1960's VINTAGE

Mini skirts, mismatched patterns, paisley, tie dye, bell bottoms, PVC, sequins, beehives, geometric hair cuts, false eyelashes, Brigitte Bardot, Vidal Sassoon, Twiggy, The MODS and Rockers... Ever feel like your were born in the wrong era?

I hate to be terribly cliché, but since purchasing my 1960's gingham vintage dress, I've felt compelled to write a post about my admiration for the 60's.

I wish women were as risqué today. I find it really sad that many women opt for a disposable approach to fashion - buying cheap pieces in bulk for them to only be worn away in a few months time.

This is why I love vintage. I love putting on a retro garment and embracing the mystery behind it. I wonder how the piece has kept in such wonderful condition for so many years - was it worn only a couple of times then locked away in an illicit wardrobe somewhere in an old woman's house? 

The quality of the material behind vintage clothing and accessories never ceases to fascinate me. The fabric always seems to feel so genuine and barely worn in, however the missing and/or loose buttons tell a different story.

I always ask myself "who did this garment belong to?" as I'm twirling in front of the mirror in a vintage store's changing room. What kind of person wore this dress? Was she into Fashion, like me?

I also love the SMELL of vintage pieces. I can't really describe that signature pungent smell that is embedded within any piece of vintage - dresses, shoes, bags - even jewellery! A sort of musky powdery smell that I adore.

My favourite vintage stores are "Rokit" (the Covent Garden shop is best) and now Aberdeen's "The Closet".

Here are some of my favourite 1960's pieces I found on the Rokit website. 

Wrap over effect orange mini dress

Green and blue floral day dress

Blue and green bathing suit

Tan suede fringed Pioneer jacket 

Fashion recycles itself. I think that designers will always flock to the 60's for fashion inspiration.  

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE VINTAGE PIECE YOU OWN? WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN YOU GO VINTAGE SHOPPING? I tend to flock to dresses and handbags.

Here's a few of my latest vintage buys

1960's belted gingham dress - will upload pictures of me wearing this later.

Sheer body and Jaeger high waisted flared shorts

1950's red hat and little black boots!

Black leather briefcase 

xoxo

LFW SNEAK PEEK

Yesterday I visited a vintage store I didn't even know existed. 

My friend brought it to my attention that in my home town of Aberdeen there is a vintage store called "The Closet" neatly tucked away in the heart of Aberdeen. Since I'm suffering London Fashion Week blues and feeling anxious about what to wear, I took it upon myself to investigate. Little did I know that the store would rival vintage I'd come across during my stint in London.

The store is teeny - literally a closet. At first I felt anxious as I don't know about you, but when I browse in vintage boutiques I often feel very nervous as the shop assistants tend to stalk you like a hawk - with good reason. Soon I discovered that not only the "shop assistant" would later be revealed as the shop owner, but she would also become my best friend in a matter of minutes.

For two hours I tried on an array of clothes she recommended would suit me. It was so bazaar, she read my style like an open book - a little kooky, random, "effortless" but chic. She picked out clothes for me that I felt were MADE for me. If I was rich, she would now be my personal stylist. 

After a while of being thrown size UK 6-8 gorgeous vintage (flattering, but this is NOT my size. I'm a small 10) I finally began to see myself wearing some lovely, very Fashion Week worthy pieces that I went back and purchased today. 

I've taken some sneak previews of what I'll probably wear to Fashion Week. I don't want to take full body photographs of the outfits as everything could change from now until September. 

I bought an original 1960's belted gingham dress, a sheer black body suit and a pair of 80's Jaeger shorts.

This dress is ALL about being noticed. Not usually my kind of style, but the shop owner Elaine said "What a piece to carry on throughout fashion". I think that's the beautiful thing about vintage - buying one off pieces to keep for years to come and hopefully give away to a very lucky girl in many years to come.

Original Jaeger shorts - a steal at £20.

I might upload proper photographs of me in the outfits later! Sorry I don't have one if the vintage body suit.

Its such a shame as the shop is deadly quiet. The stock they have is a dream, unbelievable prices for original DKNY, Paul Smith, Jaeger and Miu Miu. I guess if I'm being really cruel, this means that there is more bargains for old magpie me :)

Elaine and my friend and I then got into a conversation about how many key pieces from the likes of Topshop are so mass produced, amazing garments will be worn by multiple people all at once. Where is the originality? Keep vintage alive - wear one off pieces.

I'm so delighted to have been able to go back and purchase these today. The woman did not take card after ALL that trying on so she let me keep these pieces aside for today, which they never usually do. She swore across the fashion bible - Vogue, that she wouldn't put them out until 1pm. I had until then to collect my goods. I arrived just as the store opened and had to be let in by a member off staff. Better safe than sorry.

I'm going to Glasgow at the end of the month for some more vintage raiding. Why does my gut instinct tell me nothing will compare to The Closet?

xoxo

P.S. Thank you new followers! Will check out your blogs tonight too.