Polkadot Dress

I found this dress in a bargain bin at a second hand shop and immediately fell in love! It is a bit long for me, but I really wanted to wear it today and I didn’t have time to hem it so I hitched it up a bit with a belt. I quite liked the baggy effect - so I might not bother hemming it now. Hmm!

Oh, and I've well and truly learned that: Dresses + Windy days = Bad!

Sadie xxx

Style Icon #1 - Francoise Hardy

I thought I’d share one of my favourite style icons – Francoise Hardy! I suppose she’s kindof like an Alexa Chung from the 60s. I absolutely love everything about her – her clothes, her songs, her hair…

Everything she wore was very chic, very French and very wearable today. I absolutely love the leather jacket she has on in the motorbike picture (which reminds me, I need to start my hunt for the perfect jacket!). I wouldn’t mind that coat either!

Not only was she great in the fashion department, Francoise was also a brilliant singer. Here is a video of my favourite song, ‘Tous les garcons et les filles’.

I’m going to talk about some of my other style icons in the future, so stay tuned!

Sadie xxx

My favourite shirt!

I know they’re everywhere at the moment, but I’ll never stop loving lumberjack shirts. They’re so unbelievably versatile! I think between me and my boyfriend, we probably own about 10.

My favourite shirt is a men’s one I found in a charity shop a while ago. It’s quite big – maybe a bit too big haha – but I wear it with everything. I think part of the reason I love it is its worn-in-ness. I feel a bit like I’m in the 90s whenever I put it on!

Shirt - 'Taylor & Butler Fine Shirting' (the pretty label excites me)
Cardi - EWM
Necklace - Charity shop

Sadie xxx

Hidden Treasures

When I saw this vintage bag at a carboot the other week, I couldn’t resist! It was only 75p but it’s in such good condition, and just the right size to hold handbag essentials. When I got it home and had a closer look inside, I found some old stamps in the pockets!


The first was a set of three ‘Green Shield Stamps’. They were an early example of a shop loyalty scheme, and were very popular in the 60s and 70s. One stamp was given out for every 6d spent on goods, and they could be swapped for things like cameras, washing machines, and even motor boats! They died out when people realised that they weren’t getting a very good deal – to get a free TV would have required the stamp collector to have bought the equivalent of a small house!

I asked my dad about the National Insurance stamp. He said that it was the old way of paying for services like the NHS and contributing towards your pension. People usually bought the stamps each week - if they didn't, they wouldnt be eligible for the national insurance benefits.

Here's my outfit for today! I wasn't sure about the black tights - they seem a bit severe for such a pale outfit. The skirt is from Urban Outfitters, and I found the lacey floral top in a charity shop, but it was originally from Marks & Spencer.

Sadie xxx

Motel

Motel was born in the 1990s after the owners visited America to go thrifting. They spent hours rummaging through the shelves, finding beautiful dresses, tops, skirts and jackets, and when they got home realised they wanted to recreate the excitement associated with finding the perfect vintage hidden gem!

Over the last couple of years Motel has become hugely popular, being worn by the likes of Lily Allen and Duffy - and fetching high prices on eBay. And understandably so.

The clothes are simple, yet flattering, bold and beautiful. They not only look great during the day but smart and sophisticated at night – and you know that each piece is high quality. The designs and prints are vintage inspired.

I’m lucky enough to live near the Motel shop, and the other day I walked in to find many of the clothes for £7! I’m normally unable to afford the full price items, so I splashed out and bought myself a lovely navy winter coat and a skirt in the classic flower print (I'll photograph them later!). I very nearly bought the grey pencil skirt in the middle picture, and I wish I had now. Might have to go back!

You can find their online store here: http://www.motelrocks.com/

Sadie xxx

Jackie Magazine

I recently bought a copy of Jackie Magazine on ebay. If you hadn’t already heard about it, it’s a teen magazine that first came out in the 60s!

Mine is from 1983. I thought I’d buy a copy to satisfy my love of all things old, and see what it was like growing up in a different era! And I wasn’t disappointed.

After reading through the famous ‘Cathy and Claire’ problem page, I flipped through to have a look at the fashion. It seems they were very into their DIY back then, too! On one page is a ‘how to’ on wardrobe remixing – 80s style! The model is depicted in an interesting ensemble comprising of a high-waisted denim skirt, white t-shirt, red patent shoes and a lumberjack style waist coat. And there’s a very nice little article about customising blazers with piping and new buttons (but perhaps I won’t take up their suggestion of painting it with fabric paints).

Something I thought was particularly interesting was an advert entitled ‘I wish I’d been a boy’. It was there to encourage girls to break through the huge sexist barrier that still existed in the 80s. Thank goodness times have changed!


And finally, my 80s inspired outfit! I found the dress in a charity shop. It was a size 18 and down to my ankles when I bought it! The denim jacket was an ebay purchase but it was originally from New Look.

Sadie xxx

Hello

Hello!
I've been reading various blogs over the last few months and really wanted to join in! So here is my little contribution to the world of blogging.

I'm 17 and live in a little town in England. More than anything, I like making new outfits from bargain clothes found on charity shop rails and at carboot sales! When I'm not busy hemming dresses and finishing off school work, I enjoy watching french films and playing piano.

I hope to post about things related to clothes and anything else of interest!

Sadie xxx