Mega media company News Limited is wanting to cut carbon emissions across its operations and last week, by way of its 1degree initiative, launched a competition for employees – the prize is a Prius. Employees pledge to take up a personal environmental action, for a period of two weeks, and explain how it helps cut emissions.
Pic courtesy Katie Crackernuts
Katie Crackernuts (that’s her in the pic above) took up the 1degree op shop challenge, by wearing ONLY thrifted and recycled fashion to work for two weeks straight and keeping us in the loop on her blog. Katie became a finalist and is now in the top ten for the Prius (Go Katie!) She decided to spread the love by inviting fellow bloggers to write about their favourite op shop/second hand finds, or give treasure hunting tips to their readers.
Pia’s joined in the fun, and shared some of her favourite Paris finds, so I thought I’d do so as well!
My Jackie O number. A close up so you can see the detail above, and below - blue lace over golden satin form-fitting dress with matching cropped jacket. Found in a vintage store off Carnaby Street. I think it was £70…and well worth it.
It fits snugly around the waist, and is terribly lady-like. I first wore it to my auntie’s wedding in Wales and as I sat down in the back pew of the church the seam ripped from below my butt to just above. Nice. Cue frantic search for Port Talbot’s only sewing kit. The cotton was rotten, as they say. The wedding was great, though!
My favourite, from Bang Bang in Soho (a bit like Circa Vintage here in Melbourne) – London: a perfect Vivianne Westwood frock at a ridiculous price.
So ridiculous, as in I bought it without even blinking. The incredible feat of engineering in the dress is why I love Viv’s work. It’s like an internal invisible scaffold.
Pulls it in, pushes it up and voila…ker-pow dress.
Ms Westwood’s PR cleared out her closet before moving to Italy, and I happened to have the day off and the op-shop gods smiled upon me.
I may not be able to afford a red-carpet Viv gown, but this red-label piece is infinitely more wearable on a regular basis.
Next up, an ice-blue 50’s frock, as found in Elmore. The perfect fit, and an absolute bargain – $40. Bit hard to tell on the hanger but it too fits like a glove. The crossed over collar, the draped detail at the hem, all emphasising the good bits.
I’m going to finish up with the Mad Men coat.
I used to go to a great vintage night in East London run by Angel Adoree - she’d turn her fabulous little converted-schoolroom loft into a shop and play jazz, serve wine, and let us all rummage through her amazing collection. I found this coat baby there – the perfect length over a full skirt and heels. Check out that fabric! Just like wet black leaves.
Ahhh… how great is it to go over your favourite op-shop discoveries? Why is it I love these more than any of my other finds? Well, not all – I’ve got bags and jewellery to show too, but maybe another time, eh?
Filed under: Vintage | Tagged: 1degree, Angel Adoree, Bang Bang Soho, Brunswick, Elmore accommodation, Katie Crackernuts, Melbourne, Op Shop Challenge, op shops, recycled fashion, second hand clothes, vintage fabric, vintage London, vivienne westwood
Does eBay count? Cause you know I’m a busy lady. I don’t have time for op shops any more but I have found so many great things on ebay.
Oh and that beautiful lavender dress you found for me in Circa? The same thing happened with the thread on that. I wore it to a wedding also and by the end of the night the hem and sleeves were spilt! It really does ensure you act like a lady even when you are drunk though. One boisterous move and your dress could fall clean off!
Ebay totally counts. Think of all the greenhouse gasses you aren’t emitting by shopping online. Well done! You are my ebay idol. Have you had the lavender dress repaired? I am tempted to find a seamstress who can totally un-pick then re-sew the blue dress so it never leaves my butt hanging out at a formal event ever again!!!
One should always act like a lady, Calre. Josie taught us that. Non Nobis Solom, my dear. Non Nobis solom…
I agree. Ebay totally counts.
Mrs Brunswick, I want your wardrobe. That VW dress is fabulous, as is the blue lace and the whole Mad Men vibe. Love. Love. Love. So thrilled to have found you too. Hip hip hooray for Pia. Ta Pia for the introduction.
Aw, thank you Katie! I confess most of my finds end up being ‘for special occasions’ but I’m working towards a complete wardrobe. I do love these particular bits that much more because of their history. And that enormous thrill of finding something so very special that it seems to have found me, plus the added bonus of wearing something (in my mind, anyway) no-one else has! Oh I love it!
oh wow im loving your wardrobe the ice blue number looks incredible and the vivianne westwood frock – what a treat : )
[...] I really, really love about vintage shopping – aside from the ethical and environmental reasons, is that real lovers of vintage seem to truly delight in each [...]