Monday 3 November 2014

What? This old thing? - Wardrobe rummage finds

The house sale continues to trundle along at a sedentary pace, so I'm making use of the time to sort through every item in the house and have a good old declutter.  That includes the wardrobes.  Him indoors has already made some jumper donations to charity, I've acquired quite a stash of fabric (still masquerading as items of clothing!) and we have new dusters courtesy of some old t shirts.

Today I turned my attention to the spare wardrobe in the back bedroom, the place where I hide my second hand treasures (and him indoors has a suit, yes, a three piece suit!).  I did have a bit of a declutter about a year ago and sold some vintage dresses I had acquired donkey's years ago, and was rather attached to.  They didn't suit me and I could not envisage ever wearing them, so onto ebay they went.

I have always had regular wardrobe clearouts, and when you buy second hand that's easy to do with a clear conscience I find.  Thankfully, some pieces just get left behind in the sortout. 

Today I found this fabulous black and white swirly pattern velvet coat, one of a few fur hats I have and used to wear, these gorgeous soft as butter leather Clarks lace up boots with Louis style heel, an old sleeveless dress I wear as a pinafore (with lace top underneath which cannot be seen), and a black with silver thread scarf which was a gift ages ago and I do actually wear occasionally.  Oh, and those tights were straight out of the packet but are a couple of years old, I have a tights habit!

When I had put it all on I felt rather mutton, as in mutton dressed as lamb.  Yet not too long ago I would happily wear similar items to go to work in and not give it a second glance.  I don't like this lack of confidence, and wonder if it is to do with approaching 50?  I was more than happy to hit 40 head on and relished in my confidence and attitude.  I follow older bloggers who could wear the same things and look stunning.  I just feel overdressed. Maybe I've been slobbing around in jeans for too long.  Maybe this is the kick up the backside I need to start dressing up for the day?  Make-up wouldn't hurt either!  I do have some so there's no excuses.

So, do I need to bother dressing up more often or am I mutton dressed as lamb?

Outfit

Velvet coat - Birmingham Rag Market £20 many years ago
Dress - Tesco sale £7 years ago
Boots - ebay £15
Tights - Boots the Chemist sale (probably less than a pound)
Black fur hat - Next sale, less than a fiver
Sparkle scarf - gift 

As I'm wearing a hat I'll take the opportunity to link up with the incredibly stylish Judith of Style Crone for her latest Hat Attack!

15 comments:

  1. I bet I know which stall that coat was from! He's still there , looking more like Elvis by the day.
    I'm 48 in a month and I honestly feel more confident by the day, I think you're right, you've just got out of the habit. Fab outfit, gorgeous figure - I'd like to see some really bright opaques to really make the whole look POP! xxx

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    1. Mmm, need to dress up more now then, get my confidence back. Not sure that will ever stretch to bright opaques though, I'm too mousy for that! I need to have a look round the old rag market again too! xxx

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  2. I definitely think you've just got out the habit as you look really stylish and not at all muttonish!!! The hat, well indeed all of it, is super! Lovely to visit you VIA Hat attack! X

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    1. Thanks for popping by, Kezzie, and for the lovely comment! xxx

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  3. I honestly don't think age has anything to do with it. And I have a particular dislike for the "mutton dressed as lamb" phrase; it's directed exclusively at women, and is a real put-down of any woman who wears what she likes without regard for restrictive "rules". So there! You look great; the coat, the boots, the tights, love them. Dress up and enjoy it; I'm older than you, and I do! And if anyone dared to suggest I shouldn't, I'd give them a right old mouthful! xxx

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    1. Hmm, there is no male equivalent, is there?? No-one would ever suggest you shouldn't dress up because you always look so great, you get it spot on every time! I'm confidence building now but it's baby steps! xxx

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  4. You look fantastic! Stylish and chic, plus I always enjoy your brilliant writing. You hat tops off the ensemble to perfection. Thank you for sharing with Hat Attack!

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    1. Thank you, Judith for commenting. Those words from one of the most stylish women in blogland are pure gold! xxx

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  5. Enjoy dressing up, you. look great , I am much older than you and would wear this in a hearbeat.
    The more you do it, the better it feels, just a matter of leaving your comfort zone

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    1. Hi Jill, thanks for visiting, and for your comment! I'm following your blog now, looks interesting xxx

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  6. Apparently there is a Clarks boots theme in blogger land this week! Love yours! The whole outfit is wonderful and anyone who thinks you're too old to dress like that needs to take a long walk off a short pier.

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    1. Haha, yes the Clarks lace up boots! Yours are gorgeous, love that whole steampunk vibe! Love your blog, thanks so much for stopping by. xxx

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  7. I think it all looks amazing on you--- don't you dare get rid of those!

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  8. Great style, and your blog a refreshing discovery. Love the outfit head to toe.
    FF

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  9. Would be nice if you joined Bloglovin for ease of following your style!
    FF

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