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Categories: Fashion, North East, Pixie

Sustainable Fashion: Finding Treasures in Your Own Wardrobe

We all know that rush that comes from buying a new pair of shoes, or a really great, well-made handbag, ore even just the perfect pair of jeans.  In fact, shopping is up there with addictions such as gambling and alcohol, and is often termed a “secondary addiction’ as it quite often slides in after a different addiction disappears.  Yes, we’re a nation of shoppers.  We spend what we earn and the fashionistas amongst us put our wages straight back into our wardrobes and shoe closets.

A shot of Carrie Bradshaw looking into her closet longingly - Fashion Voyeur Blog

“I like my money right where I can see it, hanging in my closet.” – Carrie Bradshaw

But in 2018 there was a huge shift in the fashion industry, one that saw a light shone on the damage done to our environment and the finger of blame was largely pointed at fashion.  We were shown an ocean once thriving, now nothing but dust.  All for the production of cotton for fast fashion.  The cries were that fashion is fickle, but it’s also a very complicated beast to understand as there are so many tiers, so many layers, and so many season and micro seasons within each level.  It’s difficult to find where the blame does lie, other than to know that garment production plays a huge part in the responsibility of environmental destruction.  Making clothes out of a non sustainable material, unethically, is a challenge.  One which may, or may not be solved.  Pointing the finger most definitely will not solve it, making more conscious decisions at a personal level however, can definitely go along way to make your own contribution towards potentially conserving our environment.

Here’s what I suggest:

1.RE-DISCOVER ITEMS IN YOUR OWN WARDROBE

Pixie Tenenbaum Photographed by @meganlscottphotography
Pixie Tenenbaum Photographed by @meganlscottphotography

This is a personal favourite of mine.  We all have wardrobes and closets of different sizes, I’m a hoarder so mine are huge, I never throw anything away, just move it from floor to floor or from property to property so when I rediscover something, it’s like finding treasure.  (I’m aware that makes me sound like a fucking gross snob but I swear I’m not, I still burp and pump like everyone else.)  I found this Gucci Jackie O bag in black leather and denim when I was looking for something else.  It’s pristine, I bought it when I was 20 years old and living in London and I’m pretty sure I was so terrified to use it that I never did.  That means it’s now brand new and twenty years old, still stuffed and in its original dustbag – probably classed as vintage now.  Simple things like this amaze me.  I took it out to shoot with my Blogger and Photographer friend Megan Scott and I swear, this brought me so much joy you wouldn’t believe.  I also rediscovered a dress I haven’t worn for years, I put it away in a box in the attic, it’s been in there for around 9 years and when I tried it recently it just worked.  Obviously I’m 40 now and my body has changed, my hair is different and my style is different.  Things change, don’t throw things away, hang on to them and restyle them.  Fuck Marie Kondo, if you have the space and you genuinely think you might use it again, keep your stuff.

2. TRY OUT CHARITY SHOPS / THRIFT STORES / VINTAGE FAIRS / ANTIQUE FAIRS

All of them. Charity shops are a little more hit and miss as you’re more likely to find damaged items, or pieces that are just other people’s rubbish, however, in recent years, they’ve gotten a lot better.  St Oswald’s in Jesmond is a good bet and they put together a pretty enticing window display.  There’s also a very good one in Chester Le Street which seems to change it’s name every week so I won’t include it because by the time you visit it’ll be different.  In terms of vintage, Clerkenwell Vintage Fair at Freemason’s Hall in Holborn is amazing, it’s seasonal but generally four times per year.  Trendlistr is an amazing curated vintage seller with a studio for viewing and trying on, and there’s also an online selling platform too for the pieces that aren’t in the studio.  If you’re up here in the North East, you get the best of both.

The best thrift store we have up here is one I change my mind on quite a lot, at the minute it’s probably Retro which is on High Bridge Court, but last week it was the Durham American Thrift Store which is a HUGE thrift store in Langley Moor.  It just depends what their stock is like.

Antique fairs are a bit more exciting.  You can roll through these in a flash, especially if you’re looking specifically for clothes and accessories.  I tend to get caught up in picking up stuff for the kitchen but generally speaking, antiques fairs are where I go for hats, they have the best and most outstanding (by that I mean as in standing out from the crowd) collections you’re likely to come across.  You’ll find crowns, tiaras, hats, widows lace, cloches, all kinds of weird and wonderful hats at an antiques fair and the one I tend to head to first is the seasonal Colin Caygill Antiques Fair at Gateshead Stadium.

3. BUY LESS, WEAR MORE

Try different ways of styling what you already own.  I know that’s easy for me to say as a Stylist, but trust me, there are lots of different ways to wear what you already own, it’s why a Capsule Wardrobe is called a Capsule Wardrobe.  Set yourself a Rail Challenge where you pick yourself 12 items from your wardrobe and see how many different ways you can style them in a 7 day period.  If you work in an office it’s something that can be great fun, if you’re a busy mum parenting the kids at home – not so much, then you need to get your fashion kicks in other ways.  As a busy mum myself, I take great pleasure in wearing my son’s clothes when he’s at school, I’m contributing to the sustainable fashion movement and still getting a new outfit every day.  Plus, he has some freaking cool clothes man.  Double the wear and he doesn’t even know I’m doing it.

4. DO NOT BUY INTO THE “YOU CAN’T WEAR AN OUTFIT MORE THAN ONCE” BULLSHIT

This is one thing I can’t stand about the Blogging / Influencing community and something I appreciate that I’ll never be able to change on my own.  The whole ridiculous ethos of “I would never be seen in an outfit I’ve been photographed in”, or, “I can’t wear something I’ve worn before”.  It’s utter bullshit, I don’t know how this came about, it’s like Bloggers suddenly believed they were A-List celebrities, except an A-List celebrity would never behave like that.  You are single handedly contributing to the problem you are preaching about.  By saying that you won’t be seen in the outfit you just posted to Instagram, you are contributing to the sustainable fashion problem directly.  It’s just crazy and unbelievable that people don’t see that.  I’m more than happy to be seen in my clothes more than once, twice, three or more times, clothes are built to last, hence the term sustainable.  I’ve had other local Bloggers say to me that they wouldn’t dare, and they think it’s disgusting that I wear the same clothes a second time, or “Do you know you’ve worn that before?” (er, yes I do, they’re my clothes) “It might be time to throw that T-shirt away, you’ve worn it before” and “You’ve already posted that on Instagram”.  I’m literally facepalming right now.

Wear your clothes.  Wear them out.  If you get sick of them and no longer want them, pass them on to a friend or a charity store. Or, and that leads me on to my next point….

5. ORGANISE A CLOTHES SWAP OR SALE

Got a closet full of clothing and accessories that no longer fit, isn’t your style, no longer works with your brand new hair shade or you feel you just need a change?  A clothes swap or sale might be for you.  So what’s the difference?  Well, a Swap is basically a night in with a selected group of friends who each bring round some pieces from their wardrobe that they no longer want.  You agree to showcase your pieces and then swap anything you don’t want, for something you do want.  Simples.  The problems with this is that you generally need to swap with a group of friends who are all the same size –  I don’t know about you, but my friends come in all shapes, heights and sizes.  This is why sometimes a sale is the best option.

A Sale is similar except you exchange cash.  You might be saving up for something, moving home, saving for a car, for medical treatment, decorating or giving proceeds to charity (all of these are perfectly acceptable).  You set a price, your friends might haggle, once you agree, you complete the sale and sell your item.  I like these ones, they’re like eBay or DePop but more personal, usually in someone’s home, with a few drinks, a few nibbles and you generally get to pick up some amazing bargains and make some awesome new friends.  I went to one in London and met legendary designer Pam Hogg which completely blew my mind.

I’m actually thinking about holding a private sale at my home maybe in April of this year so drop me a comment, message or email if you fancy coming – I promise, it will be mint.

Pixie

Categories: Fashion, North East, Pixie

Bra Fitting with Victoria’s Secret Intu Metrocentre

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This is a collaborative post with Intu Metrocentre.  After having spent the last however many years wearing sports bras without wires, I’ve had absolutely no idea what size bra I’d be if I were ever to wear a “proper” big girl bra with wires.  Yes, that’s right Voyeurs, the last time I wore a bra with wires, I think was around eleven or twelve years ago.  My poor little breasticles have been through the mill and had some surgery on them so for quite some time after they were mis-shapen and sore – for a long time, I was instructed not to wear any lingerie with wires as this could hinder recovery.  (If you want to read up on that you can do so here.)  So I spent a long time in a compression garment and then went straight into sports bras which were the next best thing.  Out of fear, I’ve continued to just live in them.

More recently, you’ll know that here in the North East we were treated to our very first stand alone Victoria’s Secret store at Intu Metrocentre making the dreams of a lot of young girls and aspiring VS Angels come true in one day.  I was invited by the lovely folk at Intu Metrocentre to visit the brand new store for a private fitting with Victoria’s Secret’s trained professional bra fitters to find out exactly what size I am (in Victoria’s Secret products) and to be further gifted a bra of my choice from the store.  Sound exciting?  To someone who hasn’t been fitted for a bra in around fifteen years?  It really was.

I was introduced to Jasmine – we actually realised we know each other already from working together previously, bit weird that she was about to see my bangers but I just went with it anyway.  Jasmine advised that Victoria’s Secret sizing can often come out completely different than other highstreet stores if I’d been measured elsewhere recently, but that it applies to their products only, I told her I’m practically a bra fitting virgin and we got down to business.  After some nimble fingerwork with a measuring tape, Jasmine told me that I’m a modest 36B and disappeared on to the shop floor to grab a few products for me to try.

The fitting rooms in Victorias Secret feel exactly as they sound, like you’re hiding a secret.  In the brand’s signature black and pink it feels heady and sensuous, perfect for a lingerie brand.  There’s a buzzer to press if you need someone to come to you whilst your in the fitting room, and multiple mirrors allowing you to view yourself from all angles.  When Jasmine returns she gives a soft knock at the door and hands in two bras telling me to buzz when I have one on.  Once I’m fully covered she’s back in checking the fit and telling me this one isn’t so good because it gapes at the front meaning that when I move I’ll leave myself exposed.  On to the next.  This one she tells me is much better, in terms of fit it feels snug, there’s no risk of gaping, there’s lift and push and all the things that women come to Victoria’s Secret for apparently.  Except me.

I tell jasmine my dilemma.  I just want something that makes them look a little more like the modest 36B they are and she says with a wink and absolutely no judgement at all, “I know something I think you’ll like.”  Two minutes pass and she’s back clutching a strapless bra, it’s black with silver thread running through the top section, balconette style but with no padding at all.  It’s pretty cute.  “Does it come in a longline?”  I say,  “Give me two minutes….”  True to her word two minutes later she’s back and she’s got the same thing in a longline version.  I try it on in a 36B and it’s perfect.

Victorias Secret Dream Angels Scalloped Edge Lace Bustier Fashion Voyeur Blog

After making my way out on to the shop floor I decide to see if I can find a matching thong, sadly they’re sold out but I’m told that stock is delivered almost daily to this new store and to either check back or to check online so it’s almost certain I’ll be able to source my matching item.  Within minutes the once huge queue has diminished to nothing and my gift from Intu Metrocentre is being wrapped in pink tissue and packaged neatly into a bag ready for me to bring home and unwrap.

When I arrive home I’m already thinking of how I can incorporate this into my wardrobe as it’s not the average everyday bra, so far I’ve tried it under a Yolan Cris gown and over a Scooby-Doo tee and both look equally good.  It’s the perfect cut for the strapless evening gown and it’s just cool enough with the hint of silver for the “underwear as outerwear” trend too.

The bra I chose would have cost £49.99 full price, with thanks to Intu Metrocentre for gifting it to me.

Pixie

Categories: Fashion, North East, Pixie, Uncategorized

What I Wore: To My Birthday Dinner

I turned 40 this weekend, a huge milestone in one’s life and apparently as older people will tell you, it’s the point that things begin to take a downward slide.  Totally not the case.  In my case it’s when things get a whole lot more fun, I’m taking more risks than ever with fashion, I have an even bigger “fuck it” attitude towards most things, and I’ve kicked more stressful shit aside than ever.  Being 40 is mint and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

My lovely husband Bo organised a surprise birthday dinner and gathered only the best members of our family to a venue that was shrouded in secrecy, I was told to dress however I wanted to and to keep warm as we’d have a little way to walk from the car.  I have a bit of a love / hate relationship with surprises and Bo knows this, I really, really love them.  But also really, really hate them, so knowing this, I was assured that this was one that I’d love and to just go with it.

So, the facts: a dinner, the best peeps, possibly some cold weather.  I hit my middle floor closet and pulled together an outfit I’d put in the “Cute” category.  A dress covered in space cats bought for me by Bo as a Christmas present (with pockets), opaque black tights, my M&S boots which I bought a few months ago now and have since sold out but I’ve literally never had them off my feet, and a custom made necklace given to me as a Christmas gift by Pop Up Studio in Low Fell which says “Fuck You All” – Yeah, they know me pretty well.  Also, debuting my new shorter hair forced upon me by a pre-Christmas fuck up in the hair salon.

A short car ride later and we were parked up on the Gateshead Quayside and walking in the direction of the old and now infamous Buffalo Joe’s and Baja Beach Club Sites.  As we crossed the road and entered the new By The River Brew Co. site I knew instantly where we were headed, I’d been talking about visiting ever since reading Jay Rayner’s glowing review in The Guardian calling this place a “must visit” and possibly “one of the best restaurant’s in the UK”.  As we entered Träkol (Swedish for Charcoal) the first thing that hit us was how dark and atmospheric the place is.  We visited on an uber cold Winter’s night with the wind whipping our heels on the way in.  The main source of light was a warm, low glow from a free standing Parkray fire in the middle of the main room.

As this is an outfit post rather than a birthday dinner review, I won’t go into extreme detail as I’ll go way over my word count but let me say this, Träkol exceeded expectation.  The whole thing, the ethos of nose to tail meant that the menu proposed dome difficult options but we needn’t have worried, everything we ordered was delicious.  Even Plankton, our twelve year old son was able to order something and finish every last scrap of what he was presented with, the food served is divine.  It’s prepared and presented with care and attention and every ounce of flavour can be tasted.  We weren’t there as press, or Bloggers, we were simply there as a family who paid for a birthday dinner together and we’d highly recommend that you check them out if you’re in the area.

Pixie

Categories: Fashion, North East, Pixie

What I Wore: To Channel Sabrina The Teenage Witch

Actually, that title maybe a little misleading as this is perhaps more of a Weird Sisters look, I like to think of myself as more of a Sabrina by nature but a Prudence or a Dorkus in the style stakes.  This is one of my favourite looks at the minute and it’s not too difficult to achieve right now as similar dresses are pretty easy to find on the highstreet.

It started as a microstyle on the runways maybe 18 months ago and as with everything in fashion, it takes time to trickle down and eventually hit the highstreet as what we know as a “trend”.   The highstreet is great at picking out the “fast” and easily identifiable top level trends, i.e. the ones that will sell and “convert” into highstreet mass sales, – the ones that the highstreet as a whole will latch on to and buy en masse from overseas producers.  Basically the ones that you’ll see in every shop window throughout Spring / Summer / Fall / Winter.  Because fashion works as a domino effect.

What they’re not so great at, is recognising underlying trends, those are the ones that can take much longer to hit the rails, and often stores have no idea why they’re selling them, or where those looks came from.  Because some buyer watched a show and took a risk on a look and bought up a cheaper production of it.  This is one of those.  It’s one you could very easily make, or customise too, I’ve done it to pretty great effect, all you need is a black shift dress and some heavy lace, you don’t even need to particularly skilled at stitching as it’s all hand stitching and it can all be hidden.

So, your best bet for finding this look on the cheap is Matalan.  Matalan have a couple of similar styles in black, forest green and midnight blue complete with white fluted sleeves however there’s one caveat, they’re only produced in the brand’s petite range which means they’s smaller in every dimension, not just the length.  If like me you’re tall, this option is out.

Elsewhere on the highstreet you’ll find similar (although poor quality) in New Look – currently in administration so be quick.

The dress I’m wearing here is a FW18 Zara dress which I bought myself online (no previous affiliation).  Normally I’d advise you to go into the store and try on because I’m an advocate for keeping our British highstreet alive and thriving, however in the case of Zara stores I’d strongly advise against it and suggest that you buy online at every opportunity.  Staff are rude, obnoxious, unhelpful, patronising, unfriendly – and it’s not store specific.  I’ve experienced this in every Zara store I’ve ever visited and a quick Twitter poll recently concluded that you Voyeurs feel exactly the same.  My advice here is vote with your feet, buy online and use your home as your changing room, return anything you don’t need.  Simples.  I’ve styled this with opaque black tights (everyone owns opaques), my current favourite M&S boots which I bought around September-ish last year (also in this post), and one of my favourite Chanel quilted handbags which I just don’t get enough use out of so I’ve decided to use more this year.

Now, where’s my spellbook…..?

Pixie

Categories: Fashion, North East

Victoria’s Secret Metrocentre Opening Date!

Ok Voyeurs this is the one you’ve been waiting for, you’ve been to Intu Metrocentre, you’ve walked past those goddamn boards in the Red Mall one million times and you’ve thought to yourself, when will this Victoria’s Secret store just open already!  Well, I’ve been sitting on this one for a while but I was told that my face would be punched clean off my head if I told you early so true to my word, I zipped my lip.  Until now…

Victoria's Secret Logo

The North East’s first ever Victoria’s Secret store is opening on November 14th!  Yes it’s that soon!  We know that it’s big, it’s 10,000 square feet all on one level so its accessible and it will house PINK as well as well as the brand’s mainline lingerie and Victoria’s Secret Sport collections.  We’re promised the usual makeup and body lines that all stand alone stores have too so if you’re already planning stocking fillers or are stuck for gifts then this is an absolute sure thing.  Victoria’s Secret lipglosses, liquid lips and body sprays are all divine, I can vouch.

“We’re delighted that Victoria’s Secret has chosen to expand their UK presence at intu Metrocentre, taking advantage of our 21 million annual footfall. It’s the latest brand to be attracted by the combination of affluent style-conscious shoppers with an eye for premium brands.”  Kate Grant, Regional Managing Director, Intu

So, will it be busy?  You bet!  The annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is filming tomorrow so expect it to be buzzing and you may even get to see snippets of it on the big screen whilst you shop, who knows.  If it’s anything like the other stores (here’s a closer look at London) then expect to see previous Fashion Shows on repeat and you may even get to see some show outfits up close and personal as they do tend to travel from store to store.

No matter what, expect glamour, glitter, long lines and lots of pink!

Pixie

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