Vintage Misconceptions - vintage isn't modern

Many people think that vintage clothing is "old fashioned" - I very often hear comments like " I will look like my granny" or that "it's frumpy" but that is not the case. At the end of the day vintage clothes are just clothes and can be worked with a modern feel.

Designers are always drawing inspiration from the past so what better way to stay "on trend" with original items that were the inspiration??

Editors, celebrities and fashion insiders are always mixing vintage with designer and high street pieces creating a modern and stylish look.

Laura Bailey - contributing editor at Vogue makes a "granny" skirt look funky with great boots.

Giovanna in a 70's dress made modern and on trend.

Olivia - the skirt is a classic A line from the 70's but hers cost her a fortune no doubt?

Such a typical vintage print but a modern look.

Vintage velvet jackets are a great way to layer up you look.

Faux leopard a vintage classic on Jenna Lyons - artistic director of J Crew.

Natalie Joos in vintage plaid again!

Kate in her Top shop line and vintage leather jacket

.

And faux fur always looks good.

 

Pandora Sykes - fashion editor of Style Magazine rockin full on 70's style.

Old band T-shirts are soo cool.

The ever stylish Kate in a vintage dressing gown - for evening wear?

"It girl" Alexa Chung does 60's chic.

 

 

 

 

So that knocks that myth out of the water - vintage is certainly not frumpy as these examples of true fashionista style shows!!

 

 

Fifty and Fabulous - getting older with style!!

I turned 50 last year and it got me thinking - I have rediscovered my passion for fashion therefore my outfits are getting bolder and more contemporary.

There seems to be a trend for celebrating "older" ladies and many of them are now part of high end brand advertising campaigns.

Linda Rodin for The Row

 

 

Joan Didion for Celine

 

 

Just because you get older it shouldn't mean that you loose your sense of style on the contrary you should embrace your look and be bolder - you grow in confidence as you age, I know for a fact that I feel more comfortable in my own skin now that I am 50 than I ever did in my 20's 0r 30's.

 

 

There are some fabulous ladies out there that celebrate their age - think one of my style heroines - Vivienne Westwood, the French icon Catherine Denueve and who can't forget the The Advanced Style ladies.

 

 

 

 

Isabella Rosilini

Catherine Denueve

 

 

Yesterday I did a fabulous shoot with The Girl and the Camera aka Kerry Curl creating some amazing shoots with my vintage wardrobe - very different from my usual outfit posts on here - mixing vintage with designer and high street and I had so much fun playing with fashion again.

 

This blog is going to have a bit of a make-over in the next few weeks with more of a magazine feel, more about my "vintage for everyone" campaign and a more contemporary vibe.

 

 

And I am looking forward to rocking some uber stylish fashion forward fashion celebrating the fact that I am "Fifty and Fabulous!!!"







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??