On the weekend, I was lucky enough to be invited to a 40th birthday party of our neighbours. It was a fairly lavish do with a large marquee, champagne, lots of live music, some fantastic singing and even some posh portaloos! The dress code was black tie which was ideal for me as I haven’t had the chance to get properly dressed up in ages. I also love love seeing everyone dressed up in their dickie bows and best dresses.
Rather than buy a new dress (it could be a while before I get to wear it again), I decided to make use of something that I already had in my wardrobe. I got this dress from a vintage fair in Bath a few years ago and have not had nearly enough opportunities to wear it. I have no idea how old it is as the label says ‘Richard shops’. Hopefully I don’t giveaway my age when I say that I remember my mum buying clothes from Richard shops and possibly even bought a few pieces myself back in the day. According to Wikipedia the brand was popular through from the sixties to 1992 when the shops finally closed. My earrings were a present from Mr S to wear on my wedding day 15 years ago and the tights have been in my drawer for at least a few years and got me lots of compliments. The shoes are at least 4 or 5 years old aswell. All in all I was pleased that I managed to put together an outfit for a black tie party without buying anything new. I think I could probably have searched the high street for hours (which I just don’t have time for) and not managed to find an outfit that made me as happy as the old one I wore!
This summer has been pretty amazing so far we have been out and about doing so many fun things and we have lots more planned including holidays, spa days and festivals. As much as I love buying clothes, there really is no point in doing so if you never get out and about to show them off. Hence my new motto, ‘Buy Less, Live More!’. I think doing stuff is so much more fun than buying stuff.
What do your or would you wear to a black tie party? do you have something amazing in your wardrobe that is just waiting for a special occassion?
With warmest wishes
I have been to two balls recently (which reminds me that I still need to blog about the second one) and both times I’ve managed to find something in my wardrobe and complete the outfit by rummaging in charity shops.
I love your outfit here, it just goes to show that shopping your wardrobe can sometimes pay off!
I’m loving that chair too, where did you find that? Something like that would look lovely in my office
Hazel – World of Joy recently posted..Vintage Postcard Finds
Thanks for your lovely comments Hazel. I hope you are well? I have been meaning to blog aboutt he chair for quite a while but haven’t had a chance. It is fair trade and made from recycled saris. It is perfect for me as I am short and the low height allows me to put my feet flat on the floor unlike most chairs. I got it from here http://www.moonstruckhome.co.uk/retro-kantha-nest-chair-393-p.asp, they have some pretty amazing stuff!
Thanks Ceri, I’ve bookmarked the page – I can’t tell you how tempted I am! I have a similar problem with chairs. We have a swing chair in the garden – if I sit on the wooden seat I can touch the floor but if I put the seat cushion on (and am therefore comfortable) my feet swing free!
Hazel – World of Joy recently posted..Vintage Postcard Finds
That dress is gorgeous! xo
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What a lovely dress! So good that you could wear something from your wardrobe again too – I am going to tons of weddings this year and am getting good use out of some dresses in my wardrobe I haven’t worn much, which is so much better than buying something new I’ll only wear a couple of times a year if that.
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That dress looks fab on you, glad you had a lovely time!
I used to be made to spend hours in Richard Shops as a child – I’m 47 and a half and not at all afraid to give my age away! The shop changed its name to “Richards” in the mid-1980s and did a fancy range of evening clothes called “Opera”. xxx
Vix recently posted..…And at the end of the day, your hair should be messy, your feet dirty and your eyes sparkling
Awesome post, Ceri! Super chic. I love your tights – where from? I’d love to find something similar here in Toronto. All the best, Angela
Hi Angela, I bought them quite a long time ago so can’t remember. I think they were probably from mytights.com, an online tights store. They have some similar ones there at the moment.
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