The correct answer is...none of them. I just throw open the wardrobe doors, pull out whatever catches my eye and put it on. Personal style should be just that, personal. A reflexion of our own unique taste, lifestyle and personality, not a watered down version of somebody else's. To me, personal style has depth, an outfit should be made up from interesting pieces lovingly acquired over time with each component having its own story. I'm not interested in trawling websites, vacuous fashion mags or copying other bloggers - I just want to wear things I love and I wouldn't allow them to take up space in my wardrobe if I didn't.
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| Victorian waistcoat worn with 1970s City Swingers maxi, vintage red leather platforms, bespoke patchwork & pompom bag (Izzybird) and Tibetan silver pendant (India, 2002) |
Although I spent all weekend surrounded by some of the finest vintage clobber in the country I didn't buy a thing but even after over eight years of blogging there's still things I own that I haven't shared - like this waistcoat. Originally worn by my maternal Great-Great Grandfather during the Boer War, (I wore the jacket HERE), it's been part of the family for over 130 years. Coming from a long line of hoarders is great.
And here's the original owner, looking very Oscar Wilde-like in my Great-Great Grandmother's mourning brooch. The back of the brooch is lined with fabric cut from his favourite suit. I hope he enjoyed his trip to Lidl this morning.
So what's been happening since my last post?
Remember the parcel of clothes Jayne, a tremendously kind blog reader sent me last year? Well, she went and did it again and another vintage motherload landed last week (there's a 1970s maxi dress, too but the camera battery went flat before I got to it). Look at all that fantastic retro party ware, I'm in love with the perspex sausage dog knife rests! Funnily enough we've already got a Taunton Vale tea towel holder in the kitchen but two of the prongs have fallen off and neither of us has got round to mending it - now we don't have to.
We were trading with Judy's in Cumbria on Saturday but we drove up the day before and stayed in a cheap hotel. When we did the same last year we had a bleak night as the sole diners eating under the harsh strip lighting of the Little Chef next door, the only available vegetarian option on the menu was an omelette and the air conditioning was so fierce we had to keep our coats on. This time our great mates Lynn and Philip saved the day, they booked into the same hotel, did their homework and found a cosy pub up the road for us to go for dinner.
Don't they look fabulous?
Remember the parcel of clothes Jayne, a tremendously kind blog reader sent me last year? Well, she went and did it again and another vintage motherload landed last week (there's a 1970s maxi dress, too but the camera battery went flat before I got to it). Look at all that fantastic retro party ware, I'm in love with the perspex sausage dog knife rests! Funnily enough we've already got a Taunton Vale tea towel holder in the kitchen but two of the prongs have fallen off and neither of us has got round to mending it - now we don't have to.
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| ME: Romantica by Victor Costa 1970s maxi (gift from Jo back in 2012), JON: Vintage John Collier jacket, Skinnied-up 1950s wool trousers, Turnbull & Asser shirt (all charity shopped)"Made In England" Doc Marten monkey boots (50th birthday pressie from me) |
We were trading with Judy's in Cumbria on Saturday but we drove up the day before and stayed in a cheap hotel. When we did the same last year we had a bleak night as the sole diners eating under the harsh strip lighting of the Little Chef next door, the only available vegetarian option on the menu was an omelette and the air conditioning was so fierce we had to keep our coats on. This time our great mates Lynn and Philip saved the day, they booked into the same hotel, did their homework and found a cosy pub up the road for us to go for dinner.
Don't they look fabulous?
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| ME: ILGWU label psychedelic maxi (99p, eBay) JON: 1970s St Michael Norfolk jacket, skinny trousers, Doc Martens, Tootal scarf (all charity shopped) |
On Sunday we were back at our regular pitch on the stage at Moseley's Vintage & Retro Fair. It was phenomenally busy, with hoards of Brummies queuing in the rain to get their first vintage fix of the year.
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| It's Moseley tradition that the devastatingly handsome Cameron & I pose for a photo. |
In case you're wondering, yes, we usually do have a cheeky all-dayer in 'Spoons on a Monday after a back-to-back weekend of fairs but I've got a blood test as part of one of those Over 50 health checks at the doctor's tomorrow (I know, rock'n' roll to the core, me) and I don't want to results to come back as 75% proof. The pub will have to wait until next week.
It sounds like the correct answer should be inspired by "life." I'm wearing very boring black a-line skirt, but an old forgotten reddish jacket caught my eye, and I decided it is a red day today. I have a "suit" meeting today, but am liking having more color than I normally wear.
ReplyDeleteThat long-forgotten reddish jacket sounds like a good find! x
DeleteI will always love your style Vix! And that 70s psychedelic maxi is just gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laurie! xxx
DeleteYou look bloody gorge in all of these outfits Vix and I adore that choker in the top pix. Look at your tiny waist!... no wonder Cameron wanted to get his hands on you. Glad to hear Lynn & Philip saved you from The Little Chef... do I recognize her bag from a previous post? Drip mats! There's a thing from my previous life. So we've both been to Lidl today, but you won on the style front, as always. xx
ReplyDeleteThe last time I wore that dress the waist wasn't looking quite as trim!
DeleteYou have got eagle eyes, I wore that red bag when we visited Packwood but when I saw a photo of Lynn in a red biker jacket on her blog I knew it would be perfect. xxx
I loved the line about wondering if your ancestor enjoyed his trip to Lidl, ha!! My Mum's a hoarder, maybe that's where I get it from. Unfortunately she ditched all her amazing 70s hats when I was a child. I'd kill for one of those now. Oh well! Enjoy spoons and good luck with the blood test x
ReplyDeleteOh no! My Mum used to torment me with her descriptions of all the Biba stuff she used to have and chucked away! xxx
Deletethe waistcoat and brooch are marvelous! and look very stylish with that red dress!!
ReplyDeletebut your "work" dresses are very fab too - all the red and gold! jon looks very dapper in his classic jackets and skinnied up trousers!
sweet pic of you and cameron :-)
xxxxx
Thank you! I always hesitate about wearing a non-patterned dress. xxx
DeleteStyle inspiration? What's that? I think the closest I'd get to any sort of style inspiration is the Tagore sisters.
ReplyDeleteLooking fabulously Springy in those corals & pinks!
xox
Sharmila Tagore gets my vote for being stylish - not sure if I'd be able to emulate it, though! x
DeleteAt least your family hoarded cool stuff! Love the waistcoat with that dress, great combo.
ReplyDeleteThank you! There was a lot of tat, too. Still got to sort a lot of it out before I sell the house! x
DeleteMy clothes have to pass the gotta love it test too.
ReplyDeleteNo point in owning something if it doesn't make your heart sing! x
DeleteAs we get older what other thing about us isn't very important...I do take other thought on what I wear to appoint but I have to be comfortable.
ReplyDeleteOn your first photo I'm using that color in quilt I'm making.
Coffee is on
I bet that's going to be a colourful quilt! x
DeleteThe waistcoat is gorge, and what a history!And I agree, a pub is the best place for lunch, hands down. Good luck with the health thing - getting older takes courage! xox
ReplyDelete-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
The pub rules! I'm already counting down the hours for Monday's pub lunch! x
DeleteI'm with you all the way on throwing open the wardrobe and putting on whatever catches my eye. Half the fun is seeing what works with what. I love to mix the most staid of pieces with something loud.
ReplyDeleteHad a lovely night on Friday, it was great to get together again
Love to you both xxx
Great great grandfather's jacket is fantastic and how wonderful to have the history behind it xx
DeleteWe had a fab time on Friday night, too. It flew by. xxx
DeleteSounds like a fun weekend. The waistcoat and brooch have such a tale to tell, very individual. I agree it's all about what makes you feel good, homemade and upcycled always give me a buzz and fit best too! Both you and Jon look very stylish, the skinnied trousers look good and your reds, pinks and oranges are so zingy! Xxx
ReplyDeleteYes, if you don't feel good in your clothes it's definitely time to chuck them! x
DeleteHow wonderful to own a waistcoat which belonged to your Great-Great Grandfather. It's funny, but when I saw the brooch, I actually thought it was Oscar Wilde! I love the perspex sausage dogs, I have metal ones, but yours are much more fun! Good to hear the fair was busy, and that you were able to meet up with Philip and Lynn. xxx
ReplyDeleteWe need a dinner party b(or a virtual blog one) to show off our sausage dogs!!
DeleteIt's a real boost when we have a good fair and such a downer when we don't. xxx
If I was to summarise your style inspiration, Vix, surely it must be - 'the past'?
ReplyDeleteYour GG Grandad's waistcoat is amazing and it looks beautiful on you with that wonderful dress. I think mourning brooches are such a good idea and we should reinstate them.
Your's and Jon's outfits are wonderful - what good ambassadors you both are for vintage fashion. It's amazing how often you see hairdressers, for example, with awful haircuts!
Very stylish friends, too...
You'll enjoy next week's session all the more for the abstention this week!
Hope you have a great week.
xxx
The past! Nice one.
DeleteI've got quite a bit of mourning jewellery, my Grandma loved it and passed it on to me. Some people are a bit squeamish about my bog oak lockets filled with hair but it doesn't bother me. xxx
Pieces of clothing with a soul indeed.
ReplyDeleteI hpe the test goes fine, puffff. Hate going to the doctors,still lucky that we have them.
Much love
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxx
Thank you! xxx
DeleteThere you are with your other boyfriend again! You two do like getting cozy don't you? ; )
ReplyDeleteI adore that mourning brooch and the waistcoat. Wow, the pieces of history you have to wear from your own family are incredible.
I'm just delighted you guys were busy. I was seriously to disappointed I wasn't able to do the show here this past weekend.
If I were able to do regular shows like you guys I'd also carry more inventory in different sizes. Shows are a much better opportunity to sell larger quantities of stock. Selling online is a much slower process.
Your friends look as smashing as you two!
bisous
Suzanne
I wish you weren't on a different continent, we've got three seats in our van and could easily have squeezed you in!
DeleteAfter years of only selling on-line I must say that I much prefer seeing people trying stuff on and getting excited about how good it looks, it's a real buzz! xxx
Hi Vix, it's so nice that you could hand out with Lynn and Philip at the same hotel. Lynn's patchwork dress is amazing! Your red boots in the top photo are fabulous too, I do love a good pair of coloured leather boots. Xxx
ReplyDeleteIt was fab to spend time with friends. Much as we love what we do it doesn't half inhibit our social life! xxx
DeleteLovely to have heirlooms you can actually wear! You look beautiful as always in all your dresses. Your friends patchwork dress is pretty too. I think the most interesting outfits are the ones that, as you say, have been put together with pieces collected over time. Good luck with the blood test.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty. I've got no-one to pass these things on to so they may as well be worn and enjoyed. They can go to our local history museum in my will (if the council haven't closed it down by then!) xxx
DeleteI had a good laugh at taking your great granddad out to Lidl!
ReplyDeleteAlcohol is supposed to be good for your heart, so you could always claim you've been taking extra care of your cardiac health.
I adore your style.
Wanted to mention how much I enjoyed your India posts. I'm just now getting back to blogland and catching up with everyone.
Goody! How fab to hear from you. Blogland is a lot duller without you! xxx
DeleteAll your old relatives from way back will be stoked to know you still wear their old clothes and wear their old jewels. Lets call it Collecting not hoarding!! You look perfect in Red by the way!!
ReplyDeleteHopefully it'll stop them haunting me! xxx
DeleteBeautiful bag Vix. All my clothes are from the charity shops....I'm not sure the world is ready for me in the current A lister celebrity fashion dress...the double split opening dress...you know the the one when it blows open and the wearer is "shocked" that everyone can see her crinkum crankum [lovely Victorian word!]!Arilx
ReplyDeleteAce word!! I'll have to slip that into conversation. xxx
Delete!!! You've got some of those little sword-shaped cocktail picks! I was feeling all nostalgic about those the other day; my parents had them when I was a kid and they used to fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteI do get directly influenced by things, and then often I have to remember to step back and ask whether it really would work for me. Very few bloggers, and no-one in magazines, have a figure much like mine, and seeing something and thinking "Oooh!" and then getting it and thinking, "Urgh!" is really dispiriting. So I've had to learn to tread my own path simply because it's the only one that works, though often I wish I could be pretty and sparkly and glamorous. Everyone seems to be really into the 30s at the mo and I'm ploughing my own lonely Hattie Jacques/Margaret Rutherford furrow. That's one way bloggers ARE influential in a positive way for me: seeing a range of figures and ages, all doing their thing, is genuinely inspirational.
I say, "Three cheers for Margaret Rutherford!" I admire her capes and hats in the Marple series, and I've longed for a lorgnette ever since I saw her whip one out in the "Stately Ghosts of England" documentary.
DeleteI know, I haven't seen any of those picks for ages, too. talk about nostalgic!
DeleteYes, that's the inspiring thing about blogging, seeing women of all ages, shapes and sizes wearing clothes they feel good in. xxx
Beth - Margaret Rutherford certainly knew how to wear a cape! x
DeleteI feel very inspired by blogs to be more genuine and wear whatever I like. I love your attitude!. And love your fab waistcoat over a 70's maxi, mixing different centuries!, and all that red color and lovely bag!, you rock!. I would love to see somebody looking so fabulous than you, when I go to Lidl.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a look at your stall too!. So much fabulousness!
besos
Lidl is so dull on a Monday morning, I feel like I'm performing a public service! x
DeleteHaha! 75 proof indeed! My goodness you look splendid in that red dress. Jon looks fantastic as usual and your friends Lynn and Philip look dashing. It just proves you don't have to shop retail to have amazing outfits!
ReplyDeleteHappy thrifting ;)
Thank you! Only buying secondhand means you have to work with what you've got rather than running out to the shops to buy something to go with something else. Far more fun. xxx
DeleteWow, what an amazing heirloom! So special.
ReplyDeletewww.wholelottarosiesite.wordpress.com
Thank you! x
DeleteThe ancestral waistcoat worn as an accessory is a marvel of detail, Vix! Local charity shoppes dump beaded vests into the menswear section, sized "very small", from whence I rescue them. These are the ONLY "very small"s this sturdy woman wears -- but sizes are just one more label to ignore in vintage shopping, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteWaistcoats always seem to end up in the wrong section. We get all our blingy mens ones from the "extra large" women's section! xxx
Deleteoh! i love love your sense of style
ReplyDeletevery interesting
best
Thank you! x
DeleteYour rails always look so colorful and your style is unique to you , Lol 75% proof , xxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you! xxx
DeleteI love your personal style x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alyson! xxx
DeleteToo bloody right! Here's to unique style. I love that brooch so much, he is such a gent.
ReplyDeleteI too am rather taken with the sausage dogs!
Loves ya!
xxxxx
Back at ya! xxx
DeleteYou guys work so hard but you do it in such style, even your friends are snappy dressers. Absolutely loving all your outfits and the family momento is an especially nice touch, if a little macabre (in a good way). Your maxi dresses are gorgeous. You can't beat a bit of psychedelia. PMSL laughing at your blood test comment. Xx
ReplyDeleteSnappy dressers flock together! We met Lynn and Philip when they were customers but hit it off immediately! xxx
DeleteOh gawd, doesn't all the "Latest Trend" and "How To Wear..." shite get on your bloody wick?! Thank heavens for some unique and fabulous personal style without reference to anyone else - we can always rely on you for that, love!
ReplyDeleteAll your colourful maxis are just beautiful, and the addition of your great great grandad's waistcoat is inspired. Look at Lynn, Phil and Cameron all looking gorgeous too - you have very well-dressed friends. And that's a fab parcel of goodies.
Ha, 'Spoons will be wondering where you are - hope the bloods are OK.
Love you! xxx
So bleeding tedious, isn't it? Maybe if you're 13 you need to copy people but at our age we've been around long enough to know what we like. xxxx
DeleteThat waistcoat, what a beaut!
ReplyDeleteThe latest trends don't worry me at all, I do take inspiration from other bloggers but only if they have a similar piece to me and they give me an idea of how to wear something in a new (to me) way. I wear clothes that I love and, as I've got older, have started to get real pleasure out of wearing older items time and time again, rather than buying new stuff. I actually get rather sad when something becomes unwearable and it's time to part with it.
That's fine, you're not copying are you? Just taking some inspiration from a friend! xxx
DeleteSo much fabulousness there, Vix. Not sure where to start. The waistcoat and brooch are amazing. I sure wish I had hoarder relatives like yours. Your maxi dresses are gorgeous, per usual. And I love that fringey pom pom bag. Blogs like yours are what inspire others to create their own unique look.
ReplyDeleteTheresa
Thanks, Theresa. What's that saying? Be yourself, everyone is already taken. xxx
DeleteLoving that waistcoat, and the brooch! It's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful bundle of gifts, you've received.
You always look amazing and clearly have masses of fun at the vintage fairs. 🙂 xx
We have an absolute blast at fairs- it takes a few days to recover as we absolutely throw ourselves into it! xxx
DeleteEvery time you show some old family things I get a bit envious, I wish I too owned something like that mourning brooch with great-great-grandfather portrait, a piece that has stayed in the family for many years, that keeps a bit of history within. Fantastic pieces, the coat and the brooch, just the right things for such a fantastic woman!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, but the truth is that we grew up in such a completely different world, Olga, with our specific history...
DeleteI think it's quite unusual for a normal family to have so many old pieces. We are lucky though. xxx
DeleteOhhhh, you know I love the red! Looks awesome on you. And what an interesting history to your vest and brooch!
ReplyDeleteYou and your friends all look terrific, as do your pitches. Must have been fun hanging out with them in the pub, the evening before you got to work. Wish I was there too!
I wish you could join us, too! You and Lynn would get along famously with your craftiness! xxx
DeleteFantastic waistcoat! I have some clothes from family, but none as old as your piece.
ReplyDeleteMy style is influenced by my childhood, as it was a sad day when my circle skirts stopped fitting, so I'm making up for it now! xxx
Its amazing that waistcoat and jacket survived, they were often our costumes in school plays as children and were relegated to the dressing up cupboard for years. xxx
DeleteThe best part about you, Vicky, is that you LOVE your life - and it reflects in everything you do and extends to your wardrobe. So many people are lost in between where they are and where they would like to be, not sure how to get where they actually want to be - and it too reflects in their wardrobes.
ReplyDeleteThe vest and brooch are truly personal and unique, but you look fantastic in any of the pieces you wear - you're glowing from the inside out, not just on the (gorgeous) surface!
Lots of love!
Thanks, Natalia! You are right, I do love my life. After years of being trapped in a career I hated I really do appreciate each and every day. xxx
DeleteCor, look at those red platform boots! How lovely to have a family piece like your mourning brooch to treasure. Can't believe that you paid only 99p for that fab maxi, what a bargain! xxx
ReplyDeleteThey're so comfy, too! xxx
DeleteAs one who treasures inherited clothes and accessories, I love this waistcoat and its story. xx
ReplyDeleteYou've got some amazing pieces in your collection, too! x
DeleteAmazing Maxi! I love it on you- Edwardian psychodellia!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo with that handsome man!!x
Thanks, Kezzie! When I put that dress on I wondered why i didn't wear it more often, it always makes me feel happy! xxx
DeleteI don't have anything from any of my ancestors, so I love to see you with pieces like that waistcoat and brooch that are just packed with family history. The vintage care package from Jayne is chock full of great stuff - you lucky gal!
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by seeing all of my blogging friends create their own style from the pieces in their closets, and secondhand finds. All of us have our own "look", but I think we encourage each other to step out of our comfort zones and try new things too!
That's a good point, the support and kindness we've found through blogging really is an inspiration. xxx
DeleteWell your Great Great Grandfather looks like he's smiling, so I think he must've enjoyed his jaunt around Lidl. I find it hard to comprehend that you have so many fabulous heirlooms (absolutely nothing in our family) and it is great that you let them out to play rather than keeping them in a box in the attic. x
ReplyDeleteI think there must be a hoarding gene as both me and my brother have it! xxx
DeleteLove all the outfits Vix. I don't think I have any family heirlooms like that, it's lovely that you wear yours and give them a new lease of life x
ReplyDeleteIt seems a shame for them to be shut up in a cupboard, better to be loved and worn. xxx
DeleteI know I don't comment on here often (or in a timely manner!) but I just had to on this post - that waistcoat (& the jacket in the other post) is fabulous! Very Richard Sharpe *swoon*! Your style is amazing and everytime I'm out charity shopping here in Australia I see so many things that would be right up your alley. If postage were cheaper I'd be posting you things - like the fabulous 70s halter dress I inherited from my auntie.
ReplyDeleteMelissa in Oz
I love how you are able to incorporate your family heirlooms into your outfits, it must be so nice that you have them and still use them :)
ReplyDelete