What a day! The UK is currently being battered by Storm Claudia. The rain has been torrential since the early hours and the wind is so strong that the windows are rattling. Normally, after our early morning swim and our Spoons' breakfast we'll have a wander around the charity shops but today we headed straight back home.
I don't know quite what I was thinking by leaving the house in a maxi dress at 7am this morning, the hem was sodden by the time I'd walked down to the baths. In fact, as soon as I got home I trawled the internet for the European brand who make super funky rain ponchos one of my End of the Road regulars was wearing at this year's festival and managed to find one, new with the tags still attached, for a third of the retail price on Vinted. Who needs Black Friday when you can buy secondhand!
My milkmaid braids held firm despite the inclement weather and I like them even more now I've had a few face-framing layers chopped into my hair. My dress is 1990s Next (via the £2.99 or less charity shop in town) and being chiffon it dried quickly. The shirred cotton top is an All About Audrey recycled sari and the vintage velvet Afghan waistcoat is a Vinted find.
Long-time readers will remember that I used to wear mini dresses as much as I did maxis. I do feel more like me in maxi length but sometimes, when it's peeing it down or there's two feet of snow on the ground they are the more practical option. Recently - as seen in the TikTok video above - I gave this 1960s Suede & Leathercraft dress an outing (a birthday present from Jon back in 2013) and felt like a rockstar & decided that I ought to wear mini more often.
When Nikki had a clearout back in the Summer I snaffled this fabulous Shubette of London dress. Although Nikki bought it as a mini, she thought that it was originally maxi length and possibly altered because it had been damaged. Nikki is taller than me and on me it was knee length, not a good look, so being confined to the house, I decided to chop a few inches of the bottom and rehem it.
I'm sure there's people in this world who think a woman on the cusp of 59 shouldn't be showing her legs off but they ain't my people and besides, my beautiful vintage go-go boots need to be on display!
.jpg)
Changing the subject entirely, here's my current read (my 95th book of 2025), Candlemoth. Awarded the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award, its about a young man on Death Row, convicted of killing his best friend in the 1960s. Written by a fellow West Midlander, it is a gripping, historically fascinating and beautifully written read.
In the epic documentary series Empire (currently on the BBC I-player), award-winning historian David Olusoga explores the history and legancy of the British Empire, how it shaped Britain and continues shape the identities of billions of people. To be honest, David Olusoga could make a documentary about watching paint dry and make it fascinating, he's my favourite TV historian!
Have a fab weekend, see you soon!
Hi Vix,
ReplyDeleteIt'a been a pretty filthy day weather wise here too in the south. My poor m-i-l who lives not too far from you was almost blown over this afternoon when she was out and about.
Buying second hand is so much more fun, you never know what you will end up finding. My last book had a bookmark left in it clearly at the point the previous reader had given up!
My current read is Normal Women by Philippa Gregory- what an eye opener it is.
Fashion rules - pah. Never believed in them myself.
xx
Its MrsCatz not anonymous :)
DeleteIt's been such a grim old day, Mrs Catz! Your poor m-i-l, I hope she's okay, the wind had been brutal at times.
DeleteI'm with you on the secondhand shopping, its so muhc fun and even if you find nothing you know next time you look something amazing will pop up.
I need to read that Philippa Gregory book, I might drop a hint to Jon for my birthday!
Whe I was in my 20s I'd probably have been appalled at the idea of a 50 year old in a mini, now I'm that age I couldn't care less! xxx
ha ha Vix - I'm 67 and I still wear mini skirts - shock horror. If people don't like it, too bad.
ReplyDeleteI want to be just like you when I grow up!! xxx
DeleteI haven't grown up yet - hence the mini skirt. Husband commented at our age (he is 67 too) our mothers wore zip up crimpilene (?) dresses/pinafores and cauliflower perms - I am so glad times have moved on and we have freedom to express ourselves through our clothes and other ways. Most of my clothes are secondhand, though not as adventurous as yours, but i love them. i do have concerns that womens rights are being targetted for reduction along with other minority groups, but that's a different conversation.
DeleteKeep on rocking the mini skirt. I'm not sure if you read Between Me and You's comment on my latest post but reading the comments from women like you inspired her to hunt down a minidress in a charity shop over the weekend and unleash her legs again.
DeleteI'm absolutely horrified about some of the proposals for the eradication of women's rights should certain parties ever get into power - so much for caring about "our women and girls". xxx
Age is just a number Vix! you're a fashion leader not a follower so don't need to worry ... Im 67 soon but enjoy wearing whatever feels comfortable and looks pretty - as long as I can still wear my wellies with it lol! Your hair looks nice with the layering. Unless it's yet to come, the storm hasn't reached sunny Surrey, just lots of rain so I stayed in... Sometimes I wear a maxi dress over leggings and hitch it up via a belt to knee length if it's a wet day to avoid a wet hem.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Betty! I think we're all appalled at the thought of women still being visible & having a great life in their 50s and 60s when we're kids, its so different when you grow up and realise that you're still the same person albeit with a few lines and arthritic joints!
DeleteI'm also in team hitch up the maxi dress and sod the weather, I've been known to tuck it in my knickers and carry on regardless! I've not worn my wellies in ages, I might drag them out tomorrow and stomp in a few puddles! Fingers crossed you avoid this storm, it's truly vile! xxx
Maxi or mini you always look fabulous Vix. I used to love a mini and then I started getting self conscious. I have been looking at a few mini dresses recently though. Have a great weekend xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Louise! Get your mini dresses back out of retirement, with your gorgeous long legs you need to wear one! xxx
DeleteYou look fabulous in both maxi or mini, but you've certainly got the legs for the latter. That Shubette of London dress is absolutely stunning and looks amazing with the purple tights and go-go boots! And I do love your milkmaid braids!
ReplyDeleteIt's been gloomy and mizzly today but thankfully Storm Claudia hasn't been around here. Your torrential rain sounds just awful! xxx
Thanks so much, Ann! I don't quite know why I've not worn mini length for so long, I can't be doing with soggy hems!
DeleteI'm glad Storm Claudia avoided you, it was dreadful! Poor Monmouth had a month's worth of rain in one day! xxx
If your legs are good enough to wear minis, then wear them. Although I can remember my Dad saying to me are you going out wearing that, you'll show your knickers! We are going to watch the programmes on King Tut on Channel 5. Xx
ReplyDeleteMy mum used to beg me to wear minis whenever I arranged to meet up with her, she'd drag me into Yate's Wine Bar and wait for the free drinks to be sent over to our table! I didn't know about the King Tut series, I'm keen to visit the new museum in Cairo after watching it on the BBC! xxx
DeleteOh bumocks* to what you should or should not wear at any age.
ReplyDeleteIf I had legs like yours I would show them off too, but instead I often hide mine behind a bright and strangely patterned assortment of Zimbabalooba pants from Zimbabwe. Heaven help the person who tells me they are not appropriate for a 65 year old!
(* coined by the sometimes-too-smart-for-her-own-good 🤭 small grand daughter of a friend, who had been told that there were words she was not allowed to say, even if Daddy did - you can work out what those words were!)
Bumocks...love that! Your Zimbabalooba pants sound fun - colourful and crazy, just what we need on miserable winter days! I'd like to think that these daft rules are a sthig of the past although there's always the odd clickbait article that pops up in my feed every now and than (usually the Daily Heil!) xxx
DeleteTruly awful weather here in Norfolk. I was coming home, from work on my Scooter tonight. An overhead electricity cable fell onto the road in front of me. Sparks everywhere. Used my brakes well. There now fixing it. Should have power back in 3 hours. All being well. Respect for them out in this weather. Love your outfits. Take care
ReplyDeleteOh dear, LC, I hope you weren't too traumatised from that cable falling into the road, that's proper scary! Lovely to har from you an dthanks for the kind comment! xxx
DeleteBig fan of the face-framing layers, Vix! They look wonderful! I'm also a massive fan of wearing whatever the f*ck you want, and if a mini is it, then by all means, you should wear it! I'll be alongside you!
ReplyDeleteMy book total this year is SAD - I got very hung up on "5th Street Women", a massive tome of non-fiction that took me months to get through. Worth it, but my number is very low this year due to that.
Thanks, Sheila! I love reading comments from women in their 60s and 70s still wearing minis, they are my heroes! Silly rules can go and f*ck themselves!
DeleteI'm surprsied I've read as much as I have, nothing wrong with getting stuck into a big hefty tome and loving it! xxx
Some huge puddles on the ringroad by the Arboretum, and in the dark, I found the one in the carpark at the Grange Theatre.
ReplyDeleteHello Nelliegrace! The carpark at the Grange has always been a bit of a ightmare. Did you see my friend Liz's artwork? She's their resident artist! xxx
DeleteYou have great legs- they should be seen! I also, apparently, have good legs, so I should show them a bit more (in fact, I wore my Clara dress for school today- which is short for some photography that was being done!!! Someone, the other day, told they thought I'd retired. I was aghast!!!!! Do I really look 60+??? Apparently so in my raincoat and cycling helmet!)
ReplyDeleteWhich brand of Euro rain poncho is that? Intrigued!
That dress is sooo cute! I love it! The sleeves are amazing!!!
x
You have got fantastic legs, Kezzie - I know I've commented on them before! The poncho is by Rain Kiss, they are a Dutch brand and the one my fried wore at end of the Road was gorgeous, great quality and sustainably made - don't look at their website, you'll want everything! xxx
DeleteIf you've got it, flaunt it! Although not sure if there's an age limit on wearing jeans but until the day I can no longer manouvre my ageing body into mine, I'll keep on wearing them! Prof Alice and Dr Janine were both in town this week promoting their new books, same day, same time, different venues but couldn't manage either of them! Bettany's coming this time next year and there's a matinee timing that suits me better so forked out for that though it does seem very far away from now!!Good weekend to you both.xxx
ReplyDeleteSo many women seem to think there's an age limit on wearing jeans - try telling that to Patti Smith who looks incredible in them!
DeleteProf Alice and Dr Janine - love both of them but Bettany is my favourite , she's the woman I'd most like to go out for a drink with, cracking sense of humour (and a fellow vegetarian!) David's touring, I'm so tempted to go and see him in Birmingham although I'd probably clam up like an idiot if I actually met him! xxx
The first photo of you is absolutely stunning. Maeve xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Maeve! xxx
DeleteWith legs as slim and fine as yours minis are perfect. I like a mini myself and especially with winter tights they are grand. I am now an old lady of 72 and I will wear whatever I choose. I am certainly not ready to join the "beige" brigade. As for the rain, what a drag it is. Carole R.
ReplyDeleteI love that you're wearing minis at 72, Carole - you are an inspiration! xxx
DeleteHi Vix~
ReplyDeleteLove your hair that way-so pretty. And I like the chop of the mini dress-that's the perfect length, excellent with the tights and boots.
I'm currently reading Morrissey's autobiography. His writing style is interesting, and not surprisingly, dramatic, poetic and hilarious.
And I wanted to share with you I've joined the community centre here and started swimming! Thanks as always for the inspiration✨
Have a great weekend :) Hope your weather improves! We're in for it here today....
Hello Stephanie! That's brilliant news about your swimming, here's to feeling fabulous fit and ready for anything life throws at you!
DeleteGah...that Morrissey autobiography, I really fell out of love with him after reading that. The way he bore a grudge with all and sundry was insane - Sandy Shaw, Bryan Ferry, you name it, he hated them. He's a funny bloke!
Hope you survived the storm. Apparently we've got snow on the way now! xxx
Exactly! Good to be ready for it all....
DeleteHa! I'm just at the court bit and it's pages and pages of grudge..from now on if I have a grudge, I'll just call it a morrissey...
Snow is always a good reason for boots✨the fancier, the better💕
Ha! Love that, let's use Morrissey in our daily conversations! Did you ever get to see The Smiths? Jon saw them in Birmingham in 1984 much to my extreme envy, I couldn't go as I was working! I've since seen Johnny Marr, Morrissey and Mike Joyce (playing drums for Pete Docherty) xxx
DeleteDon't you hate it when someone sees someone and you can't go? My boyfriend saw The Undertones at a bar in Toronto that I was too young to get in to, or sneak in to, and I never forgave him...still don't!
DeleteBut I did see the Smiths-twice-at the most ridiculous (or appropriate) of venues-Kingswood Music Theatre, in the middle of an amusement park, Canada's Wonderland, a million miles out of Toronto..1985, then 1986. Tickets (of course I still have them) were $5 but you had to pay to get into the park. Ugh, he was gorgeous-they were great.
I'm envious of sooo many of the bands you've seen-unfortunately my pool of people who are willing to go to concerts has dwindled to zero...but who knows what's around the corner for '26! :) 🎶
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteYour alterations have made that mini dress the perfect length for you, and with legs like yours it would be criminal to listen to any of the tit-heads who say you shouldn't be wearing minis. They would most likely tell me off for dressing in jeans and check shirts at 65 but hey, if I want to be a lumberjack I will be one!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe weather is dire isn't it, and it's caused quite a bit of damage in my garden but I've swept and re-potted all the urgent things and now it's going to be an afternoon of tv and coffee, lots of coffee. :-)
Thaks, Sue! Your lumberjack commnt made me giggle. We should all be free to be whoever we want - I'd prefer to be a mermaid and after all that rain on Friday I was starting to develop fins! xxx
DeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteWe're also suffering from Storm Claudia here. I haven't left the house! I don't know how you manage to go to the pool!!! I always love your outfits, and I loved seeing you in that short dress. I don't think there's an age limit for showing off your legs!!!
Interesting books and films/series you've been watching. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful weekend! <333
Hello Marisa! I saw on the BBC that portugal were also being battered by Claudia. I hope you managed to escape unscathed. We've had a few branches come down but no major damage, thank goodness!
DeleteI hope you had a fantastic weekend and that your week ahead is filled with sunshne and happiness! xxx
Gosh, I loved Candlemoth! I must read some of his other books.
ReplyDeleteI'm catching up again. I know it's not really the way to read blogs, but I do enjoy bingereading yours - one post at a time isn't enough :)
I love the TikToks too, they really do show your clothes off properly. I'm contemplating getting a TikTok account as so many interesting vintage community people seem to be on it.
I didn't realise The Subways were playing, I have an album of theirs and it still sounds great. We are in Digbeth next week to see The Horrors. Off to Stratford-upon-Avon tomorrow for some day dancing at our old 80s club night, now reinvented as the Country Club.
Have you got a name for Gordon yet?
I'm fed up with the rain already, and it's only November. Never mind, getting some trips organised to keep my spirits up. Are you going away for your birthday this year? I picked up the reference to a trip in one of your posts. I'm excited what you've got planned. x
I loved Candlemoth, I could hardly breathe at the end.
DeleteI quite enjoy a mega blog catch-up, I'm doing that right now.
I really like Tiktok, there's a great vintage community and lots of charity shop stuff, too - it's a bit like blogging used to be before sponsored posts and montetisation and I'm very impressed with how rapidly they deal with safety issues - unlike Facebook!
You have had a fun-filled weekend!
Not Gordon seems like keen on being called Bob - could be tricky though as we've just remembered that William's dad, who lives in te next street is also a Bob!
Friday was so grim, today's been lovely, I'll take the bitter cold and sunshine over tht soggy, grey mess any day of the week.
We're off to Puerto de la Cruz again - who'd have thought I'd love Tenerife as much as I do! xxx
Congratulations on finding the rain poncho for a good price!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of you in front of the bed, the second one from the top. You look adorable. And of course you have to wear the boots with the short dress, it looks great on you.
Thanks so much, Andrea! Now I've bought that poncho we'll probbaly have the driest winter in living memory! xxx
DeleteI'm fed up with the rain already, but you brighten up the day in your Shubette dress. It's gorgeous! Xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jules! Friday was truly vile! xxx
DeleteThe rain is boring but I think it makes us more creative!!
ReplyDeleteThe first two authitfits are wonderful and suit you very much!!
The tik tok you created is excellent!!
Be well Vix and have a great time😊!!
I love your positive spin on the rain, Katerina! It did make me a bit more creative on Friday but I'm glad it went away eventually! xxx
DeleteYou look Gorgeous in your mini dresses too (both are damn beautiful and you rock them!), and totally agree they're quite sensible in the rain/snow, so that's a great opportunity for creativity and fun!. I also agree about women any age wearing miniskirts or whatever they fancy, that's not anybody else's business!.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing that new documentary by David Olusoga (he's one of my favourite tv historians but Mary Beard is my number one!, and I have a weakness for Lucy Worsley too).
besos