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Oxfam Sligo held their first giant swap shop event last month in the Radisson Hotel in Sligo and I’m really hoping they’re planning some more. Oxfam is a reasonably new edition to Sligo – we’ve lots of church charity shops but not that many that do decent secondhand/vintage clothes for those of us looking for a bit of thrift style. Oxfam cultivates a culture of giving and recycling which I really like, and you know it’s going to a good cause which is even better.
I’ve had 2 giant bin bags of clothes waiting to be dropped off somewhere for the last 6 months so this was perfect- I brought them to the Radisson instead and got vouchers for each thing, more for suits and coats and less for skirts and things. I had enough vouchers in the end to buy a small shop, so D and me were both able to get a whole bunch of free new additions to our respective wardrobes.
I wasn’t sure what to expect clothes wise, and I’m not the easiest to fit without trying things on first, but I was really surprised; I ended up with quite the haul. I picked up a great cream bouclee dress and crop jacket that isn’t quite right, but I’ll hang on to it a bit and see if I can make it work. A white cotton/lace dress that reminded me of the wholesome peasant look that chanel is going for this Spring Summer is just a bad fit- I look truly wrong in it, so that, along with a red cardi thing from awear are going back in the charity bag. Another zara dress isn’t great on top so I’ve turned it into a skirt and I love it.
the once dress, now skirt (zara)
I picked up two lovely scarves – a mustard woollen scarf and a black pashmina – something I’ve wanted for an age. I found a really unusual necklace; crochet suspended in a wire frame that needed a few tassles removed, but looks great now.
Crochet/Lace Necklace
And I picked up a darling red and white polka dot dress that I was not at all convinced about, but is actually really cute on, especially with the grey oasis cardi I picked up alongside it. The dress is the kind of thing I would have never bought in a shop, or even thought to try on, and it shows how great a bit of risky thrifting can be.
Polka dot dress and grey cardi
Lanvin and Chanel contrasts for SS 2010
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a major fashion lover, I’m just not a major fashion mentioner on this blog. When I set up Stranded the idea was to make it a guide to things to do in Sligo and Dublin, so I focused on music, galleries, theatre, walks- things you get out and do. But I’m only barely getting into my blog groove and I’ve decided shopping and fashion is also something you do, so it might make the odd appearance on here as the year goes on.
I visited the amazing Vivienne Westwood “A Life in Fashion” exhibition in Hong Kong this time last year (originally of the V&A) and it immediately made me want to up my clothing game. I’ve subscribed to American Vogue for years, but watching The September Issue has ratcheted my love up a few more notches – how I can’t wait to re-watch it at home with a copy of the actual 2007 September issue of the mag in my mitts to refer to. Online there are no end of inspirational options, but The Sartorialist has to be the best magazine style photo blog.
To keep my inspiration going I’m going to follow some real life ladies online. I’ve been reading Delightfully Tacky for the last while, a lass who is anything but, and is instead a super stylish lady who happens to like in Alaska, go her. I’ve also been following Irish lass Rosemary MacCabe on twitter and started checking out her blog lately which I love – check her out and her outfit pics. Through her I discovered the Idee Geniale blog- and yes, this lady is living in New York but I reckon the looks can still be rocked in small town Sligo. Love their work.
I’ve started things off with a good old shopping trip in the sales where I’ve snapped up some great buys to get me excited about dressing in the new year, roll on a sartorially delightful 2010.
Watching Sonic Youth on Jools Holland the other night and couldn’t help but notice Kim Gordon inimitable style. Music prowess aside she cuts quite a dash in a short black dress, lace gloves and the bang on about-to-be-trend of nude heels. Outfit is rocking no question, and perhaps no surprise from a some time designer with X-girl behind her and a new line (well, 1 kicking jacket does not a line make, but I’m sure there’s more to come) in Mirror Dash.
Got me to wondering about the statement behind the outfit choice though. As a performer, an artist and someone extremely aware of her visual impact there is surely a statement to be made by a woman in her fifties rocking a dress that emphasizes her age - confronting it head on by drawing attention to her arms and her legs (the first things women tend to cover up as they grow older) and wearing a dress more suited to a girl in her twenties. She looked so in control of her image and her age, quite apart from how in control she is of the stage and the music of course- but that’s a given.
