Tuesday 20 December 2011

Dedicated Follower of Fashion

The post title is ironic, of course.

Learning to value personal style and individuality over being "in fashion" is probably the most important step I have taken in order to feel confident about what I wear.

Not that Eldest LB appreciates this at all, she reckons my clothes are just plain old fashioned and that's that. "No offence, Mum," she said. None taken. No notice taken either.

No, the dedication of the title refers to my efforts to sort out my new and rather fabulous 1970s faux fur coat.



I think I may have squealed when I spotted it in one of my regular charity shops. The lady at the counter said they had only just put it out - there's serendipity for you, I'd only just popped in on the off chance, with giddy holiday-mode kids in tow, so I wasn't expecting to have much chance to look properly.



However, on wearing it today with, I noticed a cascade of black "bits" appearing all over the place, getting horribly stuck on my suede skirt.



The facing and the underside of the collar were disintegrating, the coating was flaking badly, and where it rubbed against my clothes underneath, it was shedding a deluge of black... plastic, I suppose. Bugger!

                          
                                So I set to with my nails and a suede brush (terribly high-tech, I know) ....



 ... et voila! After some considerable time, effort and swearing, all the loose flakes of sticky nastiness were gone. See? That's dedication to the faux fur love.




These photos are so bad, the light was dismal, the red-eye corrector gismo didn't work, but I'm trusting you to see past my rubbish photography to the 70s sartorial glory! Please try.



Yes, another hat to fit my big head. I was admiring a leopard print trilby in John Lewis while Christmas shopping, but at £30 it was too expensive for me, so I was really chuffed to win this one on Ebay for a mere £2.29.


 1970s Astraka faux fur, top and suede skirt (charity shopped), hat and tan boots (Ebay), tan leather bag (Christmas swap gift from Awesome Alex), scarf (flea market), face of a miserable cow (lack of light and a bad back).




I do love the Kinks, and I momentarily considered that song Roy Castle sang at the end of Record Breakers about needing dedication if you want to be the best, but in the end I plumped for the gorgeous Mamas and the Papas, which reminds me of my childhood. I have my eldest sister to thank for my love of 60s pop music.

Enjoy.



25 comments:

lucy joy said...

I love faux fur - well rescued. Your style will inspire the family as they grow up.

You look sensational dear. I MUST meet you in 2012.

Lucy x

Unknown said...

LOOOVE your fab new coat - it's divine on you! What marvellous dedication in removing the icky black bits... I have a gorgeous bag with black suede interior that covers everything with a sort of sticky black dust... I've no idea how to fix it - perhaps I should send it to you, Mrs Fixalot! Also love your scarf - need more pics please! Sarah xxx

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

"No notice taken either" - you have me rattling with joy at your spunky attitude -heheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! If I saw you on the street in your GLORIOUS new coat and THAT HAT I would probably start screaming and crying all at once thereby frightening the bejesuz out of your poor children. Yep, getting that yucky black stuff off shows sheer dedication and proof of absolute madness. You are my kinda gal ... and you love the Mamas and the Papas!! ** sigh** xoxoxoxoxoxooxooxoxoox

Hope Adela Pasztor said...

Fabulous coat, dear! =)


pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com

Helga said...

What a fabulous coat!!! Well rescued,it looks like new!OMG it's soooo wonderful and funky!That hat is totally rocking my socks,too!I'm gagging for a leopard hat,so I made myself a fascinator,cos I'm fascinating!
Ha,the young uns have a way to go before they understand the meaning of personal style! You most certainly HAVE it in spades! This whole look is delish,as is that rather yumcious bag!
My red eye corrector thingy doesn't always work either!Most vexing,but that's ok,we know your not off your tits......or ARE you?!Hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Love and furry gropes!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Krista said...

We spend our youth trying to fit in and if we are lucky we spend our adulthood trying to break out into our own. You look mac mama good in this beautiful (after some much needed love) faux fur cost, I do love the fedora with it. Perfection. You look sexy in a female detective kinda way, ah kids, what do they know anyway!
muchlove~
Krista

Debberoo said...

Ooooh that brushed up lovely, well worth your hard work.

I have so many comments for your previous posts all saved up in my head to leave as soon as I have a chance. I just want you to know I am reading and loving each and every post, my silence is not an indicator of a lack of love but rather an indicator of my slackeryness - just so you know!

Your blog is such a delicious treat, makes me so happy when there is a new post.

Right, nuff of the lovey dovey, hurry up and get on with the next post. xxx

Kylie said...

You ARE dedicated. It would've been a pain in the bum to remove that coating, but it was worth it as the coat looks fab on you and you probably wouldn't have worn it with the flaky bits.

Love the Mammas and the Papas too, wasn't Michelle Phillips beautiful...

My kids are only just starting to appreciate some of the vintage things I wear. The oldest one is wishing I kept my clothes from the 80's!!! (Yuk!)

Vintage Coconut said...

So I signed on and went to create my post... Once posted I was like okay time to read some bloggies.
I nearly SPAT my coffee out upon seeing you in your Faux Fur coat! One cause I love it, two because I bought another and wore it this afternoon and posted it on my blog. *HAHAHA*
At the rate I am going I am gonna need a faux fur coat rack... Because when I spot them I go nuts and I have a leopard print one on my wish list and maybe a striped one too. (GOD Maybe .... I should ask for a Oompa loompa also... because I sound like a spoilt brat.)
YOU LOOK FACKKKIN fabulous in this outfit I adore you new coat. It looks very nice on you.

p.s. I am so glad you were chuffed
=D

Kitty said...

Gorgeous! And what do bloody kids know anyway, eh?? I too spend stupid amounts of time doing things like picking bits off vintage things...in this madness you are not alone, my friend.xx.

Vix said...

I don't know what I love most, listening to the Mamas and Papas at 8.28am on the dark crappy morning or you in that glorious coat. It's gorgeous, I do love an Astraka. You've done a wonderful job scrubbing off the vinyl,too, the feel of that stuff when it's gone all manky sets my teeth on edge.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

mispapelicos said...

Such a clever move, you saved a fabulous piece of fur, and look gorgeous.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Vintage Sweetheart said...

Good fix on the that gorgeous coat. I have a shedding problem with some glomesh bags it's such a pain. I always pass on big coats it's never cold enough to wear them here.

xx

Unknown said...

I love the mama's and papa's ;-)) And im loving your whole outfit very funky but it sooooo suits you ;-)) Great job on the coat it looks fabulous. Have a great christmas, dee xx

Anonymous said...

I really, really love that faux fur jacket!! You're so lucky getting vintage stuff in your charity shops. We have about 10 and all you can find is 5-year-old Primark stuff! grrrrrrrrrr!!!!

thanks for the comment on my blog!

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

I, too, hear those words a lot "no offence, mum, but......". You're damn right, Curtise, kids, what do they know anyway.

Loving the coat. I need more of them in my wardrobe.

Love a big M&P fan xxxxx

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Genius - you've given it a complete new lease of life, and you're looking fabulous in it. With the hat there's a certain ghetto fabulous 70s pimpin look about it - fantastic!

(Thanks for your lovely reply to a comment, I've been meaning to email back, and will, you know what it's like)

x

two squirrels said...

Fluffy fantastic!!! Wow it looks amazing on you! No animals where harmed in the making of this gorgeous outfit.
Hat perfect to top it off!!!
V

samecookiesdifferent said...

love the fur coat- so great!
xx
the cookies
share the feeling
visit <3
samecookiesdifferent.blogspot.com

karensomethingorother said...

love the Mamas & The Papas!

Why on earth did they put that stupid black stuff on the inside of the coat, when it looked so gorgeous after you'd scratched it off??? I don't get it. I do love that coat though!

Unknown said...

Hi Curtise!

Merry Christmas to you and family!
Not posting a lot this week, but will try tomorrow- with the narcotics for my shoulder i spend more time sleeping than posting outfits!

I remember my daughter saying to me about the same thing years and years ago, she is 30 now.... i used to bring her with me at thrift shop expedition and she hated it, she could not understand why i liked it so much, well now she loves vintage, she can not get enough and sells it too, so there.

I love your faux fur, faux fur is wonderful- gives an intant fab look and i like your hat- good choice Curtise!

- the cat is still in the basement btw...

Love - Ariane

Max said...

I love that 'english eccentric' look, best worn whilst drinking your tea out of the saucer instead of the cup x

Unknown said...

Hi Curtise - since i love your blog so much i awarded you the Liebster Award -go check my blog for details

Take care dear Lady and looking foward to see more frocks!

Merry Christmas

Ariane xxx

Young at Heart said...

you look fabulous....loving that bag too....happy christmas!!!

Natalia Lialina said...

You look so chic here!