I'm usually a fairly decisive person.
I'm not a ditherer, a waverer, or a fence-sitter.
I don't fanny about.
I hope I do think carefully about the stuff which is important, but the insignificant decisions around the edges? A rule of thumb to assess whether something is worth sweating over is to ask myself the question, am I going to be worrying about this in a week/month/year from now?
No? Then it's time to get my head out of my arse and stop wittling*
So, with that in mind, I am approaching my current pruning of the wardrobe with a hardened heart and a sensible head.
When in doubt - try it out.
These two 1970s dresses were on my make your mind up pile.
In true X Factor judge style, I have made my decision.
One stays, one goes.
That's my decision-making face. Don't mess with me when I've got that face on.
Blogging is a useful tool for me when it comes to deciding whether an item of clothing has earned its wardrobe space. Looking at photos makes it easier to see myself with a more objective eye.
And I spy with my objective eye an unflattering dress. It's not that I don't like the print (I do) and the colours (I do), I just don't like the shape on me. It's got that empire line maternity wear look about it, and lacks the waist definition which suits me best.
Don't look so sad - it's only a frock. Back to Ebay with it, from whence it came.
I look much more streamlined with a waist.
This polka-dot dress isn't showy or colourful, but I really like the shape, and with a bright cardigan and tights and a funky faux fur, I can jazz it up through autumn/winter.
1970s St Michael pussy-bow dress, denim jacket, 1970s shoes and bangles - charity shopped
Fishnets and belt - retail
1960s tapestry bag - vintage shop in Birmingham (bought on a bloggers' day out)
Faffing with my pussy bow, while pulling another daft face. I have quite the repertoire, just ask my kids.
Ooh, 1970s patent leather, round toes, stack heels and slingbacks - does a shoe get any better? And bought from a charity shop too, bonus.
The two Midwinter mugs are Jessie Tait's Spanish Garden design, very popular in the 1960s. And still very popular with me, I have a few pieces, and spotted these at a local vintage market on Sunday. I was restrained; I only bought the mugs and the 1960-70s duvet cover behind them, a huge spend of £3 all told.
The cat and the flowers, I already own, and the raindrops came for free.
My plan is this; to sell sell sell as much clothing as I can between now and Christmas, thereby avoiding the selling of my soul to the retail monster that is Meadowhall. Working at Debenhams as a Christmas temp last year was OK, but I reckon I can make the same money through my own sales, without standing at tram stops in the rain late at night and having to work on Boxing Day.
I might have a stall at our school Christmas fair selling some vintage homewares, knick-knacks, linens, and accessories too. We will see whether the local community shares my love of retro tat, and is prepared to buy it off me!
Wish me luck!
*Wittling is a northern dialect word for worrying, fretting. Not to be confused with whittling. Although there is clearly a metaphoric connection.)
xxxx
