Thrift Inspiration........TheLittleBlackJacket.chanel.com-plus MyStyle by the decade

Firstly, a big HIYA to all my readers and followers!! I have been very noticeably absent for a number of life consuming reasons, but I seem to be back on an even keel and I'd like to resume blogging life if possible!!

I was suitably inspired by Karl Lagerfeld's and Carine Roitfeld's exhibition which has taken place already in Tokyo and is due to open in New York on 8 June: The Little Black Jacket, with the book to follow later this year. There were109 fashion and famous personalities taking part by wearing the iconic Chanel little black jacket in their own way, with Karl and Carine taking the photos in his Paris photographic studio within six days with the results being shown in the forthcoming exhibitions and the lavish coffee table book:

The exhibition will be visiting London later this year with the book coming out on sale too-I will definitely make my way to see this, cannot wait!!

Anyhow, it inspired me to show off some of my collection of Little Black Jackets- I had a count up and have 10 in total!! Here are my favourites which span the decades, from the 1970s right upto the 2010s-you can never have too many, no??

This first one is my most recent and current in style purchase-by COS, I purchased it from the British Heart Foundation on Sunday for only £6.99 and I love the flared 3/4 sleeves and zipper detail-a very minimalist and deconstructed style:

2010s-COS jacket

This next jacket is a boot sale find from last year, bought for only £3 and it is one of my absolute favourites-none other than Valentino, with the trademark lace detail around the lapels and neckline in a classic tuxedo style:



00s Valentino

Next, another favourite is this Thierry Mugler sculptured little black jacket, so tailored and form fitted, bought from my local Sue Ryder charity shop a couple of years ago now for £12:

                                            

90s Mugler

This next jacket was a special find a few years ago now in my local Salvation Army for only £2.50, a gorgeously cut fluid wool jacket by Issey Miyake from his Plantation line-classic 80s styling with batwing sleeves:

                                                                

 80s Issey Miyake

Lastly another favourite find is this wonderful unlabelled Janice Wainwright 70s jacket, with her distinctive applique and art deco styling in black wool crepe:

70s Janice Wainwright

So you can see I have a weakness for Little Black Jackets (as well as denim, but thats another blog post story!!)

What is your fashion weakness, I'd love to know what your indulgences are!!!

PS-Although I have not been commenting I have still been enjoying reading your blogs and will hopefully be over to leave a comment or two! Wishing you all a great week ahead!!

Thrifting for Pleasure and Giving back too

A couple of months ago whilst out on a London drive, we stopped off at West Hampstead as they have a nice little High Street with quite a few charity shops. I was looking for pieces for the Vintage Fashion Fair, but when I come across something I love, it will primarily end up in my wardrobe!

I found this gorgeous black wool crepe, satin applique and embroidered jacket in one of the charity shops. There was no label in it, but from looking I was quite sure from its Art Deco styling it could be by Janice Wainwright. I had found some other Janice Wainwright pieces similar to my jacket on Posh Vintage-her work is just so distinctive and detailed.

I also emailed my lovely blogger friend Ms Peelpants, who has an immense knowledge of all things vintage and has the very covetable and gorgeous online vintage shop, Vintage-A-Peel- do stop by there if you haven't already, she stocks really stunning vintage designer items.

She was 99.9% sure it is by Janice Wainwright and as I don't have any of her pieces, I'm definitely keeping hold of this!!

I have been very fortunate to thrift some truly lovely finds over the last few months and years come to that, so when I heard about the fire at the Oxfam Huddersfield Wastesaver plant last month, I decided to raid my wardrobe over the last few weeks for some quality items that I just did not wear or need anymore and this morning I took the bag to my local Oxfam branch.

I think when you thrift regularly its really quite nice to give back every now and then-not only do the charity benefit but its a great way of decluttering and keeping your wardrobe up to date with items you truly love and wish to keep for that much longer.

Now Summer is here-well for us in the UK, it's here one minute, gone the next-its a great time to have a wardrobe clear out and check those summer items are still wearable-if not, why not do a bag for charity and while you're there you can always have a rummage to replenish supplies!!

Have a great weekend everyone, whatever you get up to!!