My Favourite Vintage Style Swimsuits This Summer

My most popular post ever was the Vintage Style Swimsuit Special. I’m obsessed with gorgeous retro swimwear and apparently so are you, so here are my latest objects of aquatic lust for you to drool over/pose in.

Because red satin and fake diamonds are always appropriate

Marilyn swimsuit by Pin Up Girl Clothing, also available in plus size, maternity and at Top Vintage

Always accessorize your swimsuit with a cocktail and your cocktail with an umbrella

South Pacific swimsuit by Seaspray available at Figleaves

The sexiest Minnie Mouse outfit ever

Marilyn swimdress from Deadly Is The Female

Bombshell style, bargain price

Pink swimsuit from Asda

Don’t just go on holiday, look like one

Lazy Summer bikini by Playful Promises

This would be killer with a tan

 

Tankini from Mama Maria

And finally, the Little Black Dress of Swimsuits

1950s Sarong Swimsuit by What Katie Did

Life Advice From Elizabeth Taylor

2014, A Year In Review

Your Retro Girl Band Costumes Sorted

If you’ve always wanted to start a 1940s girl band, grab a couple of gal pals, gargle some champagne to clear your throat and see below for the stage costumes of your dreams. All these doo-wop-worthy dresses are available as part of the stunning Daisy Dapper Autumn/Winter collection.

Love this

 

The ModCloth Uniquely You Outfit Challenge

Everything is available from ModCloth via Wanelo (except Sophia Loren)

I was very excited to be asked to take part in the ModCloth Uniquely You Outfit Challenge. I love their website. It’s a gigantic virtual emporium of vintage style gorgeousness. And creating fantasy outfits online is my Sudoku.

Inspired by the high-waisted polka dot bikini, I’ve gone for a mid-century Mediterranean movie star look because that is who I’d like to have been in a past life.

For full details and links to all items, just click on the picture, guapa.

The New Year’s Resolutions I Actually Want To Keep

I’ve decided there’s no point making resolutions to lose weight/gain self-control/give up smoking. That last one is particularly pointless as I don’t currently smoke. Instead, I have come up with five New Year’s reso-woohoo-tions that make me feel excited rather than doomed. My hope is that this will make them easier to keep, resulting in feelings of achievement and elation rather than the usual sensations I associate with New Year’s resolutions – low self-worth and a burning desire to eat a whole tube of Pringles in one brief sitting. Obviously with these resolutions I have aimed high and tackled the issues in my life that really matter.

1. Wear more trousers

I can be found in skirts and dresses nearly every day but in 2014 I intend to wear vintage style jeans without crying and to romp about in capri pants, even if I do horrify strangers with my brazen cankle exposure. I will never abandon frocks as I am not a turncoat (turnfrock?) but this year I will sometimes embrace having two legs.

2. Make the beehive my bitch

Are these resolutions too superficial and self-involved? Excellent, that’s exactly what I’m going for. It’s going to be a vain year. I covet voluminous hair piled high in the manner of a sixties sex kitten and I think that backcombing it myself will be empowering. I’m aiming for Brigitte Bardot meets Gizzi Erskine. On my head. And they look fabulous.

3. Show you how I burlesque

Regrettably neither of these goddesses are me, but they do illustrate the kind of fun and frolics I will enjoy once I master the art of the tease. Watch out people with a nervous disposition, tassel twirling is about to become my new party trick. I’ll try not to take your eye out.

4. Explore vintage London

This city I call home is rammed with exciting vintagey goings-on and I hereby vow to get out there and have more glorious, lace-trimmed adventures and document them smugly on Instaglam.

5. Learn to cocktail

I thought about learning to cook but decided that was too sensible and unrealistic. Cocktails are less effort, less calories and more fun than proper meals. Plus there’s less washing up involved.

What are your New Year’s resolutions, vintage lovers? xx

Vintage Essentials No.2: A Cherry Print Dress

Dress by Stop Staring, wedges from New Look, clutch from Primark

So you’ve mastered polka dots – well done, you look fab – and now you’re ready for your next classic vintage ensemble. Like polka dots but with added stalks, it’s the always scrumptious cherry print dress.

If dots are cute, cherries are almost too adorable to handle. This is the ultimate feelgood frock. It’s nearly impossible to pull off being in a bad mood while being covered knee to décolletage in juicy, ripe cherries. You just can’t help but look cheerful and cheeky, even if you’re scowling and throwing a diva strop.

Marilyn made cherries iconic in her 1961 film, The Misfits, by wearing one of  my all time favourite onscreen outfits. The flirty print, the draped hourglass shape and her creampuff of a hairdo make her look like a sexy cupcake – sugary sweet and good enough to eat.

White à la Ms Monroe is the classic colour choice as it’s both summery and seductive. Black or baby blue also look yummy. I tend to keep my white one for warm weather and my trusty black one for winter.

Wear scarlet lipstick to match your cherries and either red or neutral accessories to keep the outfit simple and let your cherries do the talking.

Every retro repro brand worth its wiggle offers its own interpretation of this look. Here are some of the fruitiest frocks online to make you look positively delicious.

From left to right: Glamour Bunny, Collectif, Pin Up Girl Clothing, Big Beautiful Barbara Brown, Mod Cloth, Dainty Rascal, Cherise Design, Bettie Page, Heartbreaker

Pin Up Accessories For Summer

So you’ve got your favourite 1950s sundress on but you still don’t feel pin up perfect? No need to worry, doll. Just read this easy guide to summer accessorising, vintage style.

Statement Sunglasses

Cat eye sunglasses are the most iconic fifties shape. You can channel the Pink Ladies in these supergirly shades from Deadly Is The Female. Or if, like me, you’re worried that cat eyes don’t suit your human features, look for oversized frames like this selection from Bow And Crossbones. I love them because they’re very old Hollywood glam plus they conveniently minimise the visible surface area of my big round face.

Basket Bags

This classic but quirky style will go with all your summer outfits. Mine is vintage but there are lots of adorable reproductions I’m lusting after online. The boxier baskets are from Miss Bamboo and Deadly Is The Female and these cute little clutches can be found at Collectif and Bow And Crossbones.

Tiki Jewelery

Make your life more like a luau with some fabulous jewellery. Either bedeck yourself with bamboo bangles or, if you want to really kitsch it up, check out these awesome novelty earrings from Lady Luck’s Boutique.

Colourful Corsages

I am currently obsessed with corsages and summer is a brilliant excuse to bring the party to your hair. Even if you lack the time or hand-eye coordination to commit to a full on vintage ‘do, wearing one of these is an easy way to add some old-fashioned charm to your barnet. Choose a colour that lifs your complexion for the most flattering effect. The widest and most affordable range I’ve found is from Bow And Crossbones.

Vintage Scarves

I live in these on holiday. They look sweet, stop your scalp getting sunburnt and pull focus from bad hair days. These fifties-print reversible ones from Vicky Cee give you two looks for the price (and suitcase space) of one.

P.S. I love parasols

Just the ticket if you’re anxious to preserve a porcelain complexion.

Make like Dita and carry a ladylike parasol. As well as looking fabulous it will stop your immaculate vintage make-up sliding straight off your shiny, sweaty, sun-snogged face.

Now all you need to do is practice your pout and wait for a passing photographer to capture all your delightful cheekiness. Happy posing, pin up queens!

Holiday Wardrobe Inspiration

If you’re facing the age-old conundrum of what to pack for your hols, stop stressing and start taking style notes from one of these vintage muses.

Brigitte Bardot – the summer sex kitten

floral bikini, straw bag, gingham sundress, waterproof mascara, yellow dress

Famous for looking fabulous in St Tropez, Bardot was the master of flirty style. Her clothes were feminine and gorgeous but also wearable. Rather than stuffing her sweaty tootsies into high heels on her holidays, she often wore flats or no shoes at all. If you want a bit of Bardot in your suitcase, look for 1960s style floral bikinis, fitted girly sundresses and lots and lots of gingham. Waterproof eyeliner and mascara is also essential to give you come-to-bed eyes that stay put while you skip along the sand.

Audrey Hepburn – the classic gamine

shirtwaister dress, chiffon scarf, stripe top, shorts, cardigan, circle skirt

Audrey is the perfect illustration of how to wear practical vintage style on your travels. Her iconic brand of gamine chic calls for simple 1950s separates like capri pants, demure blouses, circle skirts and flat sandals. Accessorise with a chiffon scarf worn at your neck or over your hair. To complete the look, hire a Vespa for the day and pretend you’re an undercover princess.

Elizabeth Taylor – the unapologetic glamourpuss

green halter, lilac frock, Pucci scarf, leopard swimsuit, gold heels

If you’re craving some full-on movie star glamour, channel Ms Taylor in bold colours and low necklines. The key to this look is spotlighting your waist so cinch it in by adding a belt to a full-skirted sundress. Wear heels with your 1950s one-piece and a full face of make-up at all times. Scour vintage stores for glamazon accessories like Pucci scarves and giant sunhats to shield you from the paparazzi.

Bon voyage, bombshells! xx