Its been quite a while since my last getaway. In fact I think the last time I did relocate with the sole intention of having a good time and relaxing was three years ago for my birthday. It was a really fun weekend with old friends, celebrating a new life.
Here I am at Monday and I know I have a list a mile long of important things I should do but I just cant be bothered. My brain keeps stopping on guest lists, decorations, food, and what to wear.
What to wear.
Most gals would go out and buy a new frock of special magnificence with new shoes and a bag but I am not most gals. I like vintage. I like old. I like hunting for special pieces of rare cuts and fabric with eccentric trims and an unusual look. I like to revive castoffs because everything can be special if its treated the right way.
Op-shopping.
The art of sifting through piles of old secondhand items to find that one special treasure that makes your eyes light up and your heart beat faster because its been hidden here waiting just for you. I get an endless satisfaction for recognizing value where others cant. My best buys, to date, have been my Pucci handbag, Via Spiga bag, a Georges of Melbourne cashmere coat and several pairs of spanish shoes.
I have friends who just dont understand it at all and are mildly disgusted by the idea of wearing someone else's clothes. Even 'new clothes' have passed through many pairs of grubby hands in the production process so I dont see it as much different. I am fairly discerning anyway and many years of working in retail fashion has trained my eye for telltale signs that warn to stay away from a piece. What I find especially amusing is the same people who dont like the idea of op-shopping still admire what I wear that comes from these places.
Lately the choice has been a bit drab. The usual haunts are lacking anything imaginative and are just too popular and busy( and getting pricey too I might add) so I ventured further afield today. The key is to find an area of wealth and search for the castoffs there.
My reward for a quick visit to a tiny little shop in Malvern was a fabulous cream silk flouncy poet shirt, a Trent Nathan Silk shirt and pair of Audrey Hepburn style black pants. (You can never have too many pairs of black pants.)
3 gorgeous stylish pieces, without a mark, for under $20. I am a happy girl.
Its now raining outside and I have a fabulous outfit idea to work on. I think I will go with it and enjoy the day rather than trying to force myself to do work stuff. After all, Monday is technically my day off- if I recall what that is.
Cheers
The Baroness
