Monday 10 June 2019

Acceptable In The Eighties



Who says that Eighties fashion was all shell suits, shoulder pads and Lady Di dresses? Anokhi, never a trend-led label, was still producing hand-made, block printed cotton dresses just as it had done since 1970. The original owner of this dress bought it over thirty years ago and recently decided to part with it, considering herself too old to wear it. Whilst I'd argue to the death for women to wear whatever the f*ck they like, if it means that I can get a chance to own it then I'll keep quiet and just hand over my cash.


I'm happy to report that this dress is of the usual outstandingly high Anokhi quality. The yoke is quilted, the buttons are covered, the cuffs of the bell shaped sleeves are lined so they can be rolled back and the hem is weighted. The back of the waistband is shirred and of course there's pockets. Not a shoulder pad or a synthetic fibre in sight. Perfection.


As Anokhi use natural dyes in the production process there's often some fading to their vintage pieces, not that it bothers me, discolouration is like a wrinkle or two, merely proof that a garment has had a past.


So what have I been up to since I last posted?

Apart from feeding our garden visitors, namely Bernard the hedgehog (for whom we bought special hedgehog food from last week's car boot sale) and our resident fox family who, this week, brought their cat-sized cubs along for supper, I've received these bastard massive macrame plant hangers in the post from my lovely friend, Sarah. Aren't they whoppers?


You'll be pleased to know that I finally got around to sorting out the mending pile and replaced two zips, eleven twenty-two buttons, three perished suede jacket side seams, three patches, two hooks and eyes, two torn linings, two underarm rips, a wonky pocket and refashioned a knackered suede top into a poncho. I've spent nine hours ironing and have the blisters to prove it. We've pitched the trade tent in the garden, laid the flooring, hung the side curtains and filled it with stock. I've sewn some drapes (using secondhand fabric, obviously!) to hang up at the front, hopefully giving the festival shop a touch of theatrical glamour. I've also made thirty wired headbands from vintage fabric. Phew! This week I've got to check everything is priced then we should be ready for Glastonbury with time to spare.



Much of last week was spent in my kaftan.


On Thursday we had some sunshine and I had a hankering to dress in the way I spent most of my free time in the 1990s, in a vintage peasant blouse, suede micro mini and clogs.


I've also booked a little getaway for when the festival season finishes, a week on a Greek island. Bliss!

From the left: Vronni, Fig and Monica - click on the names to visit their blogs

On Saturday I caught the newly introduced direct train from Walsall to London (no more changing trains at bloody Birmingham New Street, I can't tell you how happy that makes me) and met up with these gorgeous women. Despite following each others blogs for years - and in Monica's case, almost a decade - we'd never met before. We had no problem spotting each other at Euston station though, we recognised each other immediately.


After a chat over tea in a nearby cafe where we talked about everything from bangles and cake to our mutual hatred for Trump and Brexit we made our way to the underground. A smiley man told me that he'd spotted us on the tube and thought we all looked amazing and asked very nicely if he could some photos. We obliged and in return he kindly offered to take some group photos for us. It turned out he was a professional photographer (HERE) on his way to London Menswear Fashion Week and he even photographed The Clash in 1982. Cool!


We took the tube to Liverpool Street where we giggled at an anti-Trump art installation, wandered around some aspirational shops and explored Spitalfields Market before stopping for lunch at Leon, recommended by Fig, our resident Londoner. The food was delicious with loads of veggie & vegan options and I was dead impressed that you could get lunch and a beer in London and still get change from a tenner.



After lunch we found a bustling vintage indoor market and amongst the sportswear and 1990s gear we found some absolutely gorgeous stuff although the two things I loved most were a cheesecloth blouse for £60 (!!!!) and an Uzbek coat for £165 so they both stayed on the rail. Mental prices aside, every stallholder we encountered was lovely, friendly, complimentary and welcoming and left us to admire their stock without the hard sell.


After meeting up with Monica's husband we had drinks at Euston before I hugged everyone goodbye and dashed off to catch the train back to Walsall. What a fantastic day! I think you can probably see from our body language how well we all got along. I can't wait to do it again after the festival season and now there's a direct train from Walsall (which I can't help but bang on about constantly) there's no stopping me.

See you soon!

55 comments:

  1. 9 hours of ironing?! You are so dedicated!! Worth the effort I'm sure to get your stock looking enticing for buyers.
    I'm really impressed with that Anokhi 80s dress, it really is all about quality isn't it?
    I checked the inside back cover of my National Trust handbook and saw your friend's photo, a stunning shot!
    Have a good week xx

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    1. Dedicated or mad? I'm not quite sure!
      Isn't Claire's photo lovely? She's got a great eye. xxx

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  2. That Anokhi 80ties dress looks so beautiful on you. I'm all for ladies wearing whatever they like at whatever age, but I also think one must 'feel' it. If one feels uncomfortable in something, maybe it is time to let someone else enjoy it. I do wish that no lady would feel too old to wear something, it takes all the fun out of fashion- I hope some day we'll get to the point when all ladies would feel comfy wearing what they like. Anyhow, it is great you got that dress.

    I'm not surprised that you had no issues recognizing your blogging friends at the station. You all have such wonderful, vibrant and colourful styles, that makes it easier for you to spot one another, I imagine. It's great when we get to meet our virtual friends. I only got to meet two bloggers so far, but it has been lovely. I hope I'll get to meet some others as well.

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    1. I often hear ladies saying that they're too old to wear certain things when they're browsing my rails and I always encourage them to give things a try, more often than not they're delighted with how they look. It's such a shame when women lose confidence, isn't it?
      xxx

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  3. I can't believe that you ironed for 9 hours straight. An hour of ironing is usually enough to make me go mad! That's true devotion to clothing.

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    1. I really do need to invest in a steamer - such a horrible chore! x

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  4. The Anokhi dress is superb! And by the way you deserve a medal for 9 hours of ironing...

    Some women slob out in trackie bottoms and t shirts - not you! Your Kaftan is lovely and elegant and you look lovely in it.

    It was such a pleasure to meet you and the other lovely bloggers and I'm so pleased you can a get a direct train now from Walsall to London. I look forward to meeting up again after the festival season. I assume that will be September time? I'll be away for the first two weeks of September but I'm ready, willing and able anytime after that!

    Have a fab (if wet) week.
    xxxx

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    1. That dress was my reward for the 9 hours of ironing - that's my excuse anyway! I did another hour today & I can now say that the ironing for Glastonbury is officially finished - hoo-bloody-ray!
      I had a wonderful time on Saturday, it was a joy to meet you and I cannot wait till the next time. Can't believe a week has passed! xxx

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  5. Forgot to say how fabulous to have a fox family in your garden! At least they don't eat the strawberries or dig up potted plants to bury their stash like our garden birds and squirrels!

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    1. No, they're very well behaved. The squirrels are adorable but very cheeky! x

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  6. Another stunning Anokhi dress! My, aren't those colours gorgeous! And how exciting to have a fox family come to your garden. Whatever do Stephen Squirrel and Frank the Tank make of them? And finally, how absolutely wonderful that you were able to meet Monica, Veronica and Fig, who are all favourite bloggers of mine. We must schedule a trip to London soon, we haven't been there for years. Anyway, less than two weeks now, isn't it exciting? xxx

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    1. I love the colours, hard to believe that they're natural dyes, isn't it?
      We get Stephen Squirrel and Frank the Tank in at 10pm so the foxes can eat in piece, the boys watch out of the garden in a very disgruntled fashion!
      Vronni, Fig, Monica and I had a fab time - not long till the next blogger meet up now! xxx

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  7. I haven't been to London since around 2000, but am glad to hear you can still eat for reasonable prices even if the vintage prices are insane.

    Good luck with the festivals.

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    1. I know, I was impressed with the food (and the prices!) but £60 for a cheesecloth blouses? Madness! x

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  8. That looks like a fun day out - the photographer knows interesting people when he sees them. Another trip to Greece, I'm envious but happy for you (again, take lots of pics and eat a few greek salads for me). I will get back there some day again

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    1. It was - we had such a laugh!
      We can't wait to get back to Greece especially after this non-summer! xxx

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  9. Another Anohi winner, it's fabulous. Macrame plant hangers are fab, I would love to learn to make some. Looks like you had a great time in London, it's only 40 minutes for me on the train so if you do it again I would make the trip :) Yes, you can have a good day out there - cheap/reduced theatre tickets too if you queue up for the Matinee for example, and places like Leon do veggie food and offer it reduced price after 5pm. Hope this rain lets up before you start your festival tour.

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    1. Funnily enough Jon found another two macrame plant holders in a chazza on Tuesday, just need to decide where to hang them and what to hang! I'd love to make one, we did a workshop in Goa and I bought a vintage book the other day but haven't done anything yet!
      Yes, youy'll have to join us next time - it's looking like the Autumn. xxx

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  10. Oh, man, I hate ironing. I always fob it off to the students! What a great meet up. Hi Monica!

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    1. I wish I had a tame student to do my ironing! xxx

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  11. All you ladies look like your having a wonderful time. Love Monica pants but I love color.
    Coffee is on

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    1. I've been a fan of Monica's jungle trousers for ages, it was great to meet them in person! xxx

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  12. YTou all look so gorgeous!
    I love all your ensembles!
    xox
    Bibi

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  13. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Why women don't marry? I don't need to read a blog post, I've never been married!

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  14. Vix, I love to hear your tales of vintage finds, fox visits and trips to London with your friends. And you've got a holiday to look forward to after the festival season - how exciting! X

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    1. Thanks, Jess! I'm happy that you enjoy my witterings! xxx

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  15. Your trip to London for your blogger meetup looks fantastic. The photos of the four of you are the personification of joy and fun.
    I love your Anokhi dress and can't help but focus on the jewellery too, so lovely.
    I have my fingers crossed that the festival season brings warmer sunnier weather so you can really enjoy it. xxx

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    1. Weren't we lucky to have a photographer on hand? I've been known to accost bus drivers, barmen and postal staff to capture us when we go on a blog meet-up!
      A new dress always feels immediately "me" when I add my jewellery. xxx

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  16. The Anokhi dress is wonderful , just so very you . good quality always lasts and as you say the age becomes it. Glad you finished that ironing and mending, the trip to Greece at the end of the season will make it worthwhile.
    The blogger meet up in London looks great fun and don't you all look so good, no wonder the photographer spied you. Meeting fellow bloggers is always a joy as you have so much in common. Enjoy your week. xx

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    1. Meeting blogging friends is such a joy, we know from their blogs that we're going to get along and it's lovely to hear their real voices (apart from my dodgy accent). xxx

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  17. The photographer was right - you all look totally fabulous!!!
    And had a gorgeous day in London, how cool that a direct train is invented for you!
    Your newest Anokhi is a Dream of a dress- beautiful made with very vibrant colors. But i love the mini look too....
    Congrats to finishing the mending pile and being ready for Glasto!
    XXXX

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    1. I know, that train is a dream come true!
      The more Anokhi's I find, the more I love them. xxx

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  18. omg you look stunning! loving the photos! thanks for sharing!

    Jadieegosh   Instagram

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  19. Aaah what a great day out you all had! And you all look so colourful.

    As well as all your beautifully-mended pieces, bring wellies to Glasto; it's been chucking down here and the place is unlikely to dry out completely before the festival so there's going to be plenty of mud!

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    1. Wellies, waterproofs and shedloads of tarpaulin are already packed - god help us! I'm scared to look at the long term forecast, it's still raining here! xxx

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  20. Where to start? Your week has me worn out just reading about it. You and Jon both work so hard. I am sure that you will need that holiday. Looking lovely and how nice to see you out with Veronica and the other lovely bloggers. You are all so stylish no wonder you were photographed. Xx

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    1. That holiday couldn't roll round fast enough - and the season hasn't even started yet! xxx

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  21. I was cooing over the lovely kaftans, then squeeing over the foxes (and hedgehog!), and then I got to the blogger meet up! Wow! How very cool to meet Vronni and Monica!! I love blogger meet-ups, don't you? It feels like we've known each other forever.

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    1. It did feel like we'd known each other for ever, everyone looked exactly the same as their photos and had the same sense of humour!
      Isn't that baby fox adorable? xxx

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  22. Oooh, that Anouki is lovely! I ALMOST bidded on a beautiful Anouki sleeveless dress last week on eBay- it was so pretty but someone had already bid (bidded, bade???) on it and I wondered if it was you so I didn't bid on it! How lovely to meet those gorgeous ladies after soooo long!!x

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    1. Oh, what a shame! Email me next time that happens and I'll let you know if it's me you're up against. You need some Anokhi in your life, they're so pretty and well made. xxx

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  23. this place is amazing! All your outfits is wonderful
    kiss
    admaiorasemper.website

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  24. Sounds like a lovely day, nothing better than meeting up with blog friends!
    xx

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    1. It really was fun, I can't wait to do it again and hopefully all that Brexit boll**cks won't prevent Monica travelling from Spain next time! xxx

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  25. Blogger meet-ups and meeting wonderful like-minded people online are the only reason I keep blogging.

    You all really did look fabulous. No doubt you were stopped for photos.

    I'm just flying home from a blogger meet-up in NYC. We discussed people we'd like to meet in real life and you were one of our top picks : )

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. That's so sweet - I really hope that we do get to meet eventually! xxx

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  26. Fig- great to see you looking so well. Take care, Janavi

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  27. wowww, it was so Fabulous to meet you!, I totally felt like meeting old friends, as you were so kind and lovely! and Gorgeous!!!
    I'm still catching up on blogs!, really loving to see you in the colorful Anokhi dress and rocking those quality clothes!
    besos

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  28. I thought I'd commented on this one, but obviously missed it (must have been your IG post!). I'm so envious of your garden foxes and hedgehog! The details on that Anokhi dress are amazing; such a quality piece. I'm happy to know there's a direct train from London to Walsall - all the more reason for me to get over there and visit people.

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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