Vintage Essentials: Currently Enhancing My Life And Wardrobe

Paloma cardigan from Banned, skirt from Vivien of Holloway, shoes from New Look, vintage handbag, underwear by Gossard

1. A perfect 1950s style cardi

Available in a knickerbockerglory of ice-creamy shades, this cardigan is strategically cropped to sit right on your waist for maximum hourglass definition. I wear it sweater girl style in the smallest size I can get away with, buttons sewn up to prevent accidental flashing and traffic accidents.

2. An impressively authentic pencil skirt

Unlike many repro items, there isn’t any stretch in Vivien of Holloway’s signature wiggle skirt. This means it looks like a fabulous vintage original but it also makes walking a challenge and running a crazy pipedream.

3. The most hardworking smalls in my lingerie drawer (and they all have to work pretty hard in the field of heavy lifting)

Like my floral screwdriver, the Retrolution range by Gossard is both functional and beautiful. Need undies that don’t show up under light fabrics and plunging necklines? I recommend their low cut bra in blush. Want the Spanx effect without the bald-cap-for-your-bum aesthetic? Try their waist cincher. Crave a vintage-looking thong? Go for the vintage-looking thong.

2014, A Year In Review

I would like to introduce you to what I’ll be wearing this Christmas.

kimono and nightgown are both vintage, satin shoes by Lotus

While many of you will be enjoying/enduring a family gathering on the 25th, I’ll be getting pissed on Prosecco with my beautiful friend, Shari. We were at a vintage fair when we came up with this plan. Pumped with adrenaline about the prospect of celebrating Jesus’ bday with no turkey, relatives or restraint, our eyes were simultaneously drawn to a stunning selection of original 1950s kimonos, reduced to clear. Surely this was fashion fate, some kind of materialistic Christmas miracle. We bought one each and our dresscode was decided; epic loungewear. I was so excited I pretended to be an aeroplane.

I can’t resist the unapologetic glamour of a great big, flowing kimono. You can swan around your living room feeling like an empress even though your only empire consists of your mirror and your ego. This one is particularly gorgeous with its hand painted flowers and dramatic sleeves, massive enough to store all your fabulousness.

Here I am, practicing my lounging in preparation for a Kimono Christmas.

My Polka Dot Rose

Dolores Polka Dot Rose Half Sleeve Dress from Collectif, shoes from New Look, vintage handbag

I’m a huge fan of Collectif and a particular devotee of their Dolores dress. I have it in eight(!) different prints threatening to burst the hinges of my wardrobe at any moment. (See here, here and here for proof of my love.) So I was pretty excited to see the autumn/winter spin on my old favourite.

The winter edition of the Dolores is a more modest cut than its summer cousin. It’s still got that va-va-voom-ka-pow-pow-pow-boom-pow silhouette but the slightly higher sweetheart neckline reveals a glimpse rather than a yard of cleavage and the half sleeves ensure goosepimply bingo wings are contained and insulated.

The print combines two vintage classics – polka dots and roses – to create a tongue-in-chic, cartoonish vision of feminitity. Betty Boop would rock this frock. As would Minnie’s older, more worldy wise sister, Minxie Mouse.

Ladylike In Red

Dress by Stop Staring via eBay, seamed stockings from What Katie Did, kitten heels from ASOS, vintage handbag

I love everything 1950s. Apart from the lack of equal rights, which sucked. Some days though, I want to feel more like a lady than a walking homage to the pinup, for instance on the days I visit my grandparents. Luckily I have a back up decade I can call upon for family occasions and bomb raids alike – the fabulous though war-torn 1940s.

The silhouette of this little red forties frock is just gorgeous. It’s gently undulating rather than boom-boom-pow but it’s still flattering to your curves. Thoughtful details like the puff shoulders and tie neckline add to the vintage charm, while the half sleeves and below-the-knee skirt make it perfectly autumnal.

All in all, this highly sophisticated dress exudes the kind of demure femininity that makes your grandmother (and me) swoon.

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.

Daisy Dapper, I Think I Love You

Dress by Daisy Dapper, vintage handbag and earrings, shoes from Aldo

New season, new fashion-based crush. This time I’m lusting after the work of designer, Daisy Dapper. I love a dress that shows off my waist without letting my wobblers out. Miss Dapper specialises in these, masterfully blending old fashioned sex appeal with a touch of class.

I couldn’t resist this particular powder pink frock, possibly because it looks like a sweet and I have a problem with snacking. The restrained cleavage and adorable details like the bow and the ruching on the bust give it the look of a beautiful vintage original.

It also comes in these gorgeous Autumnal shades, which are perfect if you want something more forgiving or you’re a spiller.

Forest green, royal blue, black

Vintage Essentials No.9: A Lace Camisole

Lace camisole from Biba at House of Fraser, pencil skirt and shoes from ASOS, pink bra from Curvy Kate, hair corsage from Accessorize, cardigan, handbag and earrings are vintage

When your wardrobe is bursting at the hinges with statement pieces, sometimes you need the perfect basic to pull a look together.

My love of cardigans and my massive, button-defying breasts mean that vests are an essential building block in my wardrobe, but a cotton top can undermine the glamour of an otherwise high voltage outfit.

That’s why I was so delighted with this camisole from Biba. It’s simple enough to wear with attention-grabbing items like this fabulous 1950s vintage cardigan and this hotrod-hot-pink pencil skirt, but the lace detail in the fabric makes it special in its own right. Stocking up on pretty-go-with-anything camis like this one makes getting dressed a far less traumatic experience.

The Summer Carnival Dress

Dress by Stop Staring, hair corsage from Accessorize, wedges from Amazon, handbag from Primark

Despite being girlier than diamante-studded pink fluff, this is a very practical outfit for a carnival as proved when I wore it at Notting Hill.

People said I couldn’t wear heels to a street party but they didn’t understand that if I was in flats I’d be too busy googling leg lengthering surgery to dance. I wore these wedges from the international designer label that is Amazon. They gave enough support to withstand the jostling crowds and they were so cheap I didn’t care if everyone went wild and spilled their drinks all over them.

The dress includes built in bra cups, which meant I didn’t need to wear a bra. Swept away by the mood of the carnival I felt liberated from all the constraints of everyday society, including underwear.

I chose a handbag with a shoulder strap to leave my hands free for expressive dance.

Silver Screen Style Files: Malena

If I could look like anyone in any film it would be Monica Bellucci in Malena. Oh my god, she is gorgeous. A 1940s Italian goddess so beautiful everyone hates her. Except me – I think she’s bloody great.

Get the wartime siren look with ladylike 1940s style dresses. You can have bonus Malena points for ones with nipped in waistlines and feminine details like bows and brooches. Make your grandmother proud by perfectly coordinating your accessories and wear stockings, suspenders and vintage lingerie to feel extra minxy.

Earrings by Darling Divine, stockings from What Katie Did, dress by Stop Staring, vintage handbag from Beyond Retro, shoes by Tamaris