Cream Vintage Nightie - (Photoshoot special)

Where From?
Goldrush, Leicester.  Click here to view their blog!

How Much?
£8

How Vintage!

I have no idea how vintage this little nightie is, but it certainly looks the part. I bought this back in December for a little group number to "Mr Sandman" at the christmas burlesque show, the other two girls bought similar items in pink and peach. I have taken to wearing it over long sleeved cotton tops with leggings and a belt just because I wanted to wear it out but it's also perfectly comfortable for sleeping in. I finally had a chance to show it off in it's full glory this weekend when I teamed up with my close friend and photographic partner Rory to recreate the recent David Lachapelle & Katy Perry shoot for GHD . Teamed with a string of cheapo pearls, my beautiful Office platforms (bought in the January sales) and my retro teal & grey rotary phone, I think we pulled it off pretty well! 

The "so garish you will need giant sunglasses" 1970's Summer Dress

Where From?
Goldrush, Leicester.  Click here to view their blog!

How Much?
£18 (£16.50) with student discount

How Vintage!
This dress practically jumped off the rail at me with it's bold colourful print. Could I resist trying it on?... Hell no!!! And yes, I was hoping that it would either be far too big or far to small because then at least I'd have been able to leave it behind, safe in the knowledge that it was just not to be. But alas.. a perfect fit! And perfect for this glorious weather too. So I grabbed the boy and his student discount (as sadly I cannot reap those benefits anymore) and skipped out into the sunshine with joy. It's a wrap around dress aided by cute little red buttons (one of which i've already managed to pull off). Also, it is made of this odd material that i have never heard of... Baumwolle??? It's really very soft and has a strange ribbed diamond effect going on (only visible close up). Anyway I am once again in love... it is amazing and has certainly marked the beginning of my summer!


(BAUMWOLLE: Also know as cotton, baumwolle is The most economical natural fiber, obtained from plants of the genus Gossypium, used in making fabrics, cordage, and padding and for producing artificial fibers and cellulose.) - from Answers.com


Also.. giving myself kudos for my super vintage looking photos this time as I've been swatting up and followed an in depth photoshop tutorial to achieve this desired effect!

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_baumwolle#ixzz1J9wm1mmt

The 1950's "Dita" Dress

Where From?
Ebay

How Much?
£3.99!!!!

How Vintage!
Ok, so the truth is, this isn't an original 1950's dress but it's a damn good 1980's lookalike (much like myself 1980's pretending to be 1950's)! I wish I had a better photo too, as these ones just don't do it justice. Full skirted, "off the shoulder" and cinched in at the waist it screams Dita Von Teese, 1950's glam! The dress is made up of two layers a silky (possibly polyester) base layer, covered by a felt/velvet floral cutout layer. I was astounded not only to be the only bidder and win the auction with an almost invisible £3.99 price tag, but that on arrival it fitted PERFECTLY! I bought this for my graduation back in July as I just HAD to attend in vintage get up. To max out it's 1950's vibe, I teamed it with a vintage black petticoat (bought in Dollymix for £22) and an original 1930's black belt with silver & diamante clasp (also Dollymix - £10). This helped to really accentuate my figure, also helped by my GORGEOUS new shoes from Office!

1970's Festival Chic!

Where From?
Dollymix, Leicester

How Much?
£30 (plus 10% student discount)

How Vintage!
I cannot express the joy I felt when I found this beauty! Not only is it a genuine 1970's maxi, it has the most exquisite white on red paisley detailing and large handkerchief sleeves for that super festival chic feel! I like to pull this out of the wardrobe on a hot sunny day where I know here will some serious partying (check my coconut!). It's floor length and best worn with sandals or flip-flops, big sunglasses, some beads and boho hair (which I'm still working on). You cannot go wrong with one of these in your summer wardrobe!

The would Be 1930's Dress

Where From?
Gold Rush, Leicester

How Much?
£10 (plus student discount)

How Vintage?
This is a 1980's (according to the price tag) black floor length dress, which is made of the most odd fabric, most certainly man made and rather see through due to all the teeny tiny holes punched out of it. Regardless of this though I absolutely adore it and never anticipated how much I would end up wearing it. Which, at only £10, makes it a complete BARGIN! It is incredibly simple, with modest sleeves and a cross over v neck. It is elasticated at the waist and drops almost to the floor. Trimmed with delicate black lace for that UBER vintage appeal, it's true WOW factor lies with its incredibly revealing thigh high slit! This dress oozed 1930's glamour and I have taken to wearing it out particularly when I know a good cocktail will be in store! The bonus is that it can either be worn as it is, with black undies, or for a more modest approach (for public outings) works well with some black leggings and a strappy T underneath to preserve dignity.

I love to match this with various accessories, vintage inspired headpieces and a particular pendant necklace I bought at another vintage fair (but that's another blog post).

Apologies for churning out the stuff you've probably seen me wearing quite recently, but I haven't quite got up to speed on getting the other items in my wardrobe photographed.

The "Public Schoolboy" Blazer

Where From?
Dollymix, Leicester (back when it was in the market)

How Much?
£15 (plus 10% student discount)

How Vintage!
I bought this near enough 3 years ago, just after arriving in leicester. It was the very first thing I bought in Dollymix! I love how bold it is (not to be worn without bravery). It has a label inside for a boys school, I have no idea how old it is, or if it even is that old! Downside? I had to get to altered so that it was a bit more fitted and nipped in at the waist, this only cost me a fiver though. The one other downside is that the sleeves are a little on the short side.

The "Perfect little wifey" dress

(Please excuse me from not bothering with my hair today)

Where From?
The Affordable Vintage Fair, Leicester

How Much?
£25

How Vintage!
Again, from the label I'd say 1970's however, SERIOUS 40's housewife vibe going on here! The sleeves are fitted at the upper arm and bell out to a wrist fitting cuff, though I've opted to wear the sleeves rolled up above the elbows. Fits perfectly, no alterations needed. £25 was a little more that I'd have liked to have spent on it, but it's 100% cotton, thick (but not too thick) and a beautiful print. Also, I LOVE brown in my vintage clothing, almost like dressing in sepia! It has a fantastic amount of fabric in the skirt, so it really swishes around. I'd probably wear this as a day dress in the autumn, though I'd be tempted to wear it out in the evening too! From listening to the woman running the stall chatting to another lady, it may well have come from Paris as she apparently gets alot of her stock from there. The shoes, by the way, are from Dollymix, were £12 and are 1980's, but as with most of my vintage wardrobe, I try to pass them off as 1940's!