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

A staple diet

Well, I thought I'd start my posts with something casual. This is what I wore today, and incorporates one of my best purchases ever.



I got this duffle coat from St Andrews Market, a hippy-dippy laid back marketplace that's held every Saturday morning amongst the trees in outer surburbia. It came from Wendy Rule, a Melbourne singer songwriter, and an acquaintance of my dear friend Susie. It actually was a little boys' jacket, and sat in my wardrobe unworn for ages until I thought to shorten it (it was originally a very awkward length - coming to mid thigh, and making a short girl like me look even shorter!) The minute I shortened it I started wearing it non-stop.



This shows the inner label; it's 'styled by' Jack Poden of Melbourne, ad is 90% wool, and is showerpoof and 21 ounces.

I also wore a waistcoat. I love this waistcoat partly because it goes with almost anything, but also because I made it! I made it out of an old pair of jeans that I owned for years and never wore. The thin denim (with a teensy bit of stretch) was awesome to sew with, and this is really the only thing I've sewn from scratch that I actually want to wear!



I look a little awkward here! I also have on a hat I got several years ago, thermals, a broderie anglaise top I've had since 2002 (I don't care what happens, I never get sick of broderie anglaise), and a wooly grandpa vest thing. Layering completely saves the day in Melbourne winters!



Here's another picture with the waistcoat, just to prove how it goes with everything!

Hopefully that wasn't too boring for a 2nd ever post... Now I'm going to drink some tea in front of the heater and snuggle with my boy.