The temperature has dropped by 20 degrees since last week, but every cloud has a silver lining and all that. It gave me a chance to road test this 1930s Chinese brocade opera coat when I popped down to Post Office to retrieve a parcel.
If only clothes could talk. I wonder who owned this before me. I bet they were insanely glamorous.
The beauty of a full length coat means that you can chuck anything on underneath and no-one will be any the wiser.
So my Yootha Joyce-inspired trouser suit I'd spent the best part of Monday making went unnoticed. That's probably just as well as the waistband isn't quite finished and there's a safety pin where the button should be.
The patchwork printed crimplene was £1.50 at Saturday's car boot sale and a friend gave me the 1974 Style pattern. Em made the pin cushion.
Talking of sewing I made this jumpsuit on Thursday evening out of an old bed cover. I wore it to Friday's jumble sale and a few ladies in the queue admired it. That's my Walsall-made Tarantella suede jerkin.
Here's this afternoon's task, ironing and labelling this humongous heap of new stock ready for the weekend and yes, that really is a purple satin sequin trimmed bra rubbing shoulders with a 1960s lime green linen coat.
I shouldn't have tried on this 1970s embroidered hippy-tastic jacket, made in Afghanistan and probably brought back as a souvenir from the overland trail. It might have to be a keeper!
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| Wearing: 1930s opera coat (vintage fair) with a 1970s felt hat (car boot sale), Mongolian lamb boa (jumble sale). |
See you soon!
Linking to Judith's Hat Attack.
Goodness that Yootha inspired suit is fab! I can just imagine her wearing that xx
ReplyDeletePerfect - love that rich brocade on you! Gosh, I'll pass on the sequin trimmed bra but that emroidered coat is gorgeous!!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteFab full-length coat missus. That jacket is definitely a keeper - you can't sell it! :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that coat is just amazing. When I go to the opera, other people seem to just wear jeans and it sort of makes me want to cry inside a little. I love the thought of getting dressed up for a night at the opera.
ReplyDeleteI bet you give pleasure whenever you go out - fun is infectious!
ReplyDeleteSo love the opera coat! When I was a teenager you could pick these up ridiculously cheaply at thrift shops. Alas, why do people not dress up anymore? Love that Afghan coat too. And your style .....
ReplyDeleteThat opera coat - wow!
ReplyDeletesequin bra and a lime green coat? Nothing odd about that. You've become a sewing goddess! I keep looking for fabric/sheets ect and never find anything worth buying. Well, those gold curtains, which are hanging in the bedroom. Love the coats!
ReplyDeleteI had to google "Yootha Joyce" and yes - great inspiration and spot on. Maybe even better than Ossie Clark?
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous brocade coat, just the job on a chilly morning...I very nearly put the heating back on!
ReplyDeleteThat crimplene fabric is bloody lovely, you are so clever to knock up a catsuit, but didn't Yootha always wear orange lipstick?
I love anything with a hippy vibe so I'd be tempted by that fab Afghan coat too. Sorry, I'll be continuing with the decorating on Sunday but hope you sell loads. xxx
What an amazing coat, its stunning and it looks perfect. Yes, if only it could talk about who owned it and the places she wore it to. Bikini one week - opera coat next, that's our weather isn't it?
ReplyDeleteGod bless Yootha for being such an important part of our telly youth! I can imagine her wearing a trouser suit like yours whilst eyeing up Robin Tripp!
P.S. Your biceps will be pumped after ironing that lot!
xxx
When I first saw that first pic I thought you had had green hair extensions! Turns out it's a lovely faux fur stole (you would rock multi coloured hair btw). I think people should dress up more and wear treasures like this. I'm a fine one to talk though as I am just so tired these days I drag on the first thing I can see xxx
ReplyDeleteBoth of those coats are incredible - definitely don't part with either. You bring class to them too :) Don't work to hard this weekend and make sure to have a rum and coke or two...or three
ReplyDeleteTwo fabulous coats and sewing up a storm there, love! Your brocade opera coat is fantastic; yes, I wonder what adventures its previous owner(s) had in that beauty. It's probably the only time its ever been to a Post Office!
ReplyDeleteThe Yootha-inspired trouser suit is a triumph, isn't that fabric gorgeous? And the bedspread jumpsuit is perfect with your Tarentalla jerkin, such gorgeous colours.
Hope you got on with sorting your stock, so you can have a relaxing evening with a glass or two of something delicious!
Love you! xxxx
Only you, Vix pull off that coat with great style!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing coat! The original owner can't have been more glamourous than you!
ReplyDeleteYour trouser suit looks fab even if it's not quite finished. I never finish anything, just move on to the next thing. Love the patchwork print. What a bargainous find! xxx
Oooh la la!!! That coat is spectacularly opulent! It WOULD be Amazing to know what lives were led in that coat. You are interminably glamorous! It is s beautiful sight to behold x
ReplyDeleteYou have some beautiful fabrics and textures there, I like the green linen and the satin bra! your chinese coat is very smart - you find some amazing things.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely an opera coat after my own heart! You are so right about these amazing pieces - who owned them? What were they like? It's great that she's getting another ride on you, Vix.
ReplyDeleteAnd sewing! Crimplene? Would that be 100% textured Fortrel polyester by any chance? We could guess you're not wearing sweat pants and a T under that coat. Wonderful outfit, and the jumpsuit too.
What a gorgeous coat, properly glam. I wonder who owned it?
ReplyDeleteLove the Yootha jumpsuit....stunning. Proper attire for cornering some young man I feel.
Oooh look at all that yummy new stock. My Kinky green blouse is lush by the way. Love it to bits and wear it all the time.
Loves ya.
xxxxx
How I wish each vintage piece had a history attached. One vintage store I used to go to often did include the history when they knew it. It was a huge selling point for me.
ReplyDeleteYou do manage to find the most unique wonderful pieces!
Your green eyeshadow is AMAZING!!!
bisous
Suzanne
i often wonder, too, about my clothing's life before I found it. I think your coats (love them both) had an adventurous life and brought joy. You look gorgeous and I so envy your sewing skills! xox
ReplyDeleteThat coat is simply divine ....
ReplyDeletexxxx
WOW , I love that coat its beautiful ,It sits yo a treat xxx
ReplyDeleteI just adore your trouser suit - that print is so fab! I've not had much time for sewing recently so I'm enjoying seeing all of your makes. Hopefully I'll be able to share some of my creations soon! x
ReplyDeleteLove the Opera coat, so glamorous but that hippi-tastic coat has your name written all over it!
ReplyDeleteHow could you NOT try on that 1970s embroidered hippy-tastic jacket … it should DEFINITELY be a keeper.
ReplyDeletexx
Girl, you KNOW not to try stuff on... Especially an embroidered jacket!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat brocade jacket is gorgeous, too. Always love brocade <3
A coat like that is perfect worn as a dress-and I now Have David Bowie in my head....Little China Girl.
ReplyDeleteLOVE both of the pantsuits and that suede jerkin is to die for. You MUST keep the embroidered jacket or else I will never see it again and that will make me sad.
xoxoxo
Love the pant suits. And good luck with the ironing :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to ooh and aah at the most. The opera coat is fab, I dug out a short version from the back of my wardrobe this week. Your Yootha Joyce outfit is a winner for sure and that hippy coat is s definite keeper.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm off to find someone to take photos of me in my stuff and to learn to sew haha.
You are an inspiration dear Vix.
Have a great weekend at both events. We will miss you at Victoria Baths. I'm having to fit in a tea party that day so can't get to Chester as well xxx
These photos are a paradise for my eyes! This long embroidered coat is fantastic, you're right, you must have a history full of glamor. It would be interesting to write a novel about vintage fashion, who knows ..!
ReplyDeleteYou have made very stylish suits, congratulations, also beautiful tissue.
Here too, the temperature has dropped, but that's OK .. it's spring!
I love the suede jerkin and lime green coat. Anything green, purple or suede gets my heart beating faster. x
ReplyDeleteLove that opera coat! Not found any mid-week car boot sales in Pembrokeshire :( But a few good antique and vintage places and charity shops x
ReplyDeleteSo much fabulousness. The opera coat is dazzling. I'm sure it looked great under lights.
ReplyDeleteThe faux patchwork pantsuit is divine, as is the embroidered coat!!
Your machine is running hot! Xo Jazzy Jack
The Chinese brocade coat is gorgeous, and you so have to keep that fabulous embroidered coat!!
ReplyDeleteYootha Joyce was one very stylish lady, and so are you, Vix! That opera coat is just beautiful, I love those chinese fabrics, so rich and elegant.
ReplyDeleteStunning opera coat. Loving your jumpsuits too...that one with the suede waistcoat, just fab!
ReplyDeleteZxx
Gosh look at you doing all these exciting things while I'm interrogating databases and wiping bottoms! Think you got all the brains AND the looks. You're right, the weather has definitely taken a wrong turn. Never mind. It is only April. The Chinese coat is sooo glam, and I just love your Yootha Joyce trouser suit. It is so you. Bravo for being fabulous! Xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteI must admit I don't know who Yootha is but that suit inspired by her looks fabulous. To me it looks already finished, but I'm sure those finishing touches will be a nice addition to it. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been sewing much lately, but I've been doing a lot of embroidery and my hands are starting to feel it but still I like it (my husband claims it relaxes him to see me to do, I don't know why, but what is more important it makes me relaxed as well)
...and I do love embroidery.
Taking that in consideration, how could I not love that coat? I must say that opera coat is absolutely divine. Tonight I'm heading to see some Chinese dance kung fu performance which makes me admire it even more...probably because I wish I had something as fabulous and theme appropriate in my closet.
btw you look so tall in that coat! I just love long coats, they have this empowering effect on me. Plus, they are kind of mysterious, aren't they?
...and speaking of embroidery, that gorgeous vest from Afghanistan is a keeper indeed! such lovely embroidery!
I love your trouser suit, it's just fabulous! Especially the patchwork print! :)
ReplyDeleteA sequinned bra is just what doctor prescribed! I'm afraid they did not make them in my size though. :)))
ReplyDeleteYou are sooooo beautiful! You look dreamy in your amazing opera coat! The trouser suit is fun, love the patchwork pattern. The suede vest (jerkin), or sleeveless jacket as they are called here, is wonderful! Glad to hear you had so much fun and found this embroidered beauty of a jacket - keep it, it's gorgeous!
ps You should know by now that I'm genuinely fond of you! :) xxxxxx
You know how much I love unusual coats and both of them in this post are making me swoon! You *MUST* keep the made in Afghanistan one.
ReplyDeleteYou have been a sewing fiend - the jumpsuit is so cool and you are tres chic in the Yootha Joyce -inspired pantsuit. I'm off to visit Krista today - will give her a hug for you!
You know how much I love unusual coats and both of them in this post are making me swoon! You *MUST* keep the made in Afghanistan one.
ReplyDeleteYou have been a sewing fiend - the jumpsuit is so cool and you are tres chic in the Yootha Joyce -inspired pantsuit. I'm off to visit Krista today - will give her a hug for you!
Now that's one of the many, many reasons I love heading over to your blog to see not only what you have worn, but where you have worn it to: 1930s brocade evening coat to pop down the post office. Yes! And my how you are rocking the jumpsuit and the trouser suit, strategic safety pin and all.
ReplyDelete'Glamorous' is the perfect word for that Chinese coat! <3
ReplyDeleteAnd all the new (vintage) stock looks ravishing!
Your Chinese brocade coat is simply stunning . I am sure it has had a very exceptional life as in your hands it will continue to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure that brocade coat would have some interesting tales. The jumpsuit is one of my favourites. Sometimes safety pins are our best mates, even if only for an hour or four. x
ReplyDeleteMy goodness that crimplene jumpsuit is incredible! Your sewing skills are something to behold. Xx
ReplyDeleteThat brocade coat is really lovely. Such gentle colours! And then the brilliance of your jumpsuit.
ReplyDeleteThat purple bra was the first thing I noticed! Does it come in a size ZZZZ?? Heee hee!!
ReplyDeleteWahhh that opera coat is a dream! I love the print, also love the hippy jacket you should definitely keep it! xxxx
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm so late, but that brocade coat is just stunning! I love the colours and the luxurious feel with covered buttons and floor length. Perfect with the Mongolian lamb!
ReplyDeleteThe embroidered Afghan jacket is very beautiful too, although not quite as luxurious as the other, but lovely colours and "knot"-buttons
I do like your jumpsuit as well, again lovely colours, and great pairing with the vest!
I can not get over that 30's opera coat! Beyond divine! I'm with you, my mind is whizzing with possibilities! Who owned it, where did they wear it, what did they do for a living, did they even have to work... and the list goes on! Wow that coat is a magical find! Treasure every second of it and thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeletei love both of those coats! so great the Afgan on too! And your sewn jumpsuits are wonderful too! i am still trying to find a good jumpsuit pattern like this with the big legs
ReplyDelete