Wednesday 8 February 2012

How To Wear Vintage Velvet Flares




Well, I'm wearing mine over a tiger print Mary Quant catsuit but you can wear yours on your head if that's what you want to do.


Check out the rather groovy label 
1960s Sheffield Steel Alfred Tricker Crafts choker (£1.50, car boot sale)

Whilst trawling the Internet hoping to research the label on my 'loons I was instead inundated with tips as to how I should be wearing them and sadly "keep it simple" (surely the most depressing phrase in the history of the universe) was the general consensus of opinion by the so-called style experts.

1960s velvet flares (20p, jumble sale), Mary Quant catsuit (the divine Miss Von Trollop), Devore coat (the fabulous Janne), English-made leather Gladstone bag (20p, jumble sale), 1970s felt hat (50p, car boot sale)

How bloody boring!

Far be it from me to offer any wardrobe advice but for heaven's sake, let your personality do the talking, not your clothes. Age inappropriate, tarty, unfashionable, tacky or just plain weird.......to hell with it, if that's what you are be proud of it and let the rest of world know.



Dress to suit yourself , mix your eras, clash your prints & colours and pile it all on at once if it makes you feel good.


Anyway, rant over...I've been honoured with a mention by the awesome Bella as one of her top six unmissable over-40s bloggers and I feel like I've won an Oscar.

Check out her other choices right now. Helga, Desiree, Sacramento, Judith & all of Ari's Advanced Style crew are the some of the most inspirational & stylish people out there and if you don't already follow them then you're missing out.
  

64 comments:

  1. Yes. I always dress to suit my personality and love when others do the same. XX

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  2. That label is so damn groovy!!!
    I don't know if I have a fashion sense... Classic with an 80s twist?

    I love your outfit tho!!

    Oh and btw I've sent you an email... X

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  3. I have just tried on my vintage velvet flairs that have not fit me for two years and they now do. I love them :)

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  4. I suddenly had to admit myself that I actually like boring earthy colours, that I've been before avoiding like plague. So I suppose even boring can be sometime the unique style, eh?
    But Vix, I love your style. The hat, the trousers - you are just fabulously fantastic.

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  5. Love this outfit Vix espesh your hat, coat and choker. I had a pair of velvet trews in my teens and wore them loads, yours are an amazing bargain at 20p as is your sensational Gladstone bag. I want one!
    x

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  6. Congrats on the mention! You deserve it! I am Really Loving that jacket! So Beautiful.

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  7. Too true, in the world were everyone is becoming the same it's great to see such refreshing difference!

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  8. I couldn't agree more, those are some of my favorite stylish gals.

    Your velvet flares are gorgeous but I really, really love the long jacket.

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  9. Bliss in trouser form--!

    Oh gosh, as rule-of-thumb, "keep it simple" is as DEATH to velvet flares.

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  10. Keep it simple bah thats almost as bad ad the Telegraphs Six Ways to wear a xx. Bring back Hilary Alexander. Actually no we don't need her with Vix araound.

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  11. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh girl:
    Dress to suit yourself , mix your eras, clash your prints & colours and pile it all on at once if it makes you feel good.
    I couldn´t be in better company, ahhhhhhhhh so proud.
    You are not only gorgeous, but sooooooooooo wise, my dear Vix.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  12. Different strokes for different folks and all that - keep it layered I say lol!

    Very useful resource here Vix
    http://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource-a-z

    I was really annoyed by The Guardian's Invisible Woman feature (on being old and err ... invisible) but the reader comments are SO funny and anti all the usual claptrap).

    You look fab - mmmmm velvet.

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  13. Congrats! I saw Bella's post and I was nodding away with everything she said. And I think as long as you wear things with confidence - like you and the rest of the over 40 crew - chances are you'll look great x

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  14. I love your style soooo much.....I'm in the over 40 club and love to dress for me and not what the mags etc tell us too. I love hunting in the charity shops and see so many vintage clothes.....and guess what I always think of you!

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  15. Hey!! congrats on your honor!!
    You are in some great company there. Some are new to me, I will have to check them out.

    Lookin' good in your velvet!!

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  16. I absolutely agree with your "fashion advice". So many people are happy to follow the crowd. Even Doctor Martens,tutus and lacey tights, once the preserve of the 80's misfit, are now more likely to be found on 12 year old girls just because that's what is in fashion. A couple of years ago you wouldn't have been able to pay most people to wear Dr Martens! Anyway,keep it simple if that's what you want to do but if not, mix it up and wear whatever the heck you like! Totally!:)

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  17. I read your title 'how to wear...' and inwardly groaned. Then I saw the rest of the post and had to laugh! Nice one. I love a bit of quality style advice but there are so many 'experts' who make the most boring suggestions (Gok, Trinny & Susannah I'm looking at you!).

    Well done on your Blog Oscar! Well deserved.

    Nicki x

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  18. Fab outfit.Love the hat and bag.
    Dx

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  19. As ever I just love how you wear your clothes! That jacket and those trews! Just loving them.

    Well done on your blog oscar. Well deserved I'd say.


    MBB x

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  20. oh gilde the lilly with bells on I say......loving that choker.........I get a brilliant feeling of nostalgia for my teens, when I read your blog......I feel like I'm back in my tangerine bedroom drinking instant coffee, reading Honey and 19 with my best friend.....now tragically dead......oh happy daze!!x

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  21. love those flares but that coat is insane! have to have one like that xx

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  22. love those flares but that coat is insane! have to have one like that xx

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  23. I'm totally with you - velvet flares need some appropriate top, ideally loud and flashy. Cannot believe that I gave my favourite red velvet f. from the 70s to the charity shop - must have been a moment of madness! X

    P.S. CONGRATULATIONS! (but you know you're a star :)

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  24. Haha I will never be able to say ormwrite 'keep it simple' again without you in my head & believe me I will have to say it just to get some people in something decent plus getting them to accessorise.

    You of course as always look a million dollars and please no keeping it simple!! Xx

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  25. Vix, I love your outfit, but that hat totally rocks my world! It's divine. You look so stylish despite the atrocious weather. Xx

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  26. Vixcita,
    love your flares and big floppy hat.
    you ladies are mi inpirational amor!
    I am memorize by your chocker.
    besotes

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  27. That coat is.. sublime! It's crazily gorgeous and you wear it oh so well!! It looks great with those groovy velvet flares too! Loves it! xxx

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  28. This post has really made me smile. I too was a bit surprised to see your "How to wear..." title. That's not Vix's way, I thought, she's not about making rules for anyone, least of all herself! So when I read "you can wear yours on your head if that's what you want to do", I was most relieved!
    I have a bit of an aversion to those "This is how you wear..." type articles/posts. That might be how that person wants to wear an item, but it doesn't necessarily follow for everyone else.
    I love that you go your own way, look amazing doing it, and appreciate other people's style even if it's different from your own.
    Of course you should be in the top 6 best bloggers. Never mind over-40, you're top of any age group!
    PS Haven't even mentioned how great your outfit is! xxxxxxx

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  29. Those velvet flares are amazing. You're so right. I think the only style advice ever given should be, 'wear exactly what you want and stop caring what anyone else thinks'. You always look fabulous.

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  30. You look marvellous!!! I definitely think great styles and ideas are found by going against the advice and the obvious! Isn't that where some of the greatest innovations in art have come from! Beautiful Vix!

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  31. 'you can wear yours on your head if that's what you want to do' - I love how you phrase things, I'm almost tempted to! Being true to yourself surely is the key to style - as is confidence (which I'm working on) x

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  32. Congrats on your Mention!! you are a well loved blogger by so many of us I am not surprised one bit!! Ha I love your advice where what you want!! When I was picking up a new pair of sneakers yesterday I was chit chatting with the clerk he thought I should pick the burgundy chuck taylors and I was just not sure I told him what if they don't really go with what I wear....and he said What the Hell do you care you don't live anywhere long enough that anyone would notice anyways HA I laughed so hard and of course I then had to get the burgundy ones hehehehe Gosh I love how you can meet someone you have never met before and in a few minutes be rolling on the floor laughing with them!! ~Have a great week Vix you look gorgeous as always!! ~ Love Heather

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  33. Fabulous Rant!!! Totally with you. Well done Vix, I am 50 in a couple of months and I am not ready for comfortable anything in beige or pale blue, and I don't think I ever will be. Here's to dressing for yourself!!

    PS: you look gorgeous as usual.

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  34. dear vix,

    it's late here and i'm tired and i could not resist reading your post. you really just kill me! wear them on your head? honestly, where do you come up with this stuff?! i love you, your style and most of all your MOXY!

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  35. Hi sweets!!!!
    Toss all the rules I agree, maybe keep one~ no rules allowed! I am digging how you styled this outfit and that choker is pretty bad ass. I love you in your floppy felt hats that cost you next to nothing. You look sexy as always mama! I gotta say that bag is pretty fab too 20p you are killing me. Congrats on the honor and you are so deserving!!! Sacramento and Judith I am not familiar with so off I go.

    I think I'll pick up M.I.A.'s other album, I'm am digging that girl!
    LOVEYOU!!!!!
    Krista

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  36. Totally agree, I always find your outfits inspirational, and your attitude rocks. Maximalism all the way, I say xx

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  37. This post just epitomizes exactly why I love you. :)

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  38. Holy merde, purple velvet! I love the pants but even more awesome is that coat! Who cares how you wear your pants for godsake :P I always love your jewelry and those bangles are so pretty

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  39. Totally digging the hat and the coat. You look super cool today!

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  40. "Well, I'm wearing mine over a tiger print Mary Quant catsuit but you can wear yours on your head if that's what you want to do." <-- Absolutely love it! I would take style advice from you rather than some "expert" any day. You look amazing.

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  41. This post is why I love you so much Vix!! My whole life I've worn whatever I wanted and often been told by certain people that I have a thing about "being different" - its not about that at all - its about being me! I will never be comfortable in a tee shirt and jeans.

    I love the catsuit by the way - I hope the weather is a little bit warmer for you too xoxo

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  42. Ah Vix, such a refreshing lady you are. To hell with keeping it simple. :)
    Love the bag and gloves, and that choker is flippin' amazing.
    xx

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  43. ha, i always love your advice, do what you want or don't lol!:) it makes me soo happy reading your blog.. and your looking as fabulous as always vix! GORGEOUS! :)

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  44. Great outfit as always! Your personality never fails to shine on through :)

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  45. So chic!) Love it all, and the hat is just amazing <3

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  46. Good lord, Vix, I must be hormonal because I just got tears in my eyes seeing my funny mug on your blog. I had just reposted that great quote of yours about NOT offering advice and for us to wear what we what. ...and saw me hanging out with you. What a feckin' honor for ME.

    I love how you rankle at advice given to the "older" ladies. I too dislike too many tips by experts and most don't even apply to me. I've resented that when we reach a certain age, folks think we need more advice instead of less. I love the people who dress to express and you, fair and foxy lady certainly do top that list!

    I wish it were an Oscar. You seriously deserve some medals for the amount of inspiration you give me and your other readers, and your style alone could use a medal or two or three. Which I'm sure you'd be wearing fabulously somewhere on that smokin' bod of yours. Love ya, Vix. -Bella Q
    the Citizen Rosebud

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  47. Quite right! Keep it simple if you want, or keep it mental if you want! That's why I don't really like advice on how to dress, because everyone is different.

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  48. Love the choker and the coat. Congrats on being such a stylish 40something! xx

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  49. YOu look so chic in those floppy brimmed hats! Yes, any of those articles in magazines that are in the vein of "HOw to wear ...... in your 20's, 30's, 40's and up!" always make me spit! I bet you could wear those flares on your head and make them look fab.

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  50. I love your approach to style. I whole heartedly agree that we should wear what we want, although sometimes don't quite manage to put it into action. Another fantastic outfit and congrats to you and the others on being listed - you definitely are unmissable!

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  51. Testify sister! Who makes these 'rules' anyway? You look AMAZING - those velvet flares are FAAABULOUS and I ADORE that amazing tiger catsuit and the hat. And is that Herbie behind you?? Love! Sarah xxx

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  52. I like ALL of it - but esp. the grey felt hat....

    Hey, you've gotta see this! When YOUR VW bites the dust try this!

    http://theflyingtortoise.blogspot.com/2012/02/mobile-vw-sauna-in-finland.html

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  53. Fabulous outfit and fabulous post!

    I love to break all of the fashion rules and dress for myself! It's the best part of finally being out of the corporate workplace.

    And congratulations on the thumbs up on your blog; I agree that it's a must not be missed!

    xo, Anita

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  54. I had a tiger print cat suit at one point and I may still have one if I could only find it! You really know how to wear a hat to top off your fabulous ensemble. Thank you for your statements about 'wardrobe advice.' I couldn't agree more. And many thanks for the mention! I was honored and delighted to be included with you and the other inspirational bloggers on gorgeous Bella's over-40 top six.

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  55. Looking fab as ever. I've just caught up with your Indian adventures. What an amazing time you had. It looks fantastic. M x

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  56. More than agreeing with every word on dressing for yourself and your own personality - rather than according to bland 'rules'; More than having been thrilled to see you alongside other of my favourite blogs featured by Bella; more than wanting my own pair of velvet flares like yours and marvelling that you own a MARY QUANT catsuit - more than this, I'm wondering how you manage to get out of coat over flares over catsuit when you need a wee?? Doesn't it get a bit chilly?!

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  57. If your going to do it you may as well go all out I say!!! A tiger print catsuit how freaking cool. You always look amazing because your confidence shines through. xxx

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  58. you are right Vix!
    Let your personnal style come through, layer, go pattern crazy, add color for God's sake people!
    Just have fun! I am having fun! and most of the time the crowd lost in in the sea of neutrals like it!

    Love you Vix!

    Ariane xxx

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  59. Wonderful to see Bella here, rockin' your advice.

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  60. Love your flares......I was wearing a pair on this day too! Lol
    Congrats on the mention.... I follow Bella & am off to visit the rest! It's great to see the over 40 fashions are not boring & have their own unique style.

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  61. This post made me want to cry - for joy! You reminded me that I can play with clothes despite being 49. I am traumatized by this video,
    http://www.videojug.com/interview/fashion-faux-pas-2
    I'm sharing the link so that all your followers can have a good chortle. Vintage Vix, you are the best medicine.

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix