There really aren’t many things in life that I’d say I’m too good at! In fact there’s probably only one: shopping! Armed with just a spare 20 minutes between appointments in our local, town centre I thought I was actually avoiding trouble by nipping into a charity shop rather than a regular shop. There’s always something interesting to look at, and the odd, second hand paperback isn’t going to break the bank. But twenty minutes and two jackets later…
In my defence one (below right) looked brand new (from Mint Velvet, and spot-on size wise) and a perfect replacement for a well-used, school one. The other one tugged at my heart strings a little (above left). It’s clearly vintage and the more I looked at it; the more it looked homemade… It has absolutely no shop or care labels and there’s just something about the fabric and that all-round, pearl trim that seemed to be telling me some lovely, lady (well they’d have to be lovely if they sewed, right?) at some point, had spent precious time making it. I tried it on, it fitted great but was possibly a little ‘boxy’ and a little too ‘classic’ on me. I put it back, but the more I thought about someone putting the effort into making it, the more I just couldn’t walk away from it, leaving it there unworn and unloved. Anyway, let’s just say I lost the emotional tug of war and it came home with me (via the dry cleaner’s).
Anyone have any idea how to tell if something’s been homemade beyond the more obvious lack of labels? Did clothes of this era often not have labels though? It really reminds me of jackets my gran used to make for herself, so I’m guessing it’s from the 60s/70s? Maybe even older?
And then just last week I read about a Uniqlo and Liberty range on a certain person’s blog… I’m holding you responsible for these purchases Thimberlina 😉 And of course I can justify these too: daughter’s birthday at weekend so t-shirts for her. And even though I have far too many dresses, a useful gilet for messing around with the kids or heading to the gym is always useful…. Honest! Right, seriously no more for some time now!
Anyone else simply too good at shopping?
navybluethreads 
Lovely finds Teresa. Especially the navy blue jacket (no surprises why you liked that one lol). Fabric shopping – I am so good at it that it is my kryptonite 😢. It gives me joy though 😀
And can be very reasonable 🙂 Seriously, I can justify most shopping! Really trying to stick to the one-in-one-out (or even two). This thought alone often stops me in my tracks 😉
I love all of them, and my eye went right to the handmade one. 😊
🙂 I’ve promised myself that I have to wear it though. Need a nice dinner date, or failing that Pizza Express with the kids…
Charity shop purchases are exempt from “real” shopping, aren’t they? 😀 Love your choices, Teresa, but can’t suggest any tips for finding out if that jacket is hand sewn. Look at the stitching, as much as you can find to check, would be my only suggestion. Love it! 💕💕
Thanks Del. I both couldn’t believe my luck and was totally frustrated with myself to finding two that fitted! I’ve tried to look at the stitches, but didn’t really feel any the wiser. It’s the all-round trim that makes me think it’s handmade and I was scared that it wouldn’t survive the dry cleaner’s but they promised to take care of it, and they did 🙂
Hmm, then it is a puzzlement, idn’t it… Lizzie B over at The Vintage Traveler has written about this. I think. Let me see if I can locate for you… back in a tic.
Thanks Del 🙂
Couldn’t locate exactly what I was looking for, but here’s something that will get you started. Bear in mind that Lizzie’s a retired history teacher, so loves clothes history. Don’t know that you’d locate this book in Yorkshire, but it might give you a starting point if you wanted to do a bit of research. https://thevintagetraveler.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/currently-reading-the-dress-detective-by-ingrid-mida-and-alexandra-kim/
Would it be an appropriate research (emphasize “search”) project for your class? Don’t have a clue as to their age, but think it could be used to encourage inquiring thinking & solving a mystery. Those principles would help with solving any sort of mystery.
Sorry for getting lost in esoterica. Happy Easter! 💐🐰
Thank you so much for this link Del. A fascinating read and now following. I’ll have to keep a look out for any vintage, Lanvin wedding dresses – beautiful! 🙂
Ah, am delighted you enjoyed her article! Use her blog’s search function for Lanvin, if you haven’t already. Lizzie’s specialty is American women’s sportswear, but she dabbles in plenty of other ponds, depending on what museums she goes to & the books she’s reading. 😉 I’ve learnt sooo much from reading her blog. Oooo~you might also look at witness2fashion, which I found whilst reading Lizzie’s blog. (Found this! https://witness2fashion.wordpress.com/2015/05/24/lanvin-couture-in-two-versions-for-two-clients-1924-25/)
Fab! Think I could probably spends hours browsing her site, could be dangerous… 😉
Been there, done that!
Oooo! You lucky lady! Such great finds! And the naughty blogger who told you about the liberty….. Don’t suppose you’re interested in knowing about the Easter 20% off code for Clarks?? I’ve funny feet so bought my summer shoes. 3 pairs – high, low and comfy! The code is Bunny if anyone’s interested?? PS my Liberty purchases arrived too! 😃😃😃😃😃
🛍🛍🛍 These pesky bloggers! 😉 My Liberty purchases were totally justifiable in my opinion… The prints on my daughter’s t-shirts are really pretty, especially the Alice in Wonderland one. The gilet is light as a feather, be interesting how warm it is. It came with its own Liberty travel bag to fold it up into too, so well worth it 😉 Hope you’ll be sharing yours in your SSs x
I will, in my Sunday sevens. The long dress is gorgeous, perfect for my holidays! I was nearly tempted with the gilet too, I bet you’re daughter will look lovely in her new clothes 😃
🙂 Love the fact the dresses had built in bras, perfect for holidays. Daughter’s birthday tomorrow, itching to let her see them…
Love that first jacket, very special. I’m trying not to look at the Liberty in Uniqlo!
Isn’t it lovely? Hopefully now it’s the Easter break I can have a play around with my wardrobe and see what it works with. Yes, a dangerous website indeed. Best stay away if you don’t want to be tempted…
Great finds, I love a good rummage in a charity shop!!
Thanks Trisha. Always worth a look… Can be dangerous though!
All lovely! I know what you mean – making so much yourself does make you feel even more guilty buying RTW I think, even thought it sometimes can’t be avoided. All of that Liberty collection is just way too tempting…
Thank you! Annoyed with myself but could see the funny side of it too. Ah, well one reader mentioned that charity shop shopping doesn’t count, I’m going with that one… 😉
I love the jacket with the trim. So beautiful! I think you found a gem there.
Thank you! Resistance was futile… 😉
Wow you did well in 20 minutes! That handmade? jacket looks very well made if it is handmade, So pleased you saved it from landfill 🙂
Wish I didn’t have such a ‘talent’ for shopping, but couldn’t resist these. That cream one does need to earn its keep though, so need to get wearing it…
I hate shopping. Probably because I’m so tall and have big feet, so nothing standard fits. Lovely your buys all round, but I do love your cream charity shop jacket – but then I am a sucker for cables.
I have the opposite problem in the shortness department (but have oddly ‘normal’ sized feet annoyingly. tiny feet would mean fab bargains in sales). The cream jacket is so lovely and the knit fabric does make it slightly less dressy, hoping I can dress it down further to make it more wearable 🙂
Shame about the shoe bargains – although I’m sure if you had small feet you’d discover some other drawback. For me there never are bargain shoes. The large sizes that get left over tend to have massive heels, because, of course, most people with big feet are tall. Look forward to seeing what you do to dress down your jacket.
I do love to shop but it has to be a bargin, of course. Gladly, I have reached a time in my life where I am more of need than want person…..unless I am in the fabric store!!
🙂 My problem is I love fabric and clothes too much. I am getting slowly better at the ‘one in, one out’ mantra, but my wardrobe is still groaning under strain…