Category Archives: Vintage

My Latest Vintage Finds

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My husband knows me only too well. At the weekend we visited The Emporium, an antique, retro and vintage store in Brierley Hill, and while we were there, I feel in love with a beautiful 1970s vintage dress. It was purple and gold, with long sleeves and Fortuny style pleats. I knew I couldn’t leave without it, and so hubby got it as a Valentine’s present. It is perfect!

It got me thinking that I hadn’t shared any of my vintage finds for a while. January and February have actually been pretty good months in terms of vintage finds in normal charity shops rather than dedicated vintage shops. The prices are of course cheaper than vintage shops where the pieces have been curated, and although the pieces are harder to find, you can still pick up a bargain if you know where to look.

Consider the evidence

1960s Jane & Jane Dress By Susan Small

Jane and Jane was a British fashion label of the 1960s that was taken over by the Susan Small designer label (I believe Susan Small may have been Australian). This dress is a beautiful evening piece that, to be honest, is a little too tight for me, but was just too lovely to leave behind. The beading and style is very Jackie Kennedy, early 1960s in flavour, and the colour is delicious.

The modern Linea long tuxedo style coat was another find, £4.99 and perfect for an evening cover up.

London Pride Jacket

I can find no information about London Pride, nothing except this image that was on Pinterest which makes me think it was a 1960s label or an offshoot of Viyella. This jacket is more of a early 1980s look, think Princess Diana at Balmoral, but I loved the puffed sleeves and the dogtooth print, which seems to have made yet another comeback. For £4.99, it was a bit of a bargain.

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St Michael Label Terry Towelling suit

Have to admit I didn’t get this, even though it had a much sought after St Michael label. I think at some point it would’ve had a tie belt, but that was now missing. I remember my nan having something like this when I was young, but despite that nostalgia, it was a no from me.

1970s Day Dresses – no label

These two dresses were a pound each, so it was an absolute no brainer that I would take them home. They have no makers labels, but I really like the design of the first dress, which is another black and white print with pretty button detail, whilst the second dress will look great with tan sandals in the Summer.

Peacocks Vintage Style Dress

This dress is vintage style and cut, rather than actual vintage. It is a Peacocks 1960s style shift in a sort of brocade print and was £3 from the Salvation Army shop.

Finally, these two beautiful pieces were from The Emporium. The 1960s style sweater was just wonderful, whilst the bag was a 1930s original in very good condition.

 

4 TIPS TO MAKING A SIMPLE WEDDING DRESS ELEGANT AND CLASSY

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A wedding is one event that every woman looks forward to and in which she ensures that she looks fabulous and flawless. Unfortunately, sometimes the ideal wedding dress may cost a fortune, a figure that many may not be able to afford. It is however very possible to have that ideal look while staying within a budget by purchasing a simple wedding dress and adding some enhancements. Below are some tips that can be used to achieve the desired wedding look by using simple, elegant & casual wedding dresses as well as a few accessories which will help a bride feel totally graceful and beautiful on that special day.

 

  1. Add some jewellery

The right kind of jewellery can go a long way in making a simple wedding dress look absolutely elegant and classy. Given the fact that the wedding dress does not have too much detail, it is best to go with a chunky piece of jewellery that will complement the dress. It is crucial to pay attention to the necklines in order to ensure that your pair the right dress with the right necklace. For a wedding dress with a sweetheart neckline, it is best to wear a statement necklace in order to complete the look. For a V-neckline, wear a pendant which happens to be the same shape as the neckline.

  1. Consider the material of the dress

Wedding dresses come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. In order to make a simple wedding dress elegant and classy, consider adding a few flattering patterns to your dress using different materials. For example, you may include a slit along the side of a silk dress or a flowery lace material at the back of the dress in order to create a flattering, peep-through appearance. Consider materials that suit your body shape as well as materials that help to hide your flaws.

  1. Choose the right veil

The right wedding veil will help to enhance the appearance of a wedding dress in a major way. A simple wedding dress provides the bride with an opportunity to be adventurous with the type of veil she would like. In order to create balance, a simple wedding dress should be paired with a veil that has a lot of beautiful embellishments which help to complete the whole ensemble. A few veil ideas to choose from include cathedral-length veils which are suitable for any height or the birdcage types of veils that make any dress pop and look fresh and elegant. Consider a veil with floral patterns or embroidery as well as one with beads, crystals, or pearls in order to create a classy look to your wedding gown.

  1. Accessorize

Invest in a set of earrings that you can wear on the wedding day, paying attention to the type of hairstyle you will be having. Include some hair pieces that may have colored jewels or flowers. You may also invest in hairpins, combs, or hair vines and ensure that your hair jewelry matches the rest of your jewels on your wedding dress.

 

Charity Shop Shopping Haul

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Sometimes a shopping haul can be a trip to a shopping centre or a department store. Sometimes in can be a night of filing an online shopping bag full of items, in many cases not actually reaching the checkout. And sometimes it can mean a trip to a local town with a good selection of charity shops, where you find lots of bargains that range from designer, to good quality High Street, and a bit of vintage thrown in for good measure, and you end up spending less than £25.

This is one of those occasions. A morning away from the computer, making the most of a touch of Indian Summer sun, taking a trip around the decent charity shops of Cannock.

Here are the things I picked up.

Ralph Lauren  Top

This boho, slightly country style top by Ralph Lauren is made to be worn with a pair of skinny jeans and a thick Arran knit cardi. Add some brown or tan ankle boots and this is just a bargain for less than £4.

Wouldn’t wear it with this skirt (obs) but a good fit.

Barbara Hulanicki Top

Barbara Hulanicki or Biba fame did a couple of collections under her own name with George at Asda. This is not the sort of thing I usually pick up in charity shops as it is a low cost item to start with, but mass produced items are often tomorrows sought after labels as they tend to be less looked after, and more often are thrown away. Plus I love the fact it has tiny shoulder pads in to give it a slight 1940s shape, and for £3.50…

Jacques Vert Dress

I think this is just gorgeous, a sort of cross between a 1950s style and something more va va voom. It is a little on the tight side across the bust, so I would avoid wearing it if I was going for a food blow out, but it will be perfect for the theatre, and I actually love it teamed with gold shoes.

Gok Wan top

I’m guessing I wouldn’t have got this top if I hadn’t been wearing this nude skirt, but I loved how well it matched up. Plus it was the cheapest item of the day, costing a grand total of £1.49.

Collection Dress

I think this is a Debenhams label, and this is a clear indicator of why you should always try things on. This dress looks nothing on the hanger, but I loved the cut and fit once I tried it on. It was £4.99 and I think I will wear it loads.

And a bit of M&S St Michael Vintage

I love a bit of 1960s vintage, and St Michael is always a label I look out for, as Marks and Spencer has always been a sign of quality. This dress/pinafore should have a belt, but that is easy to replace, and I love the neckline and the colour. A 1960s piece for £3 is such a great find.

Have you picked up any charity shop bargains lately?

*This post is dedicated to Hazel Wilkins-Brookes, a lovely lady who loved fashion and loved a bargain.