Monday 20 June 2011

Reinventing frumpy clothes

I am - like every other vintage loving gal - very partial to charity shops. Apart from the odd gem here and there you find a lot of frumpy looking grandma stuff from the 80s - but said items have huge potential. Shortening hems and sleeves, nipping the waist in or just a different use than intended - all great ways to give granny chic a new lease of life.

When my Dad came to visit the other week he brought me an old blouse which once belonged to my late Nan. My family thought I would like it because it looked "vintagey" - and quite right they were!


This blouse is very typically 80s - crinkly rayon, baggy cut, no collar, long wide sleeves and no shape at all - but indeed a very 40s-esque print! At first I wanted to give it to charity because it was just wrong on me (or anyone else for that matter) but I couldn't do it because it was my Nan's.
And this morning I tried to tie it at waistlevel - a style I always thought I'd look absolutely hideous with. Well I don't think I did  - not with high waisted trousers anyway. Granted those are not ideal but I am on the hunt for white ones at the moment - black ones would be better than my grey ones aswell of course.


click to enlarge
Please excuse these badly lit pics - we tried to get a pic in without my son hopping into the frame and before we could take pics in the park my camera broke again... Blogging really isn't easy without a camera or your own computer...


And I finally found a garment that goes with my peach scarf my mum gave to me!
I have not quite decided if I like peach on me or not - I am not sure if it accentuates my paleness or if it simply drains me.



Anyhoo - I dress vintagey every day and I always get stares but this outfit today was quite the show stopper - though I also got a really nice compliment so it's definately coming out again!




By the way - these lovely little wedges I purchased from Littlewoods!
I know catalouge shopping is a bit tacky but I really love it. If you look carefully you always find something great and it's so gentle to the wallet - I like a quick fix retail therapy I can pay in small installments! These great white shoes I found in the teenage section of all places! I have tiny feet...

8 comments:

Randi said...

I know just what you mean about the frumpy look, I've got a pile of clothes in my sewing room waiting for some sort of "de-frumping" alteration.
I think what you've done with this blouse is fabulous. I also think you look wonderful in peach and those wedges are amazing!!!!!

Zombie said...

Lovin the hair! :D

Lina Sofia said...

you look great! I agree with you about giving 80s clothes a new lease of life, there are so much of it out there... and personally I feel less worried about ruining an 80s piece, because it's not as precious as an actual 40s one! Dying is also a good option for garish coloured dresses and such! :) ps. you look great in the peach scarf! love your faux fringe.

LittleMissBossy said...

Thank you very much everyone!

I totally agree Lina - especially with a toddler who is always around me I have to be extra careful - I hardly wear "only handwash" things during the day because it's just ruining the clothes.

Salsa Von Leopard said...

That peach scarf is soooo lovely :D

Rosie Alia said...

You look REALLY great in peach! It definitely suits you. And it's great that you have found a way to repurpose your nans blouse to wear yourself xx

Brittany_Va-VoomVintage said...

oh, I'm loving the peach on you! Very pretty!! I know exactly what you mean about the de-frumping. I've been working on my pile of granny goods for weeks. It's so great to turn something awful into something wonderful!

TheBlackPinafore said...

very cute

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