Monday 7 August 2017

Disco Jackets & Gingham



It's just as well you visit my blog for my scintillating conversation 'cos there ain't no new clothes to see here. 


Here's my dress hanging out to dry on the day I bought it from a car boot sale back in 2010. It was several sizes too big so Liz helped me alter it. My body's changed in the 7 years since I found it (my waist has shrunk and my boobs have expanded) so this weekend I've unpicked and redone the seams so it fits better.


While I couldn't give a toss as to whether my clothes are in or out of fashion other people's reactions to this dress change by the season. This year gingham's "in" and  I've been chased down the street on several occasions and asked where my dress was from, usually met with a blank look when I tell them it's a vintage piece from the 1970s and they'd be hard pressed to find one the same. I like that - I don't want to look vintage, I wear old stuff to look different and not like I'm off to a fancy dress party. My dress never fails to make older gentlemen come over a bit frisky. I'll have to watch my step in the pub later. 


Gingham can look a bit prim & school-girlish so I've ramped up the trashy plastic accessories. The peace sign earrings were 50p off Walsall market, the Urban Outfitters perspex & neon belt a Xmas present from 2012 and the plastic bangles are all charity shop buys - I snap them up them whenever I can find them for less than 50p. The nails are, as always, painted in Barry M's finest.



What do you want to do for your birthday? I asked Jon after he'd opened his presents on Saturday morning. Nothing, he told me, We're always doing stuff, I just want to stay at home, eat junk and be lazy. We'll have an all-dayer in 'Spoons on Monday instead.

Being Jon, his doing nothing meant spending the day sticking sequins to disco jackets ready for selling at our next festival. 


Sequins aren't just for girls, you know.


These jackets might be his creation but he seems strangely reluctant to wear one to Wetherspoons.

California Cottons 1970s maxi dress (50p, car boot, 2010), Mexican-style recycled plastic basket (inspired by Lynn and her love for jelly shoes)
The pub is calling, see you soon!

Linking to Patti & The Gang for Visible Monday.

71 comments:

  1. My biggest take away from your blog is that I need to dress for me-how I feel in clothes. I have no fashion senses whatsoever, but I do know what feels comfortable and makes me feel like I can take on the day. Gingham and dots are my daughters thing-she looks so cute in them, but not little girly-confident. I unfortunately just ruined a swiss dot black shirt with a few spots of bleach. I've taken a permanent marker to it, hoping to salvage it.

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    1. I hope you manage to rescue that top. There's some great (and inexpensive) iron-on patches around at the moment (try eBay) which might be an option if the marker pen lets you down. xxx

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  2. Love your gingham dress, it fits you perfectly now! :)

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  3. ha - just wear blue-white gingham today!!
    not as gorgeous as your dress of cause! love your accessorizing with the neon plastic - so fun!! and jon´s jacket creations are beyond fab, he´s such a talented man.
    have fun at the pub!
    xxxxxx

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  4. gingham rules! and those earrings - ultra fabulous. thanks for your kind words, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thanks, Patti! Hope things are getting easier for you. xxx

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  5. I always love that dress , Thats what i think of you different individual but definitely not vintage , Sometimes you just have to chill out for the day too , Have a good time in the pub xxx

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    1. Thank you!!
      The pub was ace, can't beat a Spoons sesh! xxx

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  6. If it weren't for all the plastic accessories I'd say you looked like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz! Her little dog Toto would look cute in that pink bag too.
    Jon's Disco jackets look more New Wave fabulous to me. I can just see Peter Gabriel or Billy Joel crooning with that on! xox

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    1. I've never seen the Wizard Of Oz...along with Star Wars, Indiana Jones, anything Harry Potter or Gone with the Wind!
      New Wave Fabulous - that's a great description! xxx

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  7. I love the disco jacket! Has Jon sequined up anything for you?

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    1. Not yet...I'm don't think I've got anything plain enough! xxx

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  8. Only you can wear Gingham and neon plastic with such aplomb. It's interesting that many of us who spent our 20's and 30's being rather flat-chested (and not complaining about it) are suddenly finding ourselves with larger busts in our 50's. I'm not happy about it as it is making it harder to find clothes that fit properly.

    I love what Jon is doing with those jackets - they are sure to be a hit at the next festival. Happy Belated Birthday Jon!

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    1. I know, I've never wanted boobs and now I've been lumbered with them!
      I'm hoping the chaps at our next festival will love those jackets as much as me. xxx

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  9. I'm thinking I might have a bit of a revamp of some of my clobber as I don't want to buy any until I've offloaded some of my stash. I'm going through a Retro slacks phase. I think it's the rotten weather we are having, makes me want to cover up.
    I keep chuckle about Jon and his sequins, don't think the wandering welder will go for it do you xxx

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    1. You look wonderful in trousers, I don't blame you.
      I reckon our Philip would look amazing in a sequined tuxedo! xxx

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  10. I've just realized I do not have one gingham item in my entire wardrobe. I think. Not that I don't love gingham, I just haven't met the right match for me. And it has to be vintage of course. Your frock is gorgeous, and as huge fan of plastic costume jewellery, I can only approve of yours! Enjoy your Wetherspoons session! xxx

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    1. One day the right gingham piece will come along! Believe it or not I found an almost identical twin to my dress - same label, slightly different cut. I thought it was greedy to keep them both so sold it on - I'm all heart! xxx

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  11. Trashy plastic on u and sequins on Jon!!!!!! Yes!!!!!

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  12. Sequins, neon plastic, lovely gingham Sumner dress, it's like a shot in the arm.
    Thank you, I can pretend it's summer, lol.
    Have a great time at the pub. xxx

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    1. I think the ten minutes of sun we had on Monday morning went to my head, it was a bit chilly walking back from Spoons in the rain later that evening!
      Bloody English summers! xxx

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  13. Gingham and disco are a perfect combination. I'd buy one of those jackets off Jon if I was a festival goer.

    I've had the big boobs forever-if they get any larger late in life I'm going to have a problem!

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    1. You'd look ace in a sequined dinner jacket!
      Blasted boobs. I hope mine don't get any bigger. I was forced to buy a new bra recently - the cups look like cat hammocks! xxx

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  14. Jon has done a magnificent job...I always love the glitz and sparkles on the men's and women's clothes on SCD [I'm an addict... but I know lots hate it!]
    Arilx

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    1. I've never seen SCD (I'm Team X Factor!) but I bet I'd love the costumes! xxx

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  15. Very funky jackets Jon's created, rock star material!

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    1. anything to get a few more rock stars in our shop! xxx

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  16. I love what Jon has done to that blazer! Does he stitch the sequins on or glue them?

    When you find a brilliant piece like this dress no doubt you want to hang onto it as long as possible. This looks amazing on you and your tiny waist.

    Sadly for me both my waist and my boobs seem to be growing as I age.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. He used fabric glue. I was a bit sceptical but after a week there's still no signs of them shifting.
      I hope the boobs don't get any bigger. I can't get used to having them! xxx

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  17. Gee, Vix. I feel so bad for you, with your expanding chest and shrinking waist. NOT! Love that gingham maxi, especially paired with those over the top fabulous peace symbol earrings! And your husband sequin-ing disco jackets? You lucky gal :)

    Have fun at the pub
    Theresa
    www.vintagestylefiles.com

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    1. Ha! I know, first world problems and all that jazz!! xxx

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  18. I love that gingham dress. Doing nothing is bliss in a busy life. Sticking on sequins a therapy?

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    1. Thanks, Sally! Maybe sequin sticking is therapy, it certainly kept Jon quiet! xxx

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  19. Jon looks so rock and roll.
    Your waist!!!
    Mine is nonexistant, and so are my boobs. Straight up and down like a drink of water, me.
    Your plastic trashiness is inspiring. xo Jazzy Jack

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    1. Thanks, JJ!
      I seem to remember my mum developing big boobs when she hit 50 - very strange! xxx

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  20. Wow those sequins! I do love a bit of plastic neon and those gorgeous bangles of yours look fab with your beautiful gingham dress. Belated birthday greetings to Jon xx

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    1. Thanks, Claire! lovely to hear from you. xxx

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  21. Jon's jacket is sweet. And I love all the gaudy bright bracelets

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  22. it's always nice to see somebody who really knows how to enjoy his birthday!, so fabulous attitude! (belated best wishes to Jon!) And he has created an amazing sequined jacket!
    I really don't care if gingham is trendy, I love your dress and love gingham!. I've noticed that gingham fabric is easier to find this year, so I've bought it (a lot).
    Love particularly that you added some colorful details to the black&white gingham, those plastic bracelets and your cute basket, so magnificent accessorizing, you rock!!!!
    besos

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    1. It's great when the stuff we like is trendy (gingham, clogs, bell bottoms), a perfect excuse to buy it all when it's in the sales! xxx

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  23. I'm now 100% confident with gingham - I had to wear a blue gingham blouse for my summer school uniform and the table clothes in my school lunch room were the same gingham (I couldn't make that up!) so I was put off wearing it! Your dress looks so fun for summer, I want one too :) Good on you for refitting it as well, I really need to do that (or just repairs) with more of my clothes. I love John's jacket too, it's so fun :)

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    1. I can see why you were put off, nobody needs to be reminded of their school uniform! xxx

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  24. Well I hope the Spoons session was good! What's your local one like? We have some fabulous ones in Cardiff, converted old theatres and such. That's a super dress, and I like the plastic fantastic accessories with it xx

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    1. I've been to the Cardiff 'Spoons, it was the one opposite the castle. It was a good 'un - very lively!
      Walsall used to have two. One was a 1930s Art Deco cinema which sadly shut down last year (shows how bad our town is if even Wetherspoons can't make money!)
      The one we frequent is a gorgeous Grade II listed Regency library built in the Greek Doric style. It's rather grand! xxx

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  25. Love the gingham. Really pretty. If I come across a similar but short version in a charity shop I'd be a very happy girlie.xx

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  26. You two make a stunning combo dressed as you are. I'd luv to see the looks you'd garner at the pub.

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  27. Well done, Jon! The sequins are longing for artificial lighting and thumping music, but we do appreciate the design as modeled.

    You've inspired me to haul out a black/white tiny polka-dot tunic top I'd hesitated to wear over black slacks because it whimpered "Granny dances to Lawrence Welk." Aha! Where did I put those flashy-trashy neon bangles once worn with my little-old-lady swimsuit with a skirt?!

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    1. Plastic jewellery makes everything more groovy (except beige!)
      A swimsuit and skirt used to be one of my go-to combinations. In fact you've just reminded me of a particularly crazy psychedelic zip front costume Curtise gave me! xxx

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  28. Oooh, love those sequins. Men should definitely be allowed to sparkle too. Though they probably wouldn't welcome it if the Per Una Glitter Fairy barfed over all their stuff in shops too, like she does with plus-sized clothes. I keep thinking about getting my hotfix gun and diamante out again - not sure what I'll put sparkles on, but there's always my gym kit...

    That is the least prim gingham I have ever seen, which for a maxi is saying something. The power of accessories!

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    1. Per Una is enough to put anyone off sequins and embroidery for life.
      Get the glue gun out, there's little that can't be improved with a sequin or three! xxx

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  29. Replies
    1. Thanks, Hazel! It's one of those dresses that no matter how often I put it on I always feel happy and ready to face the world! xxx

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  30. So beautiful and fun in this super trendy dress and colorful accessories! Love the basket too. :-) Glad that Jon had a chance to do what he wanted to do on his birthday!
    Lots of love & Happy pubbing! :)

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    1. Thank, Natalia! I love how it's trendy some years and an object of curiosity the next! xxx

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  31. OOoh, isn't he CLEVER? The Disco jacket is genius!! I hope they sell like hot cakes! I have had an obsession with Gingham since I was about 7 so I don't see that abating any time soon- LOVING your dress but more so, loving the gingham skirt on the washing line with it!!! Hope that you are well! I like Jon's idea of being lazy- I have enjoyed loafing around yesterday and today with some washing and cardmaking too!x

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    1. I loved that skirt, too - it was quite a haul of vintage gingham and broderie anglaise clothes bought from a man who used to run a country and western club! xxx

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    2. PS I find creating stuff really relaxing, I switch off far more than slumping in front of the telly!Hope you enjoyed it. xxx

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  32. Disco jacket is great, also gingham dress, you both look great! how very sensible to make the spoons sesh a day long affair, they have such lovely squashy sofas to lounge around on, nod off on and sober up on!

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    1. Thanks, Betty!
      Our Spoons only has a couple of sofas so we're really lucky when we get to one but it is dark and cosy, even on a sunny day so you always feel a bit naughty when you leave! xxx

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  33. I hope Jon enjoyed his Birthday! He did a great job on the jacket. xx

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    1. He did, thank you! He's done 4, 4 more to go! xxx

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  34. I LOVE all of this! (Jon's jacket is particularly striking - and he is also!) And you in your gorgeous gingham - fabulous! xx

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  35. Ooh what a lovely dress! I used to have a fair bit of gingham in my wardrobe but don't have anything at the moment. I'll have to go fabric shopping I think! xx

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Lots of love, Vix