Tuesday 13 March 2018

Go Welsh!

I'm glad to report that the cold snap we've been having has come and gone and that we have clearly been spared the worst of it here in Belgium, with hardly any snow to speak of.  So, I'm putting it down to experience, giving me the chance to wear my warmest jumpers and my fur coat, as I'd already resigned myself to the fact that the latter would go unworn this Winter.

There was no time - and besides it was far too cold to stand still for long enough - for outfit photos, so you will have to make do with the winter fashions some of my vintage girls were wearing.


A raven haired # 5 Ponytail (1960) and a ginger haired Swirl Ponytail (1964) are modelling two versions of the same coat and hat, aptly called "It's Cold Outside", dating from 1964.


The same dolls are now wearing "Knitting Pretty" (1963), consisting of a royal blue skirt and twin set, which came with a bowl of wool and knitting needles as well as the smallest pair of scissors ever, and "Ski Queen", also dating from 1963. From this set, I am missing the skis and ski poles.


Moving on to the "mod" girls now! From left to right, here's Twist 'n Turn Barbie (1967) wearing "Wild 'n Wintery" (1971), a later Twist 'n Turn Barbie (1969), with a shoulder length flip, wearing "Magnificent Midi" (1971), and Twist 'n Turn Christie (1970), whose hair has oxidized to a funky red, wearing "Snug Fuzz" (1968), a hot pink fake fur suit worn with silver lurex tights!


More 1970s grooviness in these two outfits. On the left, a yellow blouse with scarf tie compliments a pair of wildly patterned knit trousers and a long vest. It even has a matching bag! On the right, a bright green ribbed jumpsuit, with a royal blue belt, and a midi length white fur vest trimmed with three rows of floral braid.



The first few days of the "big freeze", it was all fine and dandy, with me proclaiming loudly to all and sundry that really, I wasn't feeling the cold at all.

Then, on Wednesday of that fateful week, the sub-zero temperature was joined by an arctic wind, which made my eyes sting and my sight blurry, while my nose felt like it had been stuck in an ice bucket, triggering a bad headache. In short, I was feeling quite sorry for myself.



Then Jos called me at work, saying that a parcel had arrived for me from the UK. As there was no way that I could wait until I got home, I asked him to open it. It turned out to be from Vix, and it was the most fabulous Welsh wool jacket ever.

Naturally, Saturday's outfit had to feature it.


It had started snowing on Friday afternoon but by the time we left the house on Saturday, thaw had set in, so that most of the white stuff had gone.

Nevertheless, in order to prove that we did actually have some snow, outfits photos were taken in the one spot in our garage's courtyard where it hadn't melted yet!



You have seen it all before: my houndstooth coat, green woolly hat, furry wrap and snow boots.

What you haven't seen yet, of course, is Vix's gorgeous Welsh wool jacket. It is sleeveless and closes with a suede belt with metal clasp at the waist.

It has pockets too, in the same suede as the belt, and the best thing is that it's in my favourite shade of my favourite colour: moss green!


Underneath, I am wearing a dark green dress made from a Trevira blend of 90% polyester with 10% wool, patterned with swirls in orange and greyish green.

For my accessories, I took the lead from the orange in the dress by adding an orange belt and chunky necklace.



The brooch, which also features bits of orange, was a flea market find and Beate has told me that it might be Bohemian.

We were off to the charity shops, not expecting to find much, as the Retro Day was coming up (it has come and gone by the time you read this).


I couldn't resist the shallow box on the left. The box itself is made from stiff carton, with gorgeous black-necked swans on its padded fabric lid. There is no clue of what it might have originally contained. Chocolates or biscuits, perhaps? Or maybe it was a set of napkins or pillow cases?

From another shop, I picked up a small bag of sewing odds and ends, featuring hooks and eyes and press studs in all sizes, as well as a card of plastic belt buckles. Both were € 0,50. There was also another necklace for my collection, which I think was € 1.


Other finds include a  gorgeous 100% wool plaid skirt, a turquoise frilly scarf and a burgundy vinyl belt.


While Jos was browsing the crates of vinyl, I spotted this Welsh language course standing proudly on top of one of the bookshelves.  Now we've really got no excuse not to learn a bit more than things like "bore da" and "diolch". I already started a similar course a couple of years ago, but had to give it up due to lack of time. 

It may come as a surprise that we won't actually be going to Wales this Summer, but we will be near enough to nip over the border once or twice, so that we can practice the Welsh phrases we hopefully will have mastered by then!



Now I am seriously craving some Welshcakes, so it's about time that we whip up a batch very soon.

Meanwhile, I'm taking my Welsh jacket over to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!



36 comments:

  1. isn´t vix gorgeous!!
    this jacket - which i like to call a waistcoat because of the lack of sleeves - was made for you! it fits perfect and of cause MOSS GREEN!
    and it came to the right time to warm your back and your soul :-)
    you created a very chic outfit around this vest - lovely patterns and colors and that fab coat.....
    the wool plaid skirt looks interesting!
    have fun with the welsh language course!
    hugs! xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Beate, and you're right, it's actually a waistcoat and not a jacket. Will try to wear the plaid skirt soon, but then again, I'd rather be wearing Spring clothes, if only the weather would cooperate! Hugs right back xxx

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  2. What a timely and gorgeous package from Vix! Love your new coat, and I do feel sorry you've had to suffer so much cold this year. I'd love a Welshcake now, even though I've never heard of them before! Thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thank you Patti! Welshcakes are delicious, and quite easy to make. I'll share the recipe one day! xxx

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  3. Beautiful Welsh coat! I love moss-green too. I really like your green wool/polyester dress. I bet you can wash it in the washing machine (and avoid costly dry-cleaning). I have never seen wool/polyester blends before.

    I absolutely love the way you accessorize your clothing with necklaces and hats. It's a good thing to have pretty accessories to distract from cold weather.

    Happy thrifting ;)

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    1. Thank you! And yes, I've washed the dress in the washing machine and it came out absolutely fine. xxx

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  4. Love the Welsh coat-Vix has the best eye for quality clothing, doesn't she?
    I enjoyed seeing your dolls modelling the latest fashions.

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    1. Vix has excellent taste! She said it was about time that I owned a piece of Welsh wool considering how often I visit Wales ... xxx

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  5. What a wonderful vest/coat from Vix, and in your favourite shade! She is so sweet. I love the beautiful black (uncredited) kitty in your pictures. Adore the Barbie fashion show. Would you believe I grew up eating Welsh cakes?? Here on the west coast of Canada?

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    1. Vix is very sweet indeed, and the vest is just fabulous. Now I too am part of the Welsh wool gang! The beautiful kitty is our very own rascal, Phoebe! xxx

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  6. I loved seeing your dolls dressed up in their finery, Ann! I especially love the groovy 1970s outfits! They are so cool! I love your outfit, too: especially the moss green coat! You lucky girl! ;) XXX

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    1. Thank you Sasha! I'm glad you love my dolls' outfits. I have many more to share ... xxx

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  7. You know how to hook me in, with a title like that! You are really rocking that waistcoat. That was sweet of Vix. No Welsh trip this year?! But if you are near the SE border then let me know. Xx

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    1. Haha, yes! Unfortunately, we will not be near the SE border, as we will be in Shropshire. After 7 years in Pembrokeshire, we wanted to go somewhere else. I'm sure it will be great, but I will miss Pembrokeshire, as it was home away from home ... xxx

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  8. The dolls are adorable! You are so lucky to have these Ann. I'm thinking about collecting the Mary Quant Daisy Doll Accessories. I still have my doll and after seeing your collection I want to do it!
    Laurie xx

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    1. Thank you Laurie. It's been fun collecting Barbie dolls and - especially - their clothes. I've stopped actively collecting, as it's not exactly a cheap hobby. You should definitely collect the Mary Quant Daisy Doll Accessories. Sounds a lot of fun too! xxx

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  9. What a fun blog post and the waistcoat is perfect. It goes with everything. Can I have the skirt added to my pile please.
    Let us know more about your holiday plans and hopefully we can meet up this year xxx

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    1. Thank you Lynn! It would be fabulous to meet! xxx

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  10. What a lovely parcel from Vix, I also have a Welsh tapestry waistcoat so know how toasty warm the fabric is. You have an excellent Barbie collection there, I'm loving Magnificent Midi and the rather groovy Snug Fuzz.
    Phoebe looks intent on something in the garden, give her a head scratch from me. xxx

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    1. I love the outfit names as much as the outfits themselves! Phoebe can sit and stare for hours at something she thinks she has seen ... xxx

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  11. Vix chose the perfect gift for you, it's a beautiful colour and it's Welsh. How lovely.
    I could quite fancy wearing some of those Barbie clothes myself, a little bigger maybe :-)
    It's warmed up here too. One evening at the Arctic end of the cold snap I walked Ziggy and it felt like my eyeballs had frozen! xxx

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    1. When I first starting wearing vintage, I tried to find things that made me think of those Barbie clothes. She really had the most fabulous wardrobe, especially in the late 60s, early 70s. xxx

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  12. I was admiring your adorable and so stylish vintage dolls thinking that the 1970s brunette in green outfit was a miniature version of our dearest Vix - and ta-daa!! Vix's name appeared next with this gorgeous gift - moss green vest! Looks fantastic on you (and well done with the snow picture, for historical references :).

    I hope that Spring will arrive soon!
    Lots of love, my dear!

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    1. That brunette Barbie, and especially her outfit, made me think of Vix too. I can well imagine Vix wearing it. And I was thrilled to receive her gift! xxx

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  13. Mae'n ardderchog! ("It's excellent!")

    That parcel from Vix arrived at the perfect time - there's nothing like real wool in cold weather. The suede details are fab.

    When I die, I wish to come back as one of your Barbies. They live the most stylish life!

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    1. Diolch yn Fawr! I've got some fabulous red heads in my collection! xxx

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  14. I knew you'd accesorise that Welsh wool waistcoat to perfection! It looks amazing on you and fits you to perfection. I'm so glad it arrived on a miserable day and managed to life your spirits!
    Hello Phoebe!!
    I'm so envious of your barbie collection, it's amazing! xxx

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    1. Phoebe is staring at me while I'm typing this! Some of the 1970s outfits wouldn't go amiss in your wardrobe! xxx

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  15. Perfect timing for such a lovely parcel up turn up at your door. The coat has a gorgeous pattern and is the perfect colour.
    Apparently we're getting more snow this weekend. It's a shame, we've had some lovely warm and sunny days this week. Today I was outside without a coat, which lifted my spirits no end
    xx

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    1. We're back to square one with the weather ... Can't wait for Spring to really arrive. Meanwhile, I have my Welsh wool jacket to keep me warm! xxx

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  16. The Welsh wool waistcoat from Vix looks perfect on you and hurrah for pockets! That'll keep you snug during the cold weather! xx

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    1. Thank you Liza! Wasn't it sweet of Vix to send me the waistcoat? And so timely too! xxx

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  17. How lovely of Vix to send you the WW - Welsh Waistcoat. It's fab and such a gorgeous colour, too.

    Your doll collection and outfits are absolutely superb; I am so envious of their wardrobe and accessories!

    Loved your colourful plaid skirt and the scarf looks very unusual. I bought a necklace today and as I was cutting off the label I cut through the thread that fastened the bead at the back. Curses and swearwords.... but I had a brainwave; I was crocheting a square and had the almost exact shade of purple, so I crocheted some chains and crocheted the broken ends together! Result!

    It's freezing here but supposedly getting warmer.
    xxx

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    1. I started wearing vintage as I was jealous of my dolls' outfits! I can very well imagine the cursing and swearing. I did the same once, and the necklace needs retreading completely, which I still haven't done. Glad you were able to mend yours! xxx

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  18. Firstly, your dolls collection looks Amazing!, so lovely dresses, I only can dream on wearing something so cool! grooviness!
    And what a fabulous jacket/waistcoat, the color and print are awesome, those suede details so cute!. You look gorgeous in your green & orange color combo (a favorite of mine too!), I love your dress and all the orange accessorizing!
    That wool skirt and the turquoise scarf look awesome!, such great finds!
    besos

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    1. Thank you Monica! Glad you love my dolls. I agree: they have some groovy outfits indeed. I mainly started collecting them for the clothes ... xxx

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