You've always dressed like that haven't you, Vix? One of my favourite charity shop ladies said to me this morning. She told me that it was because I was the only person she knew who could walk up to a crammed rail and pull out a single item, never needing to shuffle through everything on display. It's true, when you know your own style, secondhand shopping is a breeze.
It works for on-line shopping, too - in a sea of a hundred thousand eBay listings I can spot that single perfect piece which will fit seamlessly into my wardrobe, like the vintage '70s Indian block print midi skirt I snagged last week. I love that it's quilted, it was like wearing a tea cosy this morning, perfect for such a chilly day!
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| WEARING: Quilted midi skirt, felted wool hat & vintage 1970s polo neck (all eBay), 1960s-does-Edwardian boots (car boot sale), Russian folklore belt & 1960s suede coat (charity shop) |
Silver from Lebanon, Yemen, Nepal, India and Morocco, nails by Barry M.
I had a plan in mind when I spotted this gauzy Indian cotton blouse on eBay, feeling it would work well under my 1970s Anokhi pinafore dress.
It did! (and the hat wasn't a bad match either.)
Why stick with one vintage Indian block print when you can have three?
Vintage sellers please take note - the label on the bottom right is a genuine 1970s label, if a garment doesn't bear this then it isn't a Vintage 1970s Anokhi and, if it hasn't got a label at all then it's neither a "Genuine Anokhi" or "Anokhi-Type". I do get exasperated by sellers wrongly describing Indian block printed clothing and even more so when I see modern Anokhi clothes listed as vintage or even worse, Rare, when you can still buy them in the store. Arghhh!
It's not just me who knows what they like when they're rummaging around the chazzas. Jon found these two pre-loved beauties this morning - a cotton biker jacket which originally retailed in Reiss for £195 and a paisley button-down shirt from Liam "Oasis" Gallagher's clothing line, Pretty Green, still available on the official website for £70 - that's £265 worth of gear for less than the price of a Primarni tee shirt (the only reason I know this is because I looked on the website, I have yet to set foot in the place).
In other news here's what I've read recently. This Is What Happened was incredible, a taut psychological thriller I finished in two sittings. If you can track a copy down I can't recommend it highly enough. Breakfast with the Nikolides is one of Rumer (Black Narcissus) Godden's Indian novels, as my next trip gets closer my reading tends to lean towards books with an Indian theme.
Neither of the lads would stay still long enough to capture them on camera although you can see that Stephen Squirrel is getting used to the gravel.
Much better behaved is next door's silver tabby, Layla. What do expect, she's a lady.
See you soon!
Gorgeous clothes Vix. I could have done with a quilted skirt walking about in town this morning...it was freezing.
ReplyDeleteHave to say a huge thanks for recommending Bodies. I started watching it last night and it's brilliant.
Hugs-x-
You'll be looking at your duvet in a new way now you've sen my skirt! It has gone cold, hasn't it? Not liking it one bit! x
DeleteTea cosy couture! Well, it would be totally wasted as a tea cosy, as that skirt is absolutely stunning. It looks amazing worn with the skinny turtleneck, Russian belt and those boots. Your necklace is perfect with it too. And then your Anokhi pinafore dress! Together with that pussy bow blouse, it is a match made in heaven. I'm loving Jon's purchases too. Good to see Stephen Squirrel getting used to the gravel. Cats do hate change, don't they? We've put a crochet blanket on our sofa to hide the scruffy bits. That was over a months ago, and Phoebe's still making a wide berth! xxx
ReplyDeletePhoebe avoiding the blanket for months made me giggle! Frank finally sat on the bedroom chair yesterday morning, it's only been there a year! xxx
DeleteI like the sound of a quilted skirt! It looks amazing on you and the coat and hat are fab with it. The boots, too and the polo neck.
ReplyDeleteJon did well didn't he!
I tend to scan the rails in the chazzas and it's colours, textures and patterns that call to me. When I spot something that I like; I look at it. I can be finished looking at clothes rails in a few seconds in some charity shops this way. I only look carefully through the rails if I'm looking for specific items of clothing. Currently that's a denim dress and a knitted animal print dress.
I used to love Rumer Godden's books when I was younger. I recently read her biography and I have her autobiography on my bedside shelves waiting to be read...
xxxxx
I've put a Peter Robinson (remember that shop?) quilted maxi on the rails for tomorrow's fair, they're a life changer!
DeleteI'll have to keep my eyes peeled for the two dresses on your wish list although most of the denim I come across is of the hideous lycra variety!
Rumer Godden had a very interesting life, didn't she? Running off to Kashmir with two small kids after her divorce. I bet that autobiography is a great read. x
What beautiful prints. I am always on the lookout for them since reading your blogs about them. Hoping none of he neighborhood kitties has tried to use your new gravel as a gigantic kitty litter box :)
ReplyDeleteOur cat visitors are very well behaved although if they fancy digging up the borders for me I'd be most grateful! xxx
DeleteOOoh, I am definitely jealous of a quilted skirt!!! It looks beautiful on you! I was looking at Anouki on eBay and I agree- so much of that East stuff, e.g. is listed as vintage! Loving your kitties!
ReplyDeleteQuilted skirts are ace - somebody needs to bring them back! There was a basket of quilted scarves in a chazza this week but they're black and in that synthetic puffa jacket material, practical but not exactly nice to look at! xxx
DeletePS Don't get me started on Anokhi for East! There's a dress listed at the moment labelled as "Rare" and "Original and genuine 1970s" I've a good mind to email the woman selling it! xx
DeleteCute kitties! Loving all the jewelry and block prints--- Jon and you both scored!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Becky! x
DeleteThe quilted skirt is just wonderful and so good with the belt and your silver collection. I can see why you kept the coat, great style and perfect fit. Glad to hear the cats are coming to terms with the pebbles, great shots of them too.xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jill! the coat was a bit of a slow burner, it didn't look much on the hanger but seems to slot in seamlessly with everything else I own. xxx
DeleteOh, that skirt is quilted, how lovely! It looks fabulous, especially with that leather obi-style belt. I am often frustrated by mislabeled fashion - and I'm by no means an expert! I've seen modern items marked "vintage" and vintage items at only a few dollars because they don't know what they've got. Ah well.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the boys (and girl) - Stephen Squirrel looks like he's soaking up the warmth quite well. That Frank, always a rebel.
Thanks, Sheila! This belt seems to pull everything together - the perfect accessory!
DeleteVintage is such a misused term, I'm sure most people think it's another word for secondhand rather than an item at least twenty-five years old. In the past I've called online sellers to account, emailing them with photos of labels or further information and not one has altered their listings. they really do give us genuine sellers a bad name. xxx
PS Frank is very much a rebel, he's been fighting this week and has a nasty abscess on his face, he's feeling very sorry for himself!
I always find your jewery fastnating and interesting.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Thanks, Dora! x
DeleteI don't know about you, but I look forward to the change of season because of all the stuff I'll start to be able to wear. Your ensemble is a perfect transition/fall style. I love that coat! Oh, and the kitties too ;-)
ReplyDeleteOur weather's so unpredictable I pretty much wear my stuff all year round (coats and gloves included)! I'd love a definite change of season. xxx
Deleteback in the day i had the exact same pinafore, gave it to a mate because boobs and it just didnt work , now i would have just removed the pinafore. Age brings confidence when it comes to hacking your clothing up...lol
ReplyDeleteYou're right - I'd never have dreamt of messing around with stuff when I was a kid!
DeleteFunnily enough someone was selling the top of this pinafore on ebay the other day (for £40!!) great minds! xxx
pinafore dress and pussy bow blouse together - super fab outfit!
ReplyDeleteand the quilted skirt is gorgeous - cosy chic at its best. jon did well too, remember this expensive floral shirts fron the ninetees, my ex-boyfriend used to safe every pfennig to buy them.....
lovely cats - so fluffy in the wintercoats!
xxxxx
Thank you so much! That pinafore was waiting for that blouse.
DeleteOur bots are so fluffy at the moment, I hope that's not the sign of a cold winter! xxx
your lovely quilted skirt was made for those boots, looks warm and comfy. Love the colours. I like the pattern mix with the pinnafore dress too, we are so conservative us Brits that mixing patterns just isn't something we explore often enough, you could write a book on personal style and how to let it loose!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Betty! After wearing corporate attire for many years it took me ages to embrace colours and print. I do think mixing prints really help enhance them. I think I've seen a formula about how to successfully mix patterns, I tend to hold stuff up against what's hanging in my wardrobe and the answer slaps me in the face. xxx
DeleteI'm absolutly accord when you say that when you konw your own style, to buy secondhand is easy as pie, it is because you go stright to stuff you know as well it willbe useful and perfect. Sunday morning from a girl (same age as we..jajaja) in a flea market I always buy, I bought an afghan coat in purple that I LOVE iT!!! And as you said, is the only thing I saw that day, my eyes are selectives, jajaja I'm so happy with my coat!
ReplyDeleteMariel, I'm drooling over the sound of that incredible Afghan coat, Purple! What a dream.
DeleteIt really is that easy, isn't it? No need to hunt through racks and racks of clothes or to scrutinise labels, we see it and know its right immediately! xxx
totally in love with your quilted skirt, it ticks all the (right)boxes, colorful, cosy and fabulous! and love it with your coat and hat!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you picked the floral blouse to be worn with the pinafore dress, they make a perfect ensemble!, you're so talented!. I totally agree that knowing your own style make shopping better. I've learnt to look for colors and touch every garment to detect quality fabrics!.
I'm also quite dissapointed about mislabeled ítems in the internet, it looks like nowadays everything is 'vintage', even if it was made two years ago.
besos
Thank you so much! I spotted that skirt on Ebay a week before the auction ended and stalked it daily - so happy that nobody else was interested!!
DeleteI agree about vintage on the internet, UK Ebay is a joke! xxx
Am I right in thinking I read somewhere it’s National Cat Day ? If so it’s very fitting to see your little gang. Must go and check with Rosie Cat next door she’ll know.
ReplyDeleteYour skirt and coat are a gorgeous outfit. One i’d happily wear.
Hope you get through all your jobs today, ready for the weekend trading. We are off to the caravan this weekend to close up for the winter. But for now I’m going to get my clobber on and take that walk while it’s sunshining xxx
Oh no, I missed that. No wonder the lads were playing up!!
DeleteHope you're staying warm and dry at the caravan. Yesterday was rather lovely despite the horrid forecast but today's been vile. xxx
Talking of Layla, did you see the Eric Clapton doc on Beeb Four last week. Lots and lots of lovely floral shirts on show, and that was just the men! I had a suede coat just like yours, back in the day. When I saw yours, the aroma of Estee Lauder's Youth Dew came to mind. I used to practically wash myself in it, whilst wearing my coat!
ReplyDeleteOoooh! Thanks for that! Now I've finished Giri/Haji I need something to watch before Spiral tonight!
DeleteYouth Dew was my Mum's favourite as a youngster. x
The beautiful quilted skirt gives your whole look a unique edge. Your style and love of India are perfectly complementary, you are a woman who knows herself methinks :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great suede coat, the colour and cut are gorgeous.
Cats are wonderfully independent aren't they. Layla the lady from next door looks quite a feisty madam and very neat, I reckon her good behaviour is just a smokescreen for her crazy nights on the tiles! xxx
Thanks so much, Sally! I've always loved Indian clothes but for some reason confined them to holiday wear only, now I'm embracing them all year round.
DeleteI think you're right about Layla. I often spot her in the garden at 6am - is she an early riser or a dirty stop out? xxx
I sold a massive bold red velvet kaftan thing that was also heavily quilted recently. It was like wearing a sleeping bag! LOL I was shocked at my last show when it was one of the first pieces to go. I found that perfect customer and it fit her like a dream. Here all along I thought I'd never be able to sell it! You never know.
ReplyDeleteThe Indian prints look like they were made for you along with the suede coat you're wearing.
I'm keeping my eyes peeled for some boots like yours but I can't seem to find any that aren't crazy narrow. What's with everyone in the "old days" having super narrow tiny feet? Were they all malnourished?
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Your red velvet kaftan thingy sounds amazing, I bet the woman who bought it looked incredible in it.I often find that the strangest item that you happen to throw into the van at the very last minute is the first thing to sell, almost like you've got a sixth sense.
DeleteYou're right about the width of vintage boots, I've got a couple of pairs I've had for over a year, everyone loves them, nobody can fit their hooves into them! x
I'm really smitten with that Russian belt. I'll have to keep an eye out on ebay. It seems like the sort of thing to pull an outfit together.
ReplyDeletePeople list things without doing the research and it drives me mad as well. After wearing vintage all these years I've come to cringe at anything being described as "Rare." 99% of the time it is decidedly not.
Do we get a video of you singing "I'm a little teapot" in your tea cosy skirt?
Gah! The belt was one of a job lot the charity clearance shop was selling off. They often have deadstock European brands (like the Marni haul in today's post) I went back to get you on and they'd sold out. I shall keep checking as they often get more. xxx
DeletePS You wouldn't want to hear me sing anything!
That skirt is quite the quilty pleasure! It's fab, great how you've styled it too.
ReplyDeleteI love a suede coat but it ain't suede weather today! Hope you have something more waterproof.
Xx
Quilty pleasure indeed, love it!
DeleteFunnily enough we didn't get any of that forecasted rain lat week - made up for it today though, the day we had to pack the van for our vintage fair, typical! x
That is amazing that you can zero right in on what you want in the middle of a crammed rail without having to shuffle through items to find it!
ReplyDeleteI like the shape and printed border at the hem of that Indian block-print skirt.
You have an amazing eye! That pretty floral print Indian cotton blouse does look fabulous styled with the 1970's Anokhi pinafore dress accessorised with the red wide-brimmed hat!!!
Great cat photos! :D
Last Minute (2018) Halloween Excuse Post with Old Full Drag Selfies and Thanks to Commenters
Thanks so much, always lovely to hear from you! x
DeleteWhat a great skill you have to be able to zoom straight to pieces of clothing you know are perfect for you. Obviously this saves so much time if you can scan through all the riff raff. And the pieces you purchased recently are divine.
ReplyDeleteThat quilted skirt is gorgeous. The colours are perfect for autumn/winter and I like how you've teamed it with a turtleneck, hat and boots.
You already know I'm completely chuffed about that suede coat. My daughter has a similar one (hers is a bit shorter) and I covet it all the time in winter, but it's a touch tight on me. I see them all the time at markets, but they're always in tiny sizes. Didn't anyone eat in the 60-70's? Also love your blouse and pinafore together. They were made for each other.
Thankyou for the book recommendations. I've always got a book on the go, just wish I had more time to read. How adorable are your cats! They really are full of funny antics.
Oh, and before I forget, YOUR JEWELLERY IS AMAZING!!!! Have a great weekend.
Thanks so much, lovely lady!
DeleteHonestly, it's a skill that's easy to learn, keep at the thrift shopping and you'll be able to pick great pieces out in seconds.
Do you know I had the identical suede coat to the one I'm wearing back in 2009? Same label, same colour, same length - it was too big! It's taken me ten years to find one in my size! They're out there, they're just a bit on the shy side.
I have a theory about 1970s clothes. The coolest gear was bought by young teenaged women who'd just started working after leaving full-time education. They probably still lived with their parents and had a decent disposable income and no doubt, being teenagers, were skinny minnies. Once they got older, got married, had kids and developed more womanly bodies there was less cash to flash around so fewer clothes in larger sizes. xxx
love your vintage midi skirt! such a great look...and the second one is lovely as well. Beautiful Indian print dress dear. You always look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ivana! x
DeleteLove the tea cozy reference for that fabulous quilted skirt! The suede coat is gorgeous, as is jumper paired with the new found top. Thanks for the heads up on the label. Don't see it over here in the US, unfortunately. But good to know just in case.And always enjoy kitty pix!
ReplyDeleteTheresa
Thanks, Theresa! Anokhi have more outlets in the US than they do here so keep your eyes peeled, there's always a chance of finding something. The Anokhi & FabIndia shops I visit in India are full of wealthy Americans buying by the armful! xxx
DeleteThose are lovely clothes. The quilted skirt looks fantastic with your new suede coat.
ReplyDeletePutting labels online for people to refer to is a great idea - I try to do it to mine when I know the date of a piece. I wish there was a way for us all to pool our definitely-dated labels, it could be a useful resource.
Thanks so much, Mim!
DeleteI love to see vintage labels, I can't understand sellers who don't include them in listings. The Vintage Fashion Guild has a decent label resource on their website https://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/ but I think it's a great idea for all us vintage loving enthusiasts share the ones we wear, often the clothes aren't from a famous maker but could have an interesting back story like the dress I'm wearing on today's blog. x
Both my cats seem to know when I'm pointing a camera at them and instantly stop doing the cute thing I'm trying to capture. It's the reason why I have so many photos of them sleeping :)
ReplyDeleteMy cats hate our gravel, I think because it shifts under their feet, thye prefer to scoot around the edges.
xx
Drive you daft, don't they? xxx
DeleteI'm always so impressed by your beautifully styled outfits, always set off by the perfect accessories. You do have a very clear idea of what suits you, which I am working on developing. I'm pretty good at spotting things at the thrift stores that are "Me" but I still bring home things that seemed like a good idea at the time, but end up getting donated back. It drives me crazy seeing ordinary secondhand clothing being promoted as "Vintage" and now that I have an etsy shop, I want to be sure that every item I list is actually vintage. I use the Vintage Fashion Guild website regularly to help identify pieces.
ReplyDeleteI've looked at your Etsy shop, you've got some fab stuff and the prices are very reasonable! x
DeleteHow lovely that your silver is from around the world and such unique pieces.
ReplyDeleteVix, I thought of you when I found a vintage Anoki dress the other week at a market. I’ve never seen one in Australia before but I was so disappointed because the gorgeous pattern was faded and the fabric was ripped.
Liam had a clothing line? I didn’t know that! X
What a shame that the Anokhi dress was beyond repair. There's a few Australian vintage traders selling them, they're out there but as everything is handmade, there aren't large numbers of them!
DeleteLiam's Pretty Green label is huge here - that shirt sold in minutes! x