I keep hearing the phrase grown-up glamour bandied about in the media.
I'm confused, people tell me that I'm glamorous and, at 47-and-a-quarter years old today, I'm officially a grown-up, but when I google those words my screen fills with images of women looking drab in pared-down neutrals, absolutely nothing like me.
I'm confused, people tell me that I'm glamorous and, at 47-and-a-quarter years old today, I'm officially a grown-up, but when I google those words my screen fills with images of women looking drab in pared-down neutrals, absolutely nothing like me.
There's not a hint of a neon pink bell-bottom, primary coloured boots or aquamarine eye shadow.
No sign of a flamingo choker,
No armfuls of clanking bangles or even a cobalt painted nail.
Give me ridiculously rainbow glam over the greige variety any day of the week.
Give me ridiculously rainbow glam over the greige variety any day of the week.
Still, it wouldn't do to all be the same. If we were then this vintage dress wouldn't have been reduced to clear in Blighty Bazaar, somebody would have snapped it up weeks ago. It appears psychedelic maxi dresses aren't everyone's cup of tea. Thank god. If every bugger loved them as much as I do there wouldn't be enough left to go around.
We've been busy, organising trade pitches for the ever-growing number of festivals we're doing this summer, reorganising the stockroom and travelling over to Leamington Spa to restock Kinky Melon's retail space at Blighty Bazaar - we can't replenish our rails fast enough lately, very exciting!
We did make a time for some chazza shopping. Our buys included this vintage Kay effects guitar (a make favoured by Jack White and that annoying bloke from The Beatles), some Spanish souvenir tat and a pair of fabulously kitsch religious tee shirts.
We managed a bit of recreational pimping, too. Jon Banksy-ied up some granny bags and I re-purposed an old canvas and some vintage fabric into poodle art and gave the waste bin in the office a Agatha Christie makeover.
 |
| 1960s St Michael metallic tee shirt & super-flared pants (Courtesy of the fabulous Curtise), vintage suede waistcoat (present from Liz), collar (made by me), Crazy Vix portrait by Clare. |
Great news, I did some research and discovered that Barry M ship to most countries - cruelty-free, bargain basement neon lipstick, rainbow nails and glitter eye shadow can now be yours, too.
I'm off to have a quick bath while Jon knocks up veggie Spag Bol.
See you soon!
I'm off to have a quick bath while Jon knocks up veggie Spag Bol.
See you soon!
Could i be the firs, if i'm quick enough maybe!
ReplyDeleteYeah! what a drag over 45 and boring, but not us, never us! TG! we are here to save the planet from beige boredom!
Tks for BarryM - I opened a Web account and will try the products
I love to those religious Tees, this is something i'm always looking for but no luck yet!
Hugs and have a fab weekend
Arianexo
super cool bell bottoms!!
ReplyDeleteyou´r inspired me to make some use of my long neglected eye shadow collection - purple and deep green got outings lately.
and i really love the print on the maxi dress! so you have luck that i was miiiles away ;-)
o.k - usually i don´t wear maxis, but i would´t be found death in this "grown up glamour" grayness.......
Love your vibrant & colourful style;-)!
ReplyDeleteX
Happy ~ Quarter Year ~ of your Birthday lol
ReplyDeleteWhat better way to celebrate than with bangles and bright colors ~ leave the beige for those who can't handle delightfully daring and divine at 47 and a quarter !
DITTO! Current trends bore me to bits but now this outfit is rich in interest and color I'm in love! That dress too OMG it's summer maxified! I think you and Jon are so artist and that vinyl bag with the bunny is oh so stinking cute!!!!!! I am so happy to hear the pop up shop is doing so well, I only wish I could see it for myself!!!! I reckon I would need a whole suitcase to ship home!
ReplyDeleteHope to speak soon my fellow pink goddess:)
XXOOLOVE YOU!!!
You are a godess in pink and a whole year younger than me !
ReplyDeleteXxx
In my opinion, you are the very ESSENCE of "Grown Up Glamour" !!! It doesn't get more glamorous than YOU, honey!!! Mind you, the grown up bit is the most aggravating. Being grown up is terribly over rated in my book.
ReplyDeleteFecking love the new maxi, and the spunky kitsch tees!!! Nice revamping too!!! So good to hear that you're doing well with Blighty Bazaar! It's a charmed, colourful and downright FABULARSE life you're leading! WOOF!
Love Helga xxxXXXxxx
Love that dress and the the banksied bags ... what a fab idea! M x
ReplyDeleteWhat, no neutrals and luxury fabrics and kitten heels and less-is-more make up, Vix? What will the Grown Up Police have to say about that?
ReplyDeleteWho cares? You are a colourful vision of fabulosity, bedecked in vintage St. Michael and suede! The flamingo choker looks great, as do all your pimped up goodies, and that dress is a stunner.
What good news about your success at Blighty Boutique, and your growing summer festival pitch list. What did you decide about Womad?
Bath, followed by spaghetti (and a wee tipple, maybe?) sounds perfect. Love you! xxxx
You are absolutely one of the most glamorous people I know!! Glamour isn't just one thing--as set for by a bunch of dull lemmings in FASHUNS ivory and beige towers!
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that Kinky Melon is expanding so much!! when are you coming to America???
I'm sure there are very "grown-ups" out there who are as glamorous as you dear Vix!! ^_^
ReplyDeleteThat choker is fabulous! And loving those kitschy tees & the bags too! <3
Happy Bday to you, and may you always revel in your own version of grown up glory. You made me laugh when you mentioned the Google image searches: Curtise has mentioned this before and I'm sure it's no news flash, but your images come up so up often when I Google things I love and want (vintage patchwork, tapestry bags, you name it, you're there). I just love that. Glad to hear your shop is doing so well. I've been buying up a storm (70 percent off at the thrift shop!) and feel I am shopping with a vendor's eye now ... We shall see what develops! Xoxo
ReplyDeleteyou certainly are glam. and you said jack white. :)
ReplyDeletexo
I love that you are exactly who you are with all your colour, clothing and empowering opinions. You look fabulous as always, which truly must come from being true to oneself. Such wonderful news that Kinky Melon is busy, busy......world domination next huh? Thanks for the heads up about Barry M, I'm yet to try their polishes, still going to exy to get them Australis. Hmmm perhaps a Aussie Barry M buying co-op with some of my other vintage loving blogging gal pals might be the answer for this tight wad.
ReplyDeleteIts always a beautiful, exotically coloured day in your wardrobe world xxx
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ReplyDeleteGrown-up glamour? Why should that be so aspirational then? Is this the alternative of fading away in greige?
ReplyDeleteGawd 'they' never tire of trying to control impulse, imagination and sensuality in the over 25s do they.
Your glamour has nothing to do with being grown up Vix - its innate (innit lol) xx
I don't ever want to be cornered into a specific style. I love that you always mix things up. I love change.
ReplyDeleteVintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
There is no way I'm gonna dress like a drab beige wallflower at any age. The lifelessness, the shapelessness, the lack of color or inspiration. Those are the things that really make you look older in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine you dressing drab and thankfully you never will. I love that everyone is different and think we all have to accept that fact. You have been an inspiration for me to just go ahead and be me and I love that, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteThere is only one Vix in the world and she is well loved by all! I can honestly say that I've never seen anyone dressed like you out and about in this city. Sure people like their vintage finds, but the twirls and swirls of colour don't seem to make it to the street. Which is a shame really.
ReplyDeleteAnd that painting! I've always admired it in your sidebar, but to see it behind you there is a real treat. I love it!
Hi gorgeous! Know what pisses me off? Those catalogues for Fifty year olds, all shift dresses and navy slacks. Hurrah for colour and clashing and clanking of bangles.
ReplyDeleteAt least our generation won't go quietly in to the background.
Hurrah for Barry M and that stunning maxi. Love it.
I'm so chuffed that Kinky Melon is growing so fast...festies need you.
Lurves ya!
xxxxxx
Can't imagine you in beige!
ReplyDeleteLiz @ Shortbread & Ginger
All your colour doesn't shock me in the slightest ... now if you did a post featuring greige ... I may need immediate medical attention.
ReplyDeletexx
Great dress you picked up, aww I love bright pink now in my 40's than ever before :) great look, fabulous trousers...
ReplyDeleteYou are a very bright light Ms. Vix : )
ReplyDeleteSo brilliant that your business is doing well. I can see why when you pimp out those bags like that. Very smart! That trash bin is going to make someone's bathroom mighty scary. I just adore the trim you have used on it. I need to head out to the fabric store and see if I can't get my hands on some. I have the same but not multicoloured like you have here.
That painting beside you is so fun. You look like you're giving each other the side eye.
And that dress you scored???? Damn good thing I wasn't there. There would have been a cat fight. Did you notice that it is a perfect example of Radiant Orchid? The colour of the year? Of course you did.
What a pattern. The mix of colours is intoxicating. I cannot wait to see you in that!
bisous
Suzanne
There is no another Vix - that's for sure! Just one look at your photo in this colorful outfit in front of the wall of funky art brings a smile to my face. You look amazing - such a beauty! I'd loooove to see brightly colored outfits everywhere I go, but no such luck so far. Maybe you'll change it - one blog post at a time.
ReplyDeleteHappy for you that business is doing so well!
That maxi is amazing!!! I'm so sad that I was planning to go to Leamington spa in 2 weeks time for a dress making class and see a friend and. I forgot I gave a course for school on the same Sunday. Gutting!! X
ReplyDeleteThe pink flamingo choker is sooo fabulous - I love all things flamingo, and this one is the best. Love the poodle art too and Jon's Banksy-fying. And I couldn't agree more that our differences make us interesting, vive la difference. xox
ReplyDeleteIndeed, the beginning of 21st century is not that great sartorially speaking -- all grey and beige -- everywhere! People who work a offices have to stare at grey walls and cubical dividers -- so very incredibly depressing. What happened with all the color?! Even cars on the road are mostly black and grey. I think they want people to be depressed all the time so more money will be spent on medical bills and antidepressants.21st century is all about greed, after all. You are, my Dear, is a ray of sunshine and very, very glamorous!
ReplyDeleteLove always,
Masha
What a find with that gorgeous maxi dress & cool guitar! looking forward to see you wearing it soon.
ReplyDeleteVix! I love your pants. I looooooove your pink paisley pants.Just love 'em. Now about neutrals. There are some people out there who can do neutrals. And they look gorgeous. But most people just look drab. Yet, when I worked in retail so many women over the age of 40 came in looking for "some nice basic neutrals." And I say, go for it. Be neutral, ladies. Like you said, that's all the more "good stuff" for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI was in the library this morning, flicking through the latest fash mags (coz I'm a tight-wad) and found amazing Prada frocks covered in art, they actually were works of art! I think fashion has been asleep for about 35 years and someone seems to have injected something magical into Miuccia's seems water supply. Fashion in general has been so boring for so long and it's people like you who have kept it real, encouraging people of all ages to be brave and just do it! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of greige before but had never understood why anyone would want to wear a grey flannel suit or totally boring outfit and how anyone could equate that with glamour escapes me. Jons artwork on the granny bags is excellent. It looks like you'll be continuing to have quite an array of wonderful treasures at the Blighty Boutique. Your antique rings and bracelets, beautifully tailored neon pink pants with their gigantic paisley print, your aquamarine eyeshadow and meticulously done nailpolish all look fabulous. I love your rainbow glam. That is good news about Barry M shipping their colourful cruelty free beauty products to most countries. The decor in your home is lovely and I like the artwork.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/
just say no to neutrals! Here's a fun bit: one of our students was sitting in the hall today, he was wearing cheetah prints sneakers. Much more fum than the usual b&w chucks
ReplyDeleteI love the Vix-n-John revamps!
ReplyDeleteI like black and grey, but I generally dislike those overwhelming beige and almond color schemes.
I think our version of Barry M in the states might be Wet-n-Wild. Lots of crazy colors, cheap and Peta-certified cruelty free! I've been buying it since the late 80s :)
So many swoonable things here, but that maxi steals the show, and the Banksified gear. Glamour is an attitude more than anything I think. You surely have it. Indulgence, jumping into life with joy. The greige glamour seems to be about perfecting a pout.
ReplyDeleteYou are incredibly glamorous Vix - its one of the reasons I admire you so much.I started following your blog and Helga's about the same time, I was feeling the social pressure to "dress like an adult" - but you know what, I found you guys and I realised I NEVER have to dress like an "adult" (by adult I mean boring black suit office worker) and I feel so much better for it! I'm so glad to hear your business is going so well!
ReplyDeleteToo much envy in one post! Jewelry AND guitars!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeing "Grown Up" is highly over-rated...
I was wondering how the shop was going , well done you deserve the success with all your hard work xxx
ReplyDeleteAbby, my eldest was moaning about being a grown up the other day 'it's crap' yes it is but lets make it less crap and have some bloody fun where we can! and yes, to dressing up too, always! I think you are very glamorous Vix, eye-catching, beautiful and forever awesome - I'm so chuffed your shop is doing so well and I didn't know about Barry M, am going to check their lippy range now! x x x
ReplyDeleteLOVE that choker! And if the time comes you ever want to get rid of the guitar, let me know - Tom would go nuts for it. :)
ReplyDeleteThink it's great that you don't conform to the beige brigade Vix, you look amazing always.
x
Yep, you are definitely glamorous as well as creative, inspiring and fun. Fun to be around and to watch what you get up to. It's never dull at jon and Vix's. I love the fact that you play together to come up with all these ideas. I'm sure i had that decal on my cot as a baby. That and a deer one. Loved looking at them. That psychedelic maxi is IT! I love 'em too. Good job i wasn't there at the same time, wrangling might have occurred. I am so thrilled about Blighty Bazaar, that is great news. You have found your calling! Xxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteLove the outfit Vix! The flared pants are fabulous x
ReplyDeleteGlamorous is the perfect word for you Vix because thats exactly what you are.
ReplyDeleteNo boring and dull here, like you I shall wear what I want and feel happy in, not what I am told I should by the media and the masses.
Loving the pink flares.
X x
Fabulous as ever darling but TOO MUCH PINK! ;-P
ReplyDeleteYour clothing always looks bright and cheerful but also glamorous and definitely grown up. I'd hate to see you in boring old beige! It just wouldn't suit your personality.
ReplyDeleteI love all your jewellery too xx
I think whether it be clothes or interiors its seems "grown up" equates to sedate and extremely boring. I will admit I am no snappy dresser but to live in a box of blandness would certainly make me a right misery. So I will be childlike I think and fill my house up with cheer and tat! lol.
ReplyDeleteLoving the recycles those bags are so cool and so is your poodle canvass. I love it when i can reuse and remake something to fit into our home. Nothing like that buzz.
Hope your fairs go well and that you both have a cracking weekend.
P x
The colours on that maxi dress are amazing.
ReplyDeleteAt 48 I hope I don't look greige either!!!
i loooove your pants! And i love that your not afraid to tell us your age. so many ladies your age hide behind it like its terrible and shameful to age. we're all going to do it! might as well have a ball while you are!
ReplyDeleteWill you be selling anything on your website anymore? I'd definitely be able to help move some of your brightly coloured garb! xo
I hear a lot of women say they fear slipping into oblivion when they reach a certain age, and that already (at age 40+) other women and men hardly notice them. I am 44 (and 1/4 lol) and I cant say that is my experience. I am not flamboyant at all, maybe a bit arty if you know what I mean (although sometimes that is used in a negative way). I worry about my weight and yet I am complimented and called beautiful and gorgeous regularly by friends (and my husband of course). I always wear makeup (out the house), and as I pointed out to someone recently, I was a teenager in the 1980's when even the men wore make-up and so I dare'nt leave the house without at least black eyeliner and some lip gloss lol. I don't have a sensible hair cut and I never wear beige or brown (or yellow but that's because I look jaundiced in yellow haha).
ReplyDeleteI think you look AMAZING Vix, don't ever change.
V
xxx
You look fantastic in those amazing pants--WOW!! ?Nothing boring greige about you!!
ReplyDeleteY'all get the best stuff thrifting--and then you pimp it out in the most amazing ways!!
You are just so fabulous! That is all! I LOVE that flamingo chocker piece so much! xx/M
ReplyDeleteGoodness you have a huge pile of comments here and I'm not surprised! since discovering your blog I have had terrible nostalgia pangs for the 70s clothes I loved and wore in my younger days and have come to realise that I am a bit of a dippy hippy at heart, so much so that I actually - wait for it - bought a pair of jeans - woohoo - followed by a cheesecloth style loose fit embroidered top, there's no stopping me now! out came my old suede clogs, what next! well some mascara purchased from MUC or whatever it's called at superdrug haven't worn any for about 10 years so that was exciting... I do admire your bangles and finger nails - but steady on, not too much in one go for me - this is all new and the men in the house can only cope with a slow transition, but I'm getting there, slowly. Loved your outfit today. Betty
ReplyDeleteI think the greige-wearing masses use the word "Glamourous" to refer to anyone who "dresses up" even though they aren't on their way to a party. I've always considered you to be a fabulous exotic bird with all your bright plumage! I've been seeing the word "elegance" a lot lately, in reference to what women of a certain age (50+) should be aspiring to. I've never been "elegant" in my life so that's certainly not my goal now.
ReplyDeleteLove the colours in the print on that maxi. Yes, it's good we don't get excited over the same things, or there would be massive cat fights breaking out in thrift shops all over the world. Am thrilled your little booth is doing so well!
I am new to your blog, and you look great! I love all of the colors. I am ready for spring. The floral dress is beautiful. I try and incorporate vintage jewelry or clothing into my wardrobe, I just like that your style is unique. New to blogging, if you want to stop by I am at www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com.
ReplyDeleteI posted with my 2 shih tzus today and they were lovin it. Monday I wore my cat eye readers, as I do love that look as well. You just look great!
That vest!! Everything here is amazing. So happy that your stall is doing well and that you have so many festivals booths planned--sounds like this year is going to be amazing!
ReplyDeleteNo beige in middle age, is my mantra (or any other age for that matter)
ReplyDeleteThose pyschedelic trews are fantabulous, I want a pair!
x
loving the flamingo choker......you have brightened my frustrating Saturday morning as I'm being somewhat jerked around!!x
ReplyDeleteHi my dear!! I really love your vintage finds, Jons Banksy bags are fabulous and I love the pink floral maxi dress too! Enjoy your weekend xx
ReplyDeleteYou are so glamorous! And never, ever neutral or boring!
ReplyDeleteLove those pants so agree with your thoughts on run of the mill milimalistic nonsense x
ReplyDelete"grown-up glamour"? I don't even know what that's supposed to be!
ReplyDeleteyou are glamorous..I love your pops of neon everywhere.. I love all the blues you wear, all the hot pinks and shades of green. You are amazing because of the fact you are so unabashedly you.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for grown-up glamor, I see it only on the blog Advanced Style.
Your pix next to your art pix is fab. Grown-up glam...
ReplyDeletequ'est-ce_que_c'est? Are you not the pinnacle of glamorousness being a Vixen and all? There you have it.
Love the artification both of you did with mundane objects.
ohhh what a vest!
ReplyDeleteLyosha
Inside and Outside Blog
I definitely like your grown up glamour best. Not sure what the big deal about being grown up is either, I'd rather not grow up! Love the flamingo choker.
ReplyDeletebefore I came across your blog and the blog of other sexy old broads like yourself, I honestly had no idea that older women were even ALLOWED to dress "young". I had honestly never seen it before. Now, I'm inspired and full of hope about my fashion future.
ReplyDeleteI think the internet ate my comment. Sad face.
ReplyDeleteThink you'd like this quote :)
ReplyDelete“I believe that everyone else my age is an adult whereas I am merely in disguise.” - Margaret Atwood
Save me from ever wearing beige or grey!
ReplyDelete