Recent Posts

28 March 2010

A question about getting rid of some clothes

I have a bunch of Vintage clothes and an empty bank account and I want to get rid of a bunch of  most of all of my Vintage clothes purchased in the vain hope that a) I would fit into at some point b) I would alter something ugly into something fabulous with some time and sewing or c) I would suit them when I got older... Well none of  those is happening so I'm going to sell every item of vintage that has not been worn in the last twelve months and get rid of it good and Proper, anyways I have about 20 vintage dresses and 10-15 other vintage clothing items between a size 14-32 that need to go and be out of my life soon what would be the best way to get rid of it? a) eBay b) Etsy c) a Big Cartel account or d) here 

all have pros and cons

I'm avoiding the Fatshionista Friday posts as a) i suck at live-journal b) I'm not near my computer all day to answer questions like "what's the circumference of the left arm during a full moon?" within ten minutes of being asked (slight exaggeration there) plus I hate that community on Friday Saturday I ignore it all together on those days. Plus postage from Australia ain't cheap and I hate haggling.

Sigh decisions decisions

27 March 2010

Movie Inspiration: Myra Breckinridge

it's not that good a movie but I re watched it today and sat soaking in what I loved about it, late 60's and early 70's style and fuck load of it.


Oh Raquel Welch how I wish I were you circa 1964-1975

23 March 2010

Op Shopping in Sydney: Marrickville part 1

I love Op Shops;

You kind reader not from Australia know them better as second-hand, thrift stores, flea markets etc. but here in the Merry old land of OZ we call them Opportunity Shops. Because they offer the Opportunity of bags full of stained, moth ball smelling clothes for mere dollars... Or something charity related (yeah I totes like helping and shit); They offer the Opportunity for us to say smugly to someone when they comment on my sequinned blouse "it's amaazing Kiki where on earth did you get it?" and I'll laugh and go "this old rag?"it's vintage daahling" and go back to my Martini and moustachioed and tuxedo wearing escort for the evening.

Anyways I love Op Shopping and buying fat chick  plus-sized vintage so I thought I should share some of my favourite Sydney Haunts and might even run upstairs and take a few photos of some of my hauls, I'll start with my most favourite place to Op Shop in Sydney my home town of Marrickville.
Actually overall Marrickville is a really good place to hit if you are looking for a good mix of second-hand pieces, vintage and retro clothing from 60's, 70's and 80's and home-wares and linens, I have furnished my whole place with Op Shop and market finds from Marrickville and probably continue to do so. And if you are visiting it's either a ten minute train or twenty minute bus from the city to Marrickville and every store I mention is within walking distance of each other.

U-Turn Recycled Fashion
242 Marrickville Rd Marrickville 

This place is a fairly new shop on the strip and probably is my favourite for value but it can be a shambles sometimes; often running 3 items for $10 promotions (fornightly) this place alone can have heaving under kilos of clothes for less than $20, The plus size selection is poor there is a sign indicating a 16+ rack but this place is packed so full with other stock it's hard to locate plus sized items easily. The reason I come to this place is for the accessories and the mens clothing with the $3 for 10 promotion almost a fixture at this place I can usually buy 3 pairs of jeans for The Boy and 3 leather handbags in great condition for $20 AUD, also the owner has amassed an amazing scarf collection and only sells them for $2 a pop.  
My most Recent Haul included a Ben Sherman pair of Jeans, and Lee Denim Shirt brand new with tags, and a pair of Black Armani Exchange jeans for $10. Also this place is great for stuff with tags still on it, of all the plus sized stuff I have found here more than half of it had tags and, if you are straight sized the jeans selection is amazing (the store doesn't separate mens from ladies denim very well you will find the odd plus size ladies pair of jeans in the mens section )


My most recent U-turn Haul, rainbow cotton throw rug, Scarf with Waltzing Matilda in drawings on it and Leather handbags.



The Salvos (Salvation Army Op Shop) 

I'm politically a bit against the Salvation Army, so when given the choice I do shop elsewhere, but it's worth a look for some hidden gems, best for Kitchen Ware and crockery there is no defined plus sized Section so you do have to trawl, but I have found the Odd amazing thing here like a fab pair of 80's Acid Wash skinny jeans by Farah's plus size range Egli, and a Beth Ditto for Evans Top still with tags on. Also alot of companies seem to send The Salvos unsold sock so there is a fair bit of brand new with tags SUPRE, Condura, Best and Less items here.

The Smith Family 

This is probably my little favourite it has an excellent Plus Size rack in the Store and the stock is updated weekly, there's is a bunch of new stuff sent here with tags (Plus size Labels such as BeMe and Millers Fashion Club) and the store is clean, and divided into proper sections, you will also find an amazing Selection of Retro 60s, 70's stuff here, and there is a whole shelf filled with unopened vintage hosiery (which is surprisingly stretchy) . On the Downside the store seems to be cashing in of Marrickville's popularity as a new Hipster Hub, and the increase of bored cashed up housewives creep in with their double wide prams and the prices for the second hand items has raised quite a bit, the retro/ vintage section has  remained pretty constant at between $5 - $15 for a vintage dress over a size 14. and there is a Good range of retro larger size dresses here most of the time.

Cafe New Deli

Oh and after all of that thrifting you should kick your feet up here at Cafe New Deli and chillax, it's one of the billion great cafes in Marrickville nowadays (we are afterall the new Paddington) and has a great variety of stuff for Gluten Free, Sugar Free hippies like myself and will cater for any dietary need you have.

That's it for part 1 I'm sick of bloody writing but there's going to be probably two more sections on Marrickville and all the Other Sydney places I like to Scavenge. Enmore, Newtown, Rozelle, Ashfield, The Central Coast, Newcastle.
P.S. if you are Australian size 22-30 or size 11- 13 on your feet and want something cute and random and want to make me slightly less poor go check out my eBay auctions I will refund postage for anyone who mentions whykikiwhy at the checkout... because I can

21 March 2010

Still Alive: Still writing this; I love me my Hipstamatic; go buy my stuff on ebay

Cam Whore photo taken with the Hipstamatic App for Iphone
Sunglasses: Karen Walker
T-Shirt: Bonds


It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago I didn't get too much but I did get this bracelet in the post and it is Officially my most favourite birthday present ever! I mean other than my Scrabble tile necklace and a copy of Prime Cut on VHS (oh Lee Marvin you got me ever so damp) from a couple of years ago

I just spent the last 2 hours offloading stuff onto Ebay, that shit is hard work, my auctions are only for Aussie people at the moment sorry international folks but I have no frickin' idea how selling stuff on ebay works  you can click here to have a look-see, I'm just working hard to cull the unworn clothing out of my life (P.S. if you buy something and you mention whykikwhy at the checkout I'll chuck in something extra as a little bonus like ahem cough splutter refund your postage back to you... yes free postage peeps)

Edited to add: added more stuff please buy it otherwise I'll donate to charity and they won't know what to do with a fabulous wrap dress or chunky high heeled Mary Janes.








05 March 2010

what I hate about plus size fashion in Australia: Kmart part two

All above styles available from Now Plus at Kmart

INT: K-mart Australia's Plus Size Headquarters

K-mart Guy 1:
oh my god! we have to start improving out plus size range this whole fatshionista movement is getting huge, everyone wants plus size clothes in fashionable and current styles what are we going to do?

K-mart Guy 2:
  I know, it's crazy I don't think we can keep up all we have are these shapeless sacks, how are we going to convince plus size women that these are on trend?

Kmart Guy 3:
ooh look what I found a stud gun and a million bronze studs y'know like the ones other brands put all over their clothes aout four years ago.

Kmart Guy 2:
oh yes and studs on clothes was a completely fashionable trend two years ago, I think they ere calling it punk or Emo or some other jazz like that.

Kmart Guy 1 :
I don't know this seems like a bit like we are shortchanging our plus size market

Kmart Guy 3:
  yeah but they are fat

Kmart Guy 1:
I suppose you're right I mean what can they do shop somewhere else?

Kmart Guy 1, 2 & 3:
all laugh heartily and pat each others on the back 



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