vintage clothing blog

Bag…a container or receptacle of leather, plastic, cloth, paper, etc, capable of being closed at the mouth. A suitcase or other portable container for carrying articles, as in travelling.  A purse or money bag. Whichever way you describe your ‘bag’ it is definitely the accessory which has received the most attention in recent years, and the one which holds the most value in more ways than one. It is common to feel like you are carrying your whole life (or at least the important and most precious bits) around with you.

Bag lady…a homeless woman who lives and sleeps on city streets or in public places, often keeping all her belongings with her in shopping bags. This, once negative image, has been replaced with one of a woman who is keen to re-use her shopping bag or ‘bag for life’, a woman who is concerned for the environment (or at least how good it makes her look being concerned about the environment).

The bag as we know it has changed faces several times and the latest façade is that of the ‘the bigger, the better’. Yes…that’s true! For guarding your best kept secrets, the bag needs to accommodate all areas of your life and be able to go from day to night in one easy step.

Jane Shilton, to me, will never go out of style, new or vintage, and the Lacoste, bucket bag, encompasses the modern woman so well.  Whatever the size, don’t go too flash, Birkin – out, Shilton and vintage – in!

p.s ..size matters

The spring 2012 collections haven’t quite made it into the stores, on the shelves or on to our backs yet, but the 1920’s trend is clearly the way forward (backward). Spring 2012 is going to see a strong influence from the silhouette made famous in the 1920’s, with the determined attempt to discard the female curves. The 1920’s (the first time round) saw the disappearance of the female silhouette as we knew it. Instead favouring and showcasing a more mannish shape; waist –gone, bust –gone, shoulders – broader, and hair – a lot shorter. Corsets gave way to Latex girdles (sigh).

The catwalk Art-Deco trend has already influenced the choices of those deemed glamorous to walk the red carpet; Florence (Florence and the machine) and Diane Kruger have both been seen sporting fringing lately. This ‘flapper girl’ look is mirrored in the costumes of Baz Luhrmann’s soon to arrive ‘The Great Gatsby’, with jazz being a strong theme running through the film.

p.s you don’t really have to squeeze yourself into a girdle to pull this look off.

The late Alexander McQueen was a seasoned tailor; nurtured on Savile Row his ability to cut cloth and his eye for detail was evident in all he designed. It is so inspiring to see his signature live on in his labels latest collection, with a graphic and playful approach to checks and stripes. The emphasis on sharp tailoring is reminiscent of McQueen’s early days but it has been combined with a softer approach in the form of canvassed or deconstructed elements. Loose pyjama shapes offer a softer more feminine side to the look, while shirting comes with floral embroidery or pleating.

Last week I talked about ‘geek chic’ (for want of a better description), and I feel this collection reinforces and supports it so well.

p.s whoever said checks and stripes shouldn’t be worn together is wrong!

The latest incarnation of the doctor in Dr Who, played by Matt Smith, has influenced men’s vintage fashion lately. Tweed jackets are in demand, bow ties bring about the cheek in ‘tongue in cheek’, and tank tops are no longer limited to Geography teachers. In fact, if anything, ‘geek chic’ has risen up the fashion ladder, entering into the wardrobes of the most fashion forward. For those looking to emulate the fine Dr, don’t forget your patches.

p.s if you feel the tank top isn’t for you, try a suede fronted cardigan instead.

Sometimes one single word can so perfectly encapsulate everything you need to know about a trend. ‘Maxi’ is one of these all telling words…maximum length, maximum, fabric, maximum movement, and maximum impact. The ‘Maxi’ has clocked up some mileage in recent summers, and now, as if that wasn’t enough, the maxi has permeated into the colder months. Dries Van Noten, Balenciaga and Chloe are all rocking the maximum trend for what is left of the winter months. Go to great lengths and make your maxi weather appropriate in luxe fabrics…team, silk, velvet and jersey with a leather jacket of fur cape.

p.s sex appeal isn’t always about how much flesh you flash, embrace the maxi…

The New Year is here and the compulsive quest for self-improvement begins once again in the form of New Year resolutions, targets, and goals for the year ahead of us. Well, instead of fixating on the negative things in your life and the things that need improving and changing…why not celebrate and congratulate yourself on the things that are working?? The street is littered with stylish do’s, like…do team vintage dresses with Chelsea boots, do keep hold of that fur for a few more months, do top your outfit off with a floppy felt hat, and do accessorise with the material of the season…leather. We congratulate all the street trend setters for their ‘hit the nail on the head’ style…

However, if you do feel the need for self improvement, here are a three of my own targets for the year, after all nobody is perfect…

• Do one thing that scares me…i.e. bungee jumping, skydiving (yikes)
• Draw more, a drawing a day…
• Visit 3 different countries.

p.s it’s ok to ‘borrow’ my targets, just like I’ll be borrowing their style…

They say “you shouldn’t judge a (wo)man till you’ve walked a mile in their shoes”. Well celebs and civilians alike are taking this saying literally, donning a pair of previously loved boots and rocking the vintage leather trend. Brown, Black, Navy, Cream, Tan and Olive, you name it, there’s a pair of boots in the colour of it. Now, wearing someone else’s shoes would usually go against every logical fibre of my being, but I too have been sucked in…these boots are too good to miss. And ladies, if they’ve already “walked a mile” and lasted this long I’m pretty sure they will last a few more.

p.s. the bonus of this trend is, if you’re lucky enough to have the same shoe size as friends, feel free to swap and…judge!

The advent of Christmas does not only bring about the excessive and inappropriate consumption of chocolate, but it also wakes a dormant urge in us all to dress in ‘all that glitters’. We are always receptive to any types of glittering objects (bit like magpies really), but during the holiday season we seem to pay extra special attention to those glittering and glistening objects. I don’t know if it’s all the twinkling holiday lights, shiny wrapping paper or the frost covered mornings but this year is no different, you guessed it; the embellishment of the moment is sequins!

With so many of the stars (celebs, not those in the sky) shining and sparkling on the red carpet it is easy to understand the desire to adorn one’s body with ‘all that glitters’. The three kings brought gold, frankincense and myrrh, whereas the catwalk has delivered us an array of gold, sequins and gems. Ladies it is a feast for the eyes. We approve!

This look is so easy to get right…let your sequins do the hard work and keep the rest of your look simple with, opaque or no tights, a simple clutch, and a bolero jacket (there’s no point sparkling if your lips are blue!).

p.s unfortunately you can expect to lose a little sparkle during the night, think vintage…if it still has its sparkle after this long, it can with stand another night out!

It is fast approaching the festive season and everyone is talking about ‘gift’ ideas, and just as it has with every other blogger, style guide, fashion advisor, the gift guide has permeated here too. However, I feel and fear I may be becoming a little boring in my own desires, with the content of my ‘wish list’ so far mirroring that of someone devoid of imagination; consisting of a scarf, an orange juicer, and, dare I say it…a hair dryer!

You may be thinking this doesn’t sound like the person I would like to take gift ideas from, well… I am not necessarily going to give you an a-z of gift ideas but since trying to brighten up my own ‘wish list’ I have stumbled across some more imaginative ideas you might want to know about that don’t induce deathly boring comas.

Diane Von Furstenberg has created a FABULOUS range of ‘useful’ carry cases; laptop holders, USB sticks, phone cases, travel adapters (with own case of course) and purses a plenty; all created using vintage archived prints…and we all love vintage! However, those with the desire to have some money to put in their purse after purchase then the following items will suite the more frugally minded.

A scarf that says “I’ve travelled” even if you haven’t, original vinyl records can be picked up cheaply in second hand shops (not necessarily Madonna), a statement chair (preferably vintage), a Christmas top, and the not so boring hairdryer!!

p.s try not spending all your time shopping for yourself, it is the season of giving remember.

The bag getting the most attention at the moment is the flight bag, original or repro, the joys and plus’ of this item are endless. It feels a bit redundant trying to explain why the flight bag is so aesthetically pleasing and fun…

Circa the 1970’s, not a flight of fancy, the flight bag rocketed to fame in the place you would expect, in the hands of airhostess’ and loyal followers of specific airlines. Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, along with British Airways, are the most popular designs. Pan Am identified by its blue globe logo was a cultural icon of the 20th century while British Airways known as the flag carrier airline is favoured by the most patriotic of the flying crowd.

Seen here are just a few of the flight bag designs available to all you ‘travellers’.

p.s in case you hadn’t realised, you don’t need to be on a flight to feel the benefits of the flight bag.