Dress 276: Black and white vintage Principles Blouse with silk collar and white Nespresso Cup.

 


Vintage Black and White Principles Blouse
The smooth woven label at the neck says Principles and it does not have that nasty sharp edge created by heat sealing. This all in one top is comfortable, pretty and practical. The silky, stretchy black body is size 16, Euro 44 and made in China. The fabric is 86% viscose and 14% polyamide. The shiny white yoke and sleeves are, surprise, surprise, 100% silk. The neck and cuffs have pleated edges.

I looked up Principles in Wikipedia and learned that the company started out as Burtons, which became Arcadia. The parent company owned down to earth Dorothy Perkins, smarter yuppy Principles, British Home stores and many more - such as the Debenhams store. Hard times struck. Struck the balance sheet, the shop floor staff - and the customers. The Arcadia brands were sold off by administrators, mainly bought out by Boohoo and Asos, this year, in 2021.

The blouse has two pearl buttons at the neck and each cuff has one flat pearl button. The buttons have four holes and a raised flat edge around the inset set of holes.

Black Skirt
The black skirt is thick and warm. The label says Comfy clothes by Alice, made in Cyprus. 

I bought it from a shop in Queens Park which specialised in plus size clothes. The designs were A lines, loose or wrap around designs with large sleeves.  

The prices were high and I bought in the sales. I bought a lot in their closing down sale.

Everything was on shelves, folded flat, not on hangers. No hanging straps. I had to sew in ribbons at the waist of skirts. 

In summer they made outfits of sleeveless ankle length tunics with slit sides over matching sleeved caftans or with open front jackets.  

A black skirt is handy, daytime in winter, evening any time. It goes with everything, numerous tops, and does not show stains, except white. Very handy for travelling.

Black and White With Red
The old punning riddle goes, what is black and white and red all over? A newspaper. 

My outfit is black and white with a redeeming touch of red. I thought black and white was boring. I stood next to the white blind which has a red flower pattern. I added red lipstick, the red lipstick also used as rouge on my cheeks. I was already wearing cheerful, lively, red socks.

The top is size 16 and does not show my figure. So I added a plain white fabric belt.

Accessary - White Nespresso Cup
White Nespresso cup and saucer. They cost seventeen pounds for a set of two cups with saucers. The base of the cup is square, although the top is round. 

The square cup base fits over a raised circle. You wouldn't think one could redesign a circular saucer, which normally has a sunken circle or disc shape in the centre, but they have. We got the cup free from Nespresso at some point after taking out a year's never-ending monthly subscription to coffee capsules.

Useful search words:
silk, 100% silk, real silk, size 16, comfy, plus size, fabric belt, red, white, black, black and white, red socks, red roller blind, red and white, A line, stretch, stretchy, hat, cap, ladies turban, Nespresso cup, two in one shirt dress, mock shirt

Useful Websites
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principles_(retailer)
For the hat see
https://dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com/2021/07/that-hat-now-in-yellow.html

Nespresso Coffee Cup
https://www.nespresso.com/uk/en/order/accessories/original/pure-espresso-coffee-cups

Pearl buttons, flt
https://www.kbeads.com/p-750137-mother-of-pearl-buttons-akoya-shell-button-dyed.html?paLb=Rec_Detail_AlsoBought
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274813929334?hash=item3ffc2fc776:g:KZ8AAOSwGntgsTyw

About the Author
Angela Lansbury lives in traditional England and sunny Singapore. You can link with her on LinkedIn and Facebook, see pictures on Pinterest. See her and speak to her at Toastmasters International meetings. She is a member of London's Harrovians and a former member and frequent visitor to HOD. In Singapore she is a member of Braddell Heights Advanced, Tampines Changkat Advanced, Senja-Cashew, and club coach for Nee Soon South. She is also a member of Singapore online which meets every Friday, late evening Singapore time so that members and visitors can join from Europe and east coast USA, the Caribbean or Central America.  For more details see their facebook groups, search Toastmasters International find a club, or ask to join their WhatsApp groups.

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