Feeling Groovy

 

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Dress: Romance Was Born lurex, sparkles, lace, satin

Jacket: Just Jeans leather, buttons

Ankle Boots: Wittner patent leather

Tights: Razzamatazz 40 denier nylon

Bag: French Connection vinyl, suede with silver hardware

Bangle: Gift, 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles vintage silver

Bangle: Gift, 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles vintage buffalo horn, silver

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As we enter our third day of lockdown, instead of focusing on yet another round of rather disheartening Covid 19 outbreak related news, I'm sharing some joyful pictures of an outfit I recently styled up to attend a belated birthday Swinging Sixties Murder Mystery Party with one of my dearest friends. I'm wearing an utterly bonkers yet absolutely amazing bright pink floral stretch lace & silver sequin spotted (talk about a mouthful!) asymmetrically-tiered mini dress with black satin tie neckline from celebrated Aussie design duo Romance Was Born, a Victorian-inspired cropped black leather jacket with a myriad of tiny buttons from Just Jeans that I've had for about ten years now that just gets softer & better with each year & each wear, a pair of shiny black patent leather ankle boots with chunky heels from Wittner, 40 denier nylon tights from Razzamatazz to keep my legs feeling toasty-warm & a boxy black vinyl & suede handbag with silver handles from French Connection to carry all the essentials. Jewellery was kept to a minimum due to the busyness of the dress - a gifted thin silver vintage bangle & thin vintage buffalo horn bangle with silver patch from 20th Century Antiques & Collectibles at Coolangatta for that added touch of boho glam.

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And finally...

Swinging Sixties

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Dress: Sister Jane embroidered organza, satin

Heels: Shoes of Prey glitter, leather

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After watching Quentin Tarantino's love letter to American film industry "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" & absolutely LOVING it (I know that not everyone shares my feelings but honestly, who doesn't wish the whole Manson murder spree had turned out differently) I'm once again obsessed with all things 1960s - the fashion! the music! the hair! - & this gorgeous little embroidered organza mini dress with high neck & ruffled hemline from whimsical British label Sister Jane absolutely spoke to me! The sweet little blue & orange flowers with touches of gold metallic thread dotted all over the top layer really "pop" against the white lining & make the dress look really groovy, particularly when mixed with the amazing gold glitter & white leather wedge heels from (sadly now defunct) Shoes of Prey that I picked up from an absolute song from a resale store in the Wintergarden in Brisbane.

Scroll down to see more & cue the Neil Diamond music...

Dolly (Rain) Bird

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Dress: Vintage, 1960s Brant Sinclair crepe

Heels: L&J Gallery leather & patent pumps

Clutch: Vintage, Glomesh 

Watch: Vintage, Loyal gold

Hinged Bangle: Montville Gift Shop gold & resin

Umbrella: Free Gift with Marie Claire magazine (years ago)

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Channeling 1960s Twiggy (check out the feet placement!) on this showery Sunday in a vintage Brant Sinclair baby-doll smock - a gift from a dear friend who knows how much I adore the era of the so-called "Dolly Birds." 

Much like yesterday's post, the eclectic ensemble is based around this weekend's accessory du jour: the patterned umbrella, this one a mixed stripe & floral print in shades of purple, pink & green. With that in mind, scroll down for some rainy day hi-jinks before we get into all that "nitty gritty" fashion stuff... 

After waiting for a day cool enough to bust out three-quarter, puffy-shouldered, modified leg-of-mutton-style sleeves & a dress made of heavier crepe fabric, it seemed like a no-brainer to make the most of the unexpected conditions in this mustard mini-smock with contrasting cream yoke detail.

A modern addition to this vintage gem is the delicate, iron-on floral embroidery around the neckline & in the middle of the hemline, providing visual interest on what is a rather basic cut & style, indicative of its retro origins. See below for a close-up:

When it came to accessories, I decided to stick with shapes & styles that were "of the era." This pair of mid-heeled pumps/court shoes from L&J Gallery were a funky, modern find with a retro sensibility inherent in their mix of purple leather sides, grey patent tips & gold buckle details. 

To match the grey patent tips of the pumps, I chose a vintage, grey Glomesh clutch in a rectangular shape - large enough to carry around all the essentials & with a detachable strap tucked away inside, just in case I need to keep my hands free - with gold hardware. Glomesh & Glomesh-style bags & clutches are having somewhat of a resurgence lately & can be found in a myriad of colours to work with any ensemble or pair of killer heels... Personally, I'm on the lookout for one in a bright shade of red, so if you see one, don't hesitate to send me a quick email telling me of its whereabouts...

A couple of rather special pieces of gold jewellery finished the look off nicely, starting with this vintage gold watch that once belonged to my Nanna, Violet. Sadly, she passed away almost 25 years ago, but I am honoured to be able to wear items of jewellery that she once did as a kind of tribute to her & the loving relationship we shared.

The final jewellery item was a gold & cream resin hinged bangle with inlaid pictures of butterflies & flowers of a similar style to the dress' floral embroidery, pictured in detail:

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"...one pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small and the ones that mother gives you don't do anything at all..." 

"Swinging Sixties" vibes for this Sunday with "White Rabbit" (1967) by Jefferson Airplane

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