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Etsy store find

My first ever Etsy purchase arrived today, and it's great! I don't buy a lot of vintage as I source more than enough to keep myself going, but the odd unusual item finds its way into my wardrobe. Seems to be some amazing vintage in the US. I guess it's a big place. This Diane Von Furstenburg 80s shirt was on sale and at just under $40 aud including postage a bargain, bought from Tree and Kimball market in Philadelphia.

It's even better than the picture, lovely pastels and just love the cut and batwing sleeves. I can tell I'll get a of wear from this one!

Flashdance flashback 1983

In the same week I happened by chance to start a new dance class and see Flashdance on TV. Perfect timing. As well as admiring the 80s leotards and leggings, which are always fun, I noticed Jennifer Beal's wardrobe was quite current in many ways, (excluding the massive perm). I like the boyish clothes she wears in the film when she's not dancing.

She just looks cool and wears it all so well, especially when riding her fixed gear bike!

But of course the dance gear is great too! Even though at this point I'm probably the worst in the class, I think I need to bite the bullet and buy the XXL legwarmers from bloch....in black!

See more images here at Cafe Mode.

School-style satchels

Satchel style bags seem to be very popular right now - whenever I have one for sale at any of my market stalls they're snapped up right away. These are usually 1970s or 80s era fashion bags, made for women and mostly made from tan coloured leather. This one by the Cambridge satchel company is great because it's true to a traditional school satchel bag, no fussy styling, but comes in the perfect choice of colours both traditional and bright. At around $150 aud inc postage for the smallest handbag size it's pretty good value for a unique everyday bag.

Desert boots

It seems like it's getting colder and colder by the day here in Melbourne and my converse just aren't cutting it. Just in time I found these cute desert boots from Hobes which should provide better Winter warmth and a bit more style. Still can't quite decide on black or beige. Or both. From Obus or online.

Hello Sailor THIS SATURDAY 29th of May

1972 wig print ad

Can you believe something called a 'wiglet' was ever in fashion?

Cut out shoes

Cut out heels have been a big trend for the past year or so but I prefer flats mostly, so happy to find some cute examples like those above by Jeffrey Campbell. Reminds me very much of the 80s, but in a good way - reminiscent of a great pair of peach cut out pointy lace-up flats my sister had. Teamed with a taffeta skirt and top ensemble also in peach, I thought it was the coolest outfit. Nowadays I'm not so keen wearing pastels, but I'd be happy to own any of the following cut out style shoes. Not so good in the rain though!

Jeffrey Campbell


Office UK


....and check out this website I found on the many ways to lace a shoe.

Creepy clothing revolution

Antique men's rings

Sometimes I feel more drawn to men's jewellery than women's - I like my accessories simple and bold. This year I inherited this special ring from my late dear Grandpa. It's a U.S. navy signet ring adorned with anchor & American eagles on each side. There's a few different stories behind the ring - my Grandpa was fought in WWII in the Australian army, so it wasn't originally his. I love the stories behind it and the imagery, but really it's sentimental and I love wearing it because it was his.

The rings for sale on Three Graces are similarly interesting. I can't quite believe the Hungarian silver 'ring of eons' c. 1450:

and this amazing crest ring c. 1930

Or perhaps a carved coral horses head stickpin?

Hello Sailor Vintage Fair February

Hello Sailor Vintage Fair is a monthly event at the Grace Darling Hotel in Collingwood. I'm a regular stall holder and in February I'll be there on Saturday 27th. This month I'm extending my 'pastels & nudes' section (currently I'm drawn to anything in sorbet tones, colours that don't suit me at all but love nonetheless)......see you there!

Rare bird of fashion - Iris Apfel

It probably sounds condescending, but I always get a thrill when i spot an older person with obvious or outlandish style. Not that I think being stylish is the domain of the young, just that it seems the older people get, the more conservative they become, and it seems that dressing for practicality and comfort is number one. So when i see someone in their 70s or 80s (and beyond) who has put some thought into their outfit, or dresses head to toe in pink, or just wears some crazy jewelry, I want to cheer!

Recently while flicking through Italian Vogue i saw an article on Iris Apfel, and despite being unable to read the article (despite approximately 5 years of Italian class at school) I saw the photo of what I want to be when i grow old and knew I had to investigate further.

At 88 Iris Apfel is presenting an exhibition from her own eclectic collection of 82 ensemble and over 300 accessories gathered over more than 50 years from flea markets, top designers and world travel. A former interior designer and owner of textile and design company Old World Weavers, Apfel was a socially prominent New York style setter in her younger years, mixing high end with low end, designer with vintage and ethnic to create her own exuberant style.

Nowadays she is a 'style doyenne' who regularly lectures on fashion and style, and whose exhibition at the Met was touted as one of the most important influences on the fall 2006 collections of many of the world's most influential designers.

You have to love someone who likes to call herself 'the world's oldest teenager' and describes her style as either 'zen simple or madly baroque'!

Round she goes fashion market

Here's a few photos from the latest Round she goes fashion market Sunday before last at the fittingly retro Camberwell Centre. It was the busiest one so far, with crowds of people throughout the day and lots of great new stalls. I bought a fabulous 1960s black cocktail wiggle dress for myself. Look forward to posting some pictures when i finish a few little repairs.

The next fair is Sunday 4th of October - mark it in the diary! In the meantime check back soon for more info on the upcoming 'mini' Round she goes vintage market at a Melbourne central eco-fashion event in August.

4711 - hip like grandma & grandpa

My favourite fragrance at the moment - i love having a few on the go - is 4711, the original eau de cologne launched by the design house of Muelhens in 1792. It's a secret blend of essential oils with head notes of bergamont & citrus fruits, heart of lavender and rosemary and base notes of neroli (bitter orange blossom extract) which together make a fresh unisex fragrance.


I think it's the packaging i like best though, can't go past the colour combination of peacock blue and gold - think early seventies French riviera. Check out some great vintage TV commercials here.

Nike even released a 4711 design sneaker in 2007!

Rocco's hand made shoes

Age 14 saw me obsessed with sixties rock bands and I tried my best to hone my 'hippie rock' look. First stop was Rocco's shoe store on Station street, East Malvern, Melbourne where my older sister's arty boyfriend took my to get some bespoke black suede pull on pointy boots.

Rocco Bufalo is an Italian-born shoemaker who has been hand making shoes and boots for around 40 years. Now in his early seventies, his son is learning the craft of shoemaking to carry on the tradtion. Bands and artists such as The Strokes (Albert Hammond Jr seen here wearing said boots), Bon Jovi, David Bowie have been known to put in their own orders.

His style is very much fifites and sixties rock & roll, but you can be as crazy or classic as you like. First step is to browse the shop and pick out some favourites from the display shelves. Choose one pair for the heel you like (flat, medium, cuban heel maybe?), another for the leather (leopard print perhaps!) another for the style (pull on boots, zip up mod style, flat lace ups.....). Finally, Mrs Bufalo will take your shoe size by placing foot on a sheet of A4 paper and tracing it.

In a few weeks, for around $200, you'll have your own bespoke boots. I'm planning a visit soon so I'll be sure to post the final result - stay tuned!

Round she goes

Round she goes pre-loved fashion market is on Sunday 22nd March at Tivoli, 291 Dandenong road Prahran, 10am-3pm and entry is $2. Round she goes features second-hand designer clothing, vintage clothing and garments & jewellery by local designers. My stall will feature some of the more unusual and special items I've been collecting recently - hope you can make it.

Check out the website http://www.roundshegoes.com.au and join the facebook group. The market is held at the German Tivoli club in Prahran, so after some serious shopping you can enjoy a schnitzel and beer in the restaurant!

Hello Sailor vintage fair - THIS SUNDAY!

Come down to the Carlton Club on Bourke street and say hi....

Bringing back the Swatch

Most people don't wear watches any more, myself included up until recently, but I got sick of pulling out my mobile phone every time I wanted to check the time. I kept buying cheap second hand Swatch Watches from the 80s, maybe it was nostalgia, although mainly I actually like the design. The standard ladies is the perfect size for a small wrist and the early to mid eightes models are simple and minimalist - especially love the men's 'white out' model from 1987 pictured above - white face, band and hands. Might need keen eyesight to read the time but who cares, it's looks great. Keep an eye on my Ebay store for Swatch watches from time to time.

Ethically sound el-cheapo sandshoe

As much as i do love my cheap as chips $9.95 Big W sand shoes (as featured in my very first post), in my heart I know there's a reason they're $9.95 and it's probably not only because they're made of canvas and rubber. I've just discovered Gideon's shoes, an 'ethical sneaker brand' with working conditions in line with Australian standards of employment. Another reason to upgrade to Gideon's shoes - $5 from each pair (they retail $39.95) goes to HipHoperations desert project, a programme which aims to empower young indigenous people through music. They're also a fine looking unisex canvas shoe in a colour for every day of the week.

Buy Gideon's shoes online, or at General Pants.

Hello Sailor vintage fair - this Sunday!

Join us this Sunday 9th of November at the Carlton Hotel for the second Hello Sailor vintage fair. Pretty Percy will be there and I've just bought HEAPS of new stock, so much of it I'm very tempted to keep for myself including this great ship brooch and pendant. Hope to see you there!