Creative Fashionista Spotlight: Vix of Vintage Vixen – How to Look Great for Less

Like most of us, you too read plenty of fashion blogs for inspiration, don´t you? Does it make you think like to look as gorgeous as your most adored fashion bloggers it takes blowing the bank? Getting on the trend and grabbing the current must-haves or copying runway looks do require much money. However, a truly creative person is someone who knows her personal style and is able to look great even for LESS.

Our featured Creative Fashionista for today is an inspiration, Vix of Vintage Vixen. She will tell you how to look grand and great for only £5 and why vintage hunting is a lifestyle.

Hello V! Tell us a little about you and your blog.

I was born in the 1960s and remain obsessed with the styles from my childhood. I’m a second-hand clothing junkie and I write about my latest finds, lifestyle and my wardrobe.

What´s your signature style?

Woodstock refugee meets Rolling Stones groupie.

You´re a second-hand junkie. What does it take to be a skilled, second-hand gem hunter?

It’s a way of life. It’s hanging round outside church halls and fields in the countryside after a heavy night out, battling grannies intent on finding a bargain and smoozing the local charity shops to ensure they keep interesting donations aside for me.

What is it in vintage items that make your style stand out?

The extravagant cut and fabric of late 1960s/early 1970s clothes are just so me. The prints are brilliant, bright and bold, the material’s hard-wearing and being a slim girl I find the shape of older clothing more flattering.

Where do you hunt for fabulous vintage pieces?

Church sales, charity shops, eBay, car boot sales, jumble sales. I’m always on the lookout.

How do you assess a second-hand item if it´s worth a steal?

Only if it makes my heart skip a beat do I buy it.

What is your best-kept personal style secret?

It’s not a secret but my motto is that if it doesn’t make you feel fabulous get rid of it. Life’s too short to hold on to clothes that don’t make us feel fabulous.

What inspired you to start a fashion blog?

All the blogs I came across seemed to be young women promoting fast fashion and spending large amounts of money to follow the crowd. I wanted to show that anyone can look unique and fantastic on a tiny budget.

What are the simple ways for a woman to pamper herself?

Exercise for thirty minutes every day. Loving and respecting your body gives you an inner confidence which radiates from the inside out.

Enough talk! Show us some of the best outfits you´ve worn and the idea behind them.

Red crystal studded 1970s midi (50p, car boot sale) worn with an upcycled-by-me fake fur collar and velvet boots. I wanted to make this cocktail dress into day wear hence the boots and collar.

Vintage satin lined cape (40p, jumble sale), denim hot pants (40p, jumble sale) and vintage Jeff Banks W1 label blouse (gift from a blog reader). I was inspired by a picture in a newspaper of a woman in yellow shoes which inspired me to base the outfit around that.

1960s suede jerkin worn with a 1960s cotton nightdress and contemporary suede boots. Woodstock inspired.

1960s plum wool cape (£3.95, charity shop) worn with a 1960s customised paisley dress (gift) and 1960s felt hat (also a gift). I was following a Twitter conversation about capes being “tricky” to wear and wanted to inspire women not to fear them.

I love Cher and this 1970s denim maxi skirt found on eBay for £6 inspired me to dress like she would have done back in the day.

This duck & fish print maxi was found on eBay for just over £3. I’s slightly too big so the 1960s suede jerkin (£9. local junk shop) adds some shape.

This early 1960s lace dress (£4, car boot sale) looked rather boring worn with the navy lining it came with. Adding the hot pants, contemporary leopard tights and 1960s lime accessories gave it an edgier look.

And finally, if you could whisper a fail-safe style tip to every woman´s ears, what would it be?

A day without dressing up is a day wasted. Get your best frock on and face the public.

Have a great week, Vix! Thank you so much for your helpful tips.