Apparently some people identify their wardrobe needs and shop for garments that will fit in with the clothing that they already own. Not me. I see something, fall in love and, price permitting, buy it regardless of whether I need it or if it has any practical use whatsoever, hence a wardrobe stuffed with marabou trimmed opera coats, feather boas and psychedelic backless sundresses and not a single jumper, woollen scarf or pair of jeans to my name.
Take this nightie. What use is it? I never wear clothes in bed, the only time in my adult life that I've ever worn sleepwear was the week I spent in hospital following my hip replacement. Being 100% nylon it'll spontaneously combust as soon as I look at the wood burning stove, the fabric will snag every time a cat sits on my lap, the sleeves will make household chores nigh on impossible (shame!) and I'd probably scare the neighbours to death when I wheel the bin out.
But so what? Practical be damned! It was on a £3 clearance rail at Moseley Vintage Fair on Sunday and I bloody love it.
You'd think we'd be sick of the sight of vintage clothes - when we're not washing, mending, ironing or selling them then we're out and about, hunting them down. After a tremendously busy trading weekend the rails were looking a tad depleted so we've been out and about, hunting down some replacement stock. We're in Nottingham with Judy's this weekend (details HERE).
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| Clockwise from top left: 1970s Canada-made catsuit; 1950s velvet swing coat; 1970s crimplene trouser suit; Horrockses cotton day dress; St Michael parka; James Purdey wool culottes (these retail at over £500!); 1980s-does-the-1950s circle skirt; Clothilde hippy dress; St Michael peasant maxi; Embossed satin hooded cloak; 1960s sheepskin; Lace-up bodice maxi |
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| Clockwise from top left: Mancraft wool reefer coat; 1960s wool overcoat; 1950s overcoat; Hard Rock Cafe leather sleeved varsity jacket; 1970s Burton velvet jacket; 1950s doeskin waistcoat; 1960s Crombie overcoat; Double Two shirt; 1970s anorak; 1970s wool sports jacket |
We took these photos but whilst catching up with my blog reading I saw that gorgeous Porcelina had also posted a boudoir theme but she's a sexy David Lynch starlet and I'm more Carry On Screaming.
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| Wearing: Vintage 1970s English-made nightie, Victorian lead crystal heart pendant, 1960s fake pearl earrings, Barry M Cancun nail paint. |
See you soon.
very dancing Spanish Lady all you need is the fan...just what i needed a burst of colour on a very beige day
ReplyDeleteSuits you to a T , I dont wear anything in bed either but do like to get own comfortable after tea in my velour dressing gown , I love that purple velvet coat nevertheless its not going to fit me lol x
ReplyDeleteSuper fab as a dress !
ReplyDeleteXxx
I wouldn't give a bloody damn what the neighbours think. You look stunning in that colour. Great find!! Cheers, Michele
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I have SEVERE nightdress envy! It's so beautiful! xxx
ReplyDeleteVix, you save my ass every time - this colour, this (night) gown, your 'tude. Yeah, good medicine. Carry On Screaming, hahaha! I've not commented here in a bit but I can say I let out a sigh of relief when you got back from India, yay, Vix is back, the blogging world is right again. I watched Happy Valley. Wow. Light on the happy, heavy on gloom. Love it!
ReplyDeleteAnything that restricts housework is good in my book! If you love something, buy it! x
ReplyDeleteOh, wear it out for an evening-no one will know it is a nightie. Some heels, a mantilla, and you're all set. I couldn't have passed that beauty by either.
ReplyDeleteYou look great in that shade of red.
Hee hee it's fab. A great George & Mildred moment. It's a flouncing round the house after having a bath outfit and for £3 it doesn't matter anyway.
ReplyDeleteWatch out for Mr Postie this week
Lynn xxx
It's an absolutely gorgeous nightie and looks like a posh ball gown. So, you'll have to go dancing in it! It does suit you beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYour hair is so sixties! A friend and I had dreadful hair envy in the late 1960s of a girl we knew whose hair was just like yours - she was what was called a 'dolly bird' at that time and went by the monicker of 'Dot'. Ahh! Those were the days.
I seriously love the 50s velvet swing coat - it's not a 16 by any chance is it? If it is I'll buy it!
Just off to watch Happy Valley - must remember to breathe.....
Have a fab week!
Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com
OMG Vix
ReplyDeleteI couldn't pass the 'I'm not a robot' test - I couldn't pick street signs out. Mind you, some of the pictures are quite fuzzy and I am very short sighted even with my glasses on!
If ever a nightie had your name on it this is it! Who cares if it is impractical...it was three quid for chrissakes! You are so sexy senorita, I can imagine you stomping around the bedroom with your castanets and Jon looking nervous!
ReplyDeleteEveryone is raving about Happy Valley but I was on nights when it started and didn't get into it and I've enough to watch on catch-up already, what with Young Montalbano, Spin and Mr.Selfridge.
xxx
You are truly my idol! This gown is beautiful, and you're perfectly! It 's so in vampire style! You made me want to see an old movie of Hammer Film! What a beautiful hairstyle and I love this corner of your house (but I imagine that your whole house is amazing, just like you!).
ReplyDeleteI do not know this TV series, but I take note!
Who says it has to be a nightie? It looks amazing, I say go to the grocery store in it, maybe the pub :) Might want to take Jon along though
ReplyDeleteIf ever an item of clothing was made for someone, that nightie was surely made for you, Vix!
ReplyDeleteOnly you could carry off that nightie and look so gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers to totally impractical clothes! I had a ball gown (wish I would have kept it) that I just ADORED, I wanted to LIVE in it.
ReplyDeleteI am gonna snag your image for my "R" post for the AtoZ Challenge next month, "Ruffles, what good are they anyway?"
I love it's frillyness and the bright pink colour - it's so very you!
ReplyDeleteBy contrast I was very boring and spent my weekend having a bra fitting and buying bra and nicks from m&s!
It would have been a crime if you hadn't picked up this amazing Spanish number. WOW! It suits you to a tee. I think this could easily be worn out as a dress. Who would know it's a nightie?
ReplyDeleteThis one of my favourites of yours.
I also buy like you. My closet is just plain weird. LOL
I'm drooling over that purple velvet swing coat.
bisous
Suzanne
BTW...I watched Happy Valley. Not happy at all, but brilliantly played.
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
Wow, that a stunning item! I've been looking for something similar for the last few months but I am yet to find something with the wow-factor just yet!
ReplyDeletePracticality? Who's bothered about that?! Three quid for a riot of 1970s nylon ruffles sounds like a steal to me, and I can see why you couldn't refuse! The nightie is a perfect fit, and knowing Jon's penchant for you in red, I bet he was chasing you round the boudoir after those pics were taken!
ReplyDeleteI think clothes are an emotional thing. I can analyse why certain pieces do or don't work on me, but ultimately, I fall in love regardless of what I need, and like you, I have many odd clothing choices which were all about the "I can't leave that behind!" moment rather than any thoughts of practicality or capsule wardrobes. I'm thinking of doing a Carry On-style vintage nightwear window display at the shop, so I ought to rock up to work in one of my nightie and peignoir sets!
Fab finds for Kinky's rails, as ever. I'm looking forward to witnessing your witchy vintage-seeking skills in action again soon!
Love you! Xxx
beautiful just beautiful vix. it looks more like a gown than a nightgown. it fits you perfectly too. i have no idea how people post so often, i'm really struggling lately with keeping up. and dang it i thought you owned at least one pair of jeans! x
ReplyDeleteYou always look so fabulous Vix! Amazing vintage finds too, who'da thought wool culottes would be a coveted item haha!
ReplyDeleteRachelle x
http://inspiredbytheretired.blogspot.co.uk
You look absolutely stunning in that nightie! Very flamenco dancer with all the frills and red I might add! What a find!! Love your philosophy on adding to the wardrobe - I wholeheartedly agree - practical schmactical! xxxx
ReplyDeleteMan oh man, I wish you lived near me so I could see you wearing that while taking out the garbage can (as we say here across the pond!)
ReplyDeleteI'm DYING for season 2 of Happy Valley to get here!!!!! Gawd I bored to death of Downton - cannot wait for the last episode in a week or so. At least Bates Motel season 3 is on Netflix.
xoxoxoxoxox
Oh BLISS - you look so very fab! What a gorgeous OTT piece - just made for flouncing about (even accessorised with a wheely bin) - spectacular.
ReplyDeleteShouting out big love for the pea green embossed satin darling in your collection image. Love.
Elaine Tralala
Oh but it's gorgeous! Of course you need it in your wardrobe! You look fantastic in it, don't even joke about screaming and scaring neighbors. :)
ReplyDeleteLucky John! You are a gem-inside and out.
ReplyDeleteNow that's too fabulous!! I love it, I absolutely would have snapped it up too! The colour is sumptuous, and those sleeves. Carry On Screaming was one of my favourite films as a child ;) Have a fabulous week pretty lady xx
ReplyDeleteI buy loads of vintage slips to wear instead of bed wear, love the colour of the nightie. Great hippy and peasant dress.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing night dress, far to good to be hidden under some bed sheets. Somehow I feel this will be day wear well accessorised by you and it will be amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have pretty much of things that I bought just because I liked them, very impractical but very beautiful, hehe. Your nightie is one of such things, looks like an Andalusian dress with all those ruffles.
ReplyDeleteIf you hadn't of brought it would have said you were mad yes mad it looks flipping fabulous on you and not a screaming carry on lady in sight. I to don't own a pair of trousers or jeans and living here on the top of a hill in the middle of no where with the wind howling and it whacking great big hail stones flying down I think its me that's mad but no, tights and dresses girl that's me :-) Happy trading, dee xx
ReplyDeleteLike KAte says very Spanish but I was thinking of castanets.
ReplyDeleteI'm back blogging myself at
http://missrayneonshoes.blogspot.co.uk/
just couldn't keep away.
But "Carry on Screaming " was a great movie ! And Fenella Fielding was dead sexy in it . I wish I could wear nylon next to the skin but I generate electric shocks - and not just for me . (A heritage from my mother .) Wonderful colour , too .
ReplyDeleteVery glam and looks perfect on you! M x
ReplyDeleteIt's a gray day here but you totally brought out the sun. What a fabulous color and silhouette on you!! Everyone should have clothes that have no earthly use except to look pretty, practicality be damned. That explains more than half my wardrobe. That's why I love clothes as decor too; more ways to enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteLove the new pieces!! I always wonder how other people manage to get around to all the blogs too. At least I know the really special folk will understand if it's been forever. :-)
Oh, the color! Oh, the ruffles! Oh, the sheen!
ReplyDeleteOur flea market hasn't happen yet. Waiting for better weather. But those who doing spring cleaning and it good time around here to check out the second hand store. Picked up 3 new tops. One I only paid a $1 for.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Haha, I love Carry On Screaming! Not a bad style icon at all. Gorgeous colour and ruffles.
ReplyDeleteso glamorous!!
ReplyDeletethat sleeves would drive me crazy! i wish i had your strong nerves! and your heating system - i would die on hypothermia if i would wear less then a norwegian jumper in my house!
xxxxx
nightgown? Looks like an evening gown to me.
ReplyDeleteI say whip out the castanets and put on some cha cha heels and flamenco that bin out to the curb!
ReplyDeleteQue fantastico y muy sabrosas!
How do I manage to post so often? There's really not much else to do here in Nepal, this tourist season's a bit slow.
xox
http://calmlycookingcurry.blogspot.com/2016/03/somewhere-over-rainbow-way-up-high.html
I love it, despite all the pitfalls you've so rightly described, it had to be had just for padding about looking glamorous in at that price! I do a similar thing with clothes, which is why I have 39 million coats and nothing to wear underneath them!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how people update so often. Since my return I have managed the grand total of three posts. Still at least they were all this year!
x
Now that is glamour! To hell with practicality...xxx
ReplyDeleteGood lord it has your name written all over it! You look stunning.
ReplyDeleteCarry On Screaming was always my favourite ;-)
Of course you had to make it yours - it has 'Vix" woven indelibly into every ruffle of its magnificent sleeves. And it's perfect for a night out dancing - oh the swirly arm-action possibilities.
ReplyDeleteYou look so beautiful. This is exactly how grown up girls should dress every day.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely stunning, it suits you perfectly. And there's room in the world for both Carry on Screaming and David lynch; variety is what makes life interesting. It's been fun seeing both you and Porcelina glamming up in your nightwear.
ReplyDeleteIf that Horrockses cotton day dress a)hasn't sold and b) could fit a UK18, I will cheerfully send you money for it! It's just my style.
This nightie is like from an old Hollywood movie. That color fits you beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to take a Flamenco dance class, you've got the perfect dress for it - the sleeves are just DIVINE!! Of course you had to bring it home. The colour is marvelous with your hair - definitely a sassy senorita!
ReplyDeleteI was supposed to go to the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show today but have had a horrible flu since last weekend, and can barely move. Being sick was bad enough, but having to miss the show (and have something to blog about) was even more disappointing.
I watched Season 1 of Happy Valley on Netflix and am eagerly waiting for Season 2 to be released over here!
This is my first comment, although I have been following your blog for quite a while. This is really the most fabulous nightdress I've ever seen. I keep buying crazy, impractical things too. Inspired by you, I have been tempted to buy some maxi dresses, although I am yet to wear them outside. I am definitely not as brave and adventurous as you ...
ReplyDeleteThis nightie is a dream! It should be wornfor every occassion ... so nfun , so wonderful ... Don't we alreday scare our neighbours every day?!
ReplyDeleteThat nightie is spectacular, ruffled sleeves and all. I wonder if anyone ever wore it as such? If so, they must have been extremely glamorous. You look perfect in it, like one of those dolls! Redis always fabulous with your lovely dark hair and it fits you like a dream. £3?! Bargain of the week.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of colour in my wardrobe, infact Summer is a cinch and there's always something for a night out. It's freezing rainy days in February which I find more sartorially challenging. Still, I'll live! :)
Happy Valley is a real favourite at the minute, can't wait for tomorrow night. I have no idea how people are able to blog so frequently. I keep having a bumper commenting session, then I turn my back for five minutes and there's another batch. What's going on?! Don't people know I've got coffee to drink and Important Telly to watch? Xxxxx
Sexy senorita!! That is SO you!
ReplyDeleteThe nightie is divine!
ReplyDeleteI'm always saying how lucky you people are for the fantastic programs you get on BBC. And lucky for us, we now get many of them here on Netflix. Happy Valley is right up there amount my faves. So good.
HOLY CRAP! That's an amazing garment!! Sleepwear be damned, wear that on a night out - its stunning!!
ReplyDelete