I'm still utterly obsessed with vintage Indian block prints but as they don't come cheap I've been rifling through my wardrobe, selling off old favourites and using the profits to add to my burgeoning collection. The great thing about having a 99% vintage wardrobe is that (provided you don't wash and wear your clothes to death) you'll always get your money back and, provided you buy at the right price, there's a good chance you'll double, or even treble, your initial investment.
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| WEARING: 1970s Indian-made block printed halterneck maxi with a posh Italian leather clutch bag made in Florence (£1,charity clearance shop) |
This 1970s halterneck was bought from the profits from a psychedelic catsuit I'd owned since 2010. I'd fully intended to save it for September's Greek getaway but it seemed an absolute crime not to wear it for Jon's pre-birthday curry last night.
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| WEARING: India Imports of Rhode Island maxi skirt with a fringed body suit (charity shopped in 2015) and a vintage Yemeni pendant |
This India Imports of Rhode Island tiered skirt replaces two psychedelic polyester maxi skirts. It fits like a dream, although I had to lop 6 inches off the hem before I could wear it as I didn't want to risk a broken hip. I'm not the tallest person in the world but the previous owner must have been a giant with a penchant for massive platforms.
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| WEARING: Early 70s Anokhi sun dress worn with Native American choker (car boot sale, pre-2000) and Lotta from Stockholm clogs |
This vintage Anokhi sundress is faded to perfection. I'm amazed I managed to snag it at the Buy-it-Now before anyone else did but I suppose the 30" bust put most of the opposition off. Although not cheap, it was a third of the going rate for early 1970s Anokhi and the two Summer dresses I'd not worn for a couple of years soon paid for my splurge.
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| WEARING: Tablecloth mini dress and a Rajastani pendant threaded on to a Banjara dowry necklace. |
My lovely friend Katy sent me a gorgeous vintage Indian-made block printed tablecloth but I decided that it needed to be refashioned into a bastard massive sleeved mini dress instead. Table linen isn't really a thing at Stonecroft.
My block print obsession has grown so much that I've now dedicated an entire wardrobe to my collection. I love opening the doors drinking in the rich colours and revelling in the poetry of the prints.
My block print obsession has grown so much that I've now dedicated an entire wardrobe to my collection. I love opening the doors drinking in the rich colours and revelling in the poetry of the prints.
Between festivals, when I'm not adding to my personal collection, we're trawling the Black Country hunting down choice stock for Kinky Melon's Retro Boutique's rails. Although we frequently despair at the seemingly endless rails of cheap 'n' nasty fast fashion it does making spotting a gem a lot easier - quality stands out a mile.
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| Clockwise from top left: Printed cotton retro playsuit; Jessica McClintock for Gunne Sax child's dress; 1970s velvet blazer by Feminella; 1960s leather waistcoat; Retro mini dress; 1970s St Michael pillar box red wool jacket; 1980s Sierra Designs of London printed cotton jacket; 1980s leisure shirt; 1980s Eastex midi skirt; 1980s English-made Santman day dress; Child's dashiki; 1980s gauzy Indian cotton midi skirt |
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| Clockwise from top left: Oriane of Capri, 1960s psychedelic skirt suit; 1950s embroidered French folk dress; 1960s Hawaiian barkcloth maxi; Embroidered Egyptian cotton kaftan; Belted jumpsuit; 1970s tab collar blouse; 1970s St Michael peasant top; Anokhi crinkle skirt |
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| Clockwise from top left: Indian embellished silk dress; 1980s suede waistcoat; 1940s raglan sleeve wool overcoat (from a Walsall menswear shop that ceased trading in the 1950s); 1950s cotton day dress; Handmade gypsy top; Floral jumpsuit; 1980s Shantung silk blazer; 1970s fake sheepskin coat; Flamenco dress; 1980s Escada embroidered jacket |
See you soon!
