Wednesday 8 April 2015

Cat In A Hat



It's just as well so many of our regular customers & fellow traders have become good friends, selling at fairs makes up a huge part of our social life. If we're not absolutely knackered or too late home to meet up with the gang down the pub when we do get a night off one of us seems to come down with something.


This week it was Jon's turn, struck down with the same hideous cold I caught a fortnight ago. He managed to work at Saturday's vintage fair and rallied for a car boot sale on Sunday morning , before collapsing on to the settee for the remainder of the long weekend so we had to miss Adrian's gig on Monday night.


Still, I'm a resourceful soul and don't need to be kept entertained. Nikki & Kurt, a lovely couple of regulars, gave me a pair of 1970s curtains when they called to visit us in Bridgnorth on Saturday, which I spent yesterday transforming into a culotte suit (using a vintage Maudella pattern from darling Curtise, I'd previously used HERE). Jon rose from his sick bed to make the Rouleau straps as they were driving me mental and my incessant swearing was having the same effect on him.


Just for fun I Googled How To Wear A Jumpsuit Over 40. (Seriously, if you get to our "advanced" age and don't know how to get dressed then there's really no hope, is there?) The experts (i.e. frumpy looking bloggers who dress like prospective Tory party candidates) suggested that to pull off (don't you hate that phrase?) a jumpsuit then one must keep the accessories to a minimum. This prompted me to pile on the heavy metal, paint my nails in Barry's M's Blueberry Ice Cream and top the lot off with an original 1970s felt hat picked up from Sunday's car boot for the princely sum of 10p.


They also advised us old biddies to stick to a jumpsuit in a neutral colour, avoid prints and chose a more fitted shape to elongate and flatter a small frame. If purple swirls and 22 inch flares make me look like an obese dwarf then so be it. Mind you, they'd doubtless be getting their ugly shapewear knickers in a twist about my waist length hair, bare arms and black eye liner, too.


Spring is definitely here, Jacob emerged bleary-eyed from his box this morning and after a warm bath he's strolling around his pen in the sunshine tucking into Little Gem lettuce and peeled cucumber.


I've had him since 1975 which makes him 40 this year. I wonder if he needs any style advice from the experts? 

See you soon!

68 comments:

  1. I think this is my favourite thing you've ever made! x

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  2. haha, you're just one big fashion NO aren't you? I've decided when I come across those what to wear when your an old hag articles to do the opposite. "pull off a jumpsuit", hussies.

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  3. Write your OWN book, my friend!
    That's a fabulous outfit--color, print, pattern.
    How DO you get down on your knees like that?!?
    Sorry about your colds, etc. (I shouldn't say that so far we've escaped them this winter in spite of them being so wide-spread!)

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  4. Uh-mazing fabric choice Vix!

    Sod what anyone else says, you look fab :D

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  5. That's one of the most fabulous items of clothing I think I've ever seen!! You totally rock it, and again I'm most impressed by how talented you are at sewing.

    Can I put you in my next blogger style inspiration roundup??

    xx

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  6. Oh, dear little Jacob, just enjoying life's simple pleasures! Love your new jumpsuit and you look glorious. Best wishes to Jon to feel better asap. xox

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  7. You look amazing, as per! I wouldn't take any notice of the silly fashion 'rules', you are perfect as you are and the bright colours you wear are so lovely to see. I am just the opposite in fact and often have the mickey taken for dressing like an OAP but I don't care, a natty leather brogue and a nicely pegged trouser are my favourite things! Also, your waist length Rapunzel hair is a treasure and your arms are amazing, so buff! This jumpsuit is a dream, I've got a cullotte jumpsuit in black (of course haha!) but the print on this is perfect. Loving seeing the snaps of Jacob in the sun, what a cutie! Also hope John gets better soon! Much love xxxx

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  8. You look stunning in your jumpsuit. Loving the purple. Wish Jacob happy 40th when it comes around :)

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  9. YOU ARE MARVELOUS. PERIOD. END. OF. STORY. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  10. One time I stumbled upon a post "what to wear for a walk in the park". Seriously? For what kind of women this post was written for?
    You look fantastic in this newly-made jumpsuit. I laughed at "obese dwarf" espression.

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  11. Scarlet O'Hara has got nothing on you with all your fab curtain outfits! Love this one. I so miss a culotte suit I had in purple in the 70s. This reminds me of those hazy days and nights. Love your boots too! x

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  12. Love the culotte suit , Its defiantly you , I cant believe you goggled how to wear it lol , I love Jacob too xxx

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  13. Delicious darling! I love it. A vision on a lovely spring day , you are.
    Fuck the beige brigade...I have no time for their tips whatsoever and I reckon there is going to be a divide in our generation of people who stick to the 'rules' and those who get on with it. Life is too short for beige slacks and a sensible hair style.
    Hope Jon is better soon. This cold is a bastard, I've been knocked for six and haven't been able to go back to work. What a shame.
    Loves ya.
    xxxxxxx

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  14. Well-said(I also got a lingering cold from being exposed to the for far too long, hope Jon's feelin' better:), that teach 'em(gorgeous as ever:)!

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  15. you look great in that your latest creation, I love the color and without the bangles it would just not be the same,, it never ceases to amaze me why when we have a rainbow of colors to choose why people would choose beige! If I wear all beige I feel so blah,,I need all the help I can get,

    40 years, thats amazing,, I wonder what turtles think about?

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  16. I meant to ask if you get Jon to turn the straps right side out after sewing or does he do the sewing,, they are fiddly, I have a skewer with a hook on the end I use,,I hope he feels better soon,

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  17. hahaha!!!! love this!
    this bloggers would scream in horror too when discovering that i wear midi length dirndl skirts on my "plus size frame" ;-P
    wonderful suit - that purple provence style pattern makes me wish for a stroll at a mediterranean beach with you!!! with some lavender ice cream :-)
    greet jacob the turtle from me! xxxxx

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  18. Oh Vix that is amazing ! Totally in love with that jumpsuit !
    I hate when you are told to dress your age ! Makes me do just the oppsite ! Last week i was suggested to fix my hair to look my age ... i very bad word that starts with an f and ends with a k was my answer .
    Xxx

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  19. We don't do rules do we Vix, unless we've made them up ourselves.
    You look gorgeous my friend and hope we get to see you in this fab outfit xxxx

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  20. Love this jumpsuit! It looks amazing and I bet is more comfy than pjs.

    Did you see me when you looked up how to wear a jumpsuit over 40? LOL Probably. Except I wasn't going on about patterns, (since I wear them) nor accessories...probably my advice was, find one you like and wear it! LOL

    Remember though Vix...other people don't have your confidence, your talents and your body. They need someone else giving them permission. I think the last time you asked for permission you must have been 9 years old.

    I'm so delighted you have a 40 year old turtle!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  21. I love those pictures of you in that splendid curtain couture. Your garden is so green, sadly we're had a snowfall last night here in Northwestern Ontario. I can hardly wait until I can bare my arms like you do.

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  22. Fabulous curtain fabric, what an amazing transformation. You look gorgeous...even for an old bird! haha. I googled How To Wear A Jumpsuit Over 50, expecting to find Don't Do It! But no, there was encouragement... even for us ancient creatures. (although the featured garments weren't very exciting) The hat is a brilliant bargain for 10p and looks perfect with the jumpsuit. I would hope that Jacob would hiss in the general direction of anyone rude enough to offer him styling tips. He's perfect just as he is. Hope Jon feels better soon...bloody lurgy. xx

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  23. I LOVE you Vix! You are fabulous, and reading your perspective on things, fashion and everything else, always puts me in a better frame of mind...and I usually have a great laugh too!

    This jumpsuit is beyond fabulous! Nikki and Kurt knew a VIX find when they saw this fabric, and the pattern you chose to sew is fantastic! I love the back and the straps, and bravo to Jon for helping out when in need.

    The accessories! An armload of bangles and the hat are just right!! The gorgeous long hair too! I can also see you enjoying hot sunny weather with casual sandals.

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  24. Forgot to mention, Happy 40th year to Jacob! I love his 'eco' environment. You are indeed a good turtle Mum!

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  25. A jumpsuit from curtains! No wonder you are the Queen of recycling!!

    And you've had this cute pet for FORTY YEARS!!! Wow!

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  26. Those rules make you want to go all Bette Davis in Jezebel. Amazing outfit.
    Wow 40 years of Jacob.
    x

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  27. That has to be one of the best old curtain transformations ever! So glad you chose to ignore the advice from the frumps (who wants to listen to them anyway!!) Lovely Jacob doesn't need over 40 style advice either, he knows he looks good, just like you!

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  28. Back in the 60s and 70s I used curtain fabric to sew dresses and they always looked fab! This fabric is awesome and the boots - well they looked something else!

    Pundits, piss me off big time. However, I do love my Sloggis!

    Sushi, what's all that about?

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  29. Jacob is awake! Huzzah it must be spring.

    You look bloody magnificent in your jumpsuit, mind I'm amazed 'the brigade' would advocate wearing one at all over 40!!!!

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  30. No lie ... catching sight of Jacob brought a wee tear of happiness to my eye. He's so fantastic.

    I love your new (cough)modest(cough) jumpsuits! And the hat is great too. I lost my favourite black hat last summer, so have the pleasure of shopping for a new one. Hope I have as much luck as you do.

    On a final note, your spring garden has me completely envious. Our forsythia is still weeks away.

    Hope Jon is feeling better. xo

    ps. You have the best captcha ever!

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  31. Gorgeous! And I remember that sunflower jumpsuit too - such a great pattern. I also think that some day, you need to write a book (though you've been writing your own book of style and life "after 40" for the last few years - it's this amazing blog of yours!). Hurrah to jumpsuits! You look absolutely fantastic in this one, and I love the hat. Hugses to your dear Jacob. I hope Jon gets better soon, what a horrible cold/flu, yuck! Love xxx

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  32. Well Vix you have proved the fashion experts wrong you look so gorgeous in your jumpsuit and I love your hat ! best wishes xxx

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  33. Could the tortoise have a swirly white/purple paint job too rather than the house number that they used to be painted with in the olden days when I was wee! x

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  34. I love that jump suit - wish I had the figure to carry it off myself.x

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  35. I think one of the first posts of yours I ever read when I found you was one on your retort to fashion rules and I just knew I had to follow you!

    That outfit is absolutely fabulous and you looking smashing in it!!

    Hope Jon is feeling better.

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  36. And how are you going to integrate THAT into your capsule wardrobe, hmmmm? :p ;)

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  37. I like your jump suit. You wear it with style. Hope jon feels better. Betty

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  38. Hurrah for Hermann's tortoises! I was just wondering if young Jacob was feeling springy -- and here he is, thriving from 40 years of loving care. Well done, Vix!

    Also well done is the jumpsuit which reminds me of a 30s beach ensemble in an expensive Hercule Poirot mystery. I love the look but I've never figured out how to
    deal with one in a porta-loo...

    That stomach bug is running amok here, too. Ginger tea gives some comfort. (So does ice-cold old-style Coca Cola, but I know you and Jon don't do fizzy drinks.)

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  39. HA ... those bloggers will be reaching for the smelling salts when they see your fab jumpsuit ... you're looking gorgeous as usual and you do wear a hat extraordinarily well :0)
    xx

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  40. Oh, I love it! And, when I see any article that's titled how to wear something when you're over 40, I immediately ignore it! :)

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  41. I think he needs blue toe nail varnish! You look super- boo hiss to the 'Thou shalt wear...' (Oh, I bought a vintage 70's, I think, dress today and I was talking to the shopkeeper and telling her about you and saying how annoying it is that all the 'new 70's fashion' is dull and drab compared to the real thing and your amazing collection)

    The only thing with jump/cullotte suits is.... public loos- please do share your technique for dealing with this difficult issue!!x

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  42. Pulling it off would mean you're at the beach and ready for a little nude suntanning, probably not what those Tory candidates (hahaha) had in mind.
    Again, I love your curtain couture and your piling on of jewels.
    Of course, best wishes for Jon's speedy recovery.

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  43. Awww...I love seeing Jacob! Both you and Jacob rock your style and don't need any lame style bloggers telling you how to look. I'm loving this jumpsuit and also THAT HAT!! I've wanted a had like that forever, but my head is ALWAYS too big and they never fit:( I've decided this year I need to make a "plus size" hat for my head. You look fabulous - because you wear so much colour and have a unique style!

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  44. You look awesome! "Experts" suck and have no style. I love the jumpsuit and am a tiny bit jealous of the fabulous fabric you used to make it (I can never have enough purple!).
    Jacob is adorable. At 40 he's still quite young and looks like he's having fun in the sun.

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  45. That is a badass jumpsuit!!!!

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  46. Tortoises need no advice from anyone, they look great from the egg. (I love the intent way they go about things - tortoises may not do much, but what they do do, they do seriously.)

    Your jumpsuit is aces, and style advice is generally best ignored, especially when it starts getting applied to age brackets.

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  47. Good Morning sweet Jacob. Bless him. Does he have to be unwrapped or does he just suddenly emerge all by himself?

    I have no idea what a Rouleau strap is but how fab to have a man who can do them for you. Have you thought of sending him to The Great British Sewing Bee? xxx

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  48. Ha, you obese old dwarf you, how dare you wear huge flares, bold prints and black eye liner - at your age? NOW I understand all that Over 40 crap in so many posts - it's so they show up in a google search. Aha, the penny has finally dropped!
    Well, bollocks to being told what to wear, how to wear it, and to "pulling it off" (which brings something altogether dirtier to mind for me, I'm afraid!) You look every inch a star in your culotte suit - glad that pattern's earning its keep, and that fabric is amazing. Hope Jon is feeling better, I'm very impressed with his sewing skills.
    Jacob looks happy to be up and about, and he's certainly rocking his shell, not bad for a 40 year old!
    Love you, darling! xxxx

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  49. Love your new outfit - the "experts" are a bunch of losers. You live such a wonderful colorful life. I hope Jon is on the mend. Those purple boots are fabulous too!

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  50. Jacob should start his own blog on over 40's style! Seriously, I am as usual with you on the ludicrous so called style advice being doled out by bland designer facist bores Who's idea of edgy is Alexa Chung! Xxx

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  51. Wow, I love that you fashioned the jumpsuit from a pair of curtains, and you look gorgeous in them!

    I hope Jon has recovered.

    Jacob is completely adorable xx

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  52. I find it amazing your suit, I like the fantasy tissue and accessories are right but mostly you have the right personality!
    With the awakening of the turtles is really spring! I had a female, gift from my grandfather in the late 70s, my little sister turtle, but years ago I was stolen, one of the worst day of my life, sometimes it's so sad to live in Italy; (
    The turtles live so much and your will still be a young man!

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  53. Hello Vix,

    Well, you certainly do not need any ' fashion' advice from anyone. You are a maker of style not a follower of it!

    The sad fact is that so many people do not seem to have either the self awareness or the self confidence that enables them to simply wear what they feel comfortable in and enjoy. With personality, posture and knock out lipstick, anything is possible in our book!

    You are becoming very handy with a sewing machine. That really does extend your clothing options since it seems to us that you can manufacture 'haute couture' from curtains in an instant. We are impressed.

    And, as always, you accessorise your clothes with a most interesting selection of jewellery, scarves and hats. A life well travelled does reflect in these highly original additions and makes for a uniquely interesting look!

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  54. I agree - please write a book on breaking the "rules". You look awesome!

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  55. So sorry Jon is down with the lurgy! What a hero climbing out of his sick bed to help with your straps!
    Your no rules homemade fashion is to die for. And you know I agree.
    Jacob is amazing...nuff said. xo Jazzy Jack

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  56. awesome jumpsuit! the purple print looks so great ...

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  57. Fab jumpsuit Vix, you look amazing as always! I hope Jon is feeling better now x

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  58. Gosh if my sewing efforts were better I think I'd constantly be wearing and making these all the time. They are insane on you, I love them, total perfection. I'm sorry to hear Jon has not been well I hope he is on the mend. Oh and finally Jacob he is just the sweetest and I can see you adore him, I love seeing him. As a kid I used to have pet turtles shame we don't have tortoises in Australia that we can have as pets.

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  59. I think you 40 year old turtle should be able to GIVE style advice by now.

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  60. What a fab jumpsuit, you've been having a lot of fun sewing recently. How wonderful that people give you all these wonderful gifts. They must be thrilled when you transform them into something gorgeous. This winter has been a bugger for lurgies, one thing after another. Poor old Jon, I feel for him, mine lasted for weeks, glad he's on the mend now. Ah, look at Jacob! What an amazing thing to have had a pet for so long. That 10p hat is fab! I can't wait for the booties here to start. Xxxxxx

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  61. Sod the rules wear what ever you feel good in I say and you always look amazing no matter how large or bold the fabric is. Love seeing Jacob I always wanted a tortoise while I was growing up but they stopped importing them at the time well that's what my parents told me :-) they are such old souls and for me really spiritual beings. Enjoy having him around again, and hope Jon feels better now. dee xx

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  62. Awww, it's Jacob, I love seeing him, he's gorgeous!
    What a fab sewing project, so utterly you and how nice of Jon to help you out when he was feeling poorly xxx

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  63. What a lovely little habitat Jacob has! So nice to see him again.

    The old biddies would have a fit if they saw me wearing the floral print balloon leg jumpsuit I got last summer. You are so right, if we've got to this age and can't figure out how to wear something then it's best to give it a pass. That is a amazeballs jumpsuit you made and would be my favourite thing to wear all summer. If I pay you, could you make one for me with all that free time you have on your hands ;)

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  64. A wonderful jumpsuit, beautiful.

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  65. oh Vix i hope i remain as stylish as you when im older! and as always those "fashion editors" remain a source of humour for everyone else who managed to figure out how to dress themselves when they were younger! I kinda look forward to being the eccentric art teacher/cat lady/ historian/ custodian of the arts type when im older! love the jumpsuit! xo

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Lots of love, Vix