Something old, something new
In my last post but one I mentioned buying some new things. Here's the cord mini skirt. (Sorry the photo's so bad; there's not enough light in my living room for good pictures on my phone. I must charge my camera battery!) I bought it hoping the skirt would give my wardrobe more of a 60s feel – if you look at photos of girls just going about their business in the 60s, basic mini skirts are pretty commonplace. It buttons down the front. Possibly it's neither A-line enough nor short enough to achieve the desired effect, but it's comfortable and is wearable for work.The top is one from Boden that I've had for absolutely years. I keep looking on Ebay as they had dresses in a similar, but larger-scale design. I'm sure one will pop up sooner or later. (I'm still kicking myself for not buying one when they were on sale on the site; I thought 'I won't want two things with such similar patterns on' – well yes, I do.)
I know a lot of bloggers have been talking about wearing 100% secondhand outfits on Instagram and that does make me feel a bit defensive. However, it's important for us to acknowledge that some body types are harder to dress vintage/secondhand than others – not just plus sizes like me, where choice is more limited, but people much taller/shorter than average, or with physical conditions that mean they're not an average shape. None of the people I follow would ever want to make people feel bad, but I do want to keep stating that simple fact.
Anyway, I don't have a problem with buying new if it's done thoughtfully – good quality, with some thought about the clothing's possible supply chain, and not bought to wear once or twice and then dispose of. (Just before Christmas The Guardian had an article stating one in five people would only wear their Christmas outfits once – and don't even get me started on the plastic tat that is the Christmas jumper.) I know my skirt will go with many things already in my wardrobe, and is the sort of basic that will get worn frequently.That said, I do want to work more of a flavour of vintage into my wardrobe again. I'm back on MyFitnessPal, counting the calories, and now December's out of the way I've got a clearer head and am taking joy in clothing once more. I didn't gain as much Christmas weight as I have in previous years, and have decided to accept some seasonal fluctuation as normal; the trick is to keep lowering my winter peaks! I've bought some vintage fabric on Etsy; if the readymade stuff won't fit, I can make myself some vintage-style pieces in authentic prints.
Sounds like a good plan, Mim.
ReplyDeleteDon't beat yourself up about buying new. Buying new is fine if you're not at it every week in bucketloads; as some people are. I buy every week (almost) but it's secondhand and I do re donate and recycle.
Hope you're not being blown away...
xxx
Personally, I think there's nothing wrong with buying things new once in a while. I'm trying to buy mostly second-hand, especially as I find second-hand shopping much more adventurous, but hey, I do work in the centre of town, right in the middle of the main shopping area, so when I see something which catches my eye, and I know will a) work well with things already in my wardrobe and b) I expect to wear for many years to come, I do not feel guilty at all for buying it. There are quite a few items I bought after I'd been unsuccessfully looking for something similar second-hand. Case in point is a cord skirt in a burnt orange shade, which also happens to button up front. Oh, and I'm hearing you on the Boden top and dress in the same/similar print. I once bought a dress in a delighful retro print in the sales, immediately regretting not getting a blouse in the same print. Then I found it at a flea market several years later. I'm still wearing both very regularly. xxx
ReplyDeleteGood to know things do turn up in the end. I'm going to keep looking for that dress.
DeletePeople get terribly enthusiastic about things like second hand clothing, limiting plastic, etc. and that's great! The problem is when they get moralising about it. I don't think they set out to make others feel bad, but come across in a way that makes people defensive. I tend to shrug it off. Most people mean well even if their social skills could use a bit of polish.
ReplyDeleteYou have great legs and should have all the minis! Winter is so hard to dress for. Whatever you leave the house in will be shed layer by layer through the day. I hope you find your Boden. They make so much of the stuff it shouldn't be too hard to find. I'll keep an eye out for you.
Yeah I realise my defensiveness is my problem - but also that I'm probably not alone in that. And I'm living in a bubble of secondhand wearers; it's so weird stepping outside that and realising most of the people I work with *don't* shop secondhand/vintage.
DeleteI think it's ok to buy some new things, particularly if they're made to last, like good quality clothes or basics that you're going to wear a lot.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of wearing this kind of 60's vibe miniskirt, it's really cute!. And I totally understand that you're looking for the Boden dress, because the print of your top is gorgeous!. Lovely!
I totally agree that being not-average size or shape can be a problem (whatever you buy, new or second hand!), but glad that you can create some vintage-style pieces by yourself!. I have a massive pile of sewing projects and almost of all them are adjustments (boring!), but I want to go for something more ambitious this year!.
besos
Oooh I look forward to seeing your sewing projects.
DeleteI've hit the point where I'd rather spend on basics than partywear because I know I'll get more pleasure per pound spent from the basics.
I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling a bit defensive about what I buy. I find it incredibly challenging to find vintage that fits and often if it does, it looks bloody awful on, and frankly I want to feel good about myself if I can. Whilst I do buy mostly new, I don't buy loads and I give each item a lot of thought.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you dress. But the 'vintage that fits' challenge is real!
DeleteNow that "sustainability" is the new buzzword, I'm seeing a lot of guilt associated with bloggers and shopping. Fuck that, I say! Thoughtful - as opposed to thoughtless - shopping is way more important, in that you buy local, in person (at a real store), quality (so that it will last), and things that you really need (vs. want temporarily). I blew a substantial amount on shoes this past month (7 new pairs!), but they were all purchased locally with gift cards, and most of them will be very practical for me and last a long time. Slow fashion doesn't have to mean we never shop again! And, having been a challenging size in my life (a US 18 at one point), and short, I agree, not everything we want to wear is available second-hand.
ReplyDeleteI do sometimes think, "But if everyone who cares about quality only buys secondhand, sooner or later the only things in the charity shops will be fast fashion!" Thoughtful shopping is a good way to approach things, you're right.
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