Tuesday 18 October 2016

This Old Thing?



That's definitely you said the lady behind the counter of the charity shop as she relieved me of my two £1 coins. What with this 1970s cotton kaftan, the 1930s evening dress and my massive sleeved velvet maxi, last week wasn't half bad for vintage additions to my wardrobe and at £6 for all three, pretty easy on the purse, too.


Cotton kaftans are cheap as chips on the tourist market stalls in Goa. I often see them labelled as "vintage" on the internet. Mine's the real deal though, the cotton is far superior, the seams aren't over-locked and it fastens with a rusty old metal zip. I won't be selling this one any time soon, there's a slight tear at the neck and although it's repairable I've got so much mending to do that I really can't be arsed and besides, its far too comfy to part with.


Here's last week's massive sleeved maxi (seen HERE) all set for a day's work at Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair in Bath. With over 1000 through the doors we had a phenomenally busy day. We left home at 5.30am, started unloading the van at 7.45am and sat down for the first time at 5.20pm. 

Triple 1970s velvet! 
It was well worth the blistered feet and aching limbs though especially as I got to catch up with these two velvet-clad blogging babes, Mim & Gisela.

Photo courtesy of  Judy's
After dinner and a few beers in our hotel, a rather marvellous 18th Century manor house built in the style of a Gothic castle, we turned in early, ready for Sunday's vintage fair at Bristol's trendy Paintworks.  I'm wearing a 1960s Indian block printed maxi I found listed as "long yellow dress" with a Buy-it-Now price of £5 a fortnight ago (who says you can't find cheap vintage on eBay?) Jon accepted the Jones The Bootmaker leopard ankle boots as payment for a vintage top by a cash strapped festival customer (they originally retailed at £99, he's good, isn't he?) Long time readers may recognise the Peterson Maid psychedelic maxi I'm holding, it was mine but I'm adhering to the one in, two out Vix wardrobe law.


Dee and her friend Kaz paid us a visit. Dee's wearing the 1970s Crimplene midi she bought off us last year. 


Jon kitted out Kaz's partner, David, in some cool 1970s threads while Kaz got her New Year's Eve wardrobe sorted with a 1960s Barbarella style metallic mini dress and some vintage gold platforms. 


While Bristol wasn't quite as busy as Bath we still had a great day selling to some cool people and catching up with fellow Midlanders and Judy's Vintage family, Make Do & Vintage and Baboushka.

WEARING: 1970s kaftan (£2, Cancer UK), vintage tooled leather bag (£5), felt hat (20p), 1970s fake snake stainless steel choker by Alfred Tricker & Sons of Sheffield (£1.50) , Jane Shilton suede boots (Free, all car booted)
We came home with two sackfuls of empty coat hangers. We're trading in Liverpool on Saturday and it looks like the next few days will be spent frantically hunting for cool vintage threads to replenish the rails, either that or I'll be forced to ransack my wardrobe...again!

Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday.

76 comments:

  1. at the rate your selling, there won't be any vintage left! You'll be forced to wear Primark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Great kaftan! It looks so cool. Your customers are inspired to style by you and Jon!

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    1. Thanks, Bobbi! I never understand vintage traders who wear modern clothes, it's like they don't believe in their product. xxx

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  3. The charity shop lady wasn't wrong, was she? That choker was made to go with your new caftan and I'm loving that bag too. How fab that you met up with so many blog mates in Bristol and had a successful day selling. I don't know how you could bear to part with the psychedelic maxi...I bet it was snapped up quickly? Hope your stock hunting goes well this week. x

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    1. I didn't think I'd be keeping that kaftan but when I realised it went with everything else I owned I thought I'd better!
      That maxi got tried on loads but it's still on the rails. xxx

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  4. Wow! The kaftan is a piece of art and looks smashing on you. I also adore the Indian block printed maxi with your new leopard ankle boots. Very happy for you that your festivals have been a success for Kinky Melon!!!

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    1. Thanks, Judith! Both are so comfortable and easy to wear which, in my opinion, makes them keepers! xxx

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  5. That's a gorgeous kaftan; the business. I love the proper vintage ones, they are quality.
    Lovely to see you in your element and to see some of the girls too. Glad you did good trade and I hope someone nabbed that glorious maxi. I know I would have! Have fun in Liverpool.
    Loves ya.
    xxxx

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    1. Thanks, love! It was lovely to catch up with a few of the girls. The maxi lived to see another fair but knowing how those Liverpool ladies love their psychedelia it shall hopefully be rehomed very soon. xxx

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  6. I sure would love to shop your stall, you always have so many great things! Like that beautiful caftan! :)

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  7. Glad you had such a successful weekend, and it looks like you had a lot of fun too. Love the kaftan on you and oh my those leopard print boots!! xx

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    1. Thank you! Those boots are rather fab, Jon's got great taste. xxx

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  8. I'm smiling all over my face....what a fabulous happy blog post. So nice to see everyone enjoying themselves and to see your gorgeous gear. I'm smitten with your Indian block dress it's gorgeous xxx

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    1. I'm glad it made you happy! That Indian dress is so soft and lovely i feel like I'm wearing my dressing gown! xxx

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  9. Wonderful caftan and you look gorgeous! Great finds as always, and in my dreams I get to go thrifting with you. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks, Patti! Thrifting with you? Yes, please. Are we allowed to stop for a booze break halfway through? xxx

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  10. OOh that pink psychedelic maxi is fab!
    I plan to wear only kaftans starting when I'm 65 (Liz Taylor style with scads of jewels & beading.)
    xox

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    1. Isn't that dress ace?
      I used to see a lady in Goa who must have been in her 70s, she only ever wore animal print kaftans with turbans and diamond earrings and looked so different to the rest of the unwashed weekend hippy tourists. xxx

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  11. I am going through a rough patch with the Mr.'s health and you and your blog are a welcome respite. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy reading your posts and seeing your outfits. I esp. like the purple-sleeved one today.

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    1. Tami, I'm sorry to hear about the Mr's health. I'm glad I'm helping a little. When Polly was so ill reading blogs were a wonderful reaction, it's such shame so many people have swapped blogging for Instagramming, an arty photo is a poor substitute for the whole story.xxx

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  12. That kaftan was made for you! Good to hear you did well in both Bath and Bristol, and I'm loving that photo of you, Mim and Gisela. If I'd be nearer, I would have dropped in. Did you sell that psychedelic maxi? I bet you did, it's so gorgeous. I've just switched to my autumn/winter dresses and I think I'm going to have to adopt your wardrobe law of one in, and at least one out ... xxx

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    1. If only you'd be there, you'd have snapped up the psychedelic Diolen Loft maxi I sold as soon as we opened! I'm very strict with my clothes, too many and I forget my favourites. xxx

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  13. Oooh! That sounds like a GREAT show! How fantastic!

    Good thing I don't live closer. I would have snatched up your bold pink maxi in a second.

    Good on you for keeping with your one in one out strategy.

    Hope the cash keeps rolling in!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. You would slay that psychedelic maxi. Trouble is that it is super long and a bit of a nightmarish fabric to shorten, I've finally accepted that wearing 6 inch heels is something I'm leaving for the youngsters! xxx

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  14. You can't beat a Kaftan for comfort can you? Yours is lovely and looks great on you especially with the hat and boots. What excellent things you've found.

    You really had a good weekend sales wise - what will you do if you don't find enough stock to replenish the rails; has that ever happened? Did your wardrobe come to the rescue?

    I loved seeing Mim and Gisela in their velvet jackets - very cool!

    Have a lovely week

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Veronica! To be honest we've probably got enough stock to last us until next Summer but there's key items that we're always on the hunt for. We leave a surprising amount of vintage behind when we're out charity shopping, we buy things we love rather than just because they're old. We did pretty well with the best sellers this morning including an Icelandic knit, some Harris Tweed and a super cool cape. xxx

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  15. I hope your psychedelic maxi finds a good home. Glad you came home with 2 sacks of empty hangars!!

    Love that yellow dress with the leopard boots.

    Happy thrifting ;)

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  16. So glad you did well in sales!!! Your kaftan is super! I really like it. Kaz looks really cool- where is her dress from?!?!?!

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    1. Thanks, Kezzie! She looks great, doesn't she? Maybe if Kaz is reading this she'll let you know where her dress came from. xxx

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    2. Kezzie, I've asked and it was from a vintage shop in Exeter! x

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  17. Wow, great kaftan! I practically live in them during the summer months, but mine are nowhere as eye-poppingly beautiful as yours.

    How cool is that getting to meet-up with everyone at the vintage fairs, and even better seeing them wearing items they bought from you. You have such a great job making people happy-how many people can say that about their work?

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    1. Thanks, Goody! I bought another one back in the Spring, it hasn't featured on the blog yet - I think I got a bit scared of wearing it when it discovered it was a fancy vintage designer one.
      Selling vintage is particularly exciting when people turn up wearing what they've bought from us previously. xxx

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  18. I've two extra days off this week and hope to do some looking in a few shops. I can' let myself buy though-still purging but you find such great things, maybe I'll find something to be tempted by.

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    1. When you're not intending to spend you always find something good! Happy hunting, Sam. xxx

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  19. You know how people will often say "Oh that's so Audrey Hepburn" or Jane Birken or Katherine Hepburn or anybody else who is known for their lovely unique style? Well, I think you are definitely in that category. "Oh that's so Vix!" Absolutely gorgeous.

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    1. You are sweet, Connie! Sometimes it takes someone like that charity shop helper to point out something is my style, when I've got my stock buying head on I don't see past it going on the Kinky rails! xxx

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  20. Oooh, sounds like you and Jon had a fab day selling. I reckon you have one of the best jobs in the world, buying and selling vintage, and if you find something yourself, you can simply sell a few items from your own wardrobe to make up for it. Xxx

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    1. Jess, you're so right! I get a free wardrobe to swap and change whenever the fancy takes me. xxx

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  21. You look really stunning in this caftan,great vintage find.

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  22. folky kaftan!! love!!!
    and the "long yellow dress" looks very fab on you - bravo to john for the booties! wonderful that you had great success on this weekend - wish you much more for the next! happy vintage stock hunting :-)
    hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! I'm not sure what I enjoy the most shopping for vintage or finding someone who loves my taste enough to buy what's on the rails. Either way I love what we do! xxx

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  23. It's always kind of bitter sweet to see you at a fair because we have to leave you behind when we go to the pub!

    Definitely up for a proper get together soon. x x

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    1. I know, I was so envious of you pair off to The Raven and taking Bath by storm. I'd have loved to visit that vintage shop with the rude woman...no vintage in big sizes, my arse! xxx

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    2. ...and yes, well up for proper get together before the year's out! x

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  24. Glad the fairs have been busy - it's so much work if you don't get a decent crowd, I am sure. Cheers!

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    1. Thanks, CC! Yes, a lot of hard work is involved - a straight 10 hour shift on your feet feels a heck of a lot sweeter when you sell stuff! xxx

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  25. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh selling, buying gorgeous clothes and meeting friends. That the best job in the world.
    Mil besossssssssssssss
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  26. Oh the boots! Jon is such a good man. The wild winged blue Maxi and the multi-color one! All up my alley. Reading your blog and about your wonderful finds, and the ones you keep. I want to say 'lucky you' but because your good eye, experience, and good nature, it just all comes together! makes me want to hop on a plane and cross the pond to go shopping. Glad you had a great time!

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    1. Thanks Denise, thanks for commenting! Jon's always had a good eye for womenswear, he's more into clothes than I am. xxx

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  27. Your vintage tooled leather bag in these photos is the coolest thing, I love it, and it goes beautifully with the rest of your outfit too - plus I love the hat, you look great! Glad to see the stalls did so well too; if I'd still been at university I would definitely have come down to buy some things from you as that was my uni town! :D I hope Liverpool goes just as well. - Tasha

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    1. Hello Natasha! To think I dithered over buying that bag because the seller wanted a whole £5. I've bought drinks in pubs that cost more! xxx

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  28. I remember seeing those leopard boots in the shops, Jon did good there! You're looking fabulous as always, your new kaftan looks great xx

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  29. You have some beautiful things here, the kaftan is really pretty and suits you so well. Your visitors are all lovely ladies (wish there was a pic of the 60s metallic mini but I guess everyone is entitled to their privacy!) Hope you will get some me time after all that hard work. Betty

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    1. Hi Betty! Kaz & I are doing an event together in December, she's planning on wearing the dress then so I promise to take photos. xxx

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  30. I wanna go (she says while stamping her feet). Those sales look so awesome. What I wouldn't give to have my picture taken with you two at one of them! All the clothes (and the people) in this post are beautiful but I'm especially taken with that kaftan. Great find!

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    1. You'd love the fairs, Louise, loads of good stuff at really good prices. I'd LOVE it if you showed up and surprised me. xxx

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  31. I looooooove Kaftans but I only wear the knee length ones because the full ones are considered nightwear or lounge-wear here. It's a garment that every overweight, overworked older African American woman owns. They especially wear them when guests are spending the night because they can go braleess underneath and hardly anyone can tell because it's so loose. Now American tribal style belly dancers in the area are starting to buy them as covers so they're kind of starting to creep onto the scene as actual clothing now.

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    1. I know what you mean, there's a market stall here that sells those h-u-g-e house dresses and unless you combed your hair and wore tonnes of jewellery they would look you'd gone out half dressed! xxx

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  32. The sales look like such good fun (if hard work!). Your 'long yellow dress' is a great find, and those Jones The Bootmaker boots? Lovely!

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    1. Thanks, Hazel! They are great fun, we love them even if we do curse our broken bodies for days afterwards! Those Jones' boots have the perfect low, chunky heel, I can wear them all day in comfort! xxx

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  33. More fabulous sleeves!!! You've been scoring a few of these magnificent pieces lately! Love this caftan, you're looking beautiful, as always and so pleased you've had a successful festival, coming home with empty hangers. xx

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth! I think I've got my subliminal sleeve hunting head on at the moment, I can't help but keep finding them! x

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  34. That kaftan is definitely you, bet it feels lovely to wear. Comfy clothes are the best and if they've got a killer print too, well, job's a good un. You also look fab in your new maxi from last week, but let's face it, you look fab in everything. I love that you all three were in velvet! Such a great winter fabric. And Dee came too! What a day. I admire your adhering to the rule for getting rid, must take real willpower sometimes. I've just done the summer/winter changeover for the first time and suddenly there's all this wardrobe space. It's a bit tempting..! Xxxx

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    1. Oh, space in the wardrobe? That needs to be filled, maybe time to tackle a (dare I say it?) a Wintery dress with sleeves!
      Isn't it funny that October is velvet season? Something in the air that make us crave it. xxx

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  35. I must be one of the only ones from the UK who hasn't met you!

    The charity shop lady was spot on, that is so very you xxx

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    1. I hope that gets rectified one day! We've known each other virtually for years! xxx

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  36. Hot Damn! That Kaftan is gorgeous, and it looks smashing with your hat. I didn't go to the Manhattan Vintage Show this year, and I missed seeing the people I usually chat to more than I missed seeing the fabulous stuff.

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    1. Thanks, Shelley! I'm sorry you didn't get to the Manhattan Show, I've loved your previous posts about it. I bet the regulars missed you, too. Take it from me, fabulously dressed women like you are always remembered by the traders. xxx

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  37. Congratulations on your new vintage finds!!! Love the kaftan, and you're right - hard to beat the real thing! There is something irreplaceable about vintage clothing and other items. Not only quality, but it's like this stuff has a soul. The more shopping I did during my 3 years of fashion exploration, the less impressed with both quality and quantity of the modern clothing. Not easy to find something made with care and soul.

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    1. After you've worn beautifully made vintage clothes it's almost impossible to get any joy from wearing cheap modern ones. xxx

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Lots of love, Vix