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Independent Clothing for the Shrewd

Now we are well into 2010 and the New Years resolutions are mere whispers in the wind, its time to have a good look around you and enjoy the plethora of fantastic Indie Clothing entrepreneurs. Out in the real world or in your personal shopping directory known as the world wide web. Little Miss Moffet to Spider Women and all strands in between - use your fingers like 8 little legs and enjoy Miranda's Indie Clothing Directory.

Calling Indie Clothes Stores

Any Indie Clothing stores who want to be in Miranda's Indie Clothing Directory - please send an e-mail to indieclothes@mirandasbeach.com and your request will be dealt with as efficiently as is manageable in this complicated universe.

Do Dance

Here I am with Hannah at another parlour evening in Lewes.

Do feel free to start any kind of evening with your friends in order to meet like-minded people who want to wear similar outfits. Sometimes one does have to clear the moth balls from the same old petticoat worn one too many times!

Hannah’s dress was bought by a friend from the Brighton car boot market – she seems to have an endless supply.

Hawaiian Burlesque

Hannah and Bosie (costumiers extraordinaires) are wearing burlesque party outfits, with a twist of Hawaiian. Notice she wears a real gerbera flower in her hair and he wears leather waistcoat, raggy top hat and tooth and bone necklace (a suitable outfit for a Keith Richards party also).
Never be put off by heavy rain, just add Wellington boots and see through umberella.
Ebay do a good selection of clear dome umberellas so you can see out and be seen – buy a colour trim to go with your shoes.

Balls

Balls are great events, they allow one to dress up and wear lovely frocks. A great addition to this man’s wardrobe is an old fashioned policeman’s outfit, I can’t help but notice him out and about on the scene.
Lady Katy (pictured) gave me a great piece of advice when choosing outfits of any kind – always look for good quality fabrics for that is what will really take you to a different time zone and back and help you stand out from the modern crowd.
eg. Polyester = wrong…. Embroidered satin = spot on!

Bright Colours come back!

The Christian Dior fall-winter 2007/2008 collection in Paris.

Apparently bright colours are making a comeback!
I didn’t realize they had gone out! Luckily I bought a cyclamen pink shirt in the January sales with diamante buttons….phew!
I’m feeling chilly today and can’t wait for our holiday to Sardinia in April.
March is my birthday month but it tends to drag on and I can’t get excited until I feel some warmth in my bones.
I look forward to our real fire in the evening and my electric blanket! At the moment I’m reading “The Tenderness of Wolves” by Stef Penney which I’m enjoying.

Burlesque Ladies and Beatle Boys

What a week it has been for dressing up! Look at my boys and their cousins as
“mini-baby-Sgt. Peppers” - George Harrison
that were stars at the Bootleg Beatles concert….
And give it up for the Ladies of Burlesque who like to paint the town when there’s a full moon. Notice I have adorned my hat with a little burlesque dolly that I made out of clay, who jiggled about all night, at one point she was blown across the road, luckily she was unscathed and only a little flustered. I, however, needed a stiff absinthe!

Golden Party People last Saturday

At the beginning of the evening I witnessed boy and cats in front of fire.Later I joined the bright and shiny golden party people. The make up artiste added glamour while we ate and drank then got taxis and danced to (rather quiet) music.Take note of sequinned butterfly tops, long gold gloves, capes, wrestling belt, Flash Gordon, extra hair, gold eye-lashes, knickers, beads and lace.
At the end of evening my cosy home beckoned and the balls of my feet burned.

Halloween

Halloween is a time for all mothers and fathers to join their children in some spooky dressing-up. Here are some memories of my Halloween last night. Invite all strange spooky creatures and children into your house and challenge them to dip their faces into flour/water or spaghetti and find the sweet delights with their teeth – if they are too young mum or dad could do it for them!

Punting in Cambridge

Yesterday we visited Cambridge and went punting on the river Cam. There were a few professor types fluttering around in billowing robes and lots of students on bikes. Loads of chapels and all round brainy people.
Of course it prompted my brain to clunk into action as we crashed into the willow trees and fellow punters: Will I be wearing a jumper dress this autumn? Discuss.

Biba's Back

I remember visiting the Biba shops in the 70s in Kensington High Street with my mum. It was so exciting. I’d spin around in all the dark feather boas, satin and sequin and ostrich and peacock feathers. Put my fingers in the mauve and black glitzy make up and watch my mum try on lots of minute outfits. Then we’d go back down to the South Coast where she was much too glamorous to fit in with all the small town ladies. I was embarrassed of her. If only I’d known then what I know now.

Two Frisky Kittens

Two frisky kittens are a lovely addition to any household. Especially if they are half Bengal and playful – mini tigers.
Already Autumn is in the air. Today I am wearing my sheepskin slippers and wondering which jacket I shall sport this evening to my mother’s private view.
One thing I know for sure is that when we come home Honey Leopard and Ronnie Diablo will be fighting ferociously on our bed…. night drawers on!

Satie Fire Hat in Honfleur

Here I am in this season's Fire Hat at the Satie museum in Honfleur, France. I am sitting atop a musical merry-go-round that moves as you cycle. Do not repeat my fashion faux pas and wear suitable bottoms.
Unfortunately my global warming theory didn't pan out. Normandy is lovely and full of stripey houses, apple trees and cows, nice holiday.




















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Casual wedding attire

Revisit your wedding day (or if you think weddings are a waste of money, like me, buy a second hand dress from anywhere) and wear full bridal attire in a casual way at a festival or camping party – it is a must this year and maybe next!
If you just want a nice big dress why not buy a wedding dress and dye it green – I'm sure it would look splendid!




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Wetsuit style

Why not go back in time and purchase a Simon-le-bon-wet-suit in order to really enjoy your sit-on-top kayak?












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Should I take my stilletos camping?...

The answer is NO.
Because of Global Warming one can now travel to countries that once seemed too cool for summer vacances. Eg. We're going to Normandy in France next week - let's see if my theory pans out. This is a last minute dash to get away. One must bring practical, loose clothing and never forget a folding table to keep you from bending continually. Swingball can provide hours of entertainment and so can a pack of cards. I must go and write these on my list.
If you do find yourself in stocks this summer make sure you're wearing a nice, bright, flowery t-shirt to cheer yourself up!

Las Vegas Mermaids

Here I am at Fay and Keith's birthday barbeque yesterday. Claire, Fay and I all sporting dresses and hats – essential BBQ attire in a beautiful country setting outside Lewes, East Sussex. Although Fay is often seen wearing a large gingerbread man outfit or maybe a long dress and fake beard singing to a room full of unsuspecting audience. She is a Las Vegas Mermaid see them at www.myspace.com/lasvegasmermaids - if you like to chortle so hard that your stomach muscles ache and you like your mascara to run down your face in a mask of pure mirthful delight and merriment see them live whenever you can.

Father Fly

Started to make drawings at last after a long spell of feeling creatively barren. Quite a chilly week, too windy for beach action.
Looking up holidays alot thinking of snorkelling in the Red Sea, but not booking due to lack of funds...but maybe, just maybe....one day. Strangely for me I will be adding needle to thread to mend an intricate patchwork quilt. My indie outfit of the week has to be this father photoed at Lost Vagueness, Lewes.

World Cup and Beach

We've been to the beach alot in between world cup matches this weekend. The wind has varied between gale force and mild mistrals which of course is always the biggest factor on the beach. But it's been consistently blue and warm.

I've noticed lots of poppies of late - it amazes me how strong it's tissue thin petals can be, so beautiful. Shoreham beach is one of the few places you can find the Yellow Horned Poppy, also Sea Holly and Sea Kale. Here I am with Hannah outside the beach hut. We are sporting various items of clothing from Hennes and hat from ebay. I also notice we're wearing the same shorts! How embarrassing that would be if she were the queen!

Victorian Wild Man

Here I am last night with a wild man from the Victorian era. As you can see I am wearing a lovely satin frilly blouse and a nice button bag. The Wild Man wears a loin cloth, a furry face and a tusk through his nose - He wins my indie dresser of the week award.

Promenade production

Last night we saw Soutterrain at Stanmer Park as part of the Brighton festival. It was the story of Orpheus and Euridice done as a promenade production, which means you wander round following the performers. We took our sons (10 and 8) and it was a wonderful spring evening. The set, the weather and a horse stole the show and a great little band, that we all followed, like music out of The Wicker Man. All the way around my youngest son kept asking loudly what was happening, and as we left the underworld  (a big barn) I said "look at the moon" which was enormous with a rainbow coloured aura and he asked "Is it real?" If not it was the best prop I'd ever seen!

21/04/2006 - Hot, hot, hot!

Wow it was hot today! I sat in my Installation (too small to call a garden) and read a book in t-shirt feeling hot, hot, hot!  (By the way, according to Which report, Hawaiian Tropic sun tan lotion ticks all the boxes + smells of coconut) . Apparently last time it snowed in April was 1976 - it's a sign - a heatwave must be coming!

The park was heaving with mums and children today.( May I suggest a cheap pair of trainers from ebay to play footie and piggy in the middle with the kids.)

The heat brings out the smells. Blossom dropping like scented snow.... the Magnolia was around with the dinosaurs - we call them Dinosaur trees.

14.4.06 Fabric, fabric, fabric.

Recently I sorted out my drawers, trunk and wardrobe and wonder why, after all these years I still make fabric mistakes.
Something I bought fairly recently (in a sale) makes my teeth go on edge and my hair go static just by looking at it!
Fabric, fabric, fabric must be my catchphrase... do not buy even if cheap.
Looking forward to flitting amongst trees and pond dipping with the kids eating chocolate eggs this Easter weekend.
Just hope the weather gets at least 5 degrees hotter
Putting up some new sites with georgeous long patchwork skirts - very tempted to order one!
Now I must go and work out my new etchings which I shall add to my Art site soon http://www.mirandasbeach.com/

La Clique c'est chique

As far as I can see this http://www.spiegeltent.net/index.php is the place to be watching http://www.realbrighton.com/story/1246 "sideshow burlesque".

I must order my bespoke corset from some impressively able corsetry maker in time for this event. And now I must rush to an open evening at Tate Britain to enjoy late night paintings with music and poetry. Will I be able to stand Art gazing in these impressive wedges by Clarks - (check out their new range on their website http://www.clarks.co.uk/ - verging on Campers! ) Or will the balls of my feet burn like the hot coals of hell? - we'll see.(at least I get my priorities right!)

Lust, Murder, Greed.....Temperance!

Yes Fake Bush was good especially in the costume department - a change after each song. The word unitard re-entered my vocabulary. Red velvet unitard with red chiffon wings attached to arms and legs, bridal dress with rose wreath, babooshka outfit etc. lots of gay men singing along idolising her every word.

Since then I've been ill (on holiday)- it rained non stop and I blew my nose non stop but the kids loved it. 

Today it's my birthday I must get ready for restaurant luncheon. Also I am just booking a Victorian evening "Come into my Parlour" where Victorian attire will have to be considered - I am looking forward to an evening of Lust, Murder, Greed,Temperance and the Supernarural + Assorted Bizarre Curiosities!

Just what the doctor ordered!

Fake Bush and Pansies

My hair can't handle even semi permanant colour coz it goes rather straw like but I've found a new L'Oreal colour called Colour Pulse which lasts 8/10 washes which is more gentle and doesn't wash out immediately.

It is important that I must have long red crimped hair tonight as I'm going to see Fake Bush (Kate Bush sound alike Lucy Bundy) at the Jooglebury in Brighton.

So my advice is dye your hair and plant some pansies to encourage long lingering (wuthering) days of summer.

Also get a cowboy hat, in readiness, to shade your eyes from the blinding sun!

Oh and get a cheap weekend break - we're going on one tomorrow on a half price deal which I found on our UK family holidays site http://family-holiday.mirandasbeach.com/

 I'll let you know what Fake Bush was like..... later!

Still Hibernating

Festival season coming up!  I just got my Brighton Festival brochure
today....which reminds me I must top up my burlesque wardrobe for the
Spiegeltent www.spiegeltent.net events. That's in the warm half of
spring, in the meantime I've just ordered some (on sale) sheepskin
slippers from www.thenaturalshoestore.com because my old ones have warn
out - they are so comfortable and warm and I wear them everyday even in
the summer when my feet are still chilly from sitting bear foot on the
beach as the sun goes down. But I do enjoy cozy nights in with the fire
blazing at this time of year - still in hibernation...stir crazy!

Spring

 

It's spring today, first day of March. I'm beginning to feel perky. The sky is so blue and my spirits are lifted. But it's still so cold. My winter coat and jumpers feel shabby and heavy. I want to walk about in the hot air wearing light, nifty garments wafting in the sunshine, walk to the beach and swim in a warm sea. I'm waiting ...come on globe warm up!

Fox Mask

Let me know if any of you have any snazzy indie shops on ebay so I can add them to the site.
Today I made a papier mache fox mask for my son to wear on the 2nd March, World Book Day, as Fantastic Mr. Fox. He was supposed to make it with me but he wandered off to watch Drake and Josh. I found a picture for it on a great site that makes leather masks
www.angel-masks.com .....Happy sticking and sewing!

Wimple City

I went to a medieval party last week. Great costumes! Most of the lady folk sewed their own and their men folk did well. Codpiece and wimple city! We think we should wear fantasy clothes as often as possible. One good event round here in the summer is Lost Vagueness which happens in a field in Lewes. Burlesque camping, casino tent, 50s tent, rude country marquee. So much opportunity to wear corsets, ballgowns, old wedding frocks, in fact 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s style of dress from any century! The done thing is to bring a tent to sleep in and a tent for your clothes rail. I need to find me a clever seamstress to knock me up a few frocks to suit my bust, waist and hip measurements.
Get some good ideas at http://indieclothing.mirandasbeach.com

My Indie Clothing site

This the blog-sister to my indie clothing and accessories site where I maintain my top sites directory - I find it very useful to have all these sites in one place and I hope you will too. I am happy to receive suggestions of sites you like, so e-mail me at indieclothes@mirandasbeach.com and I'll see if I like them too !

I currently describe the site as follows: "Indie Designer Clothes site directory - carefully selected indie designer clothing skirts, T-shirts, jewellery, punk gear, bags and accessories and vintage clothing, retro fashions, mod clothes, antique clothing, retro style, vintage fashions, designer clothing, vintage apparel, womens clothing, vintage clothes, and purses and handbags"

Welcome to Indie Clothes

I asked myself , Why am I doing this blog? I started thinking about my Needlework lessons at school and the way they made me feel – bad. My school apron was the laughing stock and I made a pig’s ear of my simple-wrap-around-sleeveless-top. Most of the other girls were neat and seemed to share the ability to follow patterns and use sewing machines. I however was pattern dyslexic and they still fill me with horror to this very day.I’ve come to the conclusion that this must be why I admire people who make their own clothes. Of course I’d rather give my money to small independent businesses rather than large corporations as well. Do let me know of any school-sewing-horror-stories you might have experienced and I’ll put them on the site.