Monday 26 February 2018

She's Eclectic - What I'm Wearing Today



I thought I'd give you a break from the travel posts today with a good, old-fashioned outfit post.


 Cold shoulder is very appropriate today as it's bastard freezing. Am I the only one who detests that term, what's wrong with plain old off-the-shoulder? Anyway, a sure sign that this style of top is, in the fickle world of fashion, dead in the water as I found this Indian-made embroidered number in the dregs of the winter sales for £3. No matter to me, most of my clothes are at least 40 years out of date - being last year's style is pretty much hip 'n' happening in my world.


My bag was a gift from Sarah, a dear Instagram friend and an insanely talented maker of beautiful things (she's on IG HERE and Facebook HERE). She made it from a tatty Indian dress, some block printed fabric and a vintage button and it's barely been off my shoulder since I received it. The belt is vintage Tyrolean, a present from Helga years ago. I got the quilted 1970s maxi skirt (American, I think) in a swap with a trader friend. It's so warm I don't even need my thermals underneath it.


The choker was a gift from Krista years ago, it's from the Hmong tribe, who originate from China.



To add to my multi-cultural outfit I'm wearing some handmade beaded earrings from Rwanda.


As the Beast from The East is imminent I'm wearing my vintage 1970s Saluki fake fur which I bought for £3 from a car boot sale about 8 years ago. I've given it a hard life in the time I've owned it, it's probably been to more festivals than your average hipster. The label says it's Winter Warm and it is. I haven't worn it for a while as, to be honest, I was a bit bored with it (but not enough to sell it on) but along with the bag Sarah sent me she added a pile of fabulous ethnic and vintage trims to the parcel- so I've pimped it up with some mirrored Afghan braid and some hot pink pom-poms from my stash and now it's a lot more me. I was happy to find these sock boots in the sales, too - there's been a lot around this winter but I have a hatred of pointy toes, these have far more Vix-friendly round toes.


I've added my trusty vintage Italian sheepskin hat (a gift from Christina years ago) and a pair of 1960s vinyl backed gloves robbed from the stockroom.


I'm taking my eclectic outfit off for a session in Wetherspoons in a bit where it'll no doubt be as colourful and multi-cultural as the clientele. Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday and Judith, the Style Crone for Hat Attack #56.


More travel posts to follow - I need a reminder of that Indian sunshine.

See you soon!

61 comments:

  1. Wonderful outfit, you look like a burst of sunshine in this dreary grey weather we've got. I was shocked that you'd added the trim to your jacket yourself, it suits so well I assumed it had always been that way.

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    1. Thank, Sydney! I was racking my brains wondering what to do with that gorgeous trim - when I held it against my old fake fur it was like they were meant to be together. xxx

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  2. Bloody hell woman, are you mad standing on your doorstep baring naked shoulders in sub-zero temperatures? And no, you are not alone as I can't stand the cold-shoulder term either...(along with 'train station' and a whole raft of others which elude me now) Sensational outfit made even more fantastic as you've showcased it on your magnificently bronzed body! Love the OTS top, Tyrolean belt and quilted maxi.... and as for the faux fur jacket, it looks all the better for a little Vixification.
    Stay warm. xxx

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    1. It's like a whole new language, isn't it? Drive me daft!
      I think Jon was moaning more about having to go outside and take my photo than I was - he hates the cold more than anyone! xxx

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  3. With you on the "cold shoulder" term. I'm totally over hearing or reading it. Your off the shoulder blouse is lovely and I always love how you play with color and mixing and matching prints. The trim on the faux fur was such a great idea. I think your multi cultural mash up is brilliant!

    Theresa
    www.vintagestylefiles.com

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  4. Just loving how you've jazzed up that jacket, Vix! And the whole colorful look is marvelous, made to be seen. Thanks for sharing it with Vis Monday, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  5. awesome outfit. I do love the travelogue

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    1. Thank you! There's more travel on the way! x

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  6. love your outfit for the international folky vibe!!
    great job with the jacket. isn´t it fabulous how gorgeous all the different folk styles from all over the world work together? wish that people would do the same.....
    stay warm! xxxxx

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    1. I agree, I love collecting pieces from all over the world, I don't see why anyone needs to restrict themselves to one nation when you can wear the whole world! xxx

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  7. could have done with your hat, just got back from a birthday weekend in Krakow, it was brass monkies with temps between -8 and -15 and I was totally inadequately dressed for it even with a waxed coat and two jumpers! You look lovely as always. love the hat and belt especially.

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    1. Goodness me, I bet you were cold in Krakow!! You'll have to start looking for a sheepskin hat on Ebay in the summer, ready for your adventures next winter! xxx

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  8. WOW.....you look amazing Vix.
    Hugs-x-

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  9. I also hate the term cold shoulders. They just rename something so people will think it is new.

    Eclectic is always the best way to go. I'm especially loving the bright boots.

    Suzanne

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    1. It's just silly, isn't it? It's like the fashion industry take women for idiots! xxx

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  10. We're expecting The Beast from the East here too, and it's been too cold here to go coatless, let alone wearing an off-shoulder top outside. Brr. Super bargain, by the way. I love the Tyrolean belt and your Vixified jur, which is a triumph. Your sheepskin hat surely is worth having a cold snap for! Oh, and I'm not a fan of pointy shoes either. Keep warm! xxx

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    1. I hope the Beast is kind to you, Ann! It's not been too bad at all here although the BBC are warning us West Midlanders of a wind chill of -14 today - eeek! xxx

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  11. I love the Beast from the East ensemble!!!!!

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  12. I love love love your multicultural outfit!
    You decorated the tired fur jacket brilliantly - now it will keep you warm AND cheery! The best protection from the Beast from the East (cute name, so fairy-talish).
    Lots of love from the warm Russian heart!

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    1. Hello, warm Russian heart! Apparently the beast is blowing in from Siberia, nice of them to share their weather but I'd rather they kept it to themselves!! xxx

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  13. Congratulations on braving the bastard cold in an off the shoulder top! A trouper is what you are!

    What a fabulous outfit; I'd call it 'All Nations'. Although you said the hat was Italian it looks Russian! You look gorgeous and the sock boots are wonderful. I've never seen a padded maxi skirt so this was a first for me. I liked what you did to your jacket with the embroidered trimmings what a clever idea.

    Stay warm...
    xxxx

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    1. I don't know what they don't bring back quilted clothes - I've even got a maxi dress that's padded. They're a genius idea for weather like we're having! xxx

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  14. Amazing what a bit of trim can do for a coat. As always, you're giving me all sorts of ideas. I heard about the cold headed your way and immediately thought of your hat-glad to see you have it out doing cold weather duty. The cold can't last though, so fingers crossed you don't get snow as well.

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    1. Get trimming! You're right, a bit of braiding works wonders. I want to bejazzle more of my stuff but I don't have many plain clothes! xxx

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  15. I love how you jazzed up your coat - so cool. I wish I lived closer so I could buy you a drink as a thank you for the inspirations you've given me and many others.

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    1. I'll accept a virtual drink - cheers, Bobbi! xxx

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  16. Great skirt, top and belt combo, promise me if you ever get to Mexico to take this. Very vibrant!

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  17. The jacket & hat look perfectly matched!
    Plenty of Indian sunshine here in Nepal of late!

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    1. Jealous of your Nepali sunshine. I've forgotten what it feels like! xxx

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  18. What a wonderful "winter warm" ensemble, Vix! The intensity of these glorious colors -- and their enthusiastic nod to floral themes -- is as dazzling in the snow of the Tibetan mountains as that of the Tyrolean Alps. Beware, Beast of the East, this lady belongs to a wild tribe that dresses to kill!

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    1. Thanks, Beth! The only way to slay the beast is to face it head on in print and colour! xxx

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  19. I don't like the cold shoulder term either, and a few years ago burgundy suddenly became oxblood...? What's wrong with calling something by it's proper name, does a new name make it new? No. I'll stop the eye rolling now.
    Fab outfit, I love that skirt! And the new details to your fake fur. It's far more exciting than my Beast from the East outfit, which is a wax jacket, jeans, leather boots in shades of brown, grey or navy. My colourful items would all be hidden underneath out of sight.
    x

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    1. Oxblood! I'd forgotten that! There's nothing like a fashion-y term to put me off something.
      You're part of the world is getting a real beating, isn't it? Anything goes when the weather's that bad. Are waxed jackets warm? I didn't realise they were! xxx

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  20. You're Absolutely Fabulous!, and Absolutely Brave, posing without a coat!
    I love to see you in your colorful (and warm) skirt and really lovely top, and love even more that you embellished that furry jacket, it looks totally 'vixified'! Those boots look amazing and comfy too!
    I've never understand the 'cold shoulder' term, as there was already a name for it!. I hate when they rename something to make it look new and trendy, and then I use the proper name and have to explain it. Sigh!
    Wish all we manage to keep ourselves warm next days!
    besos & calor

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    1. I like that you call things by their proper names, I think think that's one of the joys about being our age - we enjoy pissing off the youngsters!!! xxx

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  21. After seeing your outfit on IG it's lovely to see it undone!
    I adore your bag and the skirt is lovely. I must admit I love pointy toes, the more winkle picker the better! I've had some seriously pointy ones in my time! I like round toes too though and those boots finish it all off perfectly.
    I love what you did to the jacket. I reckon you'll need the hat today, it's beyond freezing xxx

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    1. Nooo! Winkle pickers make me a bit queasy!!! I think I developed an aversion to them in the Eighties - especially the white ones! xxx

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  22. I have come across so many of those 'blonde' fur jackets and thought, 'nah, too beige for me' - WHY did I not think of adding a trim like you've done?! It looks fabulous!! Bet it's cosy too. Your sense of colour is amazing Vix, so inspirational at this time of year. xx

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    1. I was going to suggest you snaffled a beige fake fur and jazzed it up but on my mission round the chazzas yesterday I didn't find one under £30! Better keep your eyes peeled in August, premium vintage coat buying season! xxx

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  23. I prefer the off-the-shoulder term to cold shoulder as well. Anyhow, that blouse is lovely, it looks great paired with that gorgeous maxi skirt. The jacket and the hat are so fabulous. The colours in this outfit are so vivid and vibrant, I love it.

    The bag is so perfect, kudos to the lady who made it...and the necklace is a wonderful accessory as well. You do look great in this outfit...and those blue boots are the perfect way to finish it.

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    1. Thank you so much, Ivana. So many silly fashion terms annoy me. They should leave our clothes' names alone! xxx

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  24. Oh, I do love your outfit posts! I love how you've added the trim to your coat, very creative! What did you use to attach it? Xxx

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    1. Thanks, Jess! I pinned it on with about a trillion pins and hand sewed it on - quite therapeutic in front of a roaring fire with the radio on! xxx

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  25. No you are not alone is hating the stupid cold shoulder renaming . I was so pleased to see all the wonderful details of this outfit - clever idea adding the trim to your jacket.Hope you are managing to stay warm.

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    1. Hooray, another anti-renaming a perfectly acceptable clothing term fan!
      It's been a struggle getting out and about this week, I think today will be declared an official snow day and I'm not shifting! xxx

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  26. Ohh thats lovely you brighten any winter day , Really love the jacket and hat xxx

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    1. Thanks so much! dressing when it's this cold does have its challenges! xxx

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  27. Sooooooooooooooooo wonderfully rainbowy! I love the outfit greatly and you have transformed that coat with the braid- it looks very special now! Sheepskin hat is fab- I have been wearing my vintage sheepskin gilet all day as well as my vintage Alpaca wool jumper AND a cashmere jumper and have been super cosy!

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    1. Thank you!!! Sheepskin is so warm, isn't it? It's been a struggle keeping warm this week! xxx

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  28. I hate the term cold shoulder too, its like skinny jeans - they were drain-pipes back in the day. Your furry coat and hat ensemble have a Cossack vibe to me. xx

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    1. Drainpipes, yes! These new terms make me feel very middle-aged and extremely grumpy! xxx

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  29. I am in lust with that necklace - love this entire look, though. Fab boots. How fun to decorate the coat you were tiring of!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! The necklace was a real conversation starter in the pub, the best kind of accessory! xxx

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  30. That braid looks fantastic on the jacket. And tasselly jewellery seems to be 'in' this year; I'm spotting tasselled earrings all over the place, though nothing to match your Hmong necklace. (Boden is also doing loads with pompoms this season. £70 for a straw bag with pompom trim and get this - *paper* handles. I thought 'Vix could make one of those for a tenth of that, and it'd have proper handles and look better.')

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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