Today was pretty much your typical British Summer's day, torrential rain, grey skies and a distinct nip in the air. An urgent, life-affirming blast of colour was called for when I got dressed this morning and my choice of outfit got more than its fair share of admiration from the folk in the Post Office queue.
Whilst I dress to please myself it still pleases me when strangers take the trouble to pay me a compliment. Its good to know that they appreciate a bit of colour even though most of them wouldn't be seen dead in it themselves.
Whilst I dress to please myself it still pleases me when strangers take the trouble to pay me a compliment. Its good to know that they appreciate a bit of colour even though most of them wouldn't be seen dead in it themselves.
After a rare lie-in yesterday we popped into town to see what the charity shops had on offer. I could call it "sourcing stock" but that sounds ridiculously poncey and up itself, doesn't it?
The trouble is that a stock buying mission inevitably results in Vix's wardrobe getting a boost, too.
The trouble is that a stock buying mission inevitably results in Vix's wardrobe getting a boost, too.
I spotted this maxi on the second hand stall & nearly dismissed it as being modern until I spotted the British Crown Colony label. The stall holder laughed when I handed over my fiver as his business partner had placed a bet with him that he'd never be able to shift such a "hideous" dress. He was so happy with his winnings that he let me have it for £4.
In Banardos I snapped up this vintage English-made lawn cotton and lace nightie, remarkably similar to the one Free People are currently flogging for £400. Bloody hell, who spends £400 on a dress?
Free People also have several of kimono style jackets priced at between £85 to £125. Mine's a vintage Russian fringed wool shawl bought from a jumble sale. I folded it in half (with the pattern facing outwards) and with the fold at the top sewed the sides together halfway up and stuck my arms though the holes.
The beaded pendant was 75p from a charity shop a few years ago.
The bangles are either second hand or DIYed by wrapping vintage braid around battered wooden ones.
 |
| Vintage San Francisco-made maxi dress (Birthday present from Krista-licious), Stack heeled leather boots (Salvation Army) |
See you soon!
I tell people I like their look if I see someone I think looks fab. One lady, about 80, dressed in 1940s clothes who looked wonderful. I raced out of the restaurant where having lunch with friends because of a birthday, and told her how amazing she looked.
ReplyDeleteThe lady glowed and her exquisitely dressed husband was also very pleased. My friends thought I was mad but I wasn't. She made me feel happy and I think I made the lady and her husband feel happy so as far as I'm concerned it was win win.
I tell people I like their look if I see someone I think looks fab. One lady, about 80, dressed in 1940s clothes who looked wonderful. I raced out of the restaurant where having lunch with friends because of a birthday, and told her how amazing she looked.
ReplyDeleteThe lady glowed and her exquisitely dressed husband was also very pleased. My friends thought I was mad but I wasn't. She made me feel happy and I think I made the lady and her husband feel happy so as far as I'm concerned it was win win.
Love your colour boost ! You are such a delight for our eyes dear Vix !
ReplyDeletewe have had kind of english wheater here today .. had a lie in ...
hugs !
Love,love,love that dress! I got a compliment last weekend for my outfit, I always stand out around here!
ReplyDeleteI love some of the clothes at free people, but your right about the prices, and isn't if fun to get the look for much less! :)
You certainly brighten up a horrible dull day , i love the white dress so romantic , good luck for the weekend xxx
ReplyDeleteHow on earth could that stall holder think the dress was hideous - it's gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous Vix! And I'm necklace twins with you - it's a wonderful piece. The dresses are beautiful! xx
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that dress, it's gorgeous on you. Compliments take a while to get used to but they give you a thrill and make you feel good about yourself so what's not to love about them? I regularly pay compliments and find it sad when people dismiss them or make excuses. A British thing maybe? x
ReplyDeleteI love that your dress matches your curtains, I bet everyone loves to see you coming, you are such a delight for the eyes, too many wear the beige navy color scape, lifes to short to be boring right, and thats one thing no one will ever call you is boring, that black striped maxi looks amazing, it must be really old, never heard of that label,
ReplyDeleteThat dress looks great with your curtains and that wide waistband is really flattering. LURVE the nightie! xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm struggling to think why anyone would find your Tom Richard dress " hideous". Fabulous finds as always. Xx
ReplyDeleteIf people don't smile with delight when they see you then they are either jealous or defective. How can you not love a walking talking rainbow? You look fabulous as always. I always love your piled on rings and bracelets but it's a look I cannot function in as much as I love it. I do a pared back version when go out.
ReplyDeleteI love that dress; that is NOT an ugly dress. Silly man. I also love Free People clothing but the prices are insane. I do not wish to dress like a rich hippie wannabe even if I do secretly cover those clothes and I'm not even sure that they are terribly well made.
That's a rather delightful oxymoron-terribly well made.
I am constantly blown away by the vintage clothing that abounds where you live. The closest I can get to that is something 90's at the thrift shop.
That bedroom is so sweet.
Happy Hump Day!
xoxoxo
That rainbow dress is a-maaaazing!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely the right person to have it.
Holy cow, I never new Free People were so damn expensive! Really? That is completely ridiculous! I'm sure the English lawn dress you found is far better made.
there is your long announced russian scarf!!!
ReplyDeletethe dresses are all beauties on their own, but with you inside it´s just amazing. when will you wear the white lingerie one?
cool what you done with the scarf - have to copy this :-)
xxxxxx
Hi my dear!! You look vibrant and wonderful as usual and I so adore the rainbow maxi dress you snagged and the lawn white dress too, fabulous finds! The scarf/kimono idea is genius and I've a plan to do something similar now! Hope you're having a grand week! xxx
ReplyDeleteI was amused because in that room photo of you, you make your normally bright-looking patchwork curtains look distinctly dull!!!! Patchwork maxi trumps patchwork curtains! You look really lovely as usual and it is lovely to get complimented. Today, I was wearing shiny bronze shoes and lots of kids and teachers admired them which was nice!!!
ReplyDeleteThe scarf.kimono idea is great!!!! But £80??????? Madness! X
I totally adore your colours, you're such an inspiration, and I love your witty writing :)
ReplyDeleteOh Vix! Such a vibrant vision you make! <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteAnd I have the same necklace in a different color! I had got it from Gujarati tribal women who sold these handmade jewellery! :)
lovely lovely lovely! i'm sure you already know this but tory richards is a very very upscale hawaiian label. the store sells dresses upwards of $400 each. it's quite swank and looks perfecto on you x
ReplyDeleteEverything in your photos looks stunning. I think it's lovely if random people compliment your outfit. Someone complimented my velvet jacket last week and it made my day.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Vix, we need all the colour we can get to brighten up these dull days. Linda xxx
ReplyDeleteLove the new maxi. The bright stripes on the black background is stunning! And the DIY shrug is lovely. I'm amazed by how few people have even basic sewing skills. On the other hand it does mean there are plenty of really great cast-offs that just need a new button or a seam mended for us to find!
ReplyDeleteA punch of colour is always the best way to brighten a day or a mood and your outfit is most glorious. I had to laugh at the seller and his friend having a bet about your fabulous dress in scored. It's much like a painting I picked up recently on ebay and the fellows family had laughed at him and too him it would never sell..........well ha ha ha, it did and we love it and for $1.25 who wouldn't?
ReplyDeleteVix, your creativity - a true creativity which flows so effortlessly of you leaves me amazed and speechless! Look what you've done with platok - who knew it can become a kimono just like that?!
ReplyDeleteNow when I "met" you online, it's easy to appreciate your personal style. But we are typically not surrounded by people like that. I know I'm not! It's mostly grey/blue/black/neutral colors all around, lots of t-shirts and jeans, or office looks. Very little creativity. I always wonder to myself - where all these colorful and fashionable clothes go from the stores? Because I really do not see a lot of it on the streets! My point is, if I did not knew you already through blogging and just saw you outside... I can't even predict my reaction. I would probably freeze and just stare at you. It's like meeting an alien. Maybe you have other types of what they call "English eccentrics" all around, but in the area where I live (or where I lived before in other areas of the planet), rainbows are in the sky and you feel extremely lucky if you catch a glimpse of one - it would make your day. To see YOU on the streets... can be a life-changing experience.
You are amazing. The black dress with the rainbow on it was made for you - you look absolutely beautiful in it. That is probably the longest comment I've ever written. :) xxxxxxxxx
So far from "hideous", your new dress is fabulous! My post tonight is about how much more exhilarating it is to shop second-hand, compared to retail.And $660 for that ivory dress?? It best make my morning tea and toast for that. xoxox
ReplyDeleteThat dress is gorgeous, the bloke who sold it needs his eyes testing if he thought it was horrible. On the other hand, since you scored a great bargain perhaps not!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly brightened up my day Vix, its grey and rainy here too. You look amazing as always xxx
ReplyDeleteA kaleidoscope of colour just smacked me upside the head. It is impossible not to smile when I see this.
ReplyDeleteI bet skittles drop out of your ass as you walk. Ooops. I think I just crossed the line there.
Ha!
I adore your new finds. You have the best shops.
bisous
Suzanne
You are a ray of sunshine! Reading your blog is like drawing back the curtains. I love how you fight the grey day with colour. And that rainbow stripe maxi is amazing!!
ReplyDeleteBlimey £400 for a dress like that, I can't understand it. It's not like it's a wedding dress or an evening gown?!
x
dear lady, you're like a star shining and being fabulous and rocking your pretty colorful outfit!!, I love so much your skirt and all those green and purple together, you look so lovely I would compliment you if we cross paths, (even in my absurd english!)
ReplyDeleteAnd so absolutely cool new 'hideous' dress, mwahaha (I would love to have more of those hideous dresses in my wardrobe!!)
besos & dresses
You definitely brightened up this dreary day Vix! I can't believe the stall holder thought that dress was horrible, it looks stunning on you x
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful in that patch work dress and I'm going to do that same thing with one of my Russian scarfs, love that! I am also dying over that Tori Richards dress, DYING!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!! So sexy so seriously awesome you are stunning in it!!!! I think you have just burst my rainbow wide open with this colorful post, the UK is lucky to have such a walking bit of merriment in our Vix! God I hope you won that contest, any ideas:)
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOU!
XXXXXOOOOO
Gorgeous colourful you! Hasn't it been grim of late? You're right, a blast of vibrant colour is the way to go, and that dress is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteHa, sourcing stock? And by washing and ironing and pricing, I think you mean curating that stock, don't you? Come on, love, get the patter right!
Ooh, that Tori Richard dress is a real stunner, I LOVE it! It's a blessing that we don't all like the same stuff really, meant you got a bargain there. £400? No way! Four quid is much more my style! Your Russian scarf version of a kimono top is genius, and as always, your rings and bangles are a joy to see.
No rest for the wicked, darling - more work coming up this weekend, but I know you'll enjoy it as well as working hard. Love you! xxxxx
Huh! I bet that bloke wouldn't describe your dress as hideous if he saw you in it! You look uber
ReplyDeletehot and the dress is stunning, I'd say. Love your beaded necklace and the lawn nightie is divine. Haven't got a scooby who Free People are, I'm afraid (I'm so uncool)...but £400, wtf!
Colour is so uplifting, I wonder why we don't, as a nation embrace it more?
You are so lucky to find that sweet maxi dress!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love patchwork, and your rings are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I may have used the term 'sourcing stock' in the past. It does sound bloody poncey :(
You've certainly brightened up my computer screen today. I absolutely love the rainbow dress xx
I think most people really appreciate colour, especially in a line of beige and navy that is the inevitable, dominant hue of a post office queue. Mind you, this outfit is particularly wonderful - you must have been positively wading through passing compliments.
ReplyDeleteOh my ... that maxi is simply stunning on you. I imagine it's the kind of dress that doesn't look so great on the hanger ... thus it gets passed over ... but put it on and VA-VA-VOOM!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a gorgeous splash of colour ... no wonder the post office patrons were complimenting you. But I do hope the weather improves for you soon.
xx
Quick where are my sunnies! You definitely would have brightened your surroundings today. I have done something similar with a scarf. And my Mum made me a patchwork maxi with all our leftovers when I was a teenager in the 70s! Takes me back. I used to sit in church and identify them all. But mine had gathered orange bodice and short sleeves and loooong orange ties in the front. I looove your rainbow dress, and how fun to have it swirl down the dress. Thanks for beaming into my day. Hopefully you will get to see some real sunshine soon :-)
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning!!! Absolutely stunning...the black maxi dress is GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteLooking beautiful as ever Vix in your bright colours. A real feast for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteLoving the rainbow dress, it's stunning and a bargain too. £400 fir a dress?! Much prefer your price. Think people must be crazy.
As for complements, I agree that you should tell people they look nice. My mother in law can never bring herself to tell anyone other than my niece that they look nice, even when they look stunning. It frustrates the hell out of my girls.
X x
you are the most colourful lady I know. when I saw that maxi dress on you on facebook, I was like, "Wow!!"
ReplyDeleteLovely bright colours today I like the free people lookee likee dress a lot, I can't imagine paying £400 for a dress but obviously someone can. Thanks to your inspirational blog I am now marching confidently into charity shops instead of sneaking in, getting chatty with some of the staff and getting over the 'corporate type smell' which has always been an issue for me on stepping inside these shops - I also have started washing things in baby shampoo since reading your tip! thanks. Betty
ReplyDeletebut that sweeping rainbow maxi is
ReplyDeletea beauty, silly man.
Looking great Vix, you know how to wear colour x
Hi Vix gorgeous clothes and you look wonderful as usual, I don't know how you do it, I'm not surprized you get nice comments from people, I have a slight obsession with your bedroom ! I am seeking help for this obsession ! ( Lol ) have a good week ! xxx
ReplyDeleteI'll have what she's having. I'll bet most of the people in the PO queue, or anywhere for that matter, wish they had as much style and pizzazz as you have in your blue-polished pinky finger! Of course I nearly fainted at the sight of your incredible patchwork frock and yes, who indeed would spend 400 squids on a frock? Massive dumb bastards with no sense that's who. We're flat broke, but I couldn't imagine spending that much on anything other than a plane ticket. xoxox
ReplyDeleteYou are a perfect blast of colour! oh isn't it just grim? you are right, wear lot's of colour immediately (everyone seems to still be in winter clothes here, boots and coats and me refusing to wear tights..it's June for goodness sake haha!)and 'hideous'! the dress is gorgeous!! you are just stunning in it - the cotton and lace nightie is beautiful and no I couldn't spend £400 on a dress, I could go on holiday for that instead x x x
ReplyDeleteJust goes to prove "One man's hideous is one vixen's treasure"
ReplyDelete...:)...
blessings
Oh my good god, I LOVE that British Crown Colony dress, it is amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteOoooh I never thought of doing that to a shawl......
ReplyDeleteThat Tori Richard maxi must be set aside for the next photo shoot -- the one where you're featured on the cover of an important magazine!
ReplyDeleteIt seems plucked from the wardrobe of a 60s Bond film: the dress worn by the lady lounging in the bad guy's lair.
(If I could wear the dress, I'd probably wear the price tag as a necklace!)
Simply love your bright green shawl , in fact the whole of your outfit , you're a living rainbow !!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for the bangles !
And the white dress , which Jane Austen's novel does it come from ?
~ Romantic greetings ~
~ La Dryada ~
Vix, you look fantastic. Love the colors and I can only agree with Shawna, who wouldn't love a walking talking rainbow? xoxo.
ReplyDeleteYou're like a rainbow Vix! I love all the colours and patterns and textures in your outfit!
ReplyDeleteAnd i totally agree with your comparison to Free People. The boho look i don't think can be bought... sure you can buy the clothes but the original reason for it was to be against commercialism and what not. Not to dance all night at a festival listening to Justin Beiber or whoever. And the free people stuff is probably made by workers in terrible factories being paid a pittance. free people they are not sadly!
WHERE are you going to be in Shrewsbury? Would love to meet up and do a blogger's meet up post!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosemary from
www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
I feel I say something similar in every second comment I leave on your wonderful blog, but that new-to-you British Crown Colony dress is amazing. I love it and am happy that it will be gracing your wardrobe because it looks so so good on you.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going out this afternoon and must go scour my wardrobe for a bit more colour than I usually wear. You'll know what I mean when you see me in head to toe black in tomorrow's post! But, inspired by you, please be assured that I'm working on it.
I'm fairly new to you blog and I really enjoy it. Love your outfit but I also love your bedroom.
ReplyDeletethe tori richards dress is to die for! i love it. great find!
ReplyDeleteCor bloomin'! Wish I could find something as hideous as that for £4! It's perfect in every way. You absolutely need to be doing some disco dancing. I've got Baccara in mind. And as for that patchwork maxi from Krista, I'm not surprised you felt the love in the PO. You're turning us all into sinners. Thou shalt not covet! I also love that delicate lawn cotton nightie, but there's no way I could justify £400. That's practically a holiday! I've checked and tomorrow's going to be nice! About time, grumble grumble...! Xxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteThat maxi is the best dress I've ever seen. I love it.
ReplyDeleteJaysus, indeed, who the HELL spends 400 quid on a frock?!
ReplyDeleteYou, my lovely, look heavenly in your scrumptious rainbow of frockage!!! It IS lovely to get compliments. Most people do mean well, and love how us crazy ladies dress, despite not bring brave enough to do so themselves.
I think you are such a SEXPOT in that amazing maxi with the stripes!!! WOWZA! Hideous?! WTF?! I can see why you thought it was modern initially. Great score.
The white number, whist not my usual bag, is rather appealing!!! Goes to show, these trends go around and around.........and can be done O so cheaply if you have a little bit of nous.
Love Helga xxxXXXxxx
You look drop dead sexy in the Tori Richard Maxi and if it was a few sizes bigger I would BEG you to sell it to me. I LOVE the rainbow on the black background.
ReplyDeleteThe cotton lawn dress is lovely, and you would have to be off your rocker to pay 400 dollars or pounds for something like that. Hope you sell lots of stuff on the weekend!
That white gown is sooooo dreamy. And $400 for a dress? Pshh no!! It made me almost dry when I dropped a mere $80 on my own wedding dress!
ReplyDeleteThat black dress with the rainbow of colours looks perfect on you!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I do love the bodice on your Frisco dress, I thought it was two pieces at first, very nice! Great scores from your charity shops too, love 'em all! I usually go by look and feel along the charity shop rails, then check the labels now, after finding my lovely Lerose dress (wish I could find more!!). I have to say I thought Maureen's comment above was just lovely, racing from the restaurant to tell the older lady that she looked fab, how kind!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!! That frock is divine, & I love it with the green scarf/wrap. I'm so digging that patchwork effect skirt. What a find that black maxi was. It looks so amazing on you. Funny how something old can also look so modern. Love you from head to toe! Xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love your colourful look with the patchwork style maxi and kimono top, Vix - such a lovely bright looking outfit for a dull day. x
ReplyDeleteI can't believe he thought the dress was hideous, you scored marvelllously indeed. I can see why you get compliments, especially with your vivid palette of colour! I adore the bangles! Happy weekend. x/Madison
ReplyDeleteHideous? No way!! Its bloody gorgeous mate! I just love those vibrant flashes of colour and you look like one beautiful peacock in that outfit you're wearing. By the way, your nightie find took me back to the 80s, when I would team up Victorian and Edwardian cotton underwear with ultra-tight jeans ('Bellman' make, £9.99 from our local market - they were the best jeans ever!), cowboy boots and henna'd crimped hair! I used to cut off the length of those nighties to turn them into mini-dresses too. Ah.....nostalgia! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe dress color look so cute!
ReplyDeleteWWW.PUTRIVALENTINALIM.BLOGSPOT.COM
Bonitos vestidos!!
ReplyDeleteSaludos
I love what you are wearing today Vix, the patchwork pattern goes so well with green and purple. I would love to make a patchwork skirt like that. I saw the amazing crown colony dress on Facebook - what a great find. Hideous??? I think not.
ReplyDeleteI love both those dresses Vix and the kimono top too. You would cheer up any queue you cared to join xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, I adore that rainbow dress!!! You look ravishing in it! How can someone think it's hideous?
ReplyDeleteThe Russian shawl is so pretty too and I love how you've incorporated it into the ensemble. Russians historically have been enthralled with bright colors especially with in folk decor and costume. Red is almost always present.
Love you,
Masha
I swear, Vix, you could throw an old rug on your bod and you'd look fabulous. Wait. I know you've done curtains but have you worn a rug? It is never a grey day chez toi. I was explaining to my husband about what an inspiration you are to me and then I read this post and dang it if you just keep topping your own self! Epic!!!!!
ReplyDelete"Hideous" ???? What fool would think that frock was hideous. Bloody fabulous I think! I am in love with your patchwork frock too and think that whole ensemble would cheer anyone up. Such a happy look! XXX
ReplyDeleteWho could think that frock is hideous! Its AMAZING. I love it! Also wow - 400 pounds for a dress??? (that's like $800 NZ - I bought my new laptop for that a few weeks back!) I can't even deal with that. You look like such a rainbow of colour Vix - stunning :)
ReplyDelete