What is it those strange minimalist types tell you? If you haven't worn it in six months then get rid of it or some such nonsense. This 1970s Frank Usher maxi has been hanging in my wardrobe for over two and a half years and today was the first time I've had it on my back. Maximalism rocks!
I wish I could say that I've given it a glamorous first outing but it was just a walk into town to pick up some bolts from Wilko and have a rummage around the chazzas. It made a good impression despite it's humble trip, a young woman even stopped her car to tell me how much she loved it.
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| WEARING: 1970s Frank Usher maxi (Moseley Vintage & Retro Fair, December 2016), silver basket (British Heart Foundation), vintage Indian tribal pendant (Walthamstow Pop Up Vintage Fair), vintage Polaroids (car boot sale, 2016) |
After the agony and the ecstasy of the England match on Tuesday night we weren't exactly firing on all cylinders on Wednesday morning but ,as we'd missed our regular shopping date last week when we met Ann & Jos to visit Attingham Park, thought we'd better check out the chazzas of our favourite town as the festival season kicks off next week and we might not get another chance for ages.
I loved this souvenir apron from Grenada I found in the 50p bargain bin - just look at those shapely ladies.
Not that I had any intention of using it for its original purpose. Domestic goddess I ain't!
Out came the scissors and the sewing machine and half an hour later this backless halter top was born.
I wore it yesterday with a 1950s parasol I bought from a car boot sale and my great-great grandmother's lawn petticoat. I went with Jon to the hospital while he had his knees x-rayed (his knackered knees are the most likely reason behind his bad back - a common ailment with musicians). Who says I don't lead an exciting life?
I've been watching Jon like a hawk over the past month - every time he goes to do anything remotely physical I'm yelling belt! at him like a woman demented. I'm surprised he hasn't got a tan line from wearing the damned thing! Anyway, he's been watching his back and I'm happy to say that we'll be at Stockport's Vintage Village this coming Sunday.
Maybe it's the sunshine or the euphoria of the football but we've decided to have a massive £10 sale.
Here's just a bit of the stock we'll be taking. Nothing modern, no repro, no dross, just lots of great stuff including labels including Tootal, Jean Allen, Quad, Jaeger, Pringle, Gabicci and Kati for Laura Philips.
The Brazil Vs Belgium match about to kick off and a can with my name on it awaits.
I might love my Lundby of Sweden dolls houses and my Lotta of Stockholm clogs but tomorrow it's all about England....come on boys!!!!
See you soon.
Linking to Patti and the gang for Visible Monday. Do pop over and join in and see how incredible Patti looks in her Kinky Melon coat!
Only you would see an apron in a souvenir apron lol xxx
ReplyDeleteMy mind works differently to most people's, I think! xxx
DeleteI love your necklace and your apron as a top. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks, lovely! x
DeleteJust read this comment i made again , It must have been when i was on the wine lol , Good job you knew what i meant xxx
DeleteLove your halterneck! The last time I wore one my back got so badly burnt it blistered, so I've never worn one since - I need that parasol!!
ReplyDeleteAlready dreading tomorrow lol! xx
Ouch! I hate sunburn!
DeleteThis parasol doesn't get a lot of use but it's there just in case. xxx
That dress is lovely - again, you always look stunning in blue! Here's hoping for England
ReplyDeleteThanks you! Keep your fingers crossed for us tomorrow, it's a big 'un! x
DeleteGo England! Because, why not?
ReplyDeleteThanks! x
DeleteI could never wear an apron as a halter, but I could wear a halter over a poloneck in cold weather, so you've just given me loads of ideas! Best of luck with the fair.
ReplyDeleteI like mine over a bikini for a bit of a cover-up if I'm expecting the postman to call. xxx
DeleteThat Frank Usher Maxi is Divine! Good Luck at the faur!
ReplyDeletexox
Thanks, Bibi! x
DeleteI love your enthusiasm for soccer! And your halter neck creation is very creative! Xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jess!
Deletethat maxi is a dream - indeed!! so gorgeous on you!
ReplyDeletei do not wear some of my clothes in five years - an then dug them out of storages and they feel like brand new again - even if they are over 50 years old! why should i give pristine & beloved items to the landfill, even if they don´t fit the moment?
oh - know! for buying the newest crap ;-P
wish i could wear such easy tops..... the whole outfit has a gorgeous tropical vibe - i guess a great comfort for jon while being at the hospital for x-rays..... for sure the knees (and feet & hips) have a lot to do with the back - as a livelong sufferer i know.
happy fair! xxxxx
You're right, they do feel like new clothes after a break. Neither of us wear fashion so it doesn't matter how long we keep our clothes, does it? xxx
Delete:-D xxxx
DeleteThe colours in your maxi dress are gorgeous. I'm surprised that it took you so long to wear it, but then your wardrobe is full of gorgeousness. I'm going to model my next craft project/obsession on the colours!
ReplyDeleteThe apron halterneck is genius. I'd love to know what your great-great grandmother would think :)
Come on England!!
xx
I know, I'm not sure why I hadn't worn it before, I blame our too short summers, this year I think i've worn all my summer clothes already! xxx
DeleteThat apron/top is genius!
ReplyDeleteThe show stopper is most certainly the glorious Frank Usher dress. The colours! You know a keeper when you see one.
Have a fab show!
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Thanks, Suzanne! Aren't the colours great? Not sure why I hadn't worn it before. xxx
DeleteThe colours and cut of that Frank Usher dress are absolutely divine! Isn't it wonderful to re-discover forgotten items of clothing? It happens to me all the time. Frankly, I think that whoever came up with that rule needs their head checked. I have things in my wardrobe which I haven't worn for years, but which I know for certain I'll wear again. I simply have too much stuff to wear it all in one season. I'm all for maximalism, but you already know that! And only you can come up with the idea of fashioning a halter top from a souvenir apron, and get away with it too! Fingers crossed for tonight, and hope you'll do a good trade tomorrow! xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann! isn't it a rubbish rule? We don't follow fashion so our clothes will never go out of date as they were past it when we got them! xxx
Deletethat's very adventurous with the apron remake - how clever. Since your post England has actually got a win! spectacular!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty! I'm so scared about tomorrow night now! x
DeleteThat apron looks so nice cut down and made into a top.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good day tomorrow.
Hugs-x-
Thanks, Sheila! xxx
DeleteI know, I hate it when they say you have to chuck it out if you haven't worn it. Some years, we have rotten Summers and we can't wear all our nicest dresses.And occasionwear isn't a daily thing either. The Frank Usher is rather wonderful!!x
ReplyDeleteExactly! The last couple of Summers have been really short and I've only worn a fraction of my wardrobe. Hoorah for the current weather! xxx
DeleteMethinks many of us are rethinking aprons...and thanks for the "how to", Vix!
ReplyDeleteHave you access to "Shoes for Crews" or a similar working (wo)men's shoe retailer? My knees have greatly benefited from wearing their super-ergonomically engineered and cushioned shoes whenever I've had to spend hours on concrete floors. Many styles are street-wear worthy (and correspondingly pricy).
Throw out something I like that still fits? Absolutely ridiculous! Some of my pet vintage items were purchased new and worn every decade or so since.
Thanks for the shoe tip, Beth! He's just replaced his clapped out Birkenstocks for a brand spanking new pair which he finds helps but I'll see what i can find for the winter for him! xxx
DeleteWow what a beautiful summer dress. I often get rid of stuff and totally regret it some momths later. Wonderful job of turnimg the apron into a top.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. xxx
DeleteEngland didn't disappoint!
ReplyDeleteThat Frank Usher is a real showstopper (or even car stopper!) You look amaze balls in it ☺
Hope the vintage fair went well, you had some fantastic stuff, wish I could've Ben there. xxx
Weren't our boys magnificent? I was so proud on Saturday! xxx
DeleteMy mom never gives anything away for this reason exactly!! What a gorgeous dress!!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Your Mum is very wise! xxx
DeleteI gave minimalism a try and it was a dismal failure. Seeing all your fabulous finds always inspires me and it's probably part of why I couldn't stick with it. I am sure you don't feel at all guilty about that... I certainly don't ;-)
ReplyDeleteMinimalism is over-rated! More is always more! xxx
DeleteYour new top looks fab. I hope the docs are able to sort out Jon's back/knee problem. It must be miserable.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mim! He's treated himself to some new Birkenstocks, they're really easy on his knees! x
DeleteI totally agree on your maximalist approach to fashion, mwhaha, I love to find great stuff in my own wardrobe, so much better than going shopping!. That maxi dress is Stunning and you look gorgeous wearing it, love those colors and the fabulous accessorizing!
ReplyDeleteAnd your backless top looks fabulous, such a brilliant revamp!, obviously you rock a backless top!, so colorful and tropical!, I totally love you in this one!
Lovely Lundbys look really interested in football!, mwhaha, so cute!
besos
Thanks, Monica! I hadn't sewn anything for ages and needed something quick and easy to do between matches! xxx
DeleteAlways love a chevron stripe. Not surprised it stopped traffic! And I love what you did with the apron. Grenada brings back memories of when I used to work on yachts. Had some fun times there. Such a beautiful island. And, btw, found a Lundby house the other day. Two levels. But don't have any clue how to date them. For 95 usd I was too afraid to chance it.
ReplyDeleteTheresa
Ah, Grenada, I bet it was wonderful! That's very expensive for a Lundby house - keep looking, you'll find a bargain! xxx
DeleteApron to halter top - that's brilliant, what an upstyle. You take of Jon the way I take care of Sandy - yelling out his doctor's orders when he "forgets." And how great is it that peole stop their cars to tell you how fab you are. xox
ReplyDeletePatti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I hate to be a nag but he's always forgetting, too! xxx
DeleteI totally agree about the joys of not being in minimalist, the only time I had a bit of a clear out I got rid of things i've regretted ever since. Love that blue Frank Usher , no wonder you were stopped , its wonderful. Clever use of the apron, so much more useful this way. Good luck with the upcoming match. Keep enjoying your tropical weather. xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jill! I've done the same and lived to regret it. Now, as long as it fits in my wardrobe, it's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteI'm both wildly excited and ridiculously nervous about tomorrow's match. xxx
That is such a pretty summer dress. The last time I wore a halter top I was probably in my 20's when I could get away without wearing a bra. I have things in my wardrobe that will go for a year without being worn, and then suddenly I will fall in love with them again. As long as I have the space, I keep the stuff!
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat a bit of Frank Usher! I really love the apron as top idea, I shall be rummaging in my apron collection this weekend. Being able to wear backless tops is one of the benefits of a small bust, I should really embrace that more this summer now that we have the weather for it. Xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one that has treasures hanging in their wardrobes for a few years before wearing them! Love the re-purposing of that apron, it's nice to give old treasures new life :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a very pretty apron but I like like you turn in into sleeveless top. Very creative.
ReplyDeleteMy day also has knee and back problems but in his case it's a flying injury. I hope Jon feels better!