Primark, Washing Machines and Wearing What I Want

My best friend always says if you are going to pick a theme, its best to run with it properly and throw yourself into it. And I always agree, the most stylish people are the ones who go for it full throttle. To be honest I am not really much of a fashionista, well not a current one anyway. I love fashion pre 1980 and try my best to get away with wearing vintage clothes most of the time. However sometimes it isn't practical, e.g. I don't want my new old clothes to get covered in paint or bleach so best not to wear them to work sometimes or to clean the house. Other than that its 1950s 'new look' silhouettes and 1940s tea dresses for me! I do try my best and work hard scouring charity shops, the internet and vintage shops for those perfect vintage gems. So imagine my horror when i stepped foot in Primark for the very first time and saw rows and rows of reproduction wartime tea dresses with floral patterns and racks of full circle fifties dresses? Firstly I should explain, I have never been in Primark before for two reasons; One: a friend used to work there and basically has the opinion it is the Devil in retail form; and Two: I can't reconcile how you can buy something for so cheap and it be ethical, economical and properly made!! Believe me, look how long project shirt is taking me and I could probably walk into Primark today and buy one for £4. Plus I am used to shopping with my Nan when I was younger who always checked the seam allowance and proclaimed 'It'l never last!' when dissatisfied! Now I am not being a snob here, its not just Primark, I am sure many high street and high end shops are guilty of unethical practices, but I do try my best to avoid them. Anyway, I have lost track of my point (for a change!) I put a lot of effort into finding exciting and original looking things, so I was disheartened when I realised that I could just walk into Primark and get the same look. So what to do?

Well, lets move on for a minute and go back to my washing machine problem. Did you know washing machines have filters? I didn't! I know hoovers do, I know coffee makers do (and i don't even drink coffee!!) but washing machines? Well as it turns out they do, and I felt very foolish when my dad and step mum came to visit and asked if I'd ever cleaned it. When he saw the blank look on my face all I got was, 'Well, no wonder its leaking'. They proceeded to bend down, empty the filter and amongst all the hair they found two plectrums (not mine) and the missing button to the shirt I was wearing at that very moment! So the good news is, I don't have to buy a new washing machine. I am a bit disapointed though, I was quite excited about the 14 minute cycle eco warrior!

I have another problem, this weekend I am going to a wedding. I didn't realise it was this weekend either so instead of having time to cruise the internet for a vintage gem like I would under normal circumstances, I have to think of something else. Plus I can no longer do this anyway as I can't spend any money! It's also too late to swap too, but instead of dismissing everything I own, I thought I would try everything on! I have to say, I had so much fun! I felt like I was in Clueless when they are all dressing up! So I have a few decisions to make. Do I go vintage or not? Well almost every dress I own is vintage so that answers that question. Next, what era? As I said earlier I am a forties and fifties girl at heart so I think it will definately be one of those two. Here come the forties numbers:

Dress One: Original 1940s Rayon Tea Dress (Please note, it is impossible to take a good photo of yourself!)

I LOVE this dress! It is so comfy and easy to wear, the print is gorgeous and it matches my favourite yellow shoes.

Dress Two: Original 1940s Green dress with black trim, the colour is much nicer than on the photo!

I love this dress two, however I have worn this the most out of all the dresses, so maybe I should give something else a try. Dress Three: Original 1940s Grey sequined dress

I have never worn this because I don't think the colour does much for me. However I love the gathering at the top because it seems to balance out my pear shape!

Here comes the 1950s lot! Dress Four: Original 1950s open backed day dress:

I adore this dress! I love the rockabilly look and this is perfect. But is it suitable for a wedding?

Dress Five: Original 1950s Button Back dropped waist day dress

This is again a favourite, I loved the dropped waist because again I thing (suprisingly) it balances out my pear shape.

So there we have it, the choices. I suppose it depends on the weather, shoes etc, but it took a whole evening to whittle it down to five!! I have learned I have an incredible amount of clothes and probably don't ever need to buy more (but obviously will!). Back to my original musings on Primark and my disapointment that you can get vintage looks without the effort. I don't think I'll be able to give up vintage, and I don't think I should! It may be a bit more expensive and a bit more effort, but my afternoon prancing around in ridiculous frocks has filled me with new enthusiasm.

I have also done loads of swaps lately, including a pair of Dr Martin Mary Janes for work, a brilliant red cardi, and amazing stripey 1960s dress (which may encourage me to show my knees in public for the first time in about 15 years!). So thats about it for today, any opinions on which dress to wear would be greatly appreciated. I probably won't decide until 10 minutes before we go!