The £10 Horrockses
So, in the spirit of brightening things up a little, here's the lovely Horrockses I bought from Kinky Melon. 1960s, and very bright jade and white in colour. I did wonder if Horrockses had become massively less fashionable in the 1960s, as the length of the dress would have been far from trendy back then and it does feel a bit 'nanna', but I always enjoy a good bit of frump. Accidental frump is a sad and colourless thing, but purposeful frump, when you own it and stick two sartorial fingers up at the world and its expectations that you should be desirable or look available... that is wonderful.
The fabric feels soft but sturdy. I think it's what's called sateen, as it's not satiny but the threads are long and parallel. I love the colour and print – there are tiny deformed flowers inside the blocks, as though the romantic Horrockses fabrics of the 1950s have been forced to embrace modernism. (I didn't get a decent close-up of it, I'm afraid.) The tie neckline is great too, and so very 60s. There are little hooks and eyes at the back of the collar so there's no split at the back; that's a really nice finishing detail.
This is how I wore it for work, with Clarks brogues and robot earrings. I carried a black 1960s bag too. I'm not sure that black is the right accessory colour for this dress, but it was that or brown, and I was 100% certain that brown was the wrong accessory colour. It looks like it needs girlier shoes, which is something for me to think about. I don't want to pair it with white acesscories, but I'm not sure what colours would work. Purple? Pink? Navy? It also definitely needs lipstick, as my face is vanishing between the dress and my hair!And tomorrow, let's all get out there and be COLOURFUL and KIND. Oh yes.
Hmm... light tan or navy I think for accessories? I love my tan brogues but I think certain tans might be too orangey for the dress. Tough one!
ReplyDeleteIt is a tricky one... Still, there's nothing wrong with browsing for shoes!
DeleteBloody right! I was appalled when I read the news this morning so it will be colourful and kind here too. I despair to think how the actions of a few nutters will have a knock-on effect to those who most need our help and am so sad to think about those directly affected by the bombings. :( Your dress is lovely. I don't think that it looks frumpy at all, it is colourful and retro and fun. It looks wonderful with your hair, actually that gives me an idea. Maybe a chestnut leather would work or how about green? Navy would be lovely too. Here's to kindness all round. Xx
ReplyDeleteIndeed - all the idiots going 'this is why we shouldn't let in refugees'... No, this is exactly what all those poor refugees are trying to escape!
DeleteYes, colourful and kind sounds just right.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is beautiful, and I understand what you mean about the little details that make a better item of clothing. I think black works with the dress in this season, and in summer I might go for a pair of inexpensive gold or silver sandals and a straw bag. If you have a glue gun a few seashells from the craft store can dress-up a cheap straw bag (and sandals). Coral/peach also goes well with with blue. Of course, if I had your hair I'd just match all my accessories to it because-Red Hair!
Thank you for publishing this post, it IS cheering.
I do not have a glue gun, but embellishing a cheap bag is a very good idea. I bet I can get some budget sandals really easily.
DeleteDreadful news indeed, but we need some life-goes-on pleasure in small things to compensate and cheer, if only a little.
ReplyDeleteAnd your Horrockses frock is lovely on you. All sorts of colours would work with it, tan shoes/sandals are an easy one, but I agree that navy and purple would also look great. Try all the combinations! Xxx
First I need to get colourful shoes!
DeleteHi found your blog been reading for a bit and luv it. You will prob think I'm mad but lime green would look fab with that dress or any kind of green actually and boots.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting!
DeleteLime green isn't something I'd considered, but I bet with the right things it could all actually work very well. Deffo something to consider...
I couldn't agree more with your sentiments, Mim. And I think kindness is one of the most underrated virtues.
ReplyDeleteI love your Horrockses dress. The colour is magnificent. I think navy would be a good contrast or silver or pink. Not every girl has pink shoes in her wardrobe though - I don't, do you? The dress is very springlike and cheering.
Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com
My shoes are almost all black or brown. I did buy a pair that are navy and tan, but they're too tight and I'm STILL trying to break them in. I fear they will be better off rehomed; good job I got them in a sale.
DeleteI love purposeful frump & sartorial fingers up the powers that be. That bright color is gorgeous with your coloring!
ReplyDeleteI'd pair it with metallic sandals in Summer or navy if it is cooler out.
I don't even watch the news anymore.
https://calmlycookingcurry.blogspot.com/2016/03/tips-tools-getting-handy-with-handi.html
I never think of sandals, but both you and Goody have mentioned them. And now I AM thinking of sandals!
DeleteThe news can be so horrible, some days I can't bear it. All those poor people around the world affected by such awfulness.
Keep on bringing the sunshine Mim!! I believe we have to do what we can too. I love that dress on you. I agree with the others that picking up your hair colour might be nice in accessories. Thank you for the cheeriness xx
ReplyDeleteYup, being miserable won't help anyone in the long run. Hell, that's why the government kept up lipstick production during WWII. We'll all achieve more if we're cheerful.
DeleteIt is a very lovely dress I definitley believe that happy bright clothes are what to wear in dark times
ReplyDeleteretro rover
Yup. Fight the awfulness with cheeriness!
DeleteSo sad about Brussels.
ReplyDeleteBut in brighter news, you look lovely in your new dress. I agree with Curtise, try lots of different options xxx
I'm leaning towards Goody's idea of attacking a cheap pair of sandals with a glue gun.
DeleteWell seeing you looking gorgeous in your new dress certainly cheered me up.
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous in that midi length, tall and slender and your hair colour just pops. I'd go for brights, red or purple or yellow. I see some cool women of my age wearing bright Converse with vintage midis or metallic brogues. I like the look a lot. xxx
Slender? I wish! I was 8.5 stone when I started my job 18 years ago, now I'm 13.5 and desperately trying to walk some of it off so I can fit into last year's summer frocks. (Beer really isn't my friend, but I do like it...) Red is a good choice!
DeleteWhat else can you do when the news is so grim? I LOVE the dress. Navy or dark green? If it were me I'd have my gold brogues on with it!
ReplyDeleteIt is a most excellent dress. Everyone I passed on my morning walk seemed to be wearing dark colours, I felt happy in my bright bubble.
DeleteIt really has been a horrible week, hasn't it, but well done you for bringing some colourful cheer into our lives!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is fab and it's exactly the sort of thing I'd pull of the rails and say to my mum, "Oh, I like this!" and I'd receive a scoffing reply of "My mother wore that kind of thing during the 60s."!! She instantly reverts to the teenage version of herself, instantly disliking it because her mum wore it. I'd probably do the same with 80s clothes she wore!
Seriously though, it looks gorgeous on you and I love the brightness of it. Me being me would probably team it with red because I team everything with red! It would look very 60s teamed with bright pink or orange though. x
I shied off 60s stuff for years because it's what *my* mum wore. She'll probably laugh like a drain when she sees my 60s stuff... or perhaps I can persuade her to look out for stuff for me when she's carbooting; she'll know what to look for.
DeleteThat dress does not look frumpy on you at all Mim, especially not with that gorgeous hair colour of yours. In fact, I was wearing a dress of a similar colour on Tuesday, paired with tan boots. Purple or burgundy would work too, I guess. It's a matter of trial and error. I am wearing bright colours only now, as things here in Belgium are grim enough as they are. xxx
ReplyDeleteIt must be a very worrying time for the whole country. But you got through the worst of WWII, you are a strong nation, you will get through this.
DeleteI think it's nice when blogs can offer an escape from the crap stuff that's happening - it's one of the things I like so much about them. It's a world of pretty things and that's not such a bad thing when the real world sucks! I think white would be a chic choice with this dress, but if you wanted to go full 60s some kind of orange would be fab!
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes a happy blog is just what you need. Everyone needs something pretty and happy and uncomplicated, especially when so much of the news is so grim.
DeleteOrange, eh? I like it!
So sad isn't it? You just feel for those people and their loved ones.
ReplyDeleteAs for brightening things up, your dress does that. It looks lovely and I also, would suggest teaming it with sandals and perhaps a bright red bag to echo your hair colour.
When the weather warms up, I'm definitely trying sandals. I shall show off my fat little feets to the world!
DeleteI always think it's precisely because the world is so full of hardship and pain that we need to do small things to cheer ourselves and others up. Kindness is one of the best qualities a person can have, so this is a great sentiment. The dress is wonderful on you, such a lovely colour with your hair and you do look very elegant in it. I actually really like brown and turquoise together, but I like Curtise's idea of experimenting with all the colours. I bet coral earrings would be fab with it? Xxx
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been musing pairing it with my 1950s coral. Perhaps a coral cardigan is in order, if ever I find the knitting time.
DeleteThat is a truly fantastic approach to life. Countless others could take a serious page from your playbook, dear Mim.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific frock! That punchy colour is downright enchanting and looks sensational on you, too.
♥ Jessica
Thank you! I do like this dress.
DeleteI absolutely REFUSE to let life beat me down. okay, sometimes I do have enough and want to retreat - but I always get back up fighting. Otherwise all the bad stuff will have won.
OK, Mim
ReplyDeleteHere goes... I know you dance (blessed you, nothing is better than dancing), however, there's a thing you might not be aware o - OR you just might know it, but prefer not to let it "bother you", so to say.
You GLOW.
Yeah, you do. Sorry, I will not take that statement back. :p
As a matter of fat, if all else fails (the writing job, that is), you COULD keep money coming your way by being a morel. DO NOT LAUGH, honestly... I believe your shining nature and your rich figure could do GREAT in fashion.
...just saying.
Don't get upset over this comment, get happy. This is a compliment (at lest I'm doing my best, with my crappy English, to make one).
..
Tell Mr.Robot that he's got a lovely lady by his side.
As for shoes... ever considered dark blue?!
Have a GREAT Saturday
M.
Ha, I've worked with professional models and it's not a job I'd want. I think I'm better off trying to use my brain. But thank you for the compliment.
Delete