Wednesday 16 August 2017

Wardrobe woes

After Mr. S. and Phoebe, my wardrobe is the love of my life, but still there are mornings I am stood in front of my full to bursting wardrobe not knowing what to wear.

I blame this on circumstances beyond my control, such as the weather. Mainly the weather.

The main culprit, of course, is that I've got so much choice, and so little time to wear it all.



This is especially true in Summer, let's say from May to early October (if we're lucky). One way or another, the summer season, as in warm enough to wear frivolous summer frocks, is far too short. We can fake it a little, by wearing tights and a cardigan (both of which I therefore have in abundance) but all too soon the day will come when the summer stuff has to be put away in favour of one's winter wardrobe.

So, there is no time to lose as, even in the best circumstances there will still be lots of unworn stuff by the end of Summer.

I am making a concentrated effort to wear those things which haven't been worn for a while. These can be things I'm not or no longer sure are me or that for one reason or another have slightly gone out of favour. I think I owe them at least another wear before making any drastic decisions.



Take this Diolen dress, picked up at the much missed Blender Vintage Shop a couple of years ago. I like the print, its cut and especially its collar. But it is lined, making it too thick for a hot day, and I think it's a tiny bit too short on me.



Out it came anyway, on Saturday before last, and at first I was sure it would be a goner. I added a belt: better.  A butterfly brooch on the collar, to keep the flowers company. A lime green necklace and ditto ring: not too bad. Still, I wasn't totally convinced ...



It was too chilly outside to go it alone,  so I needed to add a cardie. As the dress is rather short, none of my cardigans looked right, and believe me: I tried a lot of them. Then I pulled this green cropped cardigan out of the wardrobe, charity shopped and completely forgotten about. Problem solved!  I added not one but two flower brooches which seem to grow naturally along the cardie's neckline. My favourite green shoes and a tan handbag bought in Wales, and I was ready for some charity shopping. What else?

Wonder if the charity shop gods were good to us again?



This kitschy souvenir is from Scherpenheuvel, a famous Belgian place of pilgrimage, which we visited last November. Someone has written the date on the back, May 1961, and it says it was a gift from a grandmother to someone called Liliane. I find such things quite poignant and cannot help but embroider some story, ending with the sad fact that in all probability Liliane isn't around anymore and that her relatives saw no worth in keeping in what essentially is just a piece of varnished and decorated plywood.



I also found two pairs of blue shoes, a pair of peep-toes and a pair of sandals. As lately I'd been lamenting the lack of decent blue shoes, they were lucky finds, really!

Then there were these two bags.



Other buys were a yellow batwing cardigan, originally from H&M, and two belts.



While we were queuing at the till, I spotted this gorgeous plastic vintage brooch among a jumble of stuff in a display case.

On our way home, we passed the Art Deco water tower which is a favourite place for a picnic. We had the place to ourselves and sat enjoying our sandwiches and a cup of coffee in the sunshine, which had briefly appeared out of nowhere. While I was taking photographs, I saw dark clouds gathering in the distance. Minutes later, we had to flee to our car, dodging the first drops of rain.



We even had to wait out the worst of it in the car, while parked in front of our second charity shop of the day. A wasted trip, I should add, as there was nothing remotely interesting to be found.

Summer returned briefly on Sunday and what's more, we had a flea market to go to.

After some deliberation, I chose this dress, which came from Vintage Styling, another shop that is no more. It is, in effect, a black dress with a print, but the flower pattern, in reds and pinks, is so abundant that I tend to forget the black. It's got a tie as well as a self fabric belt, and it's one of those frocks I feel totally at ease in.



To start with, I was wearing a pink cardigan but it soon became too hot for it. I got my sunglasses with me, but wasn't wearing a hat, whereas Jos was wearing a hat but had left his sunglasses behind in the car, so that the first purchases we made were of a practical nature.



This simple straw hat served its purpose and can always be jazzed up with one of my flower hairbands.

Jos's solution was buying clip-on sunglasses, which were buy one, get one free.

In spite of a profusion of stalls, pickings were meagre, with stall after stall selling toys, children's clothes and retired household goods, so that we were more than bored by the time we reached the end.



Still, I spied a couple of brooches (yes, I know!) ...


...and a handful of rings!

To combat the feeling of defeat brought on by the uninspiring market, we finished the day by going for a little walk.



Nothing too strenuous, as my knee is still playing up. I really shouldn't have climbed up there ...



It's a good thing there were some conveniently placed tree stumps to rest the weary legs!


36 comments:

  1. Ooh those plastic rings! I do love seeing all the different brooches you manage to find on your travels, your dresses are both gorgeous and suit you well, hope the knee is better soon! xx

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    1. Thank you Claire! I'm a bit obsessed by plastic rings, picking them up whenever I see them. They are so comfortable to wear too. The knee problem is weather related, so will improve once it is less wet out there ... xxx

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  2. I don't think your frock is short on you I think it's just right and suits you perfectly.
    That plastic flower brooch is definitely one for my pile, I love it xxx

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    1. Thanks Lynn! That's one fine brooch, isn't it? xxx

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  3. Both dresses look lovely on you, though I'm completely in love with the pink and black one. That Aztec patterned purse is incredible.

    Hope your knee heals quickly.

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    1. Thanks Goody! I love that dress too, and I think it makes me look slimmer, so that's a bonus too! xxx

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  4. Nice fashion choices! Hot weather make many pieces uncomfortable.

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    1. Thank you Ally. When it's really hot, there are only a couple of pieces I feel comfortable in. I haven't had much need for them this summer, as the weather's been quite miserable here ... xxx

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  5. You find fab things. That Diolen dress is a cracker, though I can see how it would be too hot for summer with a lining in.

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    1. Thank you Mim. Let's think of this way: the upside of this miserable summer is that I was finally able to wear the dress ... xxx

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  6. the first dress is not too short on you! and with the lining maybe its perfect for chilly summers... ;-) it looks gorgeous with the green shoes!!! try a low contrast cardi/jacket (maybe with a pattern!) with it to avoid horizontal parting......
    love you in dainty pink!!! unexpected and very pretty!!
    and i have to steal the carpet clutch and the yellow cardi off you - todschick!!!
    healing vibrations to your knee!!!
    hugest hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Your advice is always welcome, Beate, so thank you. The dress got so many lovely comments, that it's back in my wardrobe and not going anywhere. Your healing vibrations must have helped, as there's been some improvement these last couple of days ... xxx

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  7. So mnay clothes, so little time but at least you've got loads of variety and that is the spice of life!
    Loving that Aztec print bag, the tapestry bag and that yellow cardi, it's so fantastically 1980s!
    That dress isn't too short on you, it's fab! You & Jos always look great! xxx

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    1. You're right, and I love having loads of variety! No capsule wardrobe for me! I've worn the yellow cardi in the meantime, and it's such a pleasure to wear. You should have seen Jos's face when he read your comment. He really is a changed man since I started blogging ;-) xxx

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  8. May to October. Lucky you. I think summer here is June to September if I'm lucky. The dress is not too short I don't think. You could also wear a long duster with it just as well as that cropped cardigan. It does seem you are making the most of the late summer.

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    1. I know, Anna, May to October might be ever so slightly exaggerated ;-) One can only dream! I'm getting far more wear out of my winter wardrobe, I'm afraid. A long duster is actually quite a good idea, so thank you for the tip! xxx

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  9. That pink/red/black dress looks amazing on you! (and you know what I think of pink!) As ever serious bag envy and what better way to get over a rubbish flea than a gorgeous walk?

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    1. I had to do a double take when I read your comment ;-) I do wear pink from time to time, but in moderation. But certain shades of pink I really cannot abide either ... xxx

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  10. I enjoy seeing all your finds Ann. I love the tapestry bag.And I don't think the knee length is wrong for you. I think it looks perfect. xx
    www.vanityandmestyle.com

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    1. Thank you Laurie. I'm definitely keeping the dress with all these lovely comments. xxx

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  11. You always seem to spot those brooches don't you? I hope your knee isn't playing up too much and that you're giving it lots of rest xx

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    1. After all these years, I can spot a good brooch from quite a distance! I've found that sitting at my desk all day is really bad for my knee, but walking (on mostly flat terrain) is ok. xxx

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  12. I have the same problem as you! Ha ha! I think that might be an ailment of the avid collector...too many outfits and not enough days to wear them all. I know one gal that changes twice a day just so that she can wear all of her clothes. I may need to start doing the same.

    Love your bold bright patterned dresses.

    We are having the same issues here with more and more vintage stores closing down. It is so sad.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. The problem hits home every time I my out of season clothes come out of storage, and the dresses keep coming, and coming, and ... There's always stuff I completely forgot about, and it's always exciting to get reacquainted with old favourites. xxx

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  13. I often have the same feeling and stay in front of my wardrobe thinking that I have nothing to wear!! That is what most women think at least now and then ... :-)
    You have many beautiful dresses which suit you just like the two that you are sharing today but, yes, the weather can make you insure about what to wear! Especially when you are in a hurry and have to quickly decide!
    To my eyes your first dress is not too short for you, it's a pity that you don't feel comfortable in it.
    Hope that your knee will be ok soon ...

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    1. You're so right, Dan. It's the ailment of every clothes loving women. And the more you have, the more you moan about having nothing to wear ... I felt surprisingly comfortable in the dress, so I guess it was all just in my head ... xxx

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  14. That dress looks lovely, not at all too short and I live the green accessories too.
    You managed a picnic without rain!
    Those rings are brilliant xxx

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    1. Thank you Sally! The rings are all of the adjustable type, so that's a bonus. xxx

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  15. I also think the first dress looks fine Ann, but occasionally some outfits just do not feel right, I guess.
    Dove Cottage must surely be enormous to accommodate your never ending vintage finds? xx

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    1. Dove Cottage is actually quite tiny. Big enough for the two of us, but we have no attic, for instance. There's stuff everywhere, I can tell you. One of these days you might see us on one of those hoarding programmes on the telly ... xxx

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  16. Such good purchases!! The allure of new things is strong, even with a wardrobe full at home. I like that last dress on you a lot. Perfect for a picnic.x

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    1. Thank you! That dress is one of my favourites, and I feel great wearing it. I'm a bit of a vintage shopaholic, I'm afraid ... xxx

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  17. mwahah, I understand that urge to wear all your summer clothes as many times as possible, even under a cardi!. Your dresses are so amazing, and you're amassing a really fabulous collection of brooches!
    Weather can make dressing up really difficult here too, one day is hot as hell, next day is 15ºC and I have to look for something warm!
    (glad that you enjoy some beautiful places to go for a walk, rain is not that bad if it brings you all that greenery!)
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica. The weather is going up and down here as well. Also, I need to add layers, as it can be quite cool in the mornings and then get really warm by lunch time ... Hence the cardie collection ;-) xxx

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  18. I have lots of choices too, though probably not as many as you with your fabulous frock collection, Both of these are fantastic dresses on you! And I don't even dress up every day, more like 2-3 times a week (typically). I love the old-fashioned way of dressing up for breakfast, then a new outfit for lunch, and yet another one for dinner. But then, of course, how long would take to wash/iron everything?

    Lots of love, and do get well soon! <3

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    1. I love dressing up, so I do it every day, even if we only stay at home, when I might be a bit more casual. The old-fashioned way would only be manageable if you are a lady of leisure, with servants looking after your every need. They would then also do the washing and ironing ... ;-) xxx

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