags - today at Sue Ryder - I hope it lasts another day and I get my bargains tomorrow :)

    You look LUSCIOUS xxx

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  18. I think that it's THE PERFECT shade of pink, I'm not surprised that is named after you!! This is the second time you posted about a 50's dress, and you already wrote that you are not a fan of that fashion era(and I understand, I prefer myself the 60's or 70's clothes)but the dress is a treasure and you vixified it and made it look even more appealing than it already is.The silver shoes are the perfect accessory!Today you reminded me of the film The stepford wife, every man dream about such a beautiful housewife like you!!
    Love xxxxxxx

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  19. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! The fit and shape are perfection on you! YOu really suit 50's fashion :-) but in fact this is totally timeless xx

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  20. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! The fit and shape are perfection on you! YOu really suit 50's fashion :-) but in fact this is totally timeless xx

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  21. How fabulous! Vix pink!
    It's a spectacularly beautiful dress, it does indeed fit you to perfection, and you look quite the gorgeous 1950s housewife, going about your domestic business while looking delectable in readiness for your man to return home from a hard day at the office - ha!
    Funnily enough I bought a rather lovely 1950s Scottish tweed jacket from a chazza today - Friday the 13th must be 50s day! And yes, there were scruffy, pilled, dull high street jackets and coats which were more expensive. Go figure...
    I know that 50s shape isn't your favourite, but honestly, it suits you brilliantly, you look amazing.
    Love you, darling, have the BEST weekend! xxxx

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  22. Hi my dear! What a stunning dress, the colour is beautiful and you really show that a best dress should be for everyday living! Have a good weekend xxx

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  23. Yup, that colour is definitely you - very Vix Pink. As always, you look fabulous. Hadn't realised it was Friday 13th until I read your blog!! How dense is that?? Oh dear, shoot me now.

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  24. I don't know why you don't wear 50s dresses more often because you look flipping gorgeous in them and the pink'un is a real beaut. You've got our toaster - trust me to notice something as mundane as that. xx

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  25. Wow wow wow! I know I must sound like a broken record but you always make the best finds. I need to get on a trian and visit you sometime :)
    I know what you mean about the new look seconds - around here is primark stuff sometimes for the same price it cost when it was new in the shop- and not even the nicer/ more interesting things they sometimes have!

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  26. This rates as my best ever post from you.
    Love the dress, love the pictures, love the humour, love you.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

    Jane X

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  27. It's always been lucky for me...the dress is gorgeous, love the detailing. Everything fits you perfectly as you have a perfect body my dear!

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  28. With your skin tone that dress is perfect. How can you not be a fan of 50's dressing? It suits you perfectly. You are a shoe in for an exotic Betty Draper doing her dishes.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  29. Holy fark, let me find my sunnies!
    Seriously though Vix this frock was made for you, t'was obviously waiting in that shop window for a discerning shopper. No doubt you got it for tuppence ha'penny when down here it would have been fifty quid. But please cover it with a pinny when you make your man's tea. x

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  30. Vix in Vix pink! Fabulousness.You look stunning in that wonder of a frock and I think this will be the Autumn of Much Colour after the Summer of Spanking Gorgeousness.
    Cannot wait to see you again. Counting the days.
    Have a stonking weekend, love.xxxxxxxx

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  31. Gorgeous dress and it works so well with your complexion. It doesn't look like too much 50s either because of your hair length and styling. Just a delicious mixture of beauty and so very "you".

    Have a great weekend!

    Maria

    xoxo

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  32. That dress was MADE for you--you look FANTASTIC--so chic and very "Mad Men"!!

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  33. What a stunning dress and adelight to see you in a gorgeous frock from an era you wouldn't normally wear.

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  34. Schwing!!! Yeah, we'll bring you over to the dark side yet!!
    You look TOTALLY amazing in this frock, darling! When it comes to 50's, you can rock it with the best, but clearly feel most comfortable when it's a good, garish colour!! WOOF! Indeed, frocking up for even the most mundane of chores makes a gal feel a million bucks!
    Rock ON!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  35. You might not like 50s fashon, but it loves you.
    Such wonderful dress, and perfect fit, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  36. Eeeeeee you look gorjuss !!!

    Twiggy x

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  37. Tks for linking up on my blog hop!

    Again love the sense of humor of that post and the dress is sensational -

    Ariane xo

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  38. Your new dress is adorable,
    I can't believe how perfectly
    it fits you!

    You look gorgeous : )

    Enjoy your weekend xx

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  39. Oh my goodness, this is the most gorgeous dress ever! And just the bee's knees on you :) You look wonderful, and I love the fact that you dress up for your daily chores. I've just come across your blg via Jane from The Small Fabric of My Life, and I totally adore it!

    Love, Biba x.

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  40. Wow, what a stunning dress. It looks as if it was made for you. You look fantastic and I am ever so jealous of your very tidy looking kitchen! xx

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  41. And it is the perfect color for you!

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  42. Bonito vestido!!!
    Saludos
    http://judithbysucre.blogspot.com.es

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  43. That's a gorgeous dress and it suits you so much, you should wear more 50s things!
    I love your 'housewiferly chores' photos, they could be straight from a 50s magazine.

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  44. omg, what a fabulous frock. I feel a complete charwoman, doing my chores in workout shorts! You look fabulous, rock on with your gorgeous self. xoxo

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  45. Damn, gurl, even the contents of your fridge are fierce!

    Love ya,
    Lynne

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  46. I'd be begging you on hand and knee for this beauty if well that wasn't rude I just love you in it. Pink silk with a sheen to cast rainbows wrapped beautifully around you! I'm drooling! You know how much I love ths right!?!! You know how much I love you right! We luck out every time others are to afraid to try that too bright for me whatever on.

    Happy Friday the 13th! Have a fun weekend and lets talk next week for sure.
    Loveyoumorethanpinkbutitsclose
    Xxxxoooo

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  47. What a fantastic find. I haven't had a good vintage buy in a charity shop for ages. I did however find an electric blue 50s prom dress at a car boot for a fiver last week. I think I'll have to do the washing up in it too as I'm not going to any parties in a while!

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  48. Glorious!! An amazing shade on an amazing model!!! I know what you mean about the '50's and early '60's but in this case, it's just perfect. I love the metallic shoes too. Thank you for the tour of your kitchen. I'll bet some good food is prepared there. Love you!!!!!

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  49. 50s cocktail looks good on you!! I had to scroll back up to look at your pics again! You look absolutely awesome.

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  50. Totes adorbs! I'd hack that hemline off and make it a little mini, but I have issues. You look superb (says a passing little dude)!

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  53. that color is beautiful on your skin tone. love love

    www.vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  54. You are a vision, my dear! That incredible dress is so yummy and really showcases your beauty not to mention your tan. You have to admit that New Look dresses can work to your advantage even if they may not be a favorite.

    Love seeing pics of your kitchen; just fabulous! Is that the starburst clock you bought at a boot sale and posted not long ago? It looks great in your kitchen.

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  55. It looks amazing. The pink really suits you. Vix pink indeed. I love your kitchen too. I can just imagine you in there whipping up delicious meals while looking fabulous.

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  56. I love love LOVE this frock on you Vix - its perfect!! I can't believe it sat in the store window for a week with no interest, also that bead work is just stunning.

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  57. you may not be a fan of 50s fashion but it's certainly a fan of you. That dress couldn't possibly fit any better! I absolutely love the colour, I know which Barry M colour it is you love too. Love all these photos, the anti domestic goddess? xxx

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  58. Im a member of the anti-pink league, but the frock is pretty awesome ...I have to ask the question ? were there no large ladies back then ? the best ive managed is a size 24 mink coat that i have to keep hidden because the cat thinks its his best friend

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  59. That dress was custom made for your doppelganger 60 years ago. Amazing that it finally found it's way to you. So perfect for grocery list making.

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  60. Vix, you may not always do '50s, but boy can you rock it! I love that, and yes the pink is perfectly you. I love the glimpses of your kitchen!

    XOXO
    Lynn Dylan

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  61. Move over Schiaparelli, we now have Vix Pink! How wonderful.

    I have a feeling you are going to be selling that dress on, but I'm glad we got to see you modelling it first. It's a treat. You look delicious and yes, girlishly beautiful. I'd love to see you in a Bollywood movie. Especially doing one of those dance routines.

    I love those pictures of you going about your business. That one of you on the phone made me really chuckle. I do think where you live must be the best place in the universe for chazzas. It's one amazing find after another. I'd love to know that lady's story wouldn't you? xxxxx

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  62. Love your vintage kitchen. Love reading your blog. One day I will get there soon.

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  63. aaah, this dress reminds me more on a bollywood movie than on a fifties dress. might be the raw silk with the glamorous embroidery - very indian. love it. i would wear it right away (probably i would look like vintage barbie ... hehehe).

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  64. Gorgeous! Love the colour & shape of that dress on you. The '50s style really suits you. xxx

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  65. Oh my giddy aunt!! I can't believe you got such a gorgeous dress in a charity shop, how could someone want to get rid of it? It fits you like a glove too - you look amazing! I am soooo going down to my local charity shops! Amazing find & an amazing look! :)

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  66. You look stunning in that frock! I love the colour on you! Can't believe no one else snapped it up - lucky for you though!

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  67. you know how much I love your attitude towards clothing! I really had to laugh about your pic with that book - phantastic ;)

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  68. It really is the most beautiful clour and it looks stunning on you.
    Mind you, it makes me giggle how much it 'glows' when you're next to the fridge!
    Z xx

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  69. The sheen and drape of your 1950s Marjon Couture cocktail dress are fabulous and that shade of pink is divine! I'd love to find full cut full briefs in that shade of pink - it's gorgeous! I love the embroidery too, You do look like a vintage Bollywood starlet in it! What a great find!

    http://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/

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  70. oh such a fab dress! And why not look as such while doing house work? I love buying things and mincing around the house in them. Or if i buy shoes, go into the tiled kitchen and tap dance away!

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  71. Oh my I know you don't often wear 50s my dear but wowowowow this dress is perfection on you! You look utterly ravishing and so glamorous in your lovely kitchen. p.s. you have such a beautiful back.

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  72. You were right about that dress looking like it was made for you. Great find.

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  73. Absolutely love it , looks fab on you x

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  74. What a beautifully flamboyant frock. I can't believe it was there for so long. You look very ladylike in it. Xx

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  75. You look fanflippintastic, I can't stand it!!! A 50's goddess doing all the things she is supposed to do in the home!! LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXXO

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  76. Ha ha, their loss is your gain, you look marvellous trip-trapping around the house. What is better than a perfect-fitting dress? I do not know. And I have realised we have the same (large green) glug jug :-) xxx

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  77. Vix Pink!!! Oh my yes it certainly is my darling!! Oh gawwwwwwwwwwwd you're frickin' amazing and seriously I CANNOT imagine anyone rocking that incredible frock as well as you do here. As you so well demonstrated, that's a frock that will take you anywhere and everywhere. Your hair, make up, bling-bling, Mum's pearl earrings and the silver shoes simply can't be improved upon! xoxoxo

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  78. Gorgeous colour and perfect fit, and how fabulous to wear around the home!!

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  79. So beautiful is all I have to say xxx

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  80. You look amazing, great dress. Pink is my favorite color! Love it

    Plz check out my fashion blog at www.fashion1psychology.com Thx

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  81. The dress fits you like a dream!

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  82. Amor,
    You look gorgeous in any style. This pink beauty definitely was made for you. I love that your parading in your fab dress all around the kitchen. My shocking pink Bollywood Princessa.

    Besotes

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  83. LOve this look on you...you gorgeous vixen you!!

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  84. How the hell did I miss this post, this dress is stunning you look lovely x

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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