Thursday 24 April 2014

Flower power


I spotted this t-shirt in a charity shop because of the groovy 1960s-inspired flower power print and embroidery.
 
 I'm not particularly bothered about t-shirts usually, but they are useful for pairing with a maxi skirt in the summer.
 
 
 

This one is actually by Desigual, a brand name only familiar to me through other bloggers. A quick look at their website shows that their cheapest t-shirt is £50. Who pays fifty quid for a t-shirt, however colourful? 
 
Not me, that's for sure - mine cost £1.99.
 
 
 

 And as it happens, that's not a maxi skirt, they're giant palazzo pants, made from a cut-down 1960s jumpsuit.
 
 

See?
 
 
 

T-shirt, denim jacket, sunglasses, necklace and bangles - charity shopped
1960s giant pants - Ebay, altered by me
Sandals - retail (sale)


My local hospice charity shop now has a Vintage Corner, usually a sign that the prices will be hiked up, but thankfully they are still reasonable.
 
I saw a Gunne Sax maxi dress for a tenner a while back, but didn't buy it because it was both filthy and tiny. There has been a 1960s wedding dress and veil (£15) sitting on the rail for weeks (also very small - they probably belonged to the same person).
 


These 1970s beauties were a fiver apiece. And since they aren't tiny, they fit me, hurray!

And it was in the rummage basket in Vintage Corner that I found the 1960s orange/yellow floral sheet above...
 


 ...which is now a dress!

I still need to hem it, so I will show you the finished article next time. 
 
It isn't neat, or polished, or anything resembling perfect, but it is identifiable as a frock, complete with darts, facings, and a zip! 
 
 
 

Here is Willow, snoozing in the washing basket, thereby demonstrating why most clothes in this house are covered in cat hair...
 


 
...and if a cat's expression could say Fuck off, I'm trying to sleep here, then that's pretty much the message from Charlie.
 


 
I saw this cutie in Vintage Corner too;
 


a 1960s painting on velvet.
I resisted, but I'm not quite sure how...
 


 
Hope everyone is having a great week!

xxx

48 comments:

Melanie said...

Your palazzo pants make me go wild! Those are the best ever. And the T-shirt is perfect with it, at the right price. I just love this on you. One of my fave thrift shops just started listing "special" pieces online, prices averaging $100. Nuh-uh. I want to be Willow but I won't leave as much hair on your laundry as she does, promise.

freckleface said...

I knew they were palazzo pants from a cut down jumpsuit! I reckon I might be ready for a O Level in Curtise. If only they'd had the good topics when I was at school. I'd have given up RE and physics in a heartbeat. Anyway, look at that fantastic cape dress! It's a dream. Me want one now.
Willow and Charlie are my new role models and what the hell? Curtise is sewing?! I have got to see that dress on! Soon! Xxxxx

Asparagus Pea said...

Flower power knockers with dragonfly embroidery - rocking that! Not sure I could pull off the ginormous palazzo pants - if Iput anything like that on Mr A-P is prone to say 'that's a lot of real estate'

Suzanne said...

Those pants are INSANE! The t-shirt looks like it was made for them. I do love the colours and wild designs of Desiqual, probably why I am salivating over you whole outfit so much right now.

It is hard to find vintage in thrift stores here. They are picked over already. I have more luck it seems going to estate sales but they require me getting out of bed super early and standing in line for hours and then fighting people for the items. Most of the time I just don't have the energy.

bisous
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Almost forgot to mention...it looks like you're about to get frisked by the police in the one photo! LOL

bisous
Suzanne

Unknown said...

Love all the florals! Can't wait to see the dress you made! I just finished one too, and it might be my last for awhile as my sewing machine died! :(

Melancholy and Menace said...

Oh my God! I love your kitties, they're adorable!

I would have snapped up that cute painting...do you think you'll go back for it?

The red dress is gorgeous, can't wait to see you in it, and your new creation of course :) xx

Anonymous said...

Go back for the painting, you know you want to! Those pants, are they in the Guinness book of Records? That t shirt is my kind of thing, thanks for sharing the info, I will look out for Desigual stuff now. Can't wait to see your sewing!

Fiona said...

Fifty quid!!!! I like £1.99 a whole lot more. Never heard of Desigual but no surprises there eh? Love the colour explosion and the dragonfly emblazoned across the booboids. Cut down palazzo's and home sewn frocks, sounds like you've got the sewing bug. Don't leave any unfinished sewing lying around or the cats will find that too...they're little buggers aren't they?
Lovely Dicentra btw, your garden always looks perfect. Last night shift tonight so looking forward to a weekend off. Xx

Penny-Rose said...

Go back for the kitty velvet painting, it is gorgeous! Oh, and I want those pants. They are spectacular. I think they are my new favourite pants!

Virginia at A Sewing Life said...

Today's outfit is another stunner, but now you've got me on pins and needles (ha ha) waiting to see your own original creation!

Becky said...

Palazzo queeeeeen! I love tees with palazzos and maxis! That's my jam right there!

Goody said...

Big Pants! Hooray for big pants.

I think that red dress may be my sister's prom dress circa 1975. Even the flower looks familiar. I'll try to search out a photo to see if my memory for clothing is as good as I think it is.

No matter, you'll look better in the dress than she did. You aren't going to frost your hair are you? Don't frost your hair.

Big pants!

Miss Magpie said...

£50??????? Jesus.

That red maxi absolutely has your name stamped all over it.

That kitten picture it's the kind of thing you wake up in the night to a tapping at the window........

Jayne H said...

i'm envious of your Desigual T shirt find - I still don't own anything of that brand, despite lusting after their clothes for years - one day I dream of owning a Desigual coat.
I can't wait to see your dress. I haven't made an actual garment from a pattern for about 40 years and then I think it was a nighty, so nothing I would be leaving the house in.

Unknown said...

Every time I see you lately, I think whatever you're wearing has got to be my new favorite. This pair two! Hot, hot, hot! Best tee shirt, and yeah, I see why they are pricey. You got a deal. Such a superb fit ... you have killer arms, young lady! Should show them more! Then of course, there are the more than fabulous palazzos. Perfectly suited pair, these two. How much fun are you going to have in this outfit? Lots and lots.
Hair is looking pretty good, too.
Cannot wait to see the new dress!

Lots of kitteh drama at our house. More later on that when the issues resolve. Yours look content!

Gracey the Giant said...

Those pants are amazing! So gorgeous! I have cut dresses down to make skirts, but never cut a jumpsuit down to make pants; I'm not even sure I'd know how to do that.

Tutorial?


Also, velvet paintings are both horrible and awesome. Always. And bleeding hearts are just the best.

Unknown said...

Oh I know how Charlie feels! Let me sleep people. Your outfit is an absolute joy of groovy colours and style. The palazzo pants are simply fabulous and what a bargain in that T-shirt. I made a vow a little while ago to try and find more T-shirts but no luck so far. XXX

Patti said...

Palazzo pants are soooo fabulous, and so is that Desigual tees. I've seen their designs around the blog-world too and admired them but $80 for a tee? Never in my world, nor yours : >
The sleeping cats are making me sleepy. Have a wonderful day, xox.

Instant Milk said...

Super cute outfit!

Come visit me soon! I miss you!

xx

silvergirl said...

I am in love with this shirt and skirt!!
Awesome styling
One of my favorites of yours
Brett

Peaches McGinty said...

Cats do 'fuck off' so well haha! mine have even got me creeping around our bedroom when I put stuff away because of their haughty stares, honestly! it's ridiculous!
Your palazzo pants are just amazing and so fab with the veeerry originally expensive 't' shirt wtf though £50! can't wait to see you in your fiver bargains, gorgeous dresses! and your creation, I don't even know what facings are! my sewing teacher at school had no hope for me x x x

Angels have Red Hair said...

Looking forward to seeing the results of your sewing.
You're not sure how you resisted the painting and I'm not sure why you did ... its soooo cute ... maybe it will still be there the next time and you can rectify the situation.
xx

Shawna McComber said...

Those palazzo pants are amazing! Off the rack ones are never long enough for me so they look goofy. And that tee shirt-oh how I do love it! I would not pay 50 quid for it, which would be more like $100 Canadian but I would probably pay $20 just because I would fall in love and lose my sanity.

Everything of mine is covered in cat fur too. Usually even my face, but that's good cause when I get old and start growing whiskers I can say they aren't really mine.

Anonymous said...

I do love a tee and a maxi skirts it's most definitely one of my things. Do I'm always in the hunt for fun and quirky shirts. I most certainly would have nabbed the one you purchased. Your pants are epic and glorious.

It certainly is a sign globally if a oppy has a vintage corner prices jack up. I hope yours stay down.

I so wish I was a cat right now, I'd be getting more sleep than this human does at the moment.

Natalia Lialina said...

What a fantastic find, and so perfect with your wild palazzos! Love your photos of cats, and especially of Charlie - how they even do that? Totally own the world, those creatures. :)

I'm gtting more and more into thrift clothes shopping, though just like Suzanne said, I don't see much of vintage clothing in our thrift shops here. There are special vintage stores, but those are much pricier.

You look wonderful, colorful and so pretty! Hugs :)

Trees said...

Holy Crap - 50 pounds for a tee shirt, that's the better part of $100 for me - for a freaking tee shirt!! I've been agonising if I want to spend $130 on a winter coat, some people just like to throw their money away? I LOVE the pants - I have a pair of ALMOST there culottes in my UFO (that's unfinished object) pile, I really must get onto that. I am SO EXCITING to see your frock. One thing I always tell myself is, although my sewing may not be perfect, its still likely to be better quality than what they sell in the shops! Have a lovely weekend.

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

I can't wait to see the frock you made and you finally managed to wrangle the zip in! After my last trouser zip 'mare, I gave up zips for months, so I too am feeling rather chuffed at my remarkable Sewing Bee-like skills. Fifty squids on a t-shirt? Er no. BUT. That tshirt is quite magnificent and you're going to get loads of compliments, especially with your refashioned PALAZZO PANTS!!!! **breathe** Bloody gorgeous you are!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

PS. I'm just so glad it was you who found the tshirt at the chazzas for such a bargain and the velvet cat pic needs you! xx

Olga Rani said...

These pants are amazing, the width and the print, wow! Your new find, the Desigual t-shirt, looks like being just the right thing to wear with these pants. Love your coin necklace.
Same here, cat's hair everywhere, especially at this time of the year.

Caroline said...

Fuck off face is a cat's default face. Miserable bastards unless they want something.

Even the one in that painting wants the artist to go forth and multiply.

bahnwärterin said...

your outfit is fantastic!
pretty wild! gorgeous palazzo pants!
desigual is very overrated, pure marketing. a saw a lot of this brands coats on the streets of berlin - yes, very unusual colorful - but bad cut and cheep materials....
that circled cat is soooo cute!
cant wait to see the dress!!!
xxxx

Anonymous said...

I'm the same way with tees but yours is great, and quelle crazy pants - love! I wish I were small enough to fit into a Gunne Sax dress, sigh. But the frocks you found are lovely. The red one is dreamy. Xox

Sue said...

Charlie is gorgeous!! I want to see you in the red frock pronto. Now as for your Desigual t shirt, well bloody done. I love their clothes, so colourful and happy but no way in hell would I ever buy new, far to expensive. The t looks amazing with your pants. Of course I love the outfit, look how bright and cheerful you look!!

Beth Waltz said...

That designer tee and the recycled pants are a wonderful combo without being matchy-matchy, and their colors suit your hair beautifully!

'Tis spring in the American Midwest and my pride of pussycats are shedding pounds of fuzz daily. This does make it easier to spot the cobwebs...

Forest City Fashionista said...

HA! I suspected those were swishy pants when I saw the first photo! They are crazy-amazing!!!
I'm familiar with Desigual stuff, and it is expensive. I've seen the odd item from the brand at secondhand stores, but never anything I would buy. I do like the colours in that t-shirt though, and the price was certainly right.

Oooh, I do love a sleeping kitty photo, and two is almost tooo much SQUEE, especially the dangling paw.

Vix said...

Please wear those fabulous pants next weekend, we can distract you and steal them off you when you're trying something on! They're wonderful on you - the whole outfit is brightening this gloomy afternoon.
Desigual - their clothes are always hanging up in Indian street markets, I had no idea they were expensive until I saw a rail of them in House of Fraser. What a great find. Bet the Per Una was marked up more expensive!
Lovely finds and ace lounging cats. Everyone needs a velvet cat, what were you thinking leaving it behind?
Can't wait to see the finished frock!
Love you! xxxxxxxxx

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

People pay £50 for a t shirt? The world's gone mad. But it looks perfect with the maxi skirt that's not a maxi skirt. I like £1.99 better.
The cat picture is so sweet. Wouldn't Littlest have liked it? Have a lovely weekend. xxxx

Mrs Bertimus said...

Loving the giant pants!
You can rock anything!
X

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

I am literally panting with excitement about seeing your dress! Clever you. I'm really impressed. I'm in the throes of making a skirt. Well, I've cut the fabric but there's been no sewing as yet (like you I've chosen a vintage floral sheet). The palazzo pants are TO DIE FOR. I'm in love, theyre bloody gorgeous. And your altered them! Genius! Xx

Unknown said...

oh my gawd you look friggin awesome!!!! A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!!!

Angie said...

Like all the ladies before me I admire your tee and pallazo pants-perfect match- and can't wait to see what you're sewing.Have a great time on the bloggers meet up.

kobieta niewidzialna said...

Fantastic look - and amazing cats.:)

Unknown said...

You look amazingly beatiful in thoose colours ! But you always looks beatiful !
xxx

Mother of Reinvention said...

Wow, loving your palazzo pants and I love Desigual clothes. They had loads of shops in Barcelona with good sales on but still nothing in my price range. Your find are great but how could you leave behind the sad, strange,velvet kittie? Look at it's little face. Xx

Sheila said...

Yes, Desigual is ridiculously expensive, but what a lovely t-shirt - and it goes so well with the fabulous pants! Love the kitties.

Krista said...

These pants make me weak in the knees and I love the burst of fabulous colors in this outfit. You just can't be in a bad mood wearing that can you? I wonder how are the vagina pants doing:)

Thank you so much Curtise for all the love and kindness during this time in my life, this group of women amaze me with the outpouring of love I have received. I feel very much loved and find enormous comfort in that.
Love youxxxxxooooo

Pauliina/PauMau said...

Love the Flower Power as well your palazzo trousers. They're perfect with the t-shirt....Still wondering, 50 £ for shirt, t-shirt...never!!