Vintage over new - what happend to quality in cloth?

After spending the best part of a day trawling the high street trying to find a pair of well cut wool trousers or simple classic skirt I gave up and came to the conclusion that one of the reasons I buy vintage is for the quality of fabric and the cut of the cloth.

Unless you are prepared to spend over £100 for a garment made from more than 20% wool - it seems impossible to find clothes that do not have a stretch in them?  What happened that we have to have comfort over style - don't get me wrong I know we all need to have some ease of washing garments and that a bit of a lycra never hurt anyone but the nearly all of the fabrics I felt seemed to "squeak"?

There are some great high street shops out there but it seems to me that most of them have forgotten how to make simple classic clothing and are addicted to adding stretch, unnecessary details or trims in the hope that it makes it more appealing.

Quality of fabric seems not to matter anymore - I always remember a number of years ago when training with Hobbs I was told that wool isn't actually wool anymore but wool fibres drawn out and then stuck together with a glue like substance and pressed into one large piece. Years ago there were mills all over the UK producing wools but now it is only the luxury markets that can afford to use "real wool" in there clothing.

Man made fabric is not a new thing but even the polyester dresses of the 70's are better quality and at least have  a classic style that is simple and elegant!!

I know that it takes more time to find vintage pieces and it is not just a case of one size fits all, but one of the joys I find in vintage shopping is that when your hand touches a wonderful fabric or a beautifully cut item catches you eye you heart jumps just a little bit knowing that you have found something "to die for".

Retreat Vintage Norwich,

Vintage can be part of your everyday wardrobe and should be if you are like me fed up with the poor offerings from the high street. Mix it up with some basics from department stores if you need to but don't settle for comfort over style. Buying vintage is re-cycling and you will find that your clothes will last longer - crikey they have survived for a least 20 years (I can't agree yet that 90's is vintage - sorry) - how long do you think your high street purchases will last - not long I guess they will be in landfill before you vintage classic wool skirt even looks worn??!!

So I won't be taking to the high street shops any time soon - it's vintage all the way with me with a few modern twists.

Tell me what you think? Have let go of style in the search for comfort or is there still hope out there for quality clothing??

Vintage is for everyone

Following on from last weeks post declaring my love for fashion and that vintage should be part of every wardrobe and worn every day not just playing dress up for an retro event - I thought I would share with you a recent shoot with Julia Holland that involved "real" women, all ages and shapes all rocking vintage.

Kate - vintage Prada skirt, H&M jacket, T-shirt and boots models own. Vintage brooch.

 

The easiest way to add a touch of vintage glamour is a brooch.

 

Liz - DVF top, 50's vintage skirt, boots and belt models own.

 

Jane - 60's vintage coat, jewellery high- street, top and trousers models own.

 

 

Natasha - 70's dress Retreat Vintage and jacket models own.

 

Fancy taking your own adventure in vintage - to find out more  look here. Or book on the next vintage workshop with Retreat Vintage - details here.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 



 

Posh B&B and new hats at Sheringham 1940's weekend

Once a year a small seaside town in transported back in time to the 1940's - it is one of my favourite weekends of the season.

Sheringham is the home of the Poppy Line and we had a fabulous time riding on trains, dancing on the platform and chatting to all the lovely peeps that came along and made such an effort with their outfits.

We stayed in a wonderful and very stylish B&B - No 27 - we had a lovely bedroom, sitting room and wet room with the smallest but very cute loo!!

 

 

 

 

The following morning we tucked into a very filling full English breakfast and fresh coffee - delicious.

 

 

 

 

We had great fun catching up with friends and chatting with people on the platform - everyone always make such an effort with dressing up and the town shops all take part too.

 

 

Saturday Night dance with my lovely hubby on the decks.

 

1940's jacket Shazam vintage, skirt from a suit from Prim Vintage, 40's hat and shoes.

Gloves from Retreat Vintage.

Vintage suit Shazam vintage, 40s hat Retreat Vintage (that was one of the  new hats!!)

Shoes Rocket Originals and gloves Retreat Vintage.

Vintage suit and blouse Shazam Vintage and another new hat bought from the

stalls at Holt the previous day!!

 

 

 

 

And I spotted three ladies looking fabulous in the Barbara dresses.

Crime, Fashion books and blowdrys - my varied week!!

It has been a week of trying to sort out my house along with a few fun activities thrown in for good measure.

 

 

Thursday morning I met up with the lovely Missy Vintage  for brunch in Pandora's Kitchen, it is the my one of my favourite places in Norwich - fabulous breakfasts, coffee and great friendly staff. In between the bites of food we talked all things Norwich Fashion Week - news coming in the next few months so watch this space.

 

Breakfast bap with tomato.

 

That evening I headed out to the Playhouse Theatre to hear Poirot Rises with Sophie Hannah in conversation  with  John Curran talking abut her new novel - the only new Poirot mystery to be approved by the Agatha Christe Estate.

 

 

My outfit - with a slight nod to Miss Lemon.

 

 

Saturday afternoon I popped along to the launch of  Barry Alan  Hair new Blow Dry Bar -

The services



 

A fabulous idea gives you the chance to have a quick treatment or blow dry to give you a touch of glamour before and event or just to give you a bit of a boost on a bad hair day.

 

Bubbly and delicious sweet treats from The Little Party Company were served throughout the day and the staff offered free styling advice and blow dries to a bunch of glamorous ladies,

 

 

 

 

Kerry is having a bit of a clear out (something which I must do very soon as I am running out of space in the house) so I bought 2 fabulous vintage fashion books from her and so spent the next few evenings drooling over divine frocks.

 

All in all a rather lovely week. Looking forward to Sheringham this weekend so look out for some fabulous outfit posts and handsome men in uniform oh yes lots of trains!!



 



 

 

 

 

 



Glamour on a Sunday afternoon.

This Sunday was some what of a glamorous affair as I headed off to Winsor Bishop's  1920's themed Christmas Party, ( www.winsorbishop.co.uk), so full on vintage style was called for outfit wise.

Fur cape and Beret - Lulu Vintage, 40's vintage suit Prim Vintage, tights Jarrolds and shoes Bowhill and Elliot.

Outside the shop was an array of fabulous cars and I would have gladly driven away in the grey one (not up much on cars - and didn't ask the owner but I am sure someone will tell me what it is???) Saying that I wouldn't say no to the red one either!! The grey I thought for formal occasions and the red for nipping around town - no??

 Once inside I was welcomed at the door by tuxedo clad door man and invited to pick a cracker that contained a prize (more of that later!!)

Glass of Kir Royal in hand - out of coups in true vintage style, I had a wander around and drooled over diamond, pearls and vintage jewellery.

Upstairs in this wonderful wooded panelled building they have built a champagne bar so you can sip a glass of bubbly when choosing your wedding ring or piece of fine jewellery. So with the champagne flowing freely I did have a few glasses to start the festive season off??

 

Upstairs too they had set up a roulette table for a chance to play for £250 to spend in the store. Sadly we didn't win!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The atmosphere in the shop was lovely with the Acatellas keeping us entertained with cool jazz.

 

 

Dancers Sasza and Mel from Swing Tonic kicked up their heels dancing the Charleston and Swing.

www.swing-tonic.co.uk

 

 I spied this fabulous catalogue for Chanel watches and jewellery - out of my price range I am afraid but I did wonder if they would let me have one just so that I could drool!!

 

 

Whilst the Chanel and some of the vintage pieces I was coveting would make my bank manager gasp, I did treat myself to an early Christmas present - that cracker I was talking about earlier gave me a money off voucher to spend in store so here is what I bought myself for Christmas.

 

Freshwater pearl studs - grown up jewellery!!

 

 

It was a rather decadent to way to spend a Sunday afternoon - the Winsor Bishop team certainly know how to through a party - a fabulous start to the festive celebrations!!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 





 



 

 

 

 

Worn Out Shop - launch

Not much would get me up bright and early on a very dull and drizzly Saturday morning but a new vintage shop opening got me heading for Sheringham for the launch of Worn Out Shop - an adventure and dream for husband and wife team Marie and Shaun. Having spent many a family holiday in North Norfolk, they finally took the plunge and re-located to the area.

Marie's passion for vintage was ignited at the 1940's weekend and since then she has been a firm fixture at the vintage fairs around the county but her dream was to open a shop and now that has become reality.

The shop is in Sheringham specialising in 40's and 50's clothing and accessories for ladies and gentlemen alongside household items and  small pieces of period furniture. They have also commissioned a local lady to reproduce a range of 40's and 50's knitwear form original patterns - and she is an old pro well into her 80's!!

Marie and her special guest outside the new shop.

 

 

 

 

A colourful array of repro vintage sweaters on offer.

 

Very stylish customers!!

 

 

There were lots of tempting goodies and I don't think it will long before  I go back and try a few of the pieces that I have my eye on. Marie has a some fabulous pieces and is always on the hunt for new stock so make sure that keep checking back regularly to see what she has in stock.

 

Worn Out Shop - 2 Melbourne Road Sheringham NR26 8EE - if you can't get there have a little look and their Etsy shop - www.etsy.com/shop/wornoutshop.

 

(Sponsored post)



 

 

 

 

 

Sunday shoot - frills, fancies and nightwear!!!

Sunday saw my house filled with vintage nightwear courtesy of my good friend Wake Up Little Susie - a regular of the vintage fairs around Norfolk and Suffolk selling all sorts of fabulous things from various decades but now she is starting to specialise in vintage nightwear, bed linens and boudoir accessories.

The house was packed with two models - the lovely Heather and Marie, hair and make-up artist - Kerry from www.missyvintage.co.uk and photographer Stephen Plumb -https://www.facebook.com/StephenPlumbPhotography, Susie, her husband Simon and my hubby who kept us going by providing tea and coffee at regular intervals.

It was quite a packed house as we only have a two up two down terrace but you can see in the pictures corners of my rooms and the beginning of my dressing room which is starting to take shape (more to come on the finished result as it is still work in progress).

So here are a few backstage scenes of the days shoot. If you want to see more of Susie's fabulous vintage nightwear have a look at her facebook page - https:www.facebook.com/wakeuplittlesusie.

 

 

 

(photo Missy Vintage)

 

 

I can't wait to see the finished results of the photo shoot and I must admit that I was very tempted by some of the pieces we used and may put them on the Christmas list. I think that I also feel a little post about lounge wear coming on!!