Thursday 2 March 2017

This Old Thing? Rediscovering My Wardrobe


I could never be a minimalist. While I'm fine with living out of a bag for a month in India, nothing beats throwing open the wardrobe doors and being confronted by a riot of colour then pondering upon what to wear that day. Hippy in vintage block prints and silver bangles, trippy in chiffon & psychedelia or just plain crazy in a mash-up of it all?


What's even more thrilling is rediscovering stuff I've had for years, like this embroidered cotton Kati at Laura Phillips maxi dress I bought from a car boot sale way back in 2010. I'd stuck it on the Kinky rails a couple of years ago because the last time I'd tried it I couldn't get the zip up but it didn't sell because everyone else had the same problem. An improved, healthier diet (doing the NHS quiz days before my birthday was a wake-up call, I didn't want to be a flabby 50 year-old) and it fits like it did seven years ago...hooray!


Last week my wardrobe was looking like an unholy mess so I took everything out and started again. Lurking at the bottom was this '70s chiffon maxi with a bastard massive poppy print, I'd completely forgotten about. After trawling through my blog it turns out that the last time I wore it was in 2011 - six years ago! Tut tut! I wore it to go chazzing on Tuesday (with a fake fur coat, thermal leggings and gloves, I'm not completely mad).

Vintage maxi (sale rail at a vintage fair), 1970s wide brimmed felt hat (car boot sale), Hmong tribal necklace (present from Krista)

Here's something else that hasn't seen the light of day in years, this 1970s silver apple atomiser filled with solid Charlie perfume - still smelling exactly the same as the scent I loved as a teenager. After looking back through the blog archives I discovered that I'd bought it from a car boot sale in 2011 for 25p. Why the long absence? No idea but, when you buy stuff that's over 40 years old, there's no rush to wear it all the time, it's hardly going to go out of fashion.



Of course, it's always good to find something new to add to my collection and, as I've donated a whopping seventeen pieces of my own clothing to the Kinky rails this week, I reckon I deserved a treat.

1960s maxi (neighbouring vintage stall at 2015's End of the Road festival), vintage hat (£1.99, hospice charity shop)

My vintage Ricci Michaels of Mayfair psychedelic dress needed a suitably crazy hat and the 1960s fake fur buckle hat I found in a chazza this week seemed just the thing - there's no hiding with a dress like this so it seems a futile exercise to play it safe with bland accessories. 

Clockwise from top left: 4 x 1950s bow ties; Vintage doeskin waistcoat; 1970s Indonesian batik shirt; vintage leather jacket; 1980s Canadian-made tapestry waistcoat; Rayon Twill gents scarf; Vintage cowboy boots; Doc Martens; 1960s knit; 1970s leather clutch; 1960s fake fur car coat; 1970s acrylic & metallic thread gypsy top; Doc Martens; 1940s Newey Brothers of Birmingham leather driving gloves; 1980s Italian leisure shirt

Here's the rest of this week's charity shop finds. Jon scored two pairs of Doc Martens, the tan pair are his size so he's keeping them. He's annoyed that they aren't the British-made ones he prefers but you can't have it all, can you?

Kati at Laura Phillips maxi (20p, car boot sale), Charlie atomiser pendant (details above)
We've got a busy weekend ahead, we're trading with Judy's in Cumbria on Saturday (see HERE) and at Moseley on Sunday (see HERE). We're travelling up to the Lake District tomorrow and staying overnight so the Beastly Boys (Stephen Squirrel, Frank and a fresh out of hibernation, Jacob) will be keeping the cat sitter busy.

See you soon!

70 comments:

  1. You are a forest fairy!
    That hat with that dress...perfection!
    xo Jazzy Jack

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    1. Thank you! The garden is so overgrown it does look like a forest! xxx

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  2. Did the NHS quiz, just missed out on green because I need more 'strengthening' exercise! Thanks for the heads up.

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    1. I reckon nobody gets full marks - keeps us on our toes! xxx

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  3. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Nothing like finding new treasures in your own closet.
    I could never ever be minimalistic either. So much joy in painting with colourful clothes.
    Here is warm enough to be a GOOD English summer, but hopefully we will get some rain over the weekend.
    Enjoy your trading.
    Tins of love
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. Painting with colourful clothes - that's a great analogy! xxx

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  4. That poppy print maxi is amazing. I love it. It's great when you find things you had forgotten about isn't it? I never know what's lurking in my wardrobe, I could do with a similar sort out. Have a great weekend trading. Xx

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    1. Thank you! It's great to have a proper wardrobe clear-out especially when you find long-forgotten gems! xxx

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  5. The blue maxi is absolutely gorgeous - I'm getting dress envy.

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    1. Norma! Lovely to hear from you! I'm happy to fit into that dress again! xxx

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  6. Hello Spring! My mind is replaying old Charlie perfume adverts now. Love your wardrobe finds, as much as I rummage I will never find anything that beautiful at the bottom of mine, and that new fur hat is fab! xxx

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    1. Those Charlie ads were fab, weren't they? Don't make 'em like they used to! xxx

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  7. I used to wear Charlie donkeys years ago. I can still remember the smell of it now. A boyfriend once bought me Nina Ricci in a beautiful purse atomiser and I hated the smell of it, it was so strong yuck.
    Philip weighs the same as the day he left school. Don't know how he does that with all the cake and biscuits he eats. Bet you are glad you unearthed your purple number, it's lovely and looks beautiful on you.
    See you tomorrow xxx

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    1. Charlie was really light and easy to wear, wasn't it? A family friend bought Loulou for my birthday and Xmas for years, far too sickly and heavy. I amassed dozens of it!
      Philip is very trim - I'm not surprised that pie defeated him on Friday night, it was mahoosive! xxx

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  8. All the dresses are fabulous but my favourite was the poppy one. They all look wonderful on you and I love all your accessories. It is wonderful to find things you'd forgotten about in your wardrobe. It has happened to me on several occasions over the past few months.

    I used to love Charlie perfume too - they now make it as Charlie Red, Charlie Blue, Charlie White; don't know if it smells anything like the original, though.

    You did well on your chazza trawl!

    Hope you have a very profitable weekend...

    xxx

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    1. I'm really funny with perfume - somebody bought me the red one a few years ago and I hated it. It's Lush all the way these days. xxx

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  9. I think anyone growing up in the 1970s and 1980s wore Charlie at one time or another :) Fantastic furry hat!

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  10. The Poppy print is my favourite. You are looking very svelte Vix! xx

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    1. Thank you! I can't believe I hadn't even noticed the dress was missing. Terrible! xxx

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  11. I love that Charlie scent ... I would wear it right now!
    On my thriftshop wishlist is a pair of pink Doc Marten boots.

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  12. great minds are thinking alike again. A couple of Saturdays ago I went shopping in my closets/cupboards and found 3 pair of slacks I forgot about and a couple of sweaters and blouses. A whole new wardrobe.

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  13. Ooh, I do love the poppy dress. Great to see you're back into the swing of vintage fairs so soon after your getaway. Have a wonderful weekend xx

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    1. Thanks, Yvonne! I think it'll be a regularly worn frock from now on! xxx

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  14. That is a great idea to go through closets , weeding out and recreating. I think I have crap in mine though!

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    1. Always worth a look, you never know! x

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  15. How I love your dresses! I'm sure if I ever came to your stand I'd want to buy all of it.

    I am also having the issue of not being able to do up most of my wardrobe. I've been dealing with a bad back/neck and it is making it difficult to keep moving as much as I'd like.

    If my husband wasn't currently living in Hong Kong I would also be doing a show this weekend. As it is he is gone and I'm not well enough to do it all on my own so I will be shopping it instead. Not a way to make money!

    I hope your sales are fab this weekend!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. If we did the same fair I think there would be a lot of swaps going on - never a great way to make money but fabulous for the wardrobe. xxx

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  16. you already look like spring - and for sure smelling too - from that pretty silver apple filled with perfume! what a gorgeous little thing!
    since a few years i store 2/3 of my wardrobe away in the upper boards of my closet (with lots of lavender). 2 times a year i make a big change - it´s always like a shopping trip but without paying more then attention :-) and yes - it is very freeing to have a very personal, already out of fashion style - total sartorial independence.
    happy and successful weekend! xxxxxx

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    1. Oooh, yes - lots of lavender to keep it all fresh and moth free! Nothing like unpacking our Summer wardrobes after months in sleeves and coats. It can't be too long to wait now! xxx

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  17. Blue dress looks pretty on you, can't imagine you ever having to worry about your figure as you are tiny! I veer towards minimalist but often regret throwing things out so maybe shouldn't be so ruthless, but I can't bear clutter/crowding - the solution is obviously a bigger wardrobe :D

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    1. Small dresses can take months or even years to sell - it's much better that they stay in my wardrobe! xxx

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  18. Hi Vix, I love the blue maxi and the poppy maxi. I am on the lookout for a few maxi dresses. A few times a year, I do like going through my wardrobe and donating things I no longer like that much or wear much, and it's always great to rediscover something in your own wardrobe. Xxx

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    1. Maxi dresses are the best - I'm always looking for more!! xxx

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  19. there's nothing better than buying your own wardrobe!, and I love that feeling when you come back home, after a long time living out of a bag, and open your wardrobe!, so many things to enjoy!! everything looks fabulous!
    And your blue maxi really looks fabulous, you look gorgeous!. Lovely printed maxi dress too, such an amazing big bold poppies print, and such a cool hat!!
    besos

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    1. I know! I've been back a month and I still can't get over having so much choice. It's brilliant! xx

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  20. You looked fab before , you always do , loving the blue and white dress its so pretty , Loving this time of year when the jumbles pick up xxx

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    1. Thank you! Trouble is that it's also fair season so I can't get to the jumbles! xxx

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  21. That poppy print maxi is just lush. I'm with you on the not being a minimalist thing; I don't own masses of clothes, but it doesn't mean I like the idea of not having a choice. Choice is good. Choice is fun. Choise is freedom.

    Well done on being able to get back into your lovely dress. I've just taken that NHS test. 6/10! It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, though, that I drink too much and need to move more.

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    1. You're right, choice is freedom. Minimalism seems so restricting and there's far too many rules already.
      I think Jon's score was worse - booze and smoking! Dreadful man. xxx

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  22. Isn't it wonderful to discover things you'd completely forgotten about. Happens to me twice a year, when I do my wardrobe swap. The poppy print maxi is gorgeous and it reminds me of one of mine. Now where did I put that? You are looking fab in that blue one, the colour really suits you, and how great that it fits you again. Oh, Charlie, I remember it was sold in the local department store. I wonder if I'd be transported back there if I'd caught a whiff of it ... xxx

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    1. That's funny, that poppy print reminded me of you! xxx

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  23. Looking cool in blue!
    That poppy maxi is divine!
    xox

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    1. Thank you! So many dresses, so many choices!! xxx

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  24. Yesterday a topper, today a furry marvel with a buckle -- hooray for your hats! I stayed snug this winter wearing a black cloche with a thin sequined band. Now I'm studying your vlogs for inspiration, Vix. What can one do with those 70s floppy brims? Mens-wear straws? Freda wreaths?

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    1. I've seen some fantastic hats with bands decorated in old coins - certainly stop them blowing off in a gust of strong wind! xxx

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  25. I could never be a minimalist with clothes either. I would get bored too easily! I love dresses, especially the blue and white one! :)

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  26. Like everyone else I adore the poppy print dress and can't believe it has been languishing at the bottom of your wardrobe for six years. Well done for losing some weight although you always look very slim... middle age spread is a bastard and I'm ever conscious of it. Great chazza scores this week, I hope they do well for you at the weekend. xx

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    1. Tell me about it - it's fab to get my waist back again. xxx

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  27. I remember Charlie, it must've been my first perfume. The poppy print dress is great, gorgeous print, the psychedelic one is very eye catching too - lovely. Nothing like trying on old clothes to keep the weight in check :) xxx

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    1. Yes, clothes are a far better indicator that scales! xxx

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  28. I feel you. I may be younger but the issues are the same. I walk into my closet and start digging and find stuff I bought when I was teenage. The only difference my size is a little changed from that time so I have to check if I can still wear it or it became too big and need an alter.
    I love this apple shaped accessorie with scent and your dress is too gorgeous!

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  29. The Psychedelic max dress is amazing! I love your colourful style! I ove rediscovering pieces of clothing in my wardrobe. Definitely beats buying something new.

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    1. It's great to rediscover old treasures - shopping for free! xxx

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  30. That poppy dress is gorgeous on you! And the photos in your garden are so romantic. Yay to a healthier lifestyle!

    I love what you're saying, but my story is very different. 7 years ago, I was a mad scientist - a builder of a community, there was no time or energy or, frankly, much interest to spend on clothes. I was dressing my part - dark jeans and in general lots of sporty or rather explorer-y looking clothes. I did save a few things prior to those crazy years though - some shoes and jackets I still adore!

    Have a wonderful weekend, dear!

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    1. Thanks, Natalia!
      I'm glad you've still got a few of your treasures. Hopefully the clothes you wear and love now will still be worn and loved in years to come. xxx

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  31. Love this dress and it looks great on you! I do like minimalist interiors but I couldn't apply that to my wardrobe as I just love clothes too much. I would get bored with a capsule wardrobe! xx

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    1. Thanks, Sarah! I'm definitely a maximalist! xxx

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  32. Cor, I bet that the contents of your wardrobe would have vintage aficionados fighting each other to the death. The poppy dress is definitely a keeper. It is absolutely stunning. You have such a stunning figure, Vix, I would love to wear my vintage stuff but have expanded too much in recent years. I did that NHS quiz thing, thank you for the link, and signed up to the emails. Hope you had a good weekend trading. Xx

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    1. After a month away from my clothes I've fallen in love with them all over again. It's ace!
      That quiz was really helpful. I think most of us know what we're doing wrong but it's good to have a gentle reminder. xxx

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  33. Beautiful dresses, both of those! I am trying to 'shop my closet' a bit more. I doubt I have anything as amazing hidden away though! Xx

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    1. Thank you! I think having a month away from it has enabled me to see my wardrobe with fresh eyes and I love it all again. xxx

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  34. I can't imagine you EVER being a "flabby 50" - You eat healthy, and are always on the go! That Poppy print dress is a stunner, and I'm in love with the faux fur buckle hat.

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    1. I was starting to get into bad habits. I've never eaten between meals but the odd packet of crisps and lump of cheese was sneaking in! xxx

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  35. Wow, the Charlie solid perfume holder is so cool! I've just been reading about Charlie perfume, as I read a bio set in the 70s / early 80s, about the life and times of former, now gone, model Gia. The story has me pouring over the net, looking at all kinds of pictures of the clothing, accessories and style of that era. And then, here you are with that unique item, which fits right in! Thanks for showing it to us.

    Inspired by you guys, I now find myself thinking, "if I had a vintage shop, I'd get this to put in it", whenever I go thrifting now! I can't keep all the great things I find, so end up playing "let's pretend I'm Vix"! (Haha, I mean that in a good way. Not a creepy, stealing your juju, way!). xo

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    1. The old Charlie adverts were brilliant, they portrayed women as unique, go-getting and independent which was very appealing for us adolescents. xxx

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Lots of love, Vix