Second hand glad rags

Do you remember all those many, many months ago, voting for me in the MAD blog awards? And me getting through in the categories of Thrift and Craft? I know. I can barely believe it, even now. How awesome are you all, for doing that?

So awesome.

The awards ceremony is this Friday night, a swanky do at a posh hotel. So fancy is it all that brands have dolled up nominees and are sending them to the awards in gorgeous frocks. I haven’t bought a single new item of clothing in 7 years (I don’t mean to sound smug, I just love the pre-loved life), so tempted as I was, it didn’t feel right to take up the offer of being given new stuff to wear. Even if freeeee.

When the opportunity came up (er, I asked them) to get styled up by the Oxfam Fashion team, I JUMPED at it. Oxfam is my absolute favourite charity shop by a million miles. I have the BEST shop just next to my work and I would say a good 75% of my wardrobe is Oxfam-sourced.  Today was a massive treat, visiting their Notting Hill boutique store and having their beautiful stylist chose some stunning items for me. I was not too fussy myself – I loved just about every single thing on the shelves. It would be really hard to search for a a party gown in there and walk away empty handed.

I came away with 3 options for the awards ceremony.

Colonel Mustard

Check. Out. These. Troooosers. They are the softiest, silky, smart trousers I have ever worn. And they match perfectly my previously Oxfam- bought mustard heels. They are paired up with a versatile black lace top. I love this look but my only hesitation is that it is slightly on the casual side and I kind of like glamming it up a little bit when the twice yearly chance arises. But still. Delish and a total possibility, no?

Princess Royal

Funnily enough this was a dark horse number, completely overlooked until I noticed that it’s shape could be a winner. Once I had it on I fell in love with it. It is short enough to be a bit fun, whilst also being super classic. When I looked in the mirror I honestly, and bizarely, thought “HELLOOO! Princess Kaaaate”  –  sure enough it is by one of Kate Middleton’s go-to designers, Rebecca Taylor.  So now, despite it being sooo comfortable and nice, now I think it is a bit, kind, of, er, comfortable and, er, nice. In a “my-mum-in-law-is-the-Queen kind of way. (But maybe some crazy bling might sort that out?)

The Loveboat

How blinking outrageous is this dress? Seriously? I look like a saucy singer from an 80’s cruise ship.

I love it.

I love the green, the shape, the complete flamboyoncy of it. My slight worry is that everyone will be frightened to speak to me because it is just so startingly BOLD. Also. I would be very, very worried about my boobies flouncing out all night.

So. For real. What should I wear???!!! What are YOU wearing? And would you ever go for secondhand glamour?

PS Don’t look at how my drawers are open and have all my garments just thrust inside in a jumble, okay? My drawers, drawers. In the picture.

34 responses »

  1. Princess royal or colonel mustard for me

    Reply
  2. The colour of the purple princess one on the garish green one Luce, dye it! Its awesome, but a bit tropical, a darker colour and it will be well classy you sass pot! Im rooting for you winner

    Reply
  3. Love Boat! Without a doubt. The other outfits are nice, but do you really want nice?
    You’re going to the bloggy Oscar’s, aren’t you?

    p.s. you don’t look remotely scary or too bold as you put it, you look ace.

    Reply
  4. In my very humble opinion these are my thoughts:
    1. I like the pants and top but you’re right too casual and it’s not often that you get to dress up all fancy
    2. Nice dress – bling it up and you’ve got yourself a winner!
    3. Love it – what other chance will you get to wear it?!? I say wear this one : )

    Hope that helps. Look forward to photos if you get some.

    Reply
  5. I love all of them!!!! I noticed some of the other bloggers are running with these vouchers, ButI think you are doing the right thing! I am swing more towards the 1st one as we call it dress down glam, put a lovely necklace on and a nice bag you are on to a winner. Love boat reminds me of an 80’s cocktail party!!!! But still pretty cool. I am glad you stand by your ethics! You go gurl!!!

    Reply
  6. LOVEBOAT! That dress is amazing! Though if you are feeling too boobilicious I’d go for Princess Royal. If it’s a glam do – you’ve got to frock up.

    Reply
  7. It’s gotta be Loveboat, no?? GOOD LUCK xxxx

    Reply
  8. Wow, love all of them but I’m with the majority here it’s just got to be the ‘Loveboat’ number! xx

    Reply
  9. Love BOAT! You’re a dream ticket in it, embrace the sass! x

    Reply
  10. Princess Royal and some crazy bling would be my choice!

    Reply
  11. Hello! Really like them all (and it was such a fan idea to be styled by Oxfam for the event) but it has to be the Loveboat. If you can’t get your boobs out for an awards ceremony, then when can you?! But I really want those trousers…amazing. Hope you have fun!

    Reply
  12. Love boat love boat love boat! You’ll look fab!

    Reply
  13. I definitely reckon Princess Royal. But that’s probably because I love it and would have to lose far less weight to borrow it. But the fact that I love it is probably not a strong vote in its favour! (Can you keep the trousers anyway? LUSH!).
    You look completely beautiful in all three btw.

    Reply
  14. YOU GUYS ARE GONNA MAKE ME WEAR THE LOVEBOAT AREN’T YOU!!!

    Reply
  15. I like all of them- but number threes the only showstopper!!

    Reply
  16. Love Boat definitely for glam/wow-factor. You look great and so long as you can get some boob tape, you’ll be fine! The first is a little daytime casual (although adore the mustard colour and the fit on you) and the second is a little meet-the-parents/family party x

    Reply
  17. All gorgeous but you are clearly having so much fun in the Loveboat, that has to be the one.

    Reply
  18. Love boat, love boat, love boat. Without a doubt, you have to wear that dress – and I expect pictures (that sounds way more pervy than I intended…..)

    Reply
  19. I love all three. You look ace in all three. The mustard is very you. I really want the purple frock for myself. And the loveboat frock has a real wow factor. Go with the one that makes you feel best!

    Reply
  20. EXCITING! You look gorgeous in ’em all, and if it were day time I’d say Colonel Mustard but really it HAS to be love Boat.
    GOOD LUCK!
    xxx

    Reply
  21. Heh. Glad Rags here are a brand of ‘feminine napkins’.

    Reply
  22. OMGoodness … all of them are stunning but I’d go with the Loveboat … it just yells red carpet style! And good luck! Whether you win or not … you are a winner in my book! 🙂

    Reply
  23. The loveboat makes me think of Barry Manallow and cococpbanaana or whatever that song is called!!!!! All you need is fruit on your head like Carmen Miranda to finish it off tee heee!!!!!

    Reply
  24. I like Princess Royal and it’s probably the one I would choose for me. But this is for you and I reckon you can totally carry off The Loveboat. It’s an opportunity to get outrageously glammed up so I think you should go for it. And we expect a report back with photos please 😉

    Reply
  25. You have got to do love boat. Seriously, looks at those breasticles!!

    The mustard trews are lush also – do you get to keep them all?

    Reply
  26. I’m dithering but – if it was me I’d go Princess royal (although the title puts me of a bit!) I’ve just not got the equipment to keep Love boat floating as it were : ) However you do look as though you’re having the most fun in Love boat, the most comfortable in the trousers and your hair goes beautifully with Princess royal!
    Princess royal because of the hair, with a splash of bling and colour : )

    Reply
  27. Hard decision.
    Colonel mustard if lovely but too casual ( embrace the opportunity to dress up when ever you can!)
    Princess royal is the one my sensible head would go for but what the hell…..LOVEBOAT is hideous is an awesome way. I did work on cruise ships round about 1990 so it gives me a slight shudder which is why it is the one. But you need a huge flower of Paloma Faith tiny hat to balance that incredible asymmetrical hemline.

    As Dr Seuss said
    ” Why fit in when you were born to stand out.”

    Have a ball 🙂

    Reply
  28. This is seriously my favourite colleciton of comments EVER. You lot are brilliant and hilarious aren’t you?

    Reply
  29. You looked amazing, and your hair was awesome. It was lovely chatting to you too. 🙂

    Reply
    • Thank you! So wonderful to meet you and be there to see Science Sparks do so well 🙂 Such a moving part of the evening, I don’t know how you managed to say a single word. X x

      Reply
  30. Well all I can say is, you TOTALLY rocked and loved our Table 12 on Friday night! I fell in love with you the moment you told me you’d a pair of tights and a loofah in your beehive!

    Reply
  31. Pingback: A posh ceremony and bargain glamour « Lulastic and the Hippyshake

Leave a reply to lulastic Cancel reply