In the past few weeks an influx of Vivienne Westwood Anglomania counterfeits have appeared on auction site Ebay. It is well known that the site is awash with fake jewellery and handbags, even some clothes such as the classic t-shirts and jumpers, however this is the first time I have seen them trying to fake more high profile pieces. The majority are dresses but also jackets and coats have been spotted. These sales are very difficult to detect as being counterfeit from the listings, the sellers are really devious. I have no doubt that the people bidding on them believe they are the real deal, especially considering some of them are selling for hundreds of pounds. They clothes look like the real deal to the untrained eye, especially when you can’t see it in real life. I hate to see people being ripped off, especially as I champion ebay as a great place to pick up Westwood on a budget so I have made this guide in the hopes of helping. There a a few easy things you can look out for to detect the fakes, its a lengthy post with images so click for more:
Topic: Vivienne Westwood
Outfit: Shorts Suit
Today I am Wearing: Vivienne Westwood – Red Label tartan blazer, grey wool shorts, frill blouse; Gold Label Piped Courts in brown.
Just found this half finished post in my drafts, don’t know why it got waylay-ed! If you follow me on Instagram (@superelevated) and Facebook you might remember it was from a few weeks back. I really love this outfit, I know shorts and tartan aren’t suitable for everyone’s work wear but it is perfect for me. I am lucky to have that freedom. This is what I wear for an average smart work look, here I am in the museum carrying out some research and meetings. For something more formal I would switch the shorts for a pencil skirt. In fact that is what I wore for a recent conference, switched the shorts for a black fitted pencil skirt and the shoes for my black suede Animal Toe courts.
I actually really like wearing quite formal clothes, there is nothing better than a suit to make you feel more confidant. I don’t often have such extremely formal occasions to wear a full suit, so I usually wear them as separates. If you have a formal black or navy suit that only sees light of day for job intereviews, try wearing the skirt / trousers with a soft blouse or structured jumper for a smart but chic look. Blazers / jackets work to add a sleek edge to just about any outfit, over pretty dresses or with jeans.
I have been posting a lot on Instagram so let me know if you are on there too and I can follow you, don’t forget I am on YouTube now too, again let me know you channels so I can subscribe!
Outfit: Squiggles, New & Old
Tour My Closet – My Revamped YouTube Channel
I decided it was about time my long abandoned You Tube channel was revisited. I’ve had a few requests for vlogging content and I agree it does make somethings easier to explain. My first video is a companion to one of my most popular posts ‘Vivienne Westwood Pirate Boots: History & How to Spot Fakes‘ where I can show details genuine Pirate boots have.
Next, the launch of my new regular feature ‘Shoe Closet Tours’, I aim to eventually show all my shoe collection, each pair at a time! You can have a look through my channel, there are also some runway videos, but if you just want the new shoe action I have compiled them all into a Playlist, entitled ‘Shoes!’ Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to get all my new videos. I will be doing some haul and review vlogs too. Of course if you have a channel, drop me the link so I can subscribe x
Shoes! Playlist:
Outfit: Squiggle Girl
Wearing: Vivienne Westwood – Worlds End ‘Gigot’ dress, Gold Label ‘Animal Toe Courts’ and Japanese License ‘Squiggle’ socks
These socks have been long awaited by all the squiggle fans. The length is longer than the original Pirate stockings but made from a cheese cloth so you still get that great slouch effect. My tip if you want to wear them over the knee, use some body-tape to hold them up, or even a suspender belt. If you want a pair best be quick and give Lisa a call as they will sell out fast, £45 from Worlds End. This is the first thing I have tried them with, obviously this is my favourite dress at the moment! But I can’t wait to try them with my other squiggle items. Here is some squiggle sock inspiration for you!
Images via 430 Kings Road Tumblr
Vivienne Westwood Sample Sale Scores
Reflecting on the swag
I wasn’t really planning on showing my new stuff until I happened to wear it but you, my friends, are so demanding! So here are a few snaps I just took whilst trying things on. I got a fair amount, two dress, two skirts, a coat, two necklaces, belt, lanyard, tights, legwarmers and some things for my mum. As much as I could carry really! Believe me I would have loved to get more, but what I did get are really incredible pieces.
My rather disheveled outfit on the way home
Taking my new coat and skirt for a whirl the day after sale
I also got asked a few questions about how sample / warehouse sales work, its pretty simple. All the items are price by type, dresses are a set price, coats a set price and so on. The sale was dearer this year some example prices are large bags £140, red label dresses £70, t-shirts £20, with Gold Label being individually priced. It wasn’t dirt cheap Primark prices which some people bizarrely seem to expect, but it is a huge discount on what you would pay in store, even at the seasonal sales. The cheapest things I saw were Melissa shoes for £20 and plastic jewellery for £5, however getting a Red Carpet dress which can cost £3000 for £350 is still a bargain in my books, I guess it just depends on what you are looking for.
After last years crazy scrum of a sale, this year they controlled the amount of people allowed in at a time, I think around 20 people. This made queue times a bit longer but made the shopping experience so much easier and more pleasurable for customers and staff. There was plenty of time and space to have a good look around. I believe the average queue time was 1 hour which I don’t think is too bad considering, this was also the time most people gave themselves to get there early. The sale started at 10am and the queuing really began around 9am. If you don’t like to queue aim to get there around lunch time or on the 2nd day when it is quieter.There was absolutely plenty of stock, no need to panic but of course there was still some kerfuffle outside with idiots trying to queue jump. They were swiftly made to leave. You generally aren’t able to try things on at a sample sale, you can try shoes on if you can manage to do so standing on one leg. Some sales allow you to try clothes on over your own. A cloakroom is provided which means you can go in the sale with your hands free! I guess the main tip for shopping sample sales is to have an idea of your size with the brand, if it’s not a brand you usually wear then try to go into a store and try on. There is nothing more frustrating than buying something fabulous to find it doesn’t fit. If I am unsure of a size I tend to go for the bigger size as you can always have something easily made smaller, it’s not so easy to make things bigger.
Huge thanks to all the staff for organising the sale <3
A Catch Up – New Worlds End Buys & Travels
Where to start? I’ve been up to so much lately, traveling up and down the country with my new job. My iPhone has been a godsend, the camera is really good so I can still snap outfit shots without having to lug around my DSLR. That does mean you get random dodgy backgrounds, mostly public toilets! I was lucky enough to visit the V&A (of course I saw the Bowie exhibition) and stately home Canons Ashby, more on both of those in a separate post. I know what you really want to know is what I was doing at Worlds End!
After posting teasing snaps on Instagram (@SuperElevated) and Facebook I guess I should spill the beans on what I brought home with me. If you haven’t guessed already I got the huge Clomper Pirate Boots in brown on brown squiggle! I hadn’t planned on getting these actually, I thought I would get the Mock Croc Elevator court shoes however they just didn’t fit me, 5 too narrow and 6 far too big. They are a narrow fit and if you are a half size like me I think you will struggle with them. I wanted to try on all the new Gold Label shoes, as a duty to everyone who couldn’t get to the shop and needed sizing info (See how good to you guys I am, I tried on all those shoes just for you). I find the Clompers are a wide fit but they are a small fit due to the low vamp (bit where your toes go) so I would recommend you go up a size, they don’t fit the same as regular Pirate boots, I went for a 6 in these. The same for the Slave Clomper sandals, which are now available in a myriad of colours!
When I tried the Clomper boots on I was surprised how comfy they were, heavy yes, but once you get used to them they are so fun to stomp around in. Eye wateringly expensive but I couldn’t leave without them, simple as that and it’s not often you feel that way about a pair of shoes (lies, all lies). Alright, alright I do often feel that way about shoes, but can we times that by 10 for these!! I also got the dress I am wearing here, its called the Gigot dress and is on the Worlds End label, it’s available in white or black at the moment, however I also have it on the Gold Label in Union Jack print. I’ve wanted this for ages, it will be my summer staple. I also wanted something light and billowy to balance out the Clomper boots, no idea what else they are going to go with yet. I can add more info on all the new Gold Label shoes if anyone wants, just drop me a line, right I’m off to do some stomping!
1. Fashion galleries at the V&A, 2. packing issues, 3&4. Wearing Vivienne Union Jack print Gable trousers, 5. Lichtenstein coffee, 6. Casual wearing Anglomania sweater dress, 7. Trying on Elevated Courts at Worlds End, 8. Westwood ribbons, 9. Bedpost carving at Canons Ashby (more on that soon), 10. Comfy Pirate Boots, 11. Cuppa with the gorgeous Zoe from Penny Blossoms blog, 12. Clompers!
Beautiful Vivienne Westwood shoes!
Outfit: Jumbo Tartan Scarf
Wearing: all Vivienne Westwood – Anglomania ‘Limpish’ coat, Gold Label tartan scarf, ‘Rubbish’ print Pirate boot, double prong Alex belt
I LOVE this coat so much, it is smart with a military edge. I actually wear it most days but because I tend to take my coats off for photo’s I’m not sure if it’s even been on the blog?? This scarf is immense, it’s basically like a blanket and something which has been my must have all through winter. It’s a really old scarf, my mum actually bought one years ago and I’ve been trying to steal it ever since – with no luck. One came up on ebay last year and I snapped it right up! It is similar to the World’s End scarves, though not so big, I’d love one of those too one day. These boots are a bit good aren’t they, for some odd reason one foot is a bit tight so I don’t wear them much. I decided today was going to be the day I broke them in and took them on a tour of the post office and supermarket, oh yeah my life is so fashion. What I really need right now are some new Wellies, it hasn’t stopped raining lately. I’ve got my eye on these cherry red hunter wellies aren’t they fun and they would match my scarf.
Here are the boots on the Vivienne Westwood runway from S/S 2004. This as with many other collection gone before has me longing for pieces from it! The print is called the ‘Rubbish’ print and was made from photo’s taken of the rubbish in Westwood’s studio.
Outfit: Tweeds & Tartans
Wearing: all Vivienne Westwood- Red Label tweed jacket, Anglomania dress, Meg boots, Pelle belt, Winter tartan bag and scarf
Rich wearing all Vivienne Westwood – Red Label tartan jacket, MAN drop crotch trousers, Worlds End Seditionary boots, jewellery Gems TV.
Hope you are all enjoying the Bank Holiday! A quite one for me spent with family. Just a couple of shots of what Rich and I wore to go for a coffee – obligatory peek in TK Maxx of course!
Happy Easter!
Wearing: Vivienne Westwood- Anglomania ‘Monday’ dress, ‘Rubbish’ print boots, ‘Pelle’ belt, ‘Cupid’ tiara; Miu Miu tortoiseshell Cat-eye sunglasses c/o SunglassesShop.com.
Happy Easter everyone, hope you are all having a fab bank holiday weekend.
