Last Days of Summer

Phew! Doesn't time fly? I can't believe it's been a week since I last blogged. The first couple of days were largely spent in a state of befuddlement, emptying the van, pulling the autumn stock to the front of the rails in the Kinky shed and pricing it in readiness for our first vintage fair of the Autumn (back to wonderful Walthamstow, HERE). With my hair in desperate need of a root retouch, my face in a shocking state after almost a fortnight of relying on wet wipes to wash and my nails battered and broken I was barely fit for human consumption. After a few good nights sleep in a proper bed, access to unlimited hot water and the chance to eat a complete meal without any interruptions, by Thursday I was starting to feel a lot more human. A trip to Superdrug to stock up on black hair dye, facial scrub and a new nail file and I felt fit to face the world again.

Today's (Tuesday) outfit: Vintage 1960s Dollyrockers maxi (bought from Second to None eight years ago) worn with an Indian coin necklace from the Lamani tribe of Karnataka and a charity shopped green velvet jacket (£3) which I think must have once belonged to a pixie.

And face the world we did with four days of chazza shopping and twice meeting up with friends over long and lazy pub lunches. 

Thursday and Sunday's outfit: Vintage Crimplene maxi skirt & 1970s vinyl corset belt (Classic Car Boot Sale, August '18), Embroidered & fringed off-the-shoulder top (£1, end of season sale, Feb '18)

It's a challenging time of year when it comes to getting dressed ...if it makes an appearance then the sun is still quite warm but out of it, it's distinctly chilly. While I'm not ready to relinquish my summer wardrobe until I'm back from Greece, the torrential rain we've had recently makes sandal wearing a bit of a no-no so I've reluctantly dragged some of my boots from out of hibernation.

Monday's outfit: Vintage cape sleeve maxi dress (present from Ann), 1970s Pakistani velvet tote (jumble sale, years and years ago), Aldo hat & River Island platform boots (both £1.99, local hospice charity shop), Thong necklace (worn by my Mum in the 1960s)

As for charity shopping - we've done pretty well. There's a temptation to buy all the vintage when stock's running a bit low but, as I always say, not all vintage is good vintage, so after initially grabbing all the old stuff we find we carefully consider each piece before we get to the counter and the rejects go back on the rails.

Clockwise from top left: 1960s reversible wool cape: 1970s block heeled leather boots: 1980s fringed and studded red leather jacket: Beaded 1960s evening bag :1970s reversible coat by Wetherall of Bond Street : 1970s Windsmoor velvet trimmed wool jacket: English Lady 1970s belted wool jacket: Vintage hand embroidered Indian tunic: 1970s handmade wool pussy bow blouse: 1970s day dress: 1970s printed velvet waistcoat: 1960s black leather jerkin

Clockwise from top left: Dereta of London gold lame maxi skirt : 1980s St Michael day dress: 1960s green vinyl bag: 1970s bold floral maxi: 1970s green floral midi dress : Early 1960s Acetate day dress: 1980s braided velvet jacket: 1980s Richards velvet bolero; 1960s bamboo handle knit bag; 1970s marabou trimmed satin evening dress: 1930s wool tank top: 1980s St Michael day dress

Clockwise from top left: Hong Kong-made military style jacket, 1980s David Barry herringbone wool maxi coat, 1980s Safari waistcoat, 1960s wool wiggle dress, St Michael Ban-Lon top, 1980s leather moto jacket, Contemporary George Brown (official tailor to the England World Cup 2018 squad), 1950s wool coat, vintage embellished wool cardi

Clockwise from top left: 1980s leather jacket, 1980s leather jacket, Gladstone Bros fedora, 1970s reporter mac, 1960s St Michael suede front cardi, English-made Harrington jacket, Australian-made flying jacket, British-made red padded bomber jacket

We came back with more today but most of it's still drying. I have to share this Al Green album from 1975 I found, though. That's what I call an outfit (and a fine looking man)!

Next on the agenda - packing for our trip to Greece. I'll share what I'm taking once I've decided myself!

Linking to Patti and the gang for Visible Monday and to The Style Crone, Judith's Hat Attack #63