Peeling Back

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>> My vintage buys have recently gone against my usual rule of thumb of avoiding pieces that look distinctly "retro".  I can't exactly describe what it is that makes something "retro" but it normally is to do with fabric or a signature style of something that means anyone on the street can instantly pick it out and say "Oh, that's so 70s…".  Weirdly though, I've not been practising what I preach and on recent jaunts to vintage stores, I seem to be specifically picking out things that have recognisable decades instantly attached to them and furthermore, they all have hints of orange in them a shade that I associate with the fading and retro cliches of the 70s – be it in sepia-faded photos flooded with too much light or wallpaper (if you google 70s wallpaper, the dominating hue is orange) samples.

Solid blocks of orange may be the dominant force for S/S 11 but I'm regressing into prints that my mother might have worn as a child and specifically chintzy pieces that may have hung on my house walls or covered our sofas when I was a wee baby.

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(TBA toadstool print dress, vintage house-print shirt, vintage embroidered flower shirt, Marios Schwab boots)

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As pointed out by This is Naive and other interior design blogs, the apartment used in The King's Speech is also part and parcel of this fading orange-tinged aesthetic that I'm keen on digging up and reviving…

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52 comments

  1. I love how you are wearing it, anything but retro. I am a big fan of sweet ’70’s prints. Must be the Californian in me.

  4. I just like the mixture of patterns so much.
    Love your outfits posts. Anybody can talk or write about fashion, but not everybody can create it.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  5. it’s funny cos i can’t help but think of my aunty’s tiles and kitchen table clothes, but it’s cute.

  9. oh, this outfit is sooo cute! and you look very cute in it, too… Well I would call this kindergarten-retro, and it’s definitely unlike any other retro mainstream people would do.
    haha… in the eighties we were very proud of our orange-brown-beige wallpaper with huge geometric patterns!
    hugs,
    agnes
    at
    http://iiiinspired.blogspot.com/

  10. truly beautiful post. i adore the outfit you’re wearing- it’s so interesting. love the pattern mixing and the layering. brilliant!
    xxx

  12. The prints work so well together! Sometimes it’s nice to have a vintage piece that represents its time. Especially when it mixes so well with modern styles.
    You look awesome as always, Susie! x

  16. So retro, but when I look one quickly, it gives me the feeling of Prada/Stella McCartney S/S11 as well. Love it!! You are amazing!
    XO thefashionguitar

  17. I actually like this outfit a lot, to be honest. I like that you managed to mix different prints with no fear and pull it off wonderfully. you’re an inspiration

  18. This is like an old school Susie Bubble outfit post. I always liked the dingy wallpaper in my older relatives home but never thought to let it inspire my wardrobe. Touche!

  21. I love the embroidered shirt–the colours and design are bright and cheerful and suit you so well! You are able to take the retro and mix it so it looks completely modern.

  24. I love your outfit. I wouldn’t have said retro!! 😀
    chocolate-closet.blogspot.com

  34. How can you resist? I understand your inner conflict!
    It makes me want to ride the old “It’s a Small World” ride at Disneyland… in Orange County!!

  38. The outfit is not my style but overall it looks okay on you, but girl, your boots are way too big. Misstep – I can’t look at you without noticing the boots. Sorry, got to be honest. Take care of those pronto!

  40. Your outfit is so bright and sunny…how about wearing the Michael Kors shearling boots with it?

  41. ridiculous fun. I love how the patterns just barely notch in to create a story. and…I love how big the boots are on you.

  48. It’s the boots that make that work. And I envy your ability to mix prints – whenever I do it, it looks like I got dressed before I had enough coffee!

  49. Cruising backwards through your blog at high speed, I had to stop here. I LOVE this outfit. So yum. And that photo of the girls with the priest is so easter egg perfect.

  50. the orange floral circular pattern does it come in a fabric i would love 2 buy it

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