State of the Vintage Wardrobe: year eight

Can you believe this is the eighth post I've done like this? Eight! And this year, looking back, I've worn a lot of modern things. Over the years I've collected lots of lovely vintage bags, accessories and clothes that I really like... and in 2017 most of the clothes got very little wear. The repro Heyday! Judy dress in this pic is one that did get a lot of outings. It's also one that gets loads of compliments - one lady even stopped me in the supermarket to ask about it.

So why didn't I wear my vintage? I'm not going to avoid the elephant in the room, I'm too damn fat. I still have all my clothes because I like them, but I can't wear most of them. So while in my previous seven annual wardrobe posts I talked about things I wanted to buy or make, the direction I really wanted to take, in 2018 I'm jolly well going to go to the gym more (it tailed off a bit when I got stressed at the end of 2017) and get back into all the clothes I love, because I am NOT going to get rid of them. It's not like there's masses out there to replace them with at my current size anyway.

Anyway, on to happier things. This has been a bit of a novelty print year for me. I got my space cats dress from Lindy Bop, and another dress covered in witch doctors and zombies. I like them because they're border prints, not all over, and the space cats and zombies are in keeping with my more geeky horror/sci-fi interests. I don't really class these dresses as repro, though, they're far too modern. Pinup, perhaps. I don't think I'll be wearing things like this on a regular basis, but they're nice to have for cheery occasions.

I've really rediscovered my love of charity shopping. Win of the year clothes-wise really has to be my pre-60s tweed jacket, which I adore. It looks so smart and feels so warm, and was an absolute steal off the men's rail in a chazza. The vintage is still out there.

On my 'acquire' list are navy and brown shoes; sooner or later one of the shops will do a wide-fitting brogue or loafer that I like and matches my bags. Goody gave me an excellent navy bag in 2017 and it got lots of outings in the summer but none in the winter as all my winter shoes are black. That needs to change!

Looking back through my older annual wardrobe posts, I've kept an awful lot of the things I posted about back then, with the exception of a couple of the jumpers I'd knitted - one accidentally got felted, and I'm seriously thinking of making a replacement, while the other simply wasn't 'me' any more. As well as reknitting the felted one, I still want to make myself some 1960s tops. I think period-accurate knits are a brilliant way to get some everyday vintage.

I suppose I've sort of lost my joy in clothes, because I can't wear the things I think look nicest. I'm clean, I dress smart(ish)ly, but I have been slipping into a sort of mumsy rut. Hopefully when I can wear more of my treasures, the delight will return.

Onwards! To a more vintage-packed 2018. And I hope you're able to wear everything you like this year too.