Tuesday 2 May 2017

Y Viva Espana -My Bell Bottom Blues


Last October my gorgeous friend Claire visited us at one of our vintage fairs and gave me this groovy 1970s trouser suit she'd found on her chazzing travels, knowing that it would be the perfect addition to my festival wardrobe. To add to my excitement it would be the first piece of Spanish vintage I'd ever owned. I couldn't wait to get home and try it on.

Tergal was developed in France and extensively used in the manufacture of Spanish fashion (particularly trousers) in the 1970s. Thank you, Google! 

Bugger! I couldn't get the sodding trousers to meet over my hips. Disappointed, I packed it away in a drawer, vowing that by next Summer it would fit and I'd be wearing it barefoot in a field accessorised with a pint of cider and a head of unwashed hair.


  
As you might remember from my previous post (HERE) over the last few months I've made a few dietary changes, replacing the big bowls of sugar laden breakfast cereal, cutting down on the crisps, ditching the snacking habit and kicking the evening nibbles into touch.

Resurrected old favourites include the psychedelic catsuit I wore to Liz's 50th, a neon pink "Young Mayfair" chiffon gown I wore to trade in London and an Emilio Pucci maxi worn at a vintage fair in Cambridge in March.

Now that some of my favourite vintage pieces I was struggling to get into last year fit like they used to,  I decided that today was the day I'd see if those bell bottom pants would do up....


Hooray! 

Vintage 1970s trouser suit worn with a heap of silver jewellery picked up on my travels and Stuart Weizman for Russell & Bromley (Charity shop, last seen HERE)

Okay, its not really warm enough to wear it out and about just yet but man, does it feel good to get in out of the drawer and give it pride of place in my wardrobe! I shall be the funkiest 50 year old in the festival field after all. 


 It could replace the fits where it touches 1970s catsuit as the piece that hangs on my wardrobe door which serves as a subtle reminder to lay off the snacks.


A packet of crisps might be nice but fitting into my vintage clothes is a whole lot nicer!

See you soon.


73 comments:

  1. wow - what a fab suit - on a very fab woman! you´ll rock every festival in it. sugar is totally unhealthy anyway :-D
    xxxx

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    1. Thank you!! I've never been keen on sugar unlike the man I live with, who'd bathe in the stuff if he could! xxx

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  2. I remember the dress you wore when you were in Cambridge, it's beautiful and fresh looking. The pant suit is a gorgeous colour, it's one of my favourite summer colours, you will look glamazing at festivals in it xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! Fingers crossed the weather picks up for the festivals or the trouser suit will be hidden underneath my yeti coat! xxx

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  3. I may line the inside of the pantry door with photos of me wearing my lovely vintage gear as I've developed a sweet tooth and started eating chocolate. The end of the menopause is wonderful but it also means that the food induced migraines have all but vanished.
    Well done you on sticking to your intentions it's been worth it you look fabulous. Xxx

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    1. Hooray for the end of those horrible migraines! Hang a dress in your pantry, maybe one of Val's creations - they're all works of art! xxx

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  4. Fukkkkkkkk yesssssssssssss!!!! I'm starting the 'get my waist back' tour of 2017 myself!!

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    1. You look in pretty good shape to me, Becky! xxx

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  5. Oooh, what a lovely colour! Well worth all your dedication to wear it too, you look a treat xxx

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    1. Thanks, Melanie! My favourite colour - I've gone mad and ordered some new (!) footwear to match! xxx

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  6. I'd offer to come collect your unwanted junk food for my own consumption but as I can't chew at the moment I guess we're out of luck ;)

    That's a great colour on you (and your nail varnish matches!). You'd be the best looking of ANY age at a festival no matter what you wear, but that is one hell of an outfit.

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    1. Don't you worry about any junk food going to waste, Jon's eating enough for the two of us! If he saw your Brownies he'd be packing his bag and moving in with you. xxx

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  7. WOW! What a suit! Luck you!

    I don't know what you are doing that is different, I don't snack between meals, I don't eat after 6 pm, I cut back on bread, I don't eat dairy, I don't drink, I only eat vegetables, I watch my sugar intake and still those extra pounds aren't budging. I want my waist back too. Hopefully my back/neck will heal 100% so I can get back to running. That usually does the trick.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I know, I've got such thoughtful friends!
      You'll get there in the end but why worry, you're bloody gorgeous anyway! xxx

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  8. My dearest Vix, I still remember Tergal I think it was the fabric you didn´t have to spend hours ironing, how fantastic that you have a piece of Spanish fashion history that fits like a glove. The effort was worth it after all. One knows when there are a few kilos/pounds extra.
    You look beyond WONDERFUL!!!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. I'm so happy to have a piece of Spanish history in my wardrobe. I wondered if the label was familiar to you! xxx

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  9. You look spectacular in the 1970's trouser suit. Your persistence paid off and yes, you will be the most beautiful woman of any age at the festivals this summer. But then that has always been true, no matter the size of your waist.

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  10. That suit looks awesome! You will get some use out of it when you go to the festivals!

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  11. It's an amazing suit and it looks wonderful on you! Let's hope we have the weather for you to wear it - it's bloody awful at the moment...

    xx

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    1. I know, even when the sun's out it's blooming freezing! I don't think I did many festivals last year where I took my coat off for longer than a few hours! xxx

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  12. So glad you can fit in it! It looks amazing on you! :)

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    1. it's always a good feeling when you haven't worn something because it got to tight.....and then it fits!

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    2. Thanks, Laurie! I love it! xxx

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    3. The feeling is unbeatable! xxx

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  13. The Mr. keeps bringing home the sweets so I will have to garner more resolve to avoid eating them. I too prefer how my clothes fit when I am slender.

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    1. Jon's the same, he's always bringing back naughty stuff! x

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  14. First of all you are a Goddess!! That suit is B-A-N-A-N-A-S and it fits in all the right places (that booty, tho?!) Have fun at the festivals!!

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  15. Phrrreeeeyow! You look amazing! Your weight loss story is inspirational!

    I hope you enjoy the biggest, baddest, festival season yet!!! I'm looking forward to many bell bottom festival pics!!

    happy thrifting ;)

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  16. Hi Vix, the blue suit suits you so perfectly, surely you'll be the most fabulous out of ALL the festival lovers. Xxx

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  17. Amazeballs looking suit! You could throw the blue yeti coat over it & wear it now.
    But it would be better admired in the Summer with all it's turquoise glory uncovered.
    xox

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    1. I did think the yeti coat would go well with it. I might swap the halter for something with sleeves and wear it out, it's still cold here and showing no sign of warming up! xxx

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  18. I've ordered the festival season sunshine for you....we might have to share it though as I will want it dry for dancing too!
    Arilx

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    1. I'm happy to share! Three weeks to go and counting! xxx

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  19. wouuuu, such an awesome piece!, and you look so fabulous wearing it!
    Really, you rock!! and I'm looking forward to see you rocking even more at a festival!
    I've also cutted down some unhealthy food which was meddling into my diet. Changing my breakfast has made a difference too!
    besos

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  20. you'd be the funkiest 50 year old in the festival field with or without these bell bottoms, but they are rather gorgeous! you look awesome.
    I've switched my breakfast, but cutting out the snacks is proving rather more difficult, but I will persevere!

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    1. I think it's a lot harder when you work from home and can eat when you want. You can do it and that fabulous charity shop skirt will fit perfectly! xxx

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  21. Robin's egg blue looks good on you. That's the best, fitting into clothes that used to be unfittable. Kudos to you, kid.

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  22. Dear Vix, you're positively radiating joy in this lovely blue outfit. Joy! that you're in it, and joy! that you've an entertaining event to which you'll wear it! Hanging it up like the invitation to a party is inspiring -- I might follow your excellent example and "post" a snug dress on the kitchen coat hook, just as a reminder.

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    1. It feels so good to zip those trousers up, I couldn't have let anyone else have it! xxx

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  23. I've got two pairs of shorts in my closet - the last 2 things that no longer fit. Getting closer though! What a great outfit and congrats!

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    1. You're doing so well - Greece is within touching distance now! xxx

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  24. What a fab trouser suit! It must feel great that you're finally able to wear it. I love everything about it, including its non-ironing qualities! Fabrics like Tergal and Terlenka and such were very popular here in Belgium too at a time. Love the little peek into your wardrobe! xxx

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    1. Non-ironing is always a plus in vintage clothes!! xxx

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  25. Meow!!! What an outfit, such a glamourpuss xx

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  26. Wowsers...that is some style statement! You will outshine all other festival goers in this outfit...but don't get it muddy will you? I do admire your resolve with the diet...I'm now on the seeds as you know but did I really have to eat that Double Decker for lunch! xxx

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    1. Don't you worry, I have vintage high heeled wellies - not that I'll need them (she says very optimistically!) xxx

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  27. Yaaaaaaaaay, well done to you for your healthy dedication! Very glad you can wear this gorgeous item¬!x

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  28. Wowsa! That outfit is over the top fabulous. How ecstatic you must have felt when you could get into it. I would have had to celebrate with a big chunk of dark chocolate and a glass of red wine. I would also be tempted to make a pattern from it so I could make multiples in different prints. It's a really flattering look on you. Congrats on the self discipline it took to made it fit :)

    Theresa

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    1. Thanks, Theresa. It would be rather good to have the same outfit in different colours and prints, not sure if my sewing skills are that good! xxx

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  29. That outfit is amazing!! I love it so much, what a great colour on you.

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  30. That trouser suit looks amazing on you, you'll definitely be the best dressed at all the festivals this year! xx

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  31. Yes, much more fun fitting into this fabulous outfit! You look amazing, Vix. xx

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  32. Ay caramba! You look hot sauce in that outfit. I rarely find vintage in Spain, though I did come across some in Granada last time I was there.

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    1. Thank you! I'm curious as to where the Spanish vintage is, I've come across Greek, French, German, Belgian, Croatian before! xxx

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  33. Those bell bottoms and halter just scream "VIX" so of course Claire gave it to you. I so envy your discipline when it comes to your weight and eating habits. How would you like to be my long distance personal trainer?

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    1. I don't think I'd have been as generous as Claire if I'd seen it first!!
      Long distance personal trainer sounds like a great plan....step away from the biscuits! xxx

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  34. Wow, what an outfit. It looks fabulous and really shows of your smashing figure. Channelling your inner Cher there, Vix. I love this outfit so much. The colour/fabric/design are amazing. You will be the most fabulously stylish woman at all the festivals you are at (as usual of course). Xx

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    1. Thanks, Kelly! It is very Cher-like, isn't it? Always a winner if I can imagine her in something! xxx

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix