Sophie
My neon skirt, although comfortable and about as practical as you can get for the length, has posed a bit of a problem when it comes to actually wearing it. What to pair it with?!
I decided that my fluffy off-white jumper was a safe bet. Last time I wore it pretty similarly, off grey cropped jumper and black bomber jacket. The colour is a tricky one and it's probably made more awkward by the way it is knitted with several different colours instead of just the single one.
Sophie
Sophie
Most of my wardrobe is second hand clothes, primarily sourced in charity shops. I don't talk about shopping all that much come to think of it. Buying new-new clothes is quite a rareity for me, I don't tend to go out with the purpose of buying specific things and I almost never see someone wearing an item, ask them and go out and buy it myself. It's usually more that I pop in to a charity shop for a browse and if something grabs my attention then more often that not I can't resist buying it.
This jacket was a great find, one that I was thrilled to get my hands on (even though C exclaims I must be off to the dog races every time I wear it). My knitted skirt is a firm favourite which I've worn loads of times and this brown sparkly knitted jumper ties the whole outfit together. I've accessorised with my charity shopped heart necklace, T K Maxx boots and Joules bag from Country Attire.
What I've realised about second hand shopping is the more you find, the more continuity your wardrobe has. These days I have far more that can be worn together in an interchangeable mix'n'match manner which is exactly as it should be.
These days fashion is a far more inclusive term than ever before and next week on Monday 14th March there is a new fashion show as part of Norwich Fashion Week called Norwich Fashion Jam which sees local students, bloggers, makers, stylists, creatives and designers put together outfits for the catwalk made only out of AgeUK Norwich charity shop donations. That sounds pretty cool. They have 24 hours to do it in starting Friday 11th March and then the show is held on the Monday at Norwich Castle! Want to get involved with the challenge or buy tickets to see the show? Money raised goes to support AgeUK.
Sophie
Maize. Or sweet corn. I'm not really sure whether they're the same thing or slightly different but it's not something you see all that often out our way. When driving on unfamiliar country roads at the weekend I spotted this lush looking field and thought it would be a perfect seasonal backdrop for a couple of outfit photographs.
We'd gone out for a spot of lunch with out much else in mind and it was all white cloud and cool when we left home so I wore this unusual cut of dress. It's clearly got to be worn in the warmer months as it's basically a lace overlay mini dress with elbow length sleeves but equally it's too much for a hot day if the sun is out. I was glad we hadn't planned a whole afternoon's walking as I would have got rather too hot in black. However, for a nice indoor lunch it was perfectly comfortable, not least as the gathering way up under the bust meant that maximum comfort was offered.
The neckline is spot on for me; I adore the high neckline with the buttons and the pretty fabric. I'm not usually sold on half length sleeves but I think they suit the rest of the dress so I'll roll with it.
Red lipstick for a secret smile.
Sophie
When the sun shines bright, I'll roll up my sleeves and relish the warmth of the day, but knowing when the daylight fades I'll be safe from the cold.
The cooler spring days call for a compromise between a summer dress and a good thick jumper but I think I've found a compromise. This knitted dress is every kind of awesome; long sleeves, strong material, loose casual fit and a drawstring drop waist. My very first though upon seeing it was that it looked Scandinavian, in a chilled out way. On the first outing for my new transitional piece I chose to wear it with some thick tights and ankle boots. It looks fine to me and I've got other variations I would happily try; namely bare legs and long boots or maybe my but out boots. Thicker tights and long boots with a warm jumper or a jacket when it gets cold again in Autumn.
That's the joy of buying second hand clothes; you never know what you might find and sometimes things just seem 'right'. This dress was found whilst in Ipswich on our shopathon Hazel devised for Kezzie and I.
Sophie
I'll drag my skirts through the long grasses, across the fields and down to the riverbank. The call of the wilderness is loud and clear, it overwhelms and proves irresistible; I can't help but return.
This Jaeger maxi skirt was a charity shop find I was so pleased to find, it's simple, very long and such great quality but also easy care. I love how this big old jumper sits perfectly along with it and how my favourite necklace feels right.
The bangle was a recent find and has a gorgeous mix of colours.
I'll walk my skirts though the wilderness anyday.
Sophie
Celebrating Halloween is not something I've ever joined in with over the years. Back in the olden days when I was a little girl it wasn't a 'thing' to go trick or treating, then when it did become a 'thing' my parents said it wasn't a nice thing to do. My Nan is very anti-Halloween as a devout Christian and her opinion is that you're pretty much in league with the devil for buying pumpkin at this time of year. There was one time I was allowed to dress as a witch with a few black bin liners but had to change back when Dad got home...
By the time I was old enough to go to house parties I didn't have any friends anyway.
These days I'm more than happy to put the lights off and pretend we're out in the hope that greedy kids don't bother calling round, in fact I may hand craft a 'BEWARE THE STAFFIE' sign even though the small print would technically need to read 'because he really wants kisses and cuddles'.
Jumper, jeans and tee – charity shops, boots – yard sale, feather necklace – Iced Rainbow Jewellery, bangles – misc.
I just thought I'd share this outfit today as the new-to-me jumper is vaguely Halloween-y colours. Chris immediately pointed out that it's obviously THE MATRIX which wouldn't have thought of independently, but it's so obvious now he's said it.
Whether you're partying, hiding in your house or have forgotten about Halloween altogether I bid you a good day and may your weekend be filled with merriment too.
Sophie
In a swift departure from yesterday's style I bring you one one of my latest bargain finds which I'm so in love with. This vintage dress was waiting to be rescued from a local charity shop labelled up at somewhere between £1-3 (my memory fails me), but you can see why I've had a couple of large chazza hauls lately – how can I say no with prices from £1 for things I can't resist?
On this occasion I arrived home to try on everything (I never try on behind weirdy curtains) and loved the fit but discovered a small stain that although wasn't that obvious, was a deal breaker. Being loathed to take it back (and dreading seeing someone else walking around in it) we tried soaking it in stain remover which worked and it's pristine again, hurrah! It's good stuff that Vanish Gold.
Not sponsored to say that – I'm just well chuffed!
The dress is delightfully modest: capped sleeves, high neckline, midi length, loose fit with a nipped in at the waist with a matching belt. The white polka dots make it perfect for wearing with my white faux Litas which although perhaps have been long forgotten by the fashion world are still a style I'll reach for time and time again. A stinking great heeled boot is always a winner for me.
I'm thinking wedged trainers next time?
Much more of a ladylike outfit today, but who knows what tomorrow brings?
Sophie
It's a curious revelation but just lately I've started to wonder if I was meant to be born in another time. If I had been born in 1950 then I'd have been a teenager in the sixties and spent my twenties in the seventies, what a strange thought. The last year or so I have noticed my tastes veering to more bohemian styles; floaty skirts, drapey sleeves, prints. The flowers in my hair are fast becoming a permanent fixture, it's summer and I'm feeling carefree so it must be acceptable.
I was born too late to a world that doesn't care, oh I wish I was a [punk rocker] with flowers in my hair
Sandi Thom
Do you happen to recognise this dress by any chance? It was sent to me last week by my brilliant blogger buddy Hazel as part of her continuing wardrobe control. How I respect that, pretty much nothing escapes my possession, I only seem to accumulate these days... Anyway, she sent two dresses which she thought I might like (I wore them both at the weekend, it was irresistible!) and like I very much did. Funny, isn't it, how someone else choosing something for you can be so spot on. I would never have bought either dresses, thinking they weren't 'me'. This one I would have dismissed as being as not being my kind of print and I'm not a fan of half arm sleeves, plus the dipped neckline isn't something I'm generally comfortable with.
I tried it on and didn't want to take it off. The weather was kind of cool for a summer's day so my brown boots seemed a good choice to wear which coincidentally were bought when Hazel and I cleared all the good charity shop finds out of Bury St Edmunds that time...
I just need to get my hair to grow an extra foot long or get some serious hair extensions.
Peace out
Sophie
