Four Hundred Pennies’ Worth

Cane Hoops :: Loftus // Blanko Noir // No flashSome of my favouritest things out of my wardrobe are secondhand, and I don’t mean Vintage Important Pieces with pedigrees signed by the queen. I mean just little things I found in the local charity shop for a few pennies.

It’s a real pleasure to be able to shop in a charity store that has not been curated to within an inch of its life. It’s like entering an Aladdin’s cave – the possibility of treasure lurking under every lampshade, behind every worn out boiler suit truly exists. The discovery of some lovely piece amongst the dross is a sheer delight.

These large hoops are woven in cane. I love the earthy look the cane imparts, but the danger of using such a material is the association with dowdy (we Aussies would say ‘daggy’) rattan furniture of the 1980s. But it is the sheer size of them that takes them out of twee territory into chic. At just over 6cm across they are dramatic pieces of sculpture that swing from my ears.

This recent acquisition came from the Salvos charity store in Wodonga in country Victoria, and at only $4 I scored a bargain. And I think I got more than my money’s worth.

Coco and Karl

This is one of my favourite shots of the film, Audrey Tatou is photographed through the bannister rail on the stairs of Chanel’s atelier.Recently I watched the film Coco Avant Chanel again, and hugely enjoyed the documentaries on the DVD too. One of the things that struck me was how Coco Chanel did not like to show the knee – she found it inelegant. Karl Lagerfeld, on the other hand (or should that be leg?) is quite fond of revealing great swathes of bare thigh. Obviously one has to move with the times and all that, but I do wonder what she would think of Lagerfeld’s interpretation of her style.

More critically, Chanel’s raison d’être was comfort and ease of movement in women’s dress – this was in essence the very reason she began designing clothing. “I freed the body”, she said. Would she be shocked to see modern garments fashioned in her name that are as restrictive as Christian Dior’s New Look – of which she vehemently disapproved? This at least, most certainly.

Of course what is glimpsed on the runway is more outlandish – the better to capture the media’s attention – than what later comes forth from the atelier. I was therefore interested to rediscover this article from American Vogue* comparing Coco Chanel’s garments to Karl Lagerfeld’s. I am not a lover of the classic Chanel tweed suit (reeks too much of the bourgeoisie), but her 1928 satin gown with the asymmetrical hemline is divine, and the 1931 white lace gown is to die for. Lagerfeld’s golden tribute in 1996 is almost as good.

Click on the images for larger versions and have a read.

* Apologies, I am not sure which issue, although it is most likely 1996 as that is the most recent Chanel garment pictured

New Old Bag

Sometimes an old bag becomes new again. In the case of this little patent 70s number, it was not my old bag to start with, so really, it is a new old bag. Quite petite, it is remarkable how much it actually fits inside too. There is one main compartment that has a zipped pocket, with another slim pocket behind it, and then there are two compartments on either side of the kiss lock, where I can keep easy-access items, such as my public transport pass, keys, phone, iPod.

It’s like a Harry Potter bag – small on the outside, but so gargantuan on the inside I can practically fit the kitchen sink inside. Sometimes, in fact, it feels as heavy as though I am lugging the kitchen sink around. It’s like a mini-me version of my old favourite, and for a faux leather bag it’s held up impressively with daily use. Hopefully I will be carrying it until it’s an old new old bag. Or, more accurately, I’ll be an old bag carrying a really old bag. 

Ruled Out

Awww, I remember when I bought these cone-heeled platforms. Platforms were just coming into fashion. Generally I make it a rule to avoid heels that are leather-covered – they damage so easily, but I thought the cone shaped heels were simply awesome and bought them despite my misgivings. The leather was soft and they were comfortable to walk in. But look at them now. Scuffed, ripped, torn. Used up like an old shoe. It’s so sad. I hate to throw out things I once loved. They had their time in the sun though and did give me good service, so they deserve a tribute. Au revoir! 

Be Still My Jingling Hearts

I have long admired tribal jewellery, and irregularly window-shop on eBay for pieces. Of course there is plenty of costume jewellery, cheaply made and generic, but this necklace rather captured my heart because it was made from vintage textiles. An Afghan immigrant or refugee had made it  – whether this is actually true, or a selling tool I can’t confirm, except that the seller at Sirik did tell me after I had already made the purchase.

Composed of textile rimmed mirrored hearts, the necklace is strung with hundreds of seed beads and tiny bells. It was the colour palette that initially caught my eye: a very bright lemon yellow, orange and cerulean beads, and brass bells. The seller also informed me that the necklace would need to have a clasp attached: I chose to use an acid yellow grosgrain ribbon that is tied in a big bow on the back of the neck.

The bells of course tinkle constantly, which can be a little distracting. My work colleagues, when I wore this outfit on Friday, were remarkably forgiving. I was astounded how much attention the necklace drew however, strangers literally stopped me in the street, and sales assistants were equally effusive. It’s what I call a real heart-stopper of a necklace!