Mega Flares, Ruffles & Wonder Woman

 There's something completely ridiculous about making myself an entire outfit to wear to Wetherspoons for today's drunken lunch date but there again, I've never claimed to be normal.

Me-made flares and blouse worn with original Biba choker (my Mum's), floppy felt hat (20p, car boot sale)

With a rare weekend off I plonked myself beside the sewing machine, tuned into 6 Music and transformed a vintage St Michael bedspread and a length of 1970s suiting fabric (from Nikki and Jayne's stash) into some high-waisted mega flares and a flouncy blouse.

The blouse was an absolute pig to make, easing in the sleeves and getting the cuff ruffles level were a bitch of a job and a professional seamstress would have a dizzy fit if they examined my handiwork up close. Luckily Wetherspoons is dark.

This is what I used, a Style "Misses" pattern from 1974. Both pieces cut to a vintage size 12 (34" bust, 25" waist, 36" hip) worked out to be a perfect fit although I needed to shave 4" off the hem of the trousers as they were probably designed to be worn with massive platform soles!

Clockwise from top left: 1960s leopard print sheepskin coat;  Lace shawl; 1960s toweling tabbard; 1970s embroidered blouse; Chiffon maxi; Chinese hand embroidered wrap; Chinese blouse; Tab collar lurex shirt; 1980s suede cropped jacket, 1950s handmade circle skirt; 1970s Paris-made midi; Velvet skater dress; Vintage Indian block print maxi; 1960s toweling mini; St Michael toweling tunic; 1960s Jean Varon brocade maxi (with pockets!)

Last week was spot-on for good vintage finds - a couple of pieces were sourced by friends but their taste is so similar to ours that it's impossible to tell our choices from theirs. Between sewing the weekend was spent washing, ironing and mending the new additions ready for our next vintage event, Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair in Bethnal Green, East London next Sunday. (Details HERE)

Clockwise from top left: Harris Tweed three-button blazer; Jermyn Street shirt; Hardy Amies jacket; 1950s Brook Taverner raincoat; Dunn & Co overcoat; Centaur of London double breasted jacket; 1980s suede jacket; Janitor shirt; 1970s zip-up bomber; St Michael smoking jacket, Man at C&A 1980s shirt 

Jean Varon, Hardy Amies & Harris Tweed but those discoveries paled into insignificance when rifling through a charity shop rail on Tuesday I discovered this......Yes, be still my beating heart, just what every 50 year old woman needs, a Wonder Woman costume. On second thoughts, maybe I should wear this to Wetherspoons instead?

I can't get too carried away with today's £2.09 a pint 'Spoons Real Ale Festival, I'm off on a girls' day out tomorrow which (judging by past experience) will involve yet another boozy lunch and a mid-afternoon wine stop. 

See you soon!

Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday and Judith's Hat Attack.