As traditional ideas of what constitutes feminine interests go I'm a pretty poor excuse for a woman. Weddings bore me, I don't have a maternal bone in my body, I hate rom-coms, don't wear perfume, prefer best bitter to wine, have never seen Sex & The City, Love, Actually or Dirty Dancing, I don't fancy the bloke off Poldark, can take or leave chocolate and, in the past five years, I've probably spent less than a hundred quid on shoes.
Its not that I don't appreciate fine footwear but, as a confirmed maxi wearer, who sees my feet anyway? I'd rather save my cash for festivals, travel and having fun and just get my meagre collection of mostly second-hand shoes patched up by the cobbler.
If I do fancy a change then there's loads of women out there who wear their shoes just a few times before getting bored and flogging them off at the car boot sale. Like these yellow leather, stack heeled beauties I snapped up for 50p yesterday. This time last year they retailed at £65 which is the same amount of money that we spent on accommodation for half of the month we spent travelling India.
If my new-to-me yellow boots weren't enough fab footwear for one day, less than an hour later, be still my beating heart, I spotted these. Original 1960s black leather & suede lace-up boots in my size. My 50p piece was handed over in less than the blink of an eye.
According to my friend Amie, some people have a real problem with the thought of wearing second-hand shoes. More fool them. A quick once-over with a wet wipe and a brisk polish and they're as good as new. After a near lifetime of wearing other people's cast-offs my feet have yet to fall off and the money I've saved from splurging on fancy shoes has gone towards the most incredible experiences.
I've just realised my entire outfit cost £4.98. I bet I'm the cheapest date over at Patti's party today.
 |
| Faith yellow boots (50p, car boot sale) worn with 1970s old rose print maxi (99p, eBay), fringed bodysuit (£1.49, Age UK), 1960s suede waistcoat (Xmas present from Liz), vintage tooled leather owl bag (£2, Islamic Relief) |
See you soon!
That bag is all kinds of amazing. :) I have no problem with second hand shoes, and you've saved a fortune not being a style snob and look fantastic always Vix.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I do rather like Aidan Turner. ;)
Wow, you definitely score some great pairs there. I have no problem at all wearing second hand anything (well, not everything if you know what I mean) but to me shoes are critical to buy even when new. I personally think buying shoes without trying them on could lead to a disaster as I learned from the past. There is no such thing as vintage shop here in this city of Dubai so I normally shop on Etsy. There are some great well loved Doc Mart boots from the early 90s that I would love to buy but fear that they might not work fit wise. I love that laced up boots by the way.. sweet!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all make me think of one of my favorite songs!
ReplyDeleteThese two pairs of boots are fabulous and perfect for this look. I really like the skirt and corset! WOW
I'm glad I'm not the only one who had never seen "Sex in the City" and not go mad for shoes. I love my shoes older, worn and imperfect; when they tell me I look a piece of my life, and fashion is so far removed from these emotions ..
;***
serena
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKISS the yellow boots!
ReplyDeleteyou are an inspiration! You truly are, look lovely as well, testament to your frugal adventuresome ways, I had boots just like those black ones, I wore them out, literally! I also had a tooled leather handbag just like that one, all but the owl, mine did not have an owl, I love that owl,
ReplyDeleteBargain boots, I also have no problem with second hand shoes and I am often head to toe in second hand stuff, apart from undies. 70's stuff is hard to come by round our way though, most of it is primark rubbish.
ReplyDeleteGAH! Those black lace-ups are killing me!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people are so put off other people's shoes either. Buy a foot spray that kills any germs. Chances are they haven't been worn in the last 30 minutes and no germs hang on that long anyhow. Also second hand shoes are almost always more comfortable than new shoes. Someone else has done all the hard work of wearing them in for you.
Love the whole outfit.
bisous
Suzanne
I always use anti bacterial wipes to clean the inside of any shoes and handbags I buy second hand, a good tip from Aggi and Kim back when they had their TV show!
ReplyDeleteBeing a mostly "poor excuse" for femininity is the best. :) You do have the best stuff and the grandest adventures, dear Vix!!! xo
ReplyDeleteBoth of your new to you boots are fabulous. I certainly don't have a problem with second hand footwear when I can pick it up in my size and in styles I like. X
ReplyDeleteWonderful scores, Vix! I have no problem with second hand shoes, either, once I give them a going-over with a wipe. After all, who knows what's gone into "new" shoes from the shops? Thanks for linking up with Vis Monday, and you look fabulous as always. xox
ReplyDeleteI buy my shoes new but then I wear them until they literally fall apart. Your second-hand finds look gorgeous, and that bag - what a beauty!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your supporting comments!
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who hasn't seen Dirty Dancing or Sex In The City. I haven't watched Poldark either and don't get what all the fuss is about!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you got those boots for 50p each. The 1960s ones are to die for, if you ever find a pair in a size 7 let me know! xx
I'm happy to wear second hand shoes and clothes. This year I'm taking a leaf out of your book and having more experiences like the Art Trail this past weekend and next weekend having people love - and buy - my prints.
ReplyDeleteAlso Missy, I know you are flaunting that owl tooled leather bag, I read your Facebook page!
We really are seperated at birth if only by style but how well we both know how to work it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sat here in my landgirl outfit that cost £5 for, boots £8 and coat £6 haha xxx
Those lace-up boots!!!!!! Love love love!!! What's not to like about weddings tho???? It's all party party party, disorderly guests, and bad behavior? Or maybe that's just me...
ReplyDeleteGood eye! Those lace-up boots are KILLA!
ReplyDeleteAnother great outfit - I've been really struck by your colour matching lately. Really clever.
ReplyDeleteI buy my shoes new, but I do wear them to death (and make sure they're cobbled whenever they need it). I've taken to looking at the shoes in my local chazzas, but have never seen any I liked. One day, perhaps... I doubt I'll get as lucky as you, though.
Love, love, LOVE your finds! Those lace-up boots are to die for! And the purse! OMG! Shades of Hedwig the owl in Harry Potter! xoxoxo - You look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm a boots girl, so I am hugely impressed by these two purchases! 50p as well, that's amazing. I love car boot sale boots, but I rarely find nice shoes, so I do buy new shoes from Clarks - though usually from the outlet on Ebay so they're not expensive.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous outfit again, I love all those warm colours in the skirt and then the hits of turquoise and green in your jewellery and nails.
I don't really like Dirty Dancing, and think Love Actually's rubbish. But I do like a bit of Poldark!
x
So what if you're a poor excuse for a woman - ha, you're a whiplash girlchild instead!
ReplyDeleteAnd those boots, both pairs, are seriously fabulous, although the lace-up beauties are my absolute favourites. I don't have any issue with secondhand footwear, I only wish I could find more that fit me.
Loving the print on your maxi and the suede lace-up waistcoat, you look fantastic. And of COURSE you're a cheap date, that's why I love you! xxxx
Gorgeous boots, fabulous bag - the whole outfit looks wonderful on you. If people want to spend £100s on stuff that they'll then most likely get bored of pretty quickly - well, more fool them.
ReplyDeletewish I could find second hand shoes worth buying. Most of the ones I come across have lived way past their wear by date and should have been tossed away. Not even for 50cents.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you beat me with my Viz Monday outfit less than $10.
ReplyDeleteI am one of those that can't wear secondhand shoes, it is the inside of the shoe that creeps me out, the thought of foot fungus.
Argggghhhhh.
We have much in common. Just staggered that those two pairs of boots cost you 50p a piece! Second hand shoes pose no probs for me but I rarely see any I like in my size.
ReplyDeleteFab outfit btw.
Hurrah for the Life of Adventure! You look both beautiful and adventurous in your dark floral maxi (such pretty sweet roses) and waistcoat, and oh those yellow boots! Such a find - I can't believe people sell such cool stuff for 50 pennies, really?! :) You are a good one, Vix - no need to to be an excuse for anything, you know we love you just exactly as you are! xxxx
ReplyDeleteThe lace-up boots are divine! x
ReplyDeleteVix, the shoes are nice. Your bag!!! I love that owl bag.
ReplyDeleteYou are fabulous! both pairs of boots are pretty special, 50p warms my cold heart!! I'm very partial to second hand shoes though Dave always has better luck than me, I've never even cleaned any though, should wipe them next time, but then my feet are still alive - your fringed top is fab, fringing rocks my world and you look totally gorgeous (as always!!) x x x
ReplyDeleteThat is 4.98 well spent! I love your outfit and both pairs of new boots. I can't believe you found them, let alone paid so little for them. There's a saying that goes something like 'luck is the result of working hard' and you certainly must work very hard to get the lucky finds that you do.
ReplyDeleteGrrrr...I envy you. The quantity and quality of size 8or 9 shoes in my area is terrible. I'm afraid us large-footed girls, where I live at least, cling onto our shoes for dear life unless they have rubbed our feet painfully. I'm a bit fussy in my footchoices anyway(e.g comfort first). Anyway I adore the second pair of boots but what IS my favourite is that Amazing skirt!!!xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm also a bit of a fail at the "traditional" idea of a woman. I'm not much on kids, housekeeping or cooking, but I will confess I enjoyed "Sex and the City" at the time, and I do love a nice pair of shoes, if ever I can find ones to fit me. I had a pair of boots like your new black ones, only they were brown patent on the bottom and the legs were beige suede. I gave them to a friend who never work them :( They are the perfect Vix boots!!! The yellow ones are very splashy - can't believe you got two pairs of fab boots for so little money.
ReplyDeleteThose boots are the bomb. I must go car booting again, I'm far too lazy to get up early enough to find bargains like that, but you never know.
ReplyDeleteOh you are fab! Both pairs are amazing, but that second pair are fabulous, what a find. I've never really understood why people have a problem wearing second hand shoes. I've encountered many people who find it freaky but I really can't see the problem! Not to worry though, it means there are plenty left for me and you! XXXX
ReplyDeleteOoh, bootilicious post! (I may have used this word incorrectly. It could be something to do with bottoms.)You jammy bugger snapping up two pairs of great boots for 50p a pair. It's a good thing you're not at MY car boot sales though Vix. I might be tempted to trip you up with MY size sevens to beat you to the booty.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Sex in the City either so I'm with you there. But Cap'n Poldark? I don't understand how any woman can be immune to his charms!!! xxx
Ha! Fabulous, you are.
ReplyDeleteLoving the booty. The yellow are stunning and the lace-ups are bloody divine. I had a similar pair years ago and wore them until they fell off me.
I don't have a problem with secondhand shoes either. I've just scores a pair of Fly sandals that someone thought they'd like. Result.
Sex in the City? No chance. And to this day I've not seen Dirty Dancing.
Here's to being a cheap date!!
Loves ya.
xxxxxx
The 60's Victorian style boots are real beauties. I have a Victorian style leather pair that are almost identical but you have the real thing. I have no problem with second hand shoes at all. A once over with an antibacterial wipe and you're good to go. Apart from being maternal (sometimes) I'm not a typical woman either. I just wish I had your charity shop luck with clothes xxx
ReplyDeleteGreat boots, Vix!
ReplyDeleteI have no problem wearing second-hand shoes - spray the heck out of them with Lysol and you're good to go.
Beautiful once again. Love Actually was a pretty good movie (lots of swearing and saucy bits, you might even like it - with a good rum and coke that is)
ReplyDeleteOh, my! Those lace up boots are def. the steal of the century! Lucky you! I don't have a problem with second hand shoes either, I think some people are just too picky. :)
ReplyDeletemwahaha, not very traditionally feminine myself, but a shoes lover (even if I'm not an avid buyer!)
ReplyDeleteYour fabulous boots are driving me crazy, they're gorgeous!!, particularly lovely yellow booties!
I've had two pairs of second hand shoes in my whole life, too difficult to find good ones here in my neck of the woods, and my feet are particularly fuzzy!
But you encourage me to persevere!!, you and your fabulous boots!!
besos
I've never bought second hand shoes ... but I have loads of hand me down ones ... with my sister being the person that wore them a couple of times. Those lace up boots are to die for, you were so lucky to find them in your size ... I struggle to get my size even when I buy new. The perils of having freakishly small feet.
ReplyDeletexx
I don't like spending too much on shoes either. Fortunately, the biggest outlet of my fav Croatian shoe brand is my neighbour in Split ( I sort of live in two countries at the moment), which means I wear fabulous leather shoes and boots that I sometimes pay as little as one euro for..The reason why I don't like to spend much on shoes is that I wear them out so quickly...I walk everywhere! and I tend to a)walk like a soldier b) start dancing for no reason...so that might also be why shoes don't last long :) We don't have second hand shoes here, I've only seen a pair or two so far...but I wouldn't have anything against buying second hand shoes.
ReplyDeleteBoth pair of boots you shown us are absolutely fabulous. The yellow ones are so much fun...and they look quite comfy. In fact, they remind me of a camel coloured pair I recently bought.
I really like the lace one as well! I always wanted to get one like those.
You always look fantastic! ...and when it comes to feminine interests, according to that list I wouldn't do very well either. True, I love kids and I even volunteer with them so I couldn't say that I don't have a mother bone in my body, but I don't think my life would be without meaning if I never become a mother (as is quite possible because I haven't even starting trying yet and I'm not getting any younger).
Such a thrill spotting a great pair of second hand boots and finding that THEY FIT! Serious envy here, especially of the lace up beauties.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I rarely find women's shoes/boots the right size for me second hand, (size 8) but men's footwear on the other hand… now that can provide rich pickings in the way of brogues and ankle boots.
Your lace-up boots make me gulp. 50p?! That's serious non-money! I almost never buy shoes new, unless they are super discounted, even then the quality is usually bad.
ReplyDeleteIf hippies are relegated to your back door, does ANYONE ever enter through the front?
Nice shopping!
ReplyDeleteLovely yellow boots you have there. I have to confess I am one of those who can't bear to wear second hand shoes, mostly because I grew up on second hand clothes as we never had anything new - my shoes were often not my right size as a result my toes are not perfect so as soon as I could earn my own money I bought new shoes (age 13!) and have always spent a lot on footwear - but that's just me and my poor old feet - you have been lucky with your finds and obviously only wear the ones that fit!!! I do like your bag - it's very Harry Potter!
ReplyDeleteLove the bag you know me and bags 😄 and the boots are fabulous , best wishes x
ReplyDeleteLove the oak leaves on the bag.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I have never watched Poldark either or will I ever. Fabulous finds like you say nothing wrong in wearing second hand shoes or boots life experiences are far more appealing than spending a fortune on shoe wear :-) dee xxx ps I have just had to select hamburgers to allow me to comment on your page burgers I ask you not words anymore :-) xx
ReplyDeleteLove this maxi-vest combo on you. I was surprised to learn you're my height 'cause they look so good on you, they make you look so tall. I'm the same exact way; poor excuse for a female. Hate weddings, loathe babies (I won't even hold one, it's almost to phobia level), haven't spent more than say, $25 or so on shoes or purses and I don't wear any make-up. Also a big fan of comic books/video games/conventionally "boy stuff". :D
ReplyDeleteVix, I think I have watched Sex and the City just once or twice. As for shoes, everything I own now comes second hand and I have not bought retail in quite a while. The shoes I buy have either never been used or used very gently with barely a scuff mark on the soles. BTW, I love your outfit.
ReplyDeletexo, Bonnie
omgosh those black boots! i prefer used shoes b/c they've been broken in. :)
ReplyDeleteyou look SO beautiful vix. xo
Those black boots must be the find of the century!
ReplyDeleteZxx
Those black lace up boots are jaw-droopingly awesome....they're perfect! xxx
ReplyDeleteOh I do like your Yellow boots!! I am a shoe lover as you know, but like you I spend far less than the average woman, I like someone elses cast offs. Oh and I much prefer Beer to Wine!!
ReplyDeleteHi Vix
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to find someone who talks sense about second hand shoes - there is nothing to beat the sheer bliss of coming home with a bag full of finds from charity shops all for less than the cost of a meal out. Love it.
I have just found your blog via Kezzie's page - delighted to find you :)
Fil
Thanks for the shout out, Vix! If people aren't up for buying second hand shoes that suits me anyway-better chances of finding my size! xxxxx
ReplyDeleteI was reading through the list; don't like weddings, not maternal, sex and the city, don't spend much on shoes, all fair enough, but then...you don't fancy the bloke off Poldark? Vix! How could you? 😜😀 those Mary Poppins boots are great. 50p? Unbelievable. A cheap date is the very best kind! Xxxxxx
ReplyDeleteFunny story - my Dad has big issues with second hand ANYTHING! My mum used to "secretly" buy us clothes from the op shop, and if he found out he would say "what if someone died in them?" my mums response was always the same "Well, they don't need them anymore do they?". The thought of people not wanted to wear second hand shoes made me think of that. Both pairs of boots are exceptional, my only problem with boots is that I can never find any secondhand for my giant feet xo
ReplyDeletei'd die to find a pair of vintage shoes in a 10 or 11. ladies had such tiny feet! gah! great score with those two, and i especially like your maxi skirt. i wonder what is that pattern style called? i have a similar fabric in brown tones... maybe i can whip myself up a vixy skirt!
ReplyDeleteAll of your stuffs are amazing! Thank you for sharing this stunning blog of yours. I'll be back for more latest updates.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.boex.tv/