Wednesday 17 June 2015

Patchwork & Polka Dots


Remember this patchwork maxi I bought on our charity shop adventure in Buxton last week? I thought I'd give it a whirl when we popped into town this morning for the rest of our Glastonbury supplies. 


Worn with a vintage polka dot gypsy-style blouse, my cork-soled platforms and a big straw tote I was probably more suitably dressed for a holiday in the South of France circa 1971 than trawling the aisles of Home Bargains, Wilko & Poundland looking for vegetarian packet meals, a wind-up torch and cheap insoles. 

Dress for the life you'd like to live rather than the one you have. That's what I say.


My new-old maxi is lined with satin and painstakingly hand sewn. Even after over thirty years of collecting, I never tire of vintage clothing. 

Want to see my latest finds?


These two psychedelic beauties were from Vintage Village @ Stockport. After four people told me there were some amazing dresses on Gem's stall that were meant to be mine it would have been rude not to try them (and two out of the three fitted me perfectly so what could I do?)


I bought these original red leather platforms from Sutton's Vintage & Arts Fair the previous week. They're a 6.5 which means they're a perfect fit. They'll make winter far more fun.


Your comments make me laugh. Mum died five years ago but I feel like I've gained a host of older sisters keeping a watchful eye on me. Don't worry about my feet, I'm taking wellies as well as those boots to Glastonbury. If, despite two days of trialling them, they do start to rub then I'll wear my wellies (or my flip flops), there's no room in my backpack for an extra pair - and yes, Jon's taking more than one pair of glasses.

Polka dot peasant top (Salvation Army, 2010), Vintage patchwork maxi (£1.50 as the zip needed replacing), Straw tote (20p, jumble sale), Bertie platforms (last seen HERE)
Despite it feeling like Summer yesterday & this morning, we're back to grey skies and rain now. It better improve for tomorrow morning, it'll be our last Thursday car boot sale for ages.

See you soon.

54 comments:

  1. Love the patch work work skirt. My mom made me some overalls and a matching cap that was a patch work pattern.

    Coffee is on

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  2. Fun skirt, and your prices are right up my alley. Cheap! Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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  3. Whoa - those boots are amazing! I love your skirt too and all the care that went into creating it. xox

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  4. What I wouldn't give for some real platform boots, lucky you! And more great new dress to boot! I knew that patchwork skirt would look great on you! :)

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  5. Those tan boots are identical to ones I wore in the 70s, they are beautiful leather - I love your skirt, would like one too - a lot of beautiful fabric has gone into that skirt and it looks great on you.

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  6. Love this outfit the top is especially lovely. I have a pair of red sixties boots which oddly were a huge size compared to what you usually find - 8! I wore socks and they fitted nicely as I am a 7:) xxx

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  7. Wow that skirt is wild!
    I really must have a go at making patchwork some time, I have a cupboard full of bits of fabric left over from other projects that are too small to do anything else with!
    Love the boots too!

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  8. So relieved you won't be returning from Glastonbury with Trench Foot.
    Those new boots? I'll sound like a nag here but they look like a broken ankle waiting to happen. Go slow on the stairs is my advice! Still, if you're going to end up in A&E, you might as well do it in style.
    Love the patchwork skirt and your new frocks. I like the one you left behind the best though.
    Happy car bootin'. xxx

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  9. Well I Bloomin well love the maxi skirt!!! I'm definitely on the look out for something similar. I bought one once but it had a really odd waist so I didn't keep it. What a great top too and your new dresses are super!!! I love the fact people think of you!!! Hope Glastonbury supplies fare well. X

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  10. Shopping for Glastonbury! How exciting. A lady, probably knocking 70 she went to my French class said she went to Glastonbury every year - the rest of us ladies of a similar age swooned with admiration and envy! But, we could go if we really wanted. Hard to accept that one even though it is true.

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  11. The skirt is super-gorgeous! You look fabulous, and I love your hair!

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  12. Your patchwork skirt is stunning, I'm almost tempted to have a go at one myself, just £1.50 too, bargain! Those groovy red boots are so you!

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  13. "Dress for the life you'd like to live rather than the one you have."
    I'm mulling that one over! I think I like it. Now to figure out how I want to live the rest of my life! I love the way you make that dress on the left look. I wasn't impressed until it saw it on you. :)

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  14. How you will have brightened the high street this morning in your gorgeous colourful outfit.
    I pass one of your sayings on to everyone now " if you don't feel fantastic in it don't wear it".
    Funny you should mention dots when I had just read a blog on them
    Pink Capri pants, pink shoes, pink 1960's cardi, white very lacy top and jocking big pink felt bag for me today xx oh yeh pink toenails too

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  15. I just love a good mix of prints. Matching that patched maxi skirt with a polka dots blouse was ingenious!

    I do like those vintage dresses you tried on...glad to hear they fitted you perfectly.

    Those red vintage boots are to die for! The will make winter a lot more fun.

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  16. More cracking dresses and the skirt looks great on too! You always look amazing, but it does cause a problem; you've become one of those people who's impossible to buy for as you have all the best stuff already. A case in point is those boots. Fab-u-lous dahling! As Craig Revel Horwood might say. Yes, definitely South of France circa 1971. Better to dress for that than a grey day in Walsall! Maybe you'll make the sun come out? That would be lovely, thank you. Xxxxx

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  17. Rain? Why yes, it just started to pour. The temp hit 100, maybe it's crying outside.

    Somebody spent a lot of time on that skirt. It looks beautifully made.

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  18. Nice, 1971 or Walsall, 2015? Yeah, we can but dream of the former, but hey, you've got Glastonbury to look forward to, so it's not all bad! I do so love that gypsy blouse, and I just KNEW you'd be tempted to keep - or at least road test - that patchwork skirt!
    Your new frocks are fabulous, colourful, individual, totally you. And those boots are a brilliant find. I have NO advice to offer you about camping or festival - I think you and Jon have more than enough expertise in that department, don't you?
    Good luck at the car boot, hope the weather holds and you find lots of goodies. Failing that, there's always Saturday...
    Love you! xxx

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  19. Very nice maxis. The colours are superb. I agree comfy and Glastonbury should go together, all that walking. I wonder if Kanye will be bringing his wellies just on the off chance?

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  20. ooo, that skirt looks lovely!
    Sounds like a wonderful weekend coming up and those red boots are the bomb lol,

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  21. Yes, this skirt is perfect for you and your boots are sensational!

    good night!

    serena

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  22. Love that belt you're wearing and that photo of those sexy boots should be framed and hung in your dressing room!

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  23. "Dress for the life you'd like to live rather than the one you have. " AMEN! You never stop inspiring me!

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  24. Love this combination ... and those boots ... fabulous!!!
    You are so lucky to be able to find your shoe size so often ... I'm hard pressed to find mine even when I buy new.
    xx

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  25. With the mirroring of the patchwork pattern, they almost look like reverse cullottes!
    You definitely look like you are off to the South of France. Exotic definitely is your word :-) xo Jazzy Jack

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  26. I have a thing for polka-dots, so love your blouse. The patchwork skirt is also fab. As are the red boots and new dresses and ... well ... you!

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  27. love love love that ensemble!!!
    and your attitude - dress for the life you want! :-)
    here we have a little rain too - i´m glad because i don´t have to water the garden....
    and of cause we care for you and jon! our world would be darker without your sparkling personalities!
    xxxxxx

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  28. Lovely combo, darling! I'd much rather see you coming towards me in Poundland than some stroppy gobshite in a wolf print fleece.
    Love those boots to bits and those new maxis are stonking.
    The sun is back out and I still say it's going to be a scorcher...much like yerself.
    Loves ya!
    xxxxxx

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  29. Love that Vix quote, couldn't put it better myself.Lovely flattering outfit and fabo finds as usual(i have a feeling your mum is extremely very proud of you:)! X

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  30. More fabulous finds! I bet you're getting incredibly excited about Glastonbury. I hope it stays nice for you xx

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  31. You must be so excited about Glastonbury, and I'm glad you're taking your wellies with you, too :) The patchwork skirt is gorgeous, I love visiting your blog and seeing all the gorgeousness you find. xx

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  32. Hi Vix, that parch work skirt looks great on you.And that polka dotted top is so cute.Only you could pull off something like this. Feel bad for having missed your blog for so long. Will make up for sure. :)

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  33. I love that patchwork skirt, Vix. I would rock it all the time!

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  34. I want that on a t-shirt...dress for the life you'd like to live rather than the one you have. In fact I think I'll make one. At least we'll go to our graves knowing we dressed the way we wanted to.

    I'm so glad you kept this skirt for yourself!

    I'm drooling over that shopping tote. I am working on altering one I just got for myself. Oversized straw totes are classic if you ask me. I cannot believe you paid 20p for it. I'm seriously jealous.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  35. What a charming, summery & funky outfit :-)

    Not long back from my first festival of the season (bliss.
    Went through my lists intending to strike out stuff I did not "need", however I ended up adding items...
    Vix I love your packing posts - if you could do one about camping it would be bostin!
    Will I ever be able to pack for a camping trip without resembling Joan Crawford setting off on a World Tour???
    3 of my festival tips:
    Quality socks with a good percentage of wool in the mix.
    Freeze juice, milk & suchlike to help keep food cool.
    Carry a little water spritz for refreshing & cooling down the face.
    That last tip is a bit too Joan Crawford, possibly.

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  36. P>S

    First commenter -

    Patchwork overalls & matching cap?

    How FABULOUS!!

    Who was your Mum - Cher?

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  37. You have so many great looks that you could make a calender. This outfit - august. And the boots (maybe combined with your purple cape) - october.

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  38. Ah, now didn't I say that patchwork skirt was a keeper! Of course it was - looks like it was made with you in mind. And the boots. the boots, the boots…perfect.

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  39. Gawd I love home & bargains! don't know why we still use the '&', but we do haha! love your outfit, love it! gorgeous combination of patchwork and polka dot, I'm awed over how intricate the skirt is, so much hard work, totally gorgeous though and your frocks! I'm completely excited Glastonbury is so near, I can't wait to hear everything, I'll be looking on the telly as usual for you! x x x

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  40. Haha - in this outfit I imagine you in a romance paperback novel, going out berry-picking with your basket (handbag) and then succumbing to the charms of a passing handsome stranger. I supposed you'd go shopping with grass stuck in your hair then.
    It would have been terribly impolite not to buy those fan-freaking-tastic dresses.

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  41. The patchwork skirt is such an amazing piece, all that hand work put in it...Great finds, beautiful dresses, I especially like the one with green top, and the boots are just stunning!

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  42. Gorgeous as ever Vix ! Love the skirt and your basket ! Have a lovely weekend best wishes x

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  43. You look gorgeous, hip and very fresh :-) Lovely outfit and love the new dresses to. Hope you score well at the carboot sale. Gorgeous day here again in Somerset not a cloud in the sky :-) happy weekend, dee xxx

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  44. Love those red boots and your belt buckle.
    Great to see that fab dress from Gem being worn. It's ace!
    Zxx

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  45. I thought that skirt would look great on you, and who would have thought that patchwork and polka dots would look so good together? I would like to be able to dress more frequently for the life I want to live, instead of the one I have, (and very often the two are the same) but sometimes it's not practical.

    Love both of those maxi-dresses!

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  46. Those dresses really do have your name written all over them, isn't it fab how people spot these things for you?

    I think the patchwork skirt is a keeper, just saying......

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  47. LOVE those boots, Vix! Such a great fins, and those dresses are amazing too! xxxx

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  48. Oh i love that skirt. i wonder how they managed to make it so symmetrical!

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  49. what a great look ... I think, I said that before about this top: I love it!
    The perfect basket!

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  50. This is such a lovely outfit Vix. I definitely agree that you should dress for the life you want to live - well said! x

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Lots of love, Vix