Monday 27 March 2017

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.

87 comments:

  1. My gosh would you be fun to hang out with. I love the new outfit. I might even be able to pull off the wide pants.

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    1. Those wide pants are so easy to make, every woman needs a pair! x

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    2. Im a 70s chick i love everything about the 70s fashion decor music wish i was clever enough im not a sewer lol i love ur outfit x

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  2. Once again you've inspired me with your sewing skills, Vix! I can't believe you made that top! I thought it was vintage! Love the sleeves! :)

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    1. Thanks, Laurie. I'd definitely make another blouse but probably in a thinner fabric. xxx

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  3. Wow, you've cheered up my grey Monday! That blouse looks amazing and really tricky. I love the yellow flares, the fabric looks familiar. The start of warm weather was always my mum getting out her summer wardrobe from suitcases in the loft, and there was always yellow crimplene flares! And as for Wonder Woman, heroine of Saturday night tv. Fabulous.

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    1. Yellow Crimplene flares! What could be more fabulously 1970s? xxx

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  4. That blouse is gorgeous - you clever thing.
    www.wholelottarosiesite.wordpress.com

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  5. What fab trousers. And I wouldn't notice any errors in the blouse. I bet it's still better than a lot of things on high-street shelves.

    There's a Wonder woman film due out this year, so if you're selling the costume, I reckon it'll go quite quickly.

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    1. I'm often harrumphing over the finish of high street garments, I'm turning into my Grandma!
      That Wonder Woman costume probably will end up on the festival rails, the boob tube keeps slipping down - not a great look for a super hero! xxx

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  6. wearing the Wonder Woman costume to the supermarket? Welcome to my world for easing sleeves into armholes. I've got 30 sleeve to do in the next couple of days.

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  7. Those are the jazziest, snazziest trousers I have ever seen (and they look perfect on you!) x

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    1. Thanks, Laura! Making them made me happy! x

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  8. That blouse, those pants. Wow! And do I detect gold boots? It never ceases to amaze me how much you accomplish. Whipping up fab outfits, shopping and cleaning all that vintage and still have time to blog. The Wonder Woman costume is very appropriate :)

    Theresa

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    1. Gold boots indeed! Most impractical comfy footwear I've ever owned! xxx

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  9. Oh, and I forgot to add, so wish I could have a boozy lunch with you. I'm sure it would be super fun.

    Theresa

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  10. Ahh, a drunken lunch is better than anything on my Monday agenda! You look fabulous in your newly whipped-up creations. And as Wonder Women, well - that outfit is the BEST of the day. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks, Patti! Everything is better with alcohol! xxx

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  11. She's in true red, white, and blue!!!!
    I was going to say that blouse looks like a b>tch to make, look fab though with those fantastic trousers!
    xox

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    1. It was a trial but I'll give another go - hopefully I'll remember not to attach the zip upside down or the cuffs inside out! x

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  12. What is "normal" anyway? Stay yourself, be an individual! The world needs more of us:))

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  13. What a glorious, bright, happy outfit you made. You look absolutely beautiful. Then at the bottom of the page, Wonder Woman; such a feel good post, it's really made me smile :) xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! I wasn't sure if those trousers were going to be too much in that bedspread fabric - then i had a word with myself! No such thing as too much! xxx

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  14. wonder woman indeed!!
    your "monday suit" came out very chic and you look totally fabulous in it! the trousers are a dream and you mastered the blouse almost perfect. no need to blame yourself!
    gorgeous finds - all this toweling beach wear makes me craving for a vacation at the shore......
    hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Thanks, Beate! The blouse was hard but next time I'll breeze through it (she said hopefully). I need a beach holiday, then I've a great excuse to keep some of that toweling! xxx

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  15. When I was young I had a set of large blue flowered flares very similar :) I love the wonder woman costume - you need to wear that out with your friends tomorrow!

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    1. Don't you wish you'd never grown up when you rifle through old photos? I had the most incredible wardrobe as a child! xxx

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  16. Wow - Wonder Women was my favourite super hero even though the show was pants! I absolutely love your massive flares and I so remember those curtain fabrics from the 1970s.

    You seemed to have done a fabulous job on the ruffly blouse.

    My charity shop is closed today due to a flood on Friday. I walked past there today and they have a vintage maxi dress in the window - I can't wait until it reopens on Wednesday to get a better look at it!


    You found some wonderful items - as always!

    Have a brilliant day out tomorrow

    xx

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    1. I'd hate to watch the original series of Wonder Woman again, I bet the script would be awful seen through an adult's eyes!
      Oh now, bad news about the flood and even worse to see a wonderful dress in the window and not to be able to get near it. Good luck! xxx

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  17. Oh wow! I am awestruck, completely by your trousers! They are incredible! As is your Wonder Woman outfit.

    The pink dress is so much like the one I have (I transformed it into a Lucy Westenra costume).

    Andy asked what size the Harris tweed blazer is? xxx

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    1. I should copy the trouser pattern for you, I bet you wouldn't need to hack off so much of them hem with your lovely long legs. xxx
      PS Off to measure up, expect a message later!

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  18. Thank goodness for you not being normal. I do hope the WONDER WOMAN experience, yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. fOR BEING UNIQUE.
    lOVE YU
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. Normal is so overrated! Hooray for blogging, bringing the weird women together! xxx

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  19. Wonder woman outfit is brilliant.

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    1. Thank you! I was thrilled to find it! x

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  20. I totally love your Wetherspoons outfit, especially those utterly fab trousers, and no, I don't think it ridiculous at all that you made an entire outfit especially for it. The Wonder Woman outfit is just ace! We shall now call you Wonder Vix! Have an absolutely brilliant time tomorrow! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Ann!!
      I'm off to a party on Friday and wondering if i should run up something for that, too! xxx

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  21. AAAAA that first picture!!! Love it! Though the last one is equally fun!!

    You look fabulous in everything you wear - and GREAT JOB on sewing this amazing outfit!

    Thank you for brightening my day, dear!

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    1. Thanks, Natalia! I didn't realise Jon had snapped my crazy pose, I loved the result! xxx

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  22. Those trousers are AMAZING!

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  23. Hahahahahaha! You are a ringer for Wonder Woman.

    Kudos to you for powering through that difficult blouse. It turned out great!

    I've just started watching Taboo and I'm hooked.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Taboo is the best thing ever! Hope you're enjoyed your Tom Hardy fix as much as I did! xxx

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  24. It's a thumbs up from me with your fabulous sewing skills and a giggle over the wonder woman outfit. I'd love to know what Jon thought. Is he like the welder and just goes along with everything.
    Have a lovely day tomorrow xxx

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    1. His face was a picture when I opened the door to him when he came back from Lidl wearing it! xxx

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  25. I'm certain if you wore the Wonder Woman costume out to drink it would be memorable (legendary even).

    Those trousers are perfection, though I'd have given up on the blouse (you sew better than I). It doesn't seem strange to me sewing an outfit to go out to the pub-I mean, you have to wear something, so why not?

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    1. Thanks, Goody! It is good to impose a deadline when I'm sewing otherwise it'll nd up half-finished on the to-do pile! x

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  26. I love that blouse, its fantastic! Also such a fun Wonder woman costume :D

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    1. Thanks, Trees! The blouse definitely worked out better than expected, the seam ripper was almost welded to my hand throughout the making of it! x

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  27. Crikey, I think you are brave even attempting that frilly blouse, it looks extremely complicated to me, both that and the groovetastic trews are triumphs. By the way, I really enjoyed The Lunchbox, a lovely story. Have a great time with the girls (and porn stars perhaps?) tomorrow. X

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    1. No Porn Stars but a great day out, thank you! You need to join us next time, it's been an age.
      Glad you enjoyed The Lunchbox. xxx

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  28. Being normal just isn't fun, is it? It's way too overrated! Haha! You sewed such a fab outfit. Perhaps you and your friends can dress up as superheroes on your day out tomorrow? Xxx

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    1. Funnily enough Curtise was carrying a Wonder Woman bag when we met up! xxx

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  29. Whatever of these two outfits you choose to wear for lunch you would excite a furore!
    Ravishing looks!

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  30. You make the best Wonder Woman!! Good job on the flares and top. Ruffles can be a bit tricky, more fabric to tame. Hope you enjoyed your lunch! X

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    1. There was a lot of fabric to tame and a ridiculous amount of pieces to cut out! Approach blouse making with caution and lots of free time! xxx

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  31. An effort is about as much as I can make for a visit to the pub - you make an entire outfit! Love it! Those trousers are amazing - so perfect for spring and summer (and Wetherspoons).
    And you never know when you might need a Wonder Woman costume...

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    1. As my Grandma always said, "Buy it and the occasion will always present itself". Not sure when I'll need a Wonder Woman outfit but it's ready for the day i do! xxx

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  32. Your creations always inspire and have put a smile on my face as I sip my morning coffee. You have always been Wonder Woman to me. And your new vintage finds are amazing!

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  33. There's no chance of you ever turning up wearing the same outfit as anyone else is there! Love the Wonder Woman outfit...have you clocked the new female superheroes Marvel have launched recently? Not before time I say!
    Arilx

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    1. I'd have a right strop if anyone turned up in the same as me, that's for sure!
      I've heard about the new Wonder Woman film, I'd have loved that as a teen! xxx

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  34. Those bedspread flares are the business! And despite it being a bastard to make, the blouse looks fab too. Still think you should have come to Burton dressed as Wonder Woman though...
    You don't half find some brilliant stock, but then I have witnessed your vintage-seeking skill at first hand, and it's uncanny. Loving the look of that cute towelling mini, the Chinese robe and of course the Jean Varon maxi. Beautiful!
    So good to see you today, and thanks again for my goodies. Love you! (Love to Grumpy Drawers too!) xxx

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    1. So fab to catch up yesterday, shame the day went by so quickly! Didn't we have a laugh?
      Can't wait to wear my swimsuit (or the Uninhibited dress) . Roll on Summer and our next meeting! xxx

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  35. You put smile on my face!I love those sunny pants!And my 10-year old girl thinks you are absolutely fabulous in that WonderWoman costume☺️👍🏻!
    Greetings from Finland,Henna

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    1. Hello Henna! Sending love back to you & your daughter in Finland. xxx

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  36. You look so fabulous in those flares, they're amazing, such a cool print! and I love your blouse, and admire all that work (the sleeves, the zip, everything looks really difficult!)
    And a Wonder Woman costume is always a good idea!!!
    You're gorgeous!!!!
    besos

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    1. Thank you! That blouse was really difficult, I surprised myself! xxx

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  37. What a treat seeing you as groovy Wonder Woman!!

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    1. I knew that outfit had to feature on my blog! xxx

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  38. Love those pants I'm in need of a pair now lol x

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    1. Track that pattern down, they're so easy to make! x

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  39. You are awesome! That blouse is gorgeous but before I even read your comments, I thought "eek, sewing those sleeves!" You rock, Wonder Woman xx

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    1. That blouse nearly went in the bin a few times, I amazed myself with my patience! x

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  40. Go Wonder Woman! Your new blouse looks like it was a challenging make, but you licked it. Way to go.

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    1. After tackling that beast of a job I'm ready for anything! x

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  41. Those trousers are amazing! love it! x

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  42. The ruffle blouse and massiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive trousers are brilliant! They look amazing to me so I am sure that a tailor would also be impressed!
    The vintage finds are fab and I am laughing so much over Wonder Woman!
    I was supposed to be going on a Charity shop trip with my flute quartet today but because I've given up shopping for Lent and one member couldn't come, I didn't go and my friend Anne came home with THE most amazing vintage sailor dress of my dreams!!!! I sighed...x

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    1. Oh no! That sailor dress should have been yours. Hopefully karma will play out and your restraint over Lent will mean a wonderful chazza shop find after Easter! xxx

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  43. The bedspread flares are magnificent, and the blouse is the perfect accompaniment. How you whip all of this together in a day is a magical gift. Thank you so much for sharing your hat and your beauty with Hat Attack!

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  44. I can't believe I missed this post! You ARE a Wonder Woman, and now you have the costume to prove it ;) I don't know how you can make those awesome flares and a blouse in one day - if you could bottle your energy and DIY skills you'd be rolling in the dough from people like me who would buy a case of it XO

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Lots of love, Vix