Thursday 10 September 2015

The Psychedelic Shamanic Skirt - Charity Shop Finds



Black and midi length, probably not what immediately springs to mind when you picture the contents of my wardrobe.


On a mission to replenish our stockroom I caught a glimpse of a psychedelic print on the clearance rail of a local chazza this morning. 


Novelty prints have dominated the high street shops for years but those twee fox/cat/swan/owl prints don't compare to a fuck-off psychedelic peacock and an couple of shamans sporting facial tattoos. Only in the 1970s!


  It might be a length slightly out of my comfort zone but at a quid I'm prepared to give it a whirl, at least it shows off my original red leather platform boots, a maxi would hide them and that would be a crime. The only thing I don't like about it is that its been washed in that tropical flowers on steroids washing powder so many people seem obsessed with (I think I prefer fag smoke and BO to that horrific pong). Luckily Jon's finally fitted a sink in the utility room and a swift half-an-hour soak in soda crystals should do the trick.


What do you reckon? 



The Belfast sink was found in the garden and the brass taps & Edwardian washstand tiles both came from car boot sales. Jon made the frame from old pallets from the wood store and I knocked up the curtain using a stick from the shed, brass cup hooks and a piece of barkcloth from the 25p basket in a charity shop. The whole thing cost less than £20.

WEARING: 1970s midi skirt with a fringed body suit (£1.49, charity shop), Indian tribal pendant (£2, car boot sale), original red leather platforms (£15, vintage fair)
We don't have to be at work until Sunday so tonight we're treating ourselves to home made pizza, Lidl white rum and a mega catch-up of the BBC's India season, which might lead to booking a flight very soon!

60 comments:

  1. The length looks great on you Vix. I've been polishing my boots ready for the change of season. The opaque tights have already put in an appearance.
    Jon's done a great job with the sink. I used a piece of driftwood as a towel rail on the back of our door once. You can beat a bit of imagination.
    See ya Sunday xxx

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  2. The skirt is great and the lenght us perfect to show of your stunning boots with !
    The sink is beatiful....
    xxx

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  3. This midi skirt looks great on you and I love how you paired it with those red boots....and do I even have to mention how much I love the print on that skirt!!! you always look fabulous dear.

    Your new sink looks really wonderful, Jon did a great job.

    Possible booking of a flight to India? Now, that seems like fun.

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  4. love it all, you always look so beautiful vix but that sink! omg, it's gorgeous and the fact that it was done with all found parts just makes it even prettier in my eyes. you guys are so talented! x

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  5. I know a midi length isn't your usual choice, but look how fabulous you are in that skirt! You're right, it shows off the boots to perfection, and as for that print - words fail me, it's utterly divine! A quid? Get in!
    Jon is Handyman of the Year, I'm so impressed. The sink looks great, and between you, you've done a fab job there. Now to get rid of the synthetic perfume from the washing powder! Some of them smell really strong, don't they? It's as though the smell of plain old clean fabric isn't enough for people any more. My friend Joanne uses loads of heavily fragranced fabric conditioner (and what the hell is the point of that product, I ask myself?) and my other mate Sue washes anything she gets from Jo several times to get the smell out, which Jo has paid extra to put in - madness!
    Fuck-off psychedelia rules, man!
    Love you! xxxx

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  6. I really like midi skirts on you. Maybe you should reconsider your position on them. And they do showcase those fabulous boots beautifully. Well done to you both on the sink too. Looks great xx

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  7. Wow, Jon's a little treasure isn't he? I absolutely love what he did and it's so perfect for your house. I could do with him round here as we plan our bathroom rip out!

    I like the skirt but I prefer you in maxis. One for the stockroom then. xxx

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  8. It looks delectable on you!!! I seem to remember that one of my favourite dresses of yours is a midi!!! I love the in yer face animal trip-out! Yes, better than twee animals! That is SO TRUE about the sickly sweet smell of Charity shop clothes!! My washing never smells like that with Ecover!!
    The sink is gorgeous and a good size! We've got this stupid, tiny round sink which is too small fit most baking trays and large pans to.go into, we have to wash them a bit at a time! CBC rants frequently about it!!
    We watched a brilliant documentary about Calcutta on BBC catch-up! Such an interesting country!!x

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  9. wouuuu, Love that print insanely!!! and your red boots are perfection!!
    Gorgeous and Psychedelic for 1pound, it's amazing!!!
    Besos

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  10. God, that is a beauty and barking mad at the same time which is always a bonus! Looks stunning on and a whole quid...fabularse.
    Very impressed with the sink. Jon's done a fab job.
    Know what you mean about the old overpowering washing powder smells. I just like the smell of plain. Plain smells fine.
    Have a lovely few days to yourselves and I'm already joining you in a Lidl rum.
    Loves ya!
    xxxxxx

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  11. The print is fab and perfect with your boots. Jon really is a handy man to have around! x

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  12. I think you look lovely in your skirt Vix ! It is a lovely skirt a fabulous print on it . Have a fab weekend best wishes x

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  13. that skirt is a beauty!
    What a great job on the sink,, looks amazing!!

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  14. Love that skirt, it's perfect! :)

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  15. I absolutely love that outfit! That midi is such a bargain. I hope some of your luck rubs off on me soon as I haven't found any clobber for ages.

    Jon's utility room sink is great especially when it only cost that, but looks far more expensive.

    You two are well matched with your creative streaks! xxx

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  16. That's a fun skirt with the aggressive peacock(!) that I would happily wear and it looks great with your boots. The India program is interesting. Betty

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  17. You two are brilliant, that sink is beautiful, functional and cheap - a winner! And that skirt is an art piece. Great find.

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  18. You are right what is it with all these mad overpowering floral fabric conditioners? Thankfully my skin is as allergic to them as my nose so I stick with the sensitive for baby stuff! Much more nose friendly.

    I think the skirt length looks fab and how can you go wrong for a pound?

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  19. LOVE the skirt! What a score! Should you ever tire of it, I will gladly take it off your hands.

    Those red boots are killah. Groovy baby. Just groovy.

    I wish my husband had even 100th the handyman skills Jon has. Brilliant job!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  20. That's a gorgeous skirt - and I am even more envious of your utility room sink - that's a winner. xox

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  21. Fuck-off psychedelic peacock. Love it! I can't wait to slip it into a conversation. Especially around my current neighborhood. A bunch of duds and prudes. Soooooo...is there nothing you and Jon can't do? That sink is a beauty. Very impressive. And your skirt is perfect for those killer boots! I cannot even walk down the detergent aisle at the market without almost falling on my face. Why do people love that flowery artificial junk? What are they hiding? What are they afraid of?? Hmmm????

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  22. Ugh, *hate* that overpowering sickly fabric softener smell, all the charity shops near me use way too much, usually takes more than one wash to shift it, blagh.

    Your skirt reminds me of some of the crazy prints that some clothes had back in the 90s. It's a good length on you (it'd probably come halfway down my calves on me though!)

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  23. What an amazing find Vix, you look awesome! I love the print on this skirt. - Tasha

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  24. Love it, esp with those awesome boots.
    And speaking of awesome - how cool is that sink? Great job you two!
    I want a sink outside...one of these days/years!
    And I'm with you - cig smoke and BO (mix a little oil paint/turpentine smell in the mix, too and...oops I'm in nostalgia-land now) much better than super sweet fabric softener.
    xox

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  25. One hears drums when one views you in that skirt...those boots are made for dancing!

    The utility sink is a marvel. When I was a teen living in an old farmhouse, my father installed a "bucket sink" in the laundry for mops, buckets, bathing dogs and soaking really grubby work clothes. I found it just the ticket for washing my waist length hair. Lots of room for hair, potions and lotions!

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  26. Double win - the skirt is incredible, and it shows off the boots. You may need a whole wardrobe of midi skirts to show off your other fab footwear. Great rigging job of the sink - faucets to make me drool. We always get huge doses of dryer fabric softener sheets through our windows. That stuff is toxic, no, I mean, really.

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  27. Loving the new sink, and you are KILLING it in that midi!
    It's allll in the boots, I reckon, to carry off a midi well! It's the most gorgeous print! So pleased you gave it a go and have perhaps been won over!
    Ooo, was thinking it must be coming up to time to look for the annual flights!
    Haven't been any further than Australia for a bit; we're talking about our usual favourite, Thailand, for next year. O, I've been enjoying Rick Stein in India-more than fucking EVER I want to go...so many bloody places, so little time and money! Arse.
    Enjoy your night in! Love Helga XXX

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  28. I love the Belfast sink and the wood looks amazing around it and the curtain you both did a great job. Loving your skirt and the length really suits you, you have the height and shape to wear that length really well and you can see those gorgeous boots to so even better :-) dee xx

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  29. You look the business in that trippy midi and it's a perfect way to showcase the groovy boots. Yeah what is that awful chazza pong on clothes, they all smell the same, perhaps Curtise can enlighten us?
    It's Aldi non-bio and no fabric conditioner here. LOVE the Belfast sink job, how resourceful of you both (as if you'd be anything else!)
    xxxxx

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  30. The dress is utterly fab, I love it with the red boots. I'm not a fan of mid-length either but I think this dress is definitely an exception! The sink looks wonderful, very impressed that John fitted it. The green tiles are great too XXX

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  31. It should be all the women rights to own (and to look great wearing), a psychedelic pattern skirt.

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  32. Yes, you really don't want to be covering up those excellent red boots! There's a play being put on here called "Kinky Red Boots" ( I imagine it's been done in London too). Anyway, they have this huge, like 8 metre tall, sculpture of red boots out front of the theatre, that I was just out photographing yesterday. So there, I get a dose of two pairs of kinky red boots in the span of a day. Theirs might be huge, but yours are better, lol!

    I do like your new sink. Very nicely done and so much better looking than your typical utility sink.

    Oh, and that print ... Wow. Printmaker on acid perhaps? Love it and that length on you. And of course, the fringed body suit!

    Have a great weekend! xo

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  33. Cannot stand over scented washing powder or fabric softener, yak. Enjoy your relax with your India programmes I've watched a few. Love the sink!

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  34. Cannot stand over scented washing powder or fabric softener, yak. Enjoy your relax with your India programmes I've watched a few. Love the sink!

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  35. Cannot stand over scented washing powder or fabric softener, yak. Enjoy your relax with your India programmes I've watched a few. Love the sink!

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  36. You look amazing
    Happy weekend

    http://abdelkhalekleblog.blogspot.com/

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  37. I would definitely have seized this skirt just for the fabric - and you have the perfect boots to go with the midi length and to carry it off with aplomb. My mistake is that I'll buy skirts that are too midi to look good as they are, with the excellent intention of taking up the hem. Consequently, I have an embarrassing number of skirts and dresses still waiting for that chopped hemline to happen…eventually...

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  38. I'm always so impressed with the prints you find Vix! It's rare to find a pattern like this one....large; does it even repeat?...colourful; even with a black background...and super original subject material.

    And yes...I love the sink that Jon built! I quite covet that deep basin actually!

    Hope you enjoyed your pizza and telly. We've been on an Indian food spree lately...lots of lentil curries. Have you made homemade papadums?

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  39. I really love this length of skirt on you, it looks amazing paired with those wonderful boots! I completely agree with you regarding the washing powder smell, it almost hits you in the face it's so strong.

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  40. Boots! I agree-you have to have shorter skirts with boots that awesome.

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  41. OMG! That is a stunning skirt....how could it be on the clearance rack?? And that frugal, sink DIY is great. I never would have thought of using a curtain to cover up the plumbing. Ingenious.

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  42. beautiful skirt. The print is insane. I always use unscented stuff to wash my clothes, my underwear doesn't want to smell like cheap flowers.

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  43. Well done Jon, endless talents you two possess!! I think the skirt looks great on you and best way to show off those red boots. It may be black but it is totally bursting with colour on top!!

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  44. "Tropical flowers on steroids"! Perfect description!!
    You two are a great creative pair. Must be a great feeling to walk past and know you made it...let alone use it.
    That skirt print is divine! And shows off your boots wonderfully. Xo Jazzy Jack

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  45. I know that this is a shorter length for you but you don't half suit it. It shows off your great figure and those fabulous boots. I love the print, it is bonkers. Fab! Aren't you and Jon really handy! That sink looks really great, you can't beat a Belfast. They are just so big and great for doing stuff in. Love the tiles. We had ones like that in my Primary School. Xx

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  46. That is some of the most beautiful fabric I've ever seen. Love it. I'd like to order one in a maxi skirt. ;)

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  47. Loving this Ensemble! Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  48. I love your new (to you) sink … can Jon come over and do my laundry too?
    xx

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  49. This skirt is amazing, I love the psychedelic design and length, and then you have paired perfectly with this black blouse with fringe! Fantastic!
    How nice this sink, I like so much these porcelain white, hatred instead of steel ones!

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  50. You're right, it's not your usual length, but not surprisingly, you're rocking it with those amazing boots and your fringed top. It all looks ace, and just right as the days are getting cooler. Love the sink, tap, curtain combo. I must send you a pic of my old kitchen, we're playing snap again! Isn't it wonderful having a resident handyman? Anyway, well done for finding the novelty print of the century. Shamans and peacocks! For a quid! Xxxx

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  51. black and midi - but what a print!!! totally fabulous!!!
    and that cool boots definitely need a shortish skirt! trés chic!
    do i hate this TFOS-smell toooo!!! its especially horrible while walking the woods and bypass people who use such washing powder. uuhg.
    the new sink looks great - well done - mister! envy the brass tabs and pretty green tiles! :-)
    hugs!! xxxxxx

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  52. I couldn't picture you in a plain midi, but this one has enough pattern to bring it up to Vix levels of fabulosity. And it does make the most of those splendid boots.

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  53. The skirt looks great on you Vix, it really shows off your fabulous boots! x

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  54. That skirt is absolutely lovely, and Jon's done a great job on the sink! xx

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  55. I'm stuck on that incredible sink. I WANT it!

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  56. Hey there love that skirt with the boots!!! I am blogging again if you want to follow along. My hubby works in England now I fly over there all the time which is kind of funny because who would have thunk that would ever happen! I have been enjoying taking road trips with my hubby when I am there driving all over the country side!! ~Great to see you looking Fab as always ~Heather :)

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  57. You look smashing in a mini, maxi and everything in between. That is an eye-popping print and it was obviously meant to go home with you.

    Could you send Jon over to put in a sink for me? You both have mad DIY skills.

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  58. It's a beautiful length and shape on you, Vix, and what a fab print! Just reading your Stockport post above - it's somewhat close to where we are so I hope to make it there one day with la famille to meet you guys! Xo

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  59. HOLY CRAP!! I'd wear a dress or skirt of any length the get to wear that print - its FREAKING AMAZING!! There aren't enough caps or exclamation marks to say how much I love it. Also Jon is awesome - I love seeing the DIYs he does around your house. This looks great xo

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Lots of love, Vix