Tag Archives: Vintage

Add a touch of vintage to your ready-to-wear wardrobe: ShopStyle 1st Event announced.

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Add a touch of vintage to your ready-to-wear wardrobe

with these top tips from Mrs Jones for SHOPSTYLE.CO.UK

Have you ever fancied adding a touch of vintage glamour to your high street party dress, but then frozen in fear when you face paying for something that smells like it has a history? How much is a fair price? What’s an investment? And what’s a mistake?

To mark the launch of ShopStyle.co.uk’s vintage styling evening with Mary’s Living & Giving (the charity shops set up by Mary Portas) and in aid of Save the Children, the UK’s leading online fashion shopping site has invited celebrity stylist Mrs Jones (clients include Rihanna, Goldfrapp and Paloma Faith) to give her top vintage shopping tips.

Mrs Jones for ShopStyle.co.uk says vintage clothes shopping can be fun but warns of the pitfalls. “Check fabrics carefully as the smallest hole will enlarge before you know it. I bought a silk dress for a video thinking I could repair it to last forever. The garment was in tatters by the time the shoot was over”.

Mrs Jones tips for vintage shopping:

Where to Shop

· The best places to get a vintage bargain are normally charity shops and boot sales. Not only are you finding some great items when shopping at a charity shop, but you’ll also be aiding those in need.

· Vintage clothing stores can be found in most major cities. They have some beautiful collections but can be pricey. This is good for people who want the vintage look but don’t want to do the searching.

· Auction web sites are great for vintage shopping. Be careful you don’t get carried away on bidding, stick to your maximum limit otherwise it’s not a bargain. Look out for bad pictures (some purposely upside down). Be sure to read the garment details. Some items look great in an image but if the fabric is synthetic polyester (unless you’re going for the 70s look), you may be disappointed when it arrives.

· Vintage fairs and festivals are becoming popular throughout the UK. You’ll find experts in vintage clothing selling their wares and whilst some pieces may be expensive, many vendors also have bargains.

How to Shop

· Don’t be put off by smells. Some bits can have a whiff of mothballs or smell a bit musty.
These can easily be removed with a trip to the dry cleaners. Although, and it is not very pleasing, body odor left on garments is one of the most difficult smells to get rid of, even with dry cleaning.

· Some old clothes and accessories such as handbags can look beautiful and very tempting but be careful as they can just disintegrate especially silk and lace. Give the garment a little test, pull the fabric in both hands and with your thumb nails give it a rub/scratch. If you see the threads of the fabric move about or crumble, leave it on the rack.

· Make sure you try things on or properly hold up to your body if you don’t like the idea of trying before cleaning. Older clothes are generally a lot smaller as people were smaller than they are now. (eg., a size 12 will usually be a size 10.)

ShopStyle.co.uk will host its first in-store event on 29th March at Mary’s Living & Giving in Notting Hill, London, in aid of Save the Children. With canapés and champagne in hand, guests will enjoy their very own vintage styling tips from Mrs Jones and take part in an amazing fashion raffle. ShopStyle.co.uk’s online style team will also be on hand to help digital fashionistas find out how to bag the best vintage and new fashion online.

WHO: ShopStyle.co.uk and Mary’s Living & Giving Shop

WHAT: Styling tips, champagne and canapés, raffles and fundraising for Save the Children

WHEN: 29th March 2012 from 6pm – 9pm

WHERE: Mary’s Living & Giving Shop (Notting Hill location)

177 Westbourne Grove

London

W11 2SB

Entry to the shopping evening is free, however there will be a small gift for all guests who show up with stylish donations of their pre-loved designer fashion or vintage pieces.

Frost will be there, we hope you will be too.

January's Magazines: Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani Cover Stars.

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Lady Gaga takes the cover of Vanity Fair. She tells Vanity Fair: ‘I can’t commit to being an adult- I’m not ready.’

One of the main reasons I subscribe to Vanity Fair is the intelligent articles. I get my monthly dose of politics and economics. This month is no exception, there are brilliant articles to help you understand the economical crisis and a brilliant article on George F. Kennedy.

I really enjoyed Henry Aldord’s article on manners. It’s a sample from his book, Would it kill you to stop doing that?

  • Vanity Fair take Celine Dion out to lunch and she tells them she has over 3000 pair of shoes.
  • There is a brilliant article on Rick Perry, can he comeback?
  • Salman Rushdie on Lewis Carroll’s struggle to write his second book. ‘Follow that syndrome’ and how it helped him. Great piece.
  • The Japanese workers cleaning up Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
  • Rebecca Eaton, who has put her stamp on Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs amongst others.
  • Michael Ovitz and his (alleged) failed takeover of IMG from the late Teddy Forstmann.
  • The wonderful Christopher Hitchens debates whether the phrase ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ has merit.
  • The Queen and Prince Phillip in love. 16 pages on the blossoming of their love.
  • And P.D. James answers the Proust Questionnaire.

Marie Claire has Kelly Rowland on the cover. She talks Beyonce, men, music and admits she has cellulite.

There is a lot of clothes and shoes that will help you plan your wardrobe for next year, and lots of sparkly stuff for Christmas.

There is also a 2011 in review. Most magazines do this in December, watch out for Frosts.

  • Why famous men cheat, and does it sound like your man? Good article, and Lizzie Cundy tells Marie Claire how it felt when her husband cheated on her. Forgive and forget?
  • Four style savvy women share the party prepping secrets.
  • Janine di Giovanni goes in search of the truth about Aisha Gaddafi.
  • Should you tell your boss if your pregnant?
  • Matt Smith interview.
  • Who finds you the perfect date?
  • Jean Shrimpton’s Life story.
  • Amy Manson on the things she loves.
  • Future proof your looks.
  • Dakota Fanning’s beauty rules.
  • There is a very informative article on hormone problems, their symptoms and treatments.

Florence Welch take the cover of British Vogue and is interviewed inside. She tells Vogue: ‘I don’t think I’ll ever be polished. I’m integrally slightly scruffy. You know, you meet those women who are so cool? I’m striving for that so much!”.

  • In Vogue’s scrapbook there is a guide to flowers and their seasons and lots of floral dresses.
  • Sarah Lund from The Killing is interviews and asked about THAT jumper.
  • Women under siege, stories from women in Libya.
  • The new generation of female drummers.
  • Designing Duos.
  • Michael Kors
  • The Frieze Art; pictures and interviews from the art world’s fashion week.
  • Nomi Rapace interview.
  • Steven Spielberg and the cast for Warhorse.
  • Vogue’s great escapes. A brief history of Vogue shoots in foreign countries.
  • Three beauty hotshots show you how to par-down your make up bag.
  • Fast track your workout.

 

Glamour has X Factor’s Tulisa on the cover. She says ‘I don’t think I am anything like Cheryl, except we can both put a bit of volume in our hair’. She also says that she likes to ‘stick up for other women’. Which makes Frost like her. A lot.

  • Dermont O’Leary interview.
  • Don’t fear your fashion ghosts.
  • Get your dream job in 2012.
  • How to get blogged about.
  • The truth about food intolerance.
  • 3 Health problems you can fix yourself.
  • Can dating pro Matthew Hussey find you a man?
  • Tamara and Petra Ecclestone.
  • There is a good article on the rise of those awful pay day loan companies, beware of them at all costs!
  • Hollywood female stereotypes, a funny article by Mindy Kaling, writer of the US Office.
  • The truth about Hollywood stars selling their bodies when times get tough.
  • Give your closet a January detox with Danni Minogue.
  • Nicki Minaj interview and photo shoot.
  • How to get your s**t together. Sort out your wardrobe, make up bag, and everything else in your life.
  • Josh Duhamel interview.
  • The stars of 2012.
  • Your everything guide to skin.
  • Nicole Scherzinger on health and beauty.
  • The Devil in your diet: The low-down on sugar. Did you know that sugar has 4kcal per gram? There is also no difference between brown and white sugar.
  • 12 dinners for £50.

Tatler has Florence Brudenell-Bruce is on the cover. The girl that got away, Prince Harry’s ex tells Tatler that ‘one day everything will drop and I won’t be able to earn a living in my bikini’.

 

  • Free travel guide.
  • Rigby and Peller give Tatler their Mood Board.
  • What the recent overhaul of the royal succession means for the aristocracy.
  • Santa Sebag Montefiore launches a new skiing clothes line.
  • The Posh Commune.
  • Ella Hughes goes to an orgy.

  • Charles Gilkes and Duncan Stirling launch yet another party venue.
  • Quentin Letts sketchbook: Yvette Cooper.
  • Russian Billionaires at the High Court. Abramovich and Berezovsky go head to head.
  • Emma Freud reviews toasters.
  • Dafydd Jones on 30 years of chronicling the art crowd.
  • Writers on manners.
  • Joanne Lumley on her beauty routine.
  • Jo Malone on what she loves.

Gwen Stefani is on the cover of Instyle and is interviewed. Did you know she is friends with Angelina Jolie?

  • Where style starts: statement earrings.
  • Josephine de la Baume on her style.
  • Actors at the Toronto Film Festival.
  • Fashion insiders reveal what they cannot live without.
  • Tom Ford and Kate Bosworth. Tom has just launched a new make up range and Kate models
  • Instyle Shopping rules; jeans, vintage, lingerie, jewellery.
  • Instyle meets Jenna Lyons from J Crew.
  • Beyonce’s body rules.
  • Christmas Prep.
  • Megan Fox Up Close. Her beauty secrets.
  • Gizzi Erskine is In Style’s new columnist.

A Window To The Past – Vintage Google Earth

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Google Earth has come in for some stick over time.

Its Street Map was launched amid a healthy bout of controversy over privacy. After one man was identified leaving a brothel, resulting, unsurprisingly, in the end of his marriage, Germany wisely opted to make sure coverage of properties was somewhat blurred. Meanwhile, enterprising bloggers have posted pictures of prostitutes plying their trade, drunks and nudity.

But while that may be one window to the world, Google Earth also offers another. For a guy who once spent a week on an archaeological dig getting sunburnt while recovering the remains of someone’s mediaeval camp fire, Google Earth’s option to slide back into vintage photos of the same aerial view is a guaranteed way for me to fritter away hours.

You’ll need to have Google Earth 5 downloaded to do it, but it’s free and well worth a nose.

London’s war damage is evident, but you should definitely check out how quickly the Americans turned Las Vegas from a desert into a neon wasteland. Answer: 35 years. Or you may just want to see what your parents or grandparents meant when they say: “In my day, this was all fields, rivers, Roman ruins, dinosaur territory, etc.etc.” My (copyrighted) saying is: “Everyone’s house is someone else’s field.” And here’s the proof.

Just to get you in the swing of it, here’s my parent’s neck of the woods. Their house was built in 1931, and here’s the area pictured in 1945 and 2010.

My place, meanwhile, was still an orchard. Mind you, that still doesn’t explain the 1920’s fragment of cup I found in the garden last week.

Jessie J at Teenage Cancer Trust

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Gorgeous singer Jessie J turned up at the Teenage Cancer Trust wearing some gorgeous jewelery. See below for where you can get your hands on the pieces.

1980s Escada Dramatic Charm Necklace £395 Susan Caplan Vintage Collection www.susancaplan.co.uk
1990s Chanel Hoop Earrings £695 Susan Caplan Vintage Collection www.susancaplan.co.uk

Spring & Summer 2011 Part Two – Fashion Trends {Fashion}

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Time to look at Trends. OK, this is a tricky one, as there are so many to choose from. I think a key trend this year will be Stripes, the bolder the better. I’ve personally been a massive fan of this trend. It goes with practically anything and has a friendly versatility to it. Dressed up or down, in Vintage, Urban and Street Wear. This year sees Stripes as the dominant trend setter, as it has always been popular. This year, (particularly blue and white) will play an integral part in the fashion scene. Jak and Jil have a great collection for stripe themed hats too – well worth taking a looking at.

Capri Pants – Yes, indeed a favourite of mine, I think these will be playing a dominant part of S/S 2011. Although we have all been a lover of skinny jeans, Capri Pants are a recognition of the trend, with that extra edge, especially in shiny, shimmering colours. The three-quarter length look will be particularly dominant this year. Balmain, again masters this look like no other.

Right, now for the season’s opposite – Flares and Bell Bottoms – Making wave with the 70’s look – yes, they are back! As mentioned, this year will spark off all things 70s and what obvious way to start your wardrobe collection, than to purchase a fashion classic. Together with wide leg trousers, this will be a dramatic comeback! Again, skinny jeans have been a intricate part of people’s clothing style, therefore, like all things in fashion, there is bound to be an ominous change. Derek Lam and Rocha are indeed the masters of this style!

Lace – Showcased in the specific tailoring of clothing as well as dresses and skirts. Lace is great. It’s chic, as well as girly and fun. Worn with practically anything – but be careful not to overdress it. Even lace in more radical colours are resolute to their simplicity, so it’s best not to try and overshadow a look this pure and feminine.

The return of the Jumpsuit – Though proving to be a fashion ‘must have’ last year, the jumpsuit has still been a ‘shall I? shall I not?’ trend. This year will see its casual to dressed up comeback – especially during the summer festival period. The basic designs and most versatile wearing, are by none other than sterling Stella McCartney – keeping the colours soft and simple – a definite for any lady’s wardrobe essentials.

The Jumpsuit will also be a fashion piece one can dazzle up and wear in the evenings too. Look out for Alber Elbaz’s designs for Lanvin. Beautiful, shoulder cut and sparkly. A refreshing alternative to any conventional evening attire.

Does My Bum Look Big in This? {Fashion}

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It has always been a wonder to me, as to many women, what drives our ideas of fashion? Is it the flamboyant array of sensual, yet edgy, designs we see displayed on city catwalks? Our individual idols, who we worship as fashion martyrs? Or do we simply see something, ask our peers and then deliver the asking price? Maybe the likes of Gok Wan could educate me.

This brings back memories of the days when my girlfriends and I would casually take off on ‘therapeutic’ shopping sprees, leaving with the good intentions of attending to our wardrobe essentials and returning with more than our arms could carry. Ahh, classic tale isn’t it?

The days of  ‘does my bum look big(ger) in this?’ are days I can personally look back on and laugh, it is now more appropriately replaced with ‘I like this,  I could wear it with a tie.’

It’s true to say that the days of periodic, segregated fashion are long gone. Replaced now with a much more dynamic, hybrid idea of ‘what to wear.’  In the streets of London, you will see women comprising jeans teamed up with kaftans, eastern designed jewellery with boho flair. This was even more evident in the Middle East. The women looked effortlessly elegant combining low cuts with hijabs – beautiful and dignified.

‘It’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it.’  We’ve all heard that and yes this is true, but i’m not referring to the lady who situates herself permanently on the right side of the Gucci counter, because her friends do. Sense my sarcasm here? Good.  It’s fine to experiment, but not essential to conform. For example, I wouldn’t wear leather trousers because other girls do,  but if  I myself find something interesting to wear, then I will do,  so all within reason.

What we wear is an illustration of what we feel good in, hence, want people to see.  Being experimental and flamboyant by nature can easily be represented in the clothes we wear,  It’s all down to choice. Anyone can be confident, regardless of shape and size. We are all judges of what looks good on us and what doesn’t.  Now I’m remembering the days of let down sweatys. Thank God the polaroids are gone.

One genre of fashion that is a definite yes in my book is Boho. It is fabulous, I cannot keep count of how many scarves, necklaces, skinny jeans and boots I keep in my closet.  It’s not just that it ‘looks’ good, but really represents the modern, streetwise young women of today.  Classy, sexy, diverse and relaxed.  It may initially have been labelled as a ‘celebrity look’, but then again, when it comes to fashion, what style isn’t?  Choicewise again, I’d team this up with vintage (I hope Gok is keeping notes). I so love vintage shopping,  it’s always the sneaky shops that play happy for me and the variety keeps me searching for hours.

So this again brings me back to my initial question. Who dictates our choice in fashion? Do our choices run deeper than what ‘we’ think looks good? Well, we can all make decisions on what we think looks good, but there are other factors that contribute to taste.

Take a young Muslim lady. She may have been bought up to believe that what looks exquisite does not involve wearing hotpants and a tiny t shirt. Instead,  she would feel teaming up traditional clothing (that covers both the legs and shoulders) is both feminine and beautiful.  Some may look to magazines such as Asian Woman, to derive their sense of what looks good.Therefore, it is not just individual thought that conducts the way we dress and what we see as fashionable, but exterior influence too.

I’ll stay with the belief that confidence in choice and awareness is everything. Whether it be a religious girl walking down the street or a cosmopolitan chick with an A to Z style list in her handbag – choice works in line with confidence and the words ‘I am individual’ are of upmost importance.