The Good Life

Remember these "Mirror Selfies" from the Franny Gets Frocked Facebook page a while ago?

Well, I've finally had the perfect occasion to build an outfit around this wild psychedelic print vintage dress/kaftan - a dinner date on a sultry Spring evening - & in doing so, am channeling Margo Leadbetter from The Good Life. 

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A British television phenomenon, the sitcom ran from 1975 - 1978 & chronicles the midlife crisis faced by Tom Good, a 40-year-old plastic designer (he makes those little toys they give away as prizes in cereal boxes) who quits his job on a whim to try his hand at becoming "totally self-sufficient" in his suburban London home, ably assisted by his wife Barbara. The idea of eschewing fancy dinners, new clothes & other creature comforts horrifies their conventional neighbours, Yuppie-before-the-term-existed Jerry & social-climber-with-a-heart-of-gold Margo, who COMPLETELY stole the show, so much so that Penelope Keith was eventually given her own spin-off, To The Manor Born. 

www.vintagetvposters.co.uk

Margo was ever-the-fashionista & had never met a 1970s trend she didn't want to try: kaftan, psychedelic, head-wraps, macrame... This fearless, crazy, quintessentially 1970s style has enjoyed a resurgence lately, reaching cult status with the younger crowd - particularly University of New Hampshire break-out designer Lisa Jinks, who used Margo as inspiration for her latest fashion show:

www.fashionforecast.co.uk

Loving 1970s style with a passion myself, clearly, I am "Team Margo" all the way...

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Dress: Vintage, Acorn Hostess Wear elastane

Heels: Novo patent

Clutch: Diana Ferrari patent

Hinged Bangle: Wallace Bishop silver & elastic

Hinged Clip Bangle: Gift

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This vivid, psychedelic print maxi dress/kaftan is a statement on its own & therefore needs little embellishment. All I have done is add sculptural accessories to show it off to its full potential - black patent platform sandals with peep toe detail, curved clutch with silver clasp, chunky silver hinged bangle & silver & black hinged clip bangle to pick up on the "trippy" curved lines inherent in the print.

And how amazing is the back?! I think Margo would approve...