I'm going old school and posting today's outfit. I've had to organise myself to do this - it's dark by half past three - winter isn't conducive to taking outfit photos in the daylight!
One of the things I love about charity shopping, aside from the thrill of the hunt, is that my wardrobe is constantly evolving. Yesterday I didn't leave the house with any intention of buying an electric blue beret or a 1970s knitted midi dress but, by chance, I happened upon both, liked them and - at 99p and £2.99 respectively - gambled on them looking okay when I tried them on at home. Of course, when you sell vintage for a living it's no hardship if things don't fit, you simply stick them in the stockroom and, if you like them then it's inevitable that you'll eventually meet someone else who does, too.
Luckily for me I was happy with both!
Although it's not particularly flamboyant I loved this dress on sight and was thrilled to discover that it fitted - knitted dresses often look deceptively shapeless on the hanger. Hidden by my scarf, the bodice fastens with three covered buttons and the sleeves are pleasingly full without being a nightmare to get a coat on over the top. Annoyingly, the maker's label has been partially cut out. Along with Doc Marten boots, a black Kangol beret was a staple part of my wardrobe in the 1980s and although I always buy them when I find them, I automatically stick them in the stockroom - I hadn't considered keeping one for myself until I discovered this one in Barry M blue.
This 1950s leather overnight bag was from a jumble sale ages ago.
How fortuitous that my nails were already painted the same colour as the beret - good old Barry M Nail Paint, obviously! The Kashmiri papier mache bangles are charity-shopped, the mirrored ones came from a village in Gujarat.
The 1970s knitted tights were deadstock (ie., with the original labels still attached) and were in the 3 for £1 basket in the local hospice charity shop. The Topshop boots were 75% off in their sale earlier this year.
Helga sent me the vintage Tyrolean belt about seven years ago.
I found this 1960s Liberty silk scarf in a 99p basket of scarves in a vintage shop. I'm not a walking advertisement so I always make sure the Liberty logo is at the back of the scarf when I wear it.
Needless to say, I wore a coat on top of my new old dress when I left the house this morning - it's hideously cold out there today!
If I can organise myself properly I'll try and photograph some more of our recent charity shop finds and hopefully a DIY project we've got planned for the weekend should be completed in time to share next week, too.
Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday.
Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday.
