Tea by Day,
Tequila by Night
19 May 2026
A Fashion Story. Sort Of.
I now have only two House of Merivale garments. (“now” and “only” because hey, a woman’s got to sell a few rare vintage treasures sob now and then… Circular Economy stuff. Bills stuff.)
The two I have left and the two that will remain with me, represent the brand’s style very well.
Tea by day, tequila by night. Okay okay, Romantic and Cocktail Glam.
You can see the Cocktail Glam dress here: 5 Fave Vintage
It’s a perfect example of 80s style and style elements with its soft draped cowl neck paired with savage cutout slash details! Plus floral sequin appliqué epaulets because hello? 80s power shoulder silhouette, which does its job of drawing the eye to the slinkiness of the bold scarlet red.
I have not worn this dress enough and I am okay with that, although I do believe that everything likes purpose.
We use our vintage items and wear our vintage pieces, but we also handle with care.
This beautiful, 70s, georgette, pastel mint, no other way to describe it… ethereal gown is featured in the The Stylander’s April editorial and Stv episode THE YEAR OF THE HORSE JACKET (Spring) and again, a perfect example of the brand’s style and appeal..
The day photos are from 2010. I had a life and style blog back then and it was popular, had a reach that made me “useful” to others but my observations have always made me a capitalistic pariah. Small wins.
[Which reminds me, I should share the story of our wedding day, the most perfect wedding ever, despite our hostile witnesses… but I see it as my fairytale wedding 
I was 50 when I got married, I didn’t realise I had waited for The One and that I was waiting at all!]
The blog photos were taken (before I started photographing professionally and) in between the wedding ceremony and reception of a friend’s daughter.
I still have, love and use the delightful vintage pom-pom shawl shown, but that was the last time I wore the dress out, 16 years ago!
Quite stunning for a 55yo.
I am talking about the dress and I am estimating its age [uncannily mine too 
]. I have kept it well like I do everything including myself.
]. I have kept it well like I do everything including myself. I am rather glad it still fits my body. I cherish my vintage garments. I found this in an opshop 20 years ago for an absolute bargain.
Next to a pink one exactly the same. I didn’t buy it. One of my few regrets in life.
PS. ‘Like a G6’ was THE banger of 2010. Still fly -and meta- in 2026.
PPS. What happened to Cocktail Glam? And it’s “lick, SIP, suck”… tequila should be sipped NOT shot. Salt and citrus is about masking inferior “tequila”, which belies the point. The object is appreciation not oblivion.
Well, okay, ours.
Not condoning alcohol. Recommending responsible thinking.