Black and cream

I have always loved the combination of black and cream. Not sure why - perhaps it reminds me of sepia tones and antique times. At any rate, black and cream is a colour combination that always catches my eye.



This dress was from the Northcote high school market I mentioned in my last post. It isn't vintage, but I still love it. Even though it's black it is perfect for hot days like today - it's made out of some cheesecloth-like airy cotton material, and it's super light.

I also bought the camera, a vintage Yashica SLR, for $5 at the market. It doesn't wind on properly - perhaps I'll take it to Hardware Lane to be looked at by a funny old guy in a second hand camera shop. But really I bought the camera for the almost-perfect condition vintage case that came with it - which fits my (working) '70s Pentax SLR perfectly! I have been looking for a case for it for ages, so I'm happy.



The outside light doesn't show the dress details very well, so here it is indoors.


Dress: Northcote high school market
Camera: Northcote high school market
'70s wedge shoes: Port Fairy op shop
Belt: Northcote op shop

Revival

So I blogged about my thrifted Doc Martens the other day, and decided I should try and wear them in before taking them overseas with me. I'm guessing getting stuck in the NZ wilderness with uncomfortable shoes would not be fun!

Building an outfit around a fashion icon from the '90s is a bit tricky, I felt as though I was harking back to my high school days.



These photos were taken in the laneway we walk through to get to our local breakfast haunt, which I love. It's all dark wood interiors, good music and jazz music playing - and their breakfasts are simply devine.



The cardigan was from a school fete I chanced upon last weekend - I just happened to be driving past after work and decided I'd drop in... and my goodness, it was a vintage goldmine. I bought so much stuff, and all for super cheap - I think I got about 6 or 7 items of clothing for like $1 each. I will make a post about it soon, because I think it deserves one in its own right.


Shoes: Melbourne CBD op shop
Dress: Phillip island op shop
Tights: Port Fairy op shop
Cardigan: Northcote school fete
Necklace: Drink me, Alice from 2007
Bag: ebay

Little bow peep.

I'm working this weekend, and don't have anything to look forward to except for dinner with my parents tomorrow. So, I'll hark back to better times and post pictures from Wednesday (my most recent day off work).



This bow blouse was actually in the Port Fairy haul, but I forgot to post about it last time. It has a strange little plaid print that I really like. I think it's from the '80s, but can't be sure.





I find I have a lot of trouble putting together outfits that are 100% secondhand. Having a huge wardrobe accumulated over my lifetime (and being a hoarder, so never throwing things away) means that I tend to mix up vintage with things that I've bought new (prior to this year, of course!).

I have the most trouble with shoes. Does anyone else have this problem? I find that shoes are always either not my size, too beat up to wear, or give me the heeby jeebies when I touch them (let alone wear them!).

However, I DID manage to thrift an awesome pair of almost-new black Doc Martens in my size the other day. Having been a teen when they were cool the LAST time around (how old am I?!?) I will always have a soft spot for Docs. They are also perfect for the overseas travel I am planning, and I'm glad I didn't resort to buying boots new. More on that later!


Blouse: vintage? from Port Fairy op shop
Cardigan and jeans: gifts from my mum
Beret: gift from my man
Bag: ebay
Shoes: bought at a shop in Werribee in 2005 or 2006

Off the High Road

So on Sunday, we went to see one of my favourite bands in the whole wide world play in Northcote. It was actually quite hot so I was able to break out this sundress I've been itching to wear. This look was breezy and casual and perfect for a gig in a pub on a hot day.

I got this dress from Retrostar - a huge jacked-up-prices vintage store in Melbourne city.





(forgive the pictures, the boy thought it would look artistic taking photos through a wire fence, and couldn't be convinced otherwise)

I have mixed feelings about shops like Retrostar. On the one hand, I appreciate that it can be handy to have a bunch of wonderful vintage all in one place, and that the prices are appropriate for the time and effort taken to source the clothes. It's also instantly gratifying to find so much great stuff in one place.

The main problem I have with these stores is that I am terribly indecisive, and there's just too much to decide between (I've also been known to suffer dizzy spells in huge stores such as Savers). Also, it kind of takes away the thrill of unearthing a rare treasure.

Nonetheless, I still like going to vintage stores on occasion, especially this year when I can't buy anything from a boutique. It's nice browsing racks and racks of beautiful clothes. This dress was the first thing I ever bought from Retrostar, and I'm glad I did because I really love it, but I probaby paid a bit more than I can afford for it.

Just one more picture, because it's a bit funny, making me look like I'm in a zoo, or prison, or something!




Dress: vintage via Retrostar
Cardigan: from a store that was closing down in the city a few years ago
Shoes: given to me by my mum
Necklace: self made, from an earring
Bag: ebay

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

This weekend has been so beautiful - both in weather and experiences. It was warm enough at dusk to go for a stroll in our neighbourhood park, amongst the trees and the low light of the evening sun.





I've shown this dress before on this blog, but I wore it with black tights last time, which in retrospect looked too severe. It may not be obvious in these pictures but the tights are a pretty teal colour.





Sunset is one of my favourite times of day. Everything looks so whimsical in the failing light. I love the long shadows that are strewn towards the east.




Dress - Northcote op shop
Belt - Northcote op shop
Bag - Newport op shop
Tights - Sportsgirl, from 2007
Boots - Ebay

Wind, hail and sunshine

Sunday involved wind, rain, sunshine, a haircut and a lovely early evening dinner at a city restaurant.



I was inspired to finally watch The Painted Veil after seeing one of Casey's posts. All those dropped waists, ruffles and quaint collars... I love the flapper look. Am absolutely in lust with Naomi's hair in the movie too.



This dress is not from the '20s but is courtesy of my mum from the '70s. I love the plaid - it's such a crazy mesh of colours that shouldn't work, but do. The photo below shows in closer detail - I mean, brown/orange/aqua and purple?!? Who would've thought?



The necklace is from Drink me, Alice. Last year, I acquired many of these beautiful treasures from Melbourne-based Alicia, both as gifts and self-purchased. This year, I'm on a hiatus from even visiting the site, as I'd be sorely tempted to break my not buying any new jewellery rule. It's still bookmarked though!


Dress: vintage from my mum
Jacket: Kinki Gerlinki from 2005
Necklace: Drink me, Alice
Tights: can't remember
Boots: ebay

Of crochet and hems

Today was one of those days I had trouble getting dressed. It wasn't cool enough to wear a jacket, and wasn't warm enough to ditch the stockings. None of my clothes wanted to cooperate. I had to change my outfit about five times before I would leave the house...



One thing I've learnt through years of op shopping is how important lengths and hemlines are. Being short, many clothes absolutely swamp me in length. And most vintage clothes tend to err on the long frumpy looking side, needing serious hemming. This floral dress started life mid-calf length and looked sadly late 90's, but it got a quick hem job and now I'm really glad I gave it a chance.



This cream crochet jumper came from a tiny op shop in Williamstown, and actually has elbow length sleeves. Sleeves which would suit someone tall and willowy, but look absolutely awful on me. I was on the verge of boomeranging it back to the op shop (but I loved the scalloped crochet pattern far too much) when on a whim decided to roll up the sleeves, and now it's far more wearable.



Being unable to shop for new clothes this year, means that I've had to broaden my sights when I'm op shopping - meaning that now everything gets scrutinized as to its chop-ability... and my sewing machine is getting much more of a work out than it used to.




Dress: second hand from K-mart
Jumper: vintage from Williamstown op shop
Tights: my sisters old school tights... they are starting to wear a bit thin!
Shoes: vintage from Port Fairy op shop
Belt: my mum's belt from the '70s
Camera: my dad's vintage Smena

Black and tan

Comfortable clothes today, as I was a busy bee running around buying art supplies for a class I'm taking.



I'm lucky to have a stash of my mother's awesome clothes from the '70s and '80s. My mum was, and is still, a very stylish woman - as well as being a hoarder, like me! (this is both a blessing and a curse). So, I have access to great loads of vintage clothes. Problem is, she was a tiny wasp of a thing when she was younger, so most of the things I can fit into were actually her maternity clothes!

I just love the details of this '70s bohemian top.



In a way, it's a nice cycle don't you think? Some of the things I'm wearing now, my mum wore when pregnant with my siblings and I. It's the circle of life, in a clothing sort of way.

Lastly! I worked out what tagging is all about... and it took me long enough. I received a tag last week from the Skye, the lovely belle behind Skylark and Son.



I am supposed to pass this onto more lovely bloggers. I'm still very slow at adding links so I might just link to 4 to begin with.

So.

1) Missa from Thrift Candy, best camping trip pictures around right now!
2) The Paper Doll I've just discovered this one, and I love everything about it!
3) Strike Match because she makes so many things I would never think of, like intricate beading on a red velvet jacket, look so right!
4) And, back to Skye because I also really do love her blog.