Wednesday 23 March 2016

Could life ever be sane again?

I was going to do this post yesterday, but I was thrown off-balance by yesterday's terrible events in Brussels, and somehow it didn't feel right to be blogging about something as frivolous as vintage clothing ...

Still, life goes on, as they say, and we mustn't, no we mustn't admit defeat! 

On Saturday, after a leisurely breakfast, we decided to pay a visit to one of the charity shops we hadn’t done last weekend, to see if they had any vintage stuff left.

I managed to take some pictures this time to give you an idea of what a Belgian charity shop looks like. This is one of the bigger shops. The pictures aren’t top quality though, as I used my old Sony Cybershot, which is not very good for inside pictures.



As you can probably see, they still had quite a lot of things left, although some of the prices were simply outrageous. This shop seemed to be more expensive than average. The things which remain unsold will go down in price as the weeks go by, so we might have another look in a couple of weeks’ time.



























This is what I wore. A stripy brown-and-orange A-line skirt paired with a long-sleeved crimplene top with brown-and-orange flowery cotton cuffs and collar. It’s another Finnish concoction, labeled  “Merry Finn”, and I love its puffy sleeves and its neckline. It certainly made me feel quite “merry”, especially after I added some cheery orange details, like the necklace and chunky plastic ring.


























It was quite cold, so I chose a lined tweed jacket, part of a suit which, worn together, makes me look and feel quite lady-like. I have a problem with the word “suit”, though, preferring the French words “deux-pièces” or “tailleur”, which - even though I live in the country's Flemish speaking part - we use here in Belgium too. Or rather: used. I think that the words, together with the items themselves, have gone out of fashion. After all, who still buys these things? Well, me, that’s for sure!


At the very last minute, I pulled this furry hat from our hall stand. It’s actually the first time I’ve worn it, but it made me feel great, so it certainly won’t be the last.

To finish this post’s outfit pictures, here’s me in the suit ...



























I love the jacket's buttons, which somehow remind me of chocolates!

Skirt, top and scarf worn with suit: Think Twice
Suit and necklace: Blender Vintage Shop
Boots and hat: charity shop
Brooch and brown and orange scarf: flea market
Ring and tights: retail (tights from local market stall)

And now the big question is: were we tempted to buy anything? 
Well, we found a cute little vintage thermos for our picnic basket, a couple of vintage hangers, which I actually bought to display items on this blog, and some 78 rpm records.
I also had a half-hearted browse through the rails of clothes, as I'd already bought so many wonderful things last week, but couldn’t resist this green – dare I say it – suit.



On Sunday we went to a flea market, where we did a great find, deserving a post all of its (or her) own …

Now, aren't you intrigued?

19 comments:

  1. I was thinking about you when I heard the news x

    There are some lovely bits in this post :)

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  2. There's something to be said for standing your ground and continuing with your daily life in the face of horrible things. It doesn't minimize the horror of what has happened, but it does show a determination to go on living.

    Ah, you know I love a good brown outfit, and the orange details on yours are just lovely. The hat looks great on you.

    The thrift store looks so orderly compared to our cluttered, overwhelming ones in my part of the US. It must be a nice experience shopping where you can get a good look at things.

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    1. Thanks Goody. You are quite right about the shops being so orderly here. There's even one shop that organizes all the crockery by type AND colour. I'll have to take a picture of that some time. xxx

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  3. Ooooh, a fellow Smiths fan!
    Yesterday was dreadful and you were in my thoughts but you're quite right, these cowards will not change the way we live our lives.
    Wonderful outfits, as always. I've got a Merry Finn maxi.
    Love the diagonal stripe skirt and your tweed. xxx

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    1. Thanks for thinking of me, Vix. I was quite obsessed with The Smiths in my twenties, and I still love them. It's funny how after all these years snippets of Smiths songs lodge themselves into your head when you least expect them to. I couldn't get rid of the aptly named Panic on Tuesday. xxx

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  4. I like a good suit - but you're right, they're quite a rarity nowadays. The buttons on your jacket is excellent.

    Having grown up in Britain when IRA activities were at their peak and my dad was in the military, I was always aware of the possibility of terrorism. You can't live your life in fear or hatred, that's what the terrorists want. Be aware, but don't be bowed!

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    1. Thanks Mim. Indeed, nobody's wearing suits anymore. There's a vintage shop here that is selling the jackets and skirts separately, which is a shame. Regarding the attacks in Brussels, it is quite grim here in Antwerp as well, with military and armed police at every street corner, but we try to go on as normal. xxx

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  5. You are doing the right thing by carrying on with your life, it flies in the face of what terrorists want to achieve. We will stand strong together. Your purchases are all lovely, and I love a suit, even if you never wear the pieces together, it's two for one, isn't it!!

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    1. Thank you for your comment. Indeed, we will stand strong together, it's the only way forward! Oh, and I can never resist a good suit! xxx

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  6. I'm working my way backwards through your postings and already I can see we are twins in style. I have almost identical outfits as you.
    I'd be camping In that charity shop if I lived over near you
    Lynn x

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    1. Just spotted Tania here as well from Freckleface

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    2. Nice to know I have a twin-in-style in Lancashire! Whenever I discover a new blog, I also work my way backwards through the postings and I'm now working my way backwards through your comments as well. xxx

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  7. Terrific outfits! I especially like the solid brown blazer and your new green skirt suit. I could happily live in classic suits like that all year round. :)

    I hope that you're doing okay in the wake of this month's horrific tragedies, sweet lady. You've been in my thoughts.

    Many hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thanks for thinking of me, Jessica. You are so sweet! It's still a bit weird here, though. Life goes on, but as a country, it's taking a while to recover go back to normal, whatever that might be. On another note, I love a good suit and have several in my wardrobe. xxx

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  8. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice green suit!

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    1. I'm glad you like the suit, Kezzie. It was love at first sight. xxx

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