Shiny, shiny, shiny

It's been raining here in the last couple of days which means that I've finally been able to wear the red vinyl raincoat I bought at a charity shop in the UK. I took these pictures quickly during a break in the rain. 

Beret: Op shopped
Raincoat: Sue Ryder charity shop, Haworth
Dress (peeking out under the coat): Trademe
Shoes: Hunters and Collectors

The weird expression on my face is because I'm overcome with excitement about the pockets, obviously

P.S. I'm having a stall at Anissa Victoria's Vintage on Saturday from 12pm to 3pm at the Sandridge Hotel, 30 Huxley St.

Black and Gold

After my last post complaining about how expensive the op shops have become, here I am wearing one of my favourite op shopping finds ever; a 1950s/60s beaded, lambswool cardigan. I bought it about three years ago for $5. I found another one at the same time (they must have belonged to the same person) with black beading. Sadly, that one is too big for me, so I gave it to my mum.  

Sunglasses: My grandma gave them to me.
Vintage Dress: Oh La La Vintage in Haworth
Vintage Cardigan: Op shopped
Bakelite Bangles: Etsy and Ebay
Bag: Two Squirrels Vintage
Shoes: Hunters and Collectors

Recently op shopped

Op shopping has been pretty rubbish lately, or maybe I'm just becoming more discerning as it's becoming more expensive. I'm shocked by some of the outrageous prices I've seen in the last few months; $12 for a faded and stained 60s hat, $50 for a matted faux fur jacket, $2 for a zip (I can buy them new for less than that), $30 for a typical '80s dress that you could find a dozen of at any op shop. These aren't fancy, clean charity shops like I saw when I was in England, these are musty, junky op shops. Don't get me wrong,  junky ones are my favourite kind of op shop, but the reason I love them is because of the thrill of finding a bargain hidden under all the rubbish. Anyway, enough of my complaining, here's some relatively cheap stuff I op shopped recently. 

This blue pom pom hat is cute and it only cost $1.

This '60s sewing pattern also cost $1. The lady on the front has been partially beheaded, but is still keeping it classy with her gloves and handbag.

I know, I know, it's another blue hat. I was actually going to sell this at the vintage fair, but then I tried it on and really liked it. It was $2.

This vintage bag is my most expensive purchase. It cost $10. I didn't really want to pay that much, but it's really nice.

Vintage Market

For anyone in Christchurch, I have a stall tonight at Anissa Victoria's Vintage Market selling vintage clothing, accessories and sewing patterns. It's on from 5pm to 9pm at the Sandridge Hotel, 30 Huxley St.

I made jeans*

 Well, sort of. They're more like trousers made of denim. See, I was going to buy some Freddies of Pinewood 1940s style jeans, but after checking the measurements I wasn't sure that they would fit me properly. I didn't want to spend over $100 on something that might not fit so I decided to make a pair instead.

I used Eva Dress T40-3322 and some non-stretch denim. Since I hate doing flat fell seams and top stitching, these jeans don't have either. They also don't have pockets or a fly front. In other words, I didn't do lots of the time-consuming parts that making jeans normally entails. Because I skipped all the hard parts, they were really quick and easy to sew. 

I made a couple of changes to the pattern; I took in the sides an inch and added belt loops because I feel naked without a belt. I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out. I still wear dresses most of the time, but it's nice to occasionally be more casual.   

Blouse: I made it
Cardigan: Op shopped
Belt: Op shopped
Jeans: I made them
Shoes: Op shopped

*...about six months ago. I just didn't get around to photographing them until now.

Petalhead

 This dress is one of the ones I bought when I was in England. It's homemade and has lots of lovely little details. It has bra holders on the shoulders. They are pieces of ribbon with snaps that fasten around your bra straps so they don't show. It also has two zips; one in the side and one at the back neck. I often forget to do the back one up because I'm not used to having two zips.

Dress: Saltaire Vintage Fair

Belt: Op shopped

Tights: K-mart

Shoes: Hunters and Collectors

Bag: Ménage a Trois Vintage

Headpiece: Op shopped

Cardigan: Op shopped

I love the bow and the bust gathers

 The vintage headpiece is one I op shopped recently for $2. It makes me feel a bit like a flower pot or something, but I like it.

Ch ch ch ch ch cherry bomb

I saw this cherry headband on a few Australian blogs and immediately wanted one. Sadly, we don't have Sportsgirl here in New Zealand so I had to make my own. 

The cherries are vintage millinery fruit from Paper Tales on Etsy. I just wrapped the wire stems around a headband and then glued them down.

It makes me feel a bit like I've got a christmas decoration on my head, but I like it.

Top: K-Mart 

Skirt: Op shopped

Belt: Op shopped

Tights: Columbine

Shoes: Op shopped