Links à la Mode - 28th August 2008

Plenty of links to be checking out this week. I am loving the statement tights. If only my legs weren't so short and stumpy I might get a pair!

• AuctionDivaFashion - Vintage Hawaiian Pineapple Dress
• dramatis personae - Boundaries between designing & knock-offs
• Dress Me Up Dollie - Weekend Update
• Fashion Journalist in the City - Vintage Vogue
• Frassy - D.I.Y Chanel Bottle Pendant Necklace
• Independent Fashion Bloggers - How NOT to get ripped off
• la boudoir - A review of all this falls fashion trends - straight from the runway.
• Little Black Book - Style Trend: Statement Tights!
• Mademoiselle Robot - This week’s interview with the extremely gifted Nubby Twiglet.
• Or False Glitter - Fur in Fashion: Glamorous or grotesque?
• poetic & chic - The frequent J.Crew catalogs in my mailbox are a constant source of torture!
• Retro Chick - Vintage Clothing & Retro Style - Autumn Florals: Keep on blooming
• ShopDiary - Impulse Buy: Should I keep? Or sell? Should I save up for another Chanel?
• THE COVETED - Coveting Chinatown, a Visit to 1930’s LA

Apologies to Dress Me Up Dollie who did a wonderful post on Emma Cook… it somehow slipped between the cracks… here’s her post: Emma Cook Runway Review

Keep on blooming

It appears that Autumn has managed to arrive without me ever getting to see any summer. I'm a little disappointed, my summer wardrobe doesn't feel it's had it's chance to shine. The fashion magazines are pulling out the Autumn Winter styles and everywhere it's tartan, black lace and chunky tights.

Well Retro Chick isn't all about following the trends, I love my summer florals, and when the weather is grey and gloomy surely a splash of brightness is what we all need?

So keep your florals going with some seasonal layering
Take this pretty pink floral shift dress, £9.99 from Retro Chick.

Ideal for summer, but come autumn, a little summery and certainly chilly in those brisk mornings. Team it with a toning polo neck underneath and a pair of ankle boots, and, hey presto, instant Autumn outfit!



Always remember, just because it says it's a skirt, doesn't mean it has to stay one!

This red and white 80s pleated skirt (£9.99, Retro Chick) was ideal for wearing with flop flops and a vest over the summer, but as the nights draw in I want something a bit more structured.

Change casual day wear into classy night wear by pulling it up over your bust (this skirt is ideal for this treatment because of it's dropped waist and pleating) add this red vintage belt (£6.99, Retro Chick) and sling on your denim jacket to toughen it up and you have a fantastic new strapless dress!

The other advantage of wearing your florals into the autumn of course, is that if you want to buy more they're all on sale!

This gorgeous skirt is reduced to just £7 at New Look

Wear it with thick black tights and a black V neck to ward off the chill.

Victoria Beckham, an unlikely Retro Chick?

Back in July I commented on Princess Annes recycling of her own vintage dress from 27 years previously.

Well it seems that Victoria Beckham, Queen of the WAGs and seemingly the ultimate champion of disposable, wear it once, designer fashion, has also picked up on the recycling concept.

Back in June she wore this gorgeous outfit to a meeting, and then last week she was snapped wearing it to Gordan Ramseys new LA restaurant.

Now it might not seem a big deal that she repeats an outfit, after all, I think I wear the same thing at least 2 or 3 times a month, but the key difference is no one wants to take my photo. (shame)

I have the luxury of thinking "Hmm, I wore this to a party last month, but this is a party with different people who haven't seen it before". Victoria Beckham and the rest of her celebrity ilk don't have this luxury as the worlds press have them photographed and plastered all over the place every time they leave the house.

VB is wearing EXACTLY the same outfit in these pictures, shoes, bag, belt, everything. If she'd put the skirt with a different top, or worn the top with jeans then I think we could assume she was treating her wardrobe like every other woman in the world. But to do this so blatantly, and so soon, makes a huge statement, without her even having to open her mouth, about fashion as a disposable commodity.

Whether she knows she's making this statement or not is kind of irrelevant to me. The fact is that the idea of recycling your outfits and buying quality over quantity get out there.

Indeed this isn't even the first time she has been seen in repeated outfits. Earlier this year she was papped wearing the same high waisted gingham pencil skirt and black shirt combo she had previously worn to a premier. On this occasion the photo was even taken as she left LA Vintage Store The Way We Wore making the statement even more relevant!

Victoria Beckham, the worlds most unlikely Retro Chick?

Links à la Mode - 21st August 2008

This weeks round up includes Wonder Woman. It just doesn't get better than that!

• dramatis personae - Trashy Diva did it again.
• Dress Like a Celebrity - I Want to Dress Like a Celebrity - Kate Beckinsale
• Independent Fashion Bloggers - How to Make Money with Affiliate Programs
• Little Black Book - Rock up your wardrobe
• Mademoiselle Robot - Becoming… Wonder Woman
• Or False Glitter - Latex, lace, and toilet art
• PR COUTURE - Plus Size Fashion PR Request for Fashion Week Documentary
• Quail By Mail - She will wear Shweshwe
• Retro Chick - Take a Bow…..
• SwanDiamondRose - Image love ~ the prettiest clutter
• THE COVETED - Cutting Edges : An Interview with Alithia Spuri-Zampetti

Take a Bow.....

The catwalks for Autumn Winter 2008 2009 were full of bows and ruffles. There were neat and slightly masculine bows at Armani Privé, bold floppy bows at Elie Saab and bow trimmed shoes at Christian Dior.
So, how can you work bows into your everyday wardrobe without looking like Little Bow Peep?

Here's my top outfits for Work, Rest & Play...

WORK

The smart working gal needs to keep it simple, chic, but bang on trend. Teaming a lady like pussy bow blouse (£50, French Connection) with a basic black pencil skirt. Adding elegant cream accessories, is striking, yet chic, and these amazing brogues (£47.50, Dune) even have a ribbon to pick up on the bow theme.

REST


For lazy days and kicking around college, the shops or home everyone has a basic outfit of boot cut jeans and a black V neck jumper (If you haven't then these jeans are now just £9 from Debenhams and the jumper just £4.99 from Retro Chick, for a total cost of £13.99!)add a pretty silvertone vintage bow brooch from Candy Says to your shoulder and then jazz it up with metallics with a silver charm bag from New Look and a pair of metallic bow print flats.
This entire outfit will currently cost you just £29.99 + shipping!

PLAY


To work your bows for evening wear there are any number of gorgeous bow trimmed cocktail dresses out there at the moment. But I prefer to bring out my Little Black Dress (£14.99, Retro Chick) and then really go to town on the accessories. At £480 these Christian Louboutin Anenome shoes don't come cheap, but will certainly create some evening drama. Use the red soles as an accent colour and choose some cute gorgeous red accessories like this bow print clutch from Nine West or this adorable multi purpose jewellery / watch from Betsey Johnson

Links à la Mode - 14th August 2008

This weeks links round up from IFB has some great posts. I think my favourite this week has to be The Ongoing Project - Go Shopping in your own Closet. It really ties in with my waste not want not philosphy!

Enjoy the links!

• couturee yourself - Get Nicole Ritchie’s Look For Less
• dramatis personae - In my early 20s, I was a bit of a club ho: weekdays out drankin’ and posin’ until 3-4 a.m….
• Dress Me Up Dollie - Fall Wish List
• Fashion Journalist in the City - Models who blog: Meet newcomer Laurel Stovall
• la boudoir - Mer for Me
• MASH-World - Three good reasons to look forward to Autumn…..
• MyProfessionalStyle.com - Top Five Reasons Why The Juniors Department is NOT for You
• PR COUTURE - PR Couture gets the inside scoop on Jack + Bill “Wild Card” winners Badgley/Sneed and other winners of free fashion PR
• Retro Chick - Vintage Clothing & Retro Style - Dream outfits for the ultimate in Wedding Guest style
• So Stylish So Sassy - Oxford Peeptoes for less!
• SwanDiamondRose - Black is ground zero for fashion cliches.
• THE COVETED - ‘Anime Eyes’ contact lenses, kinda creepy, kinda cool…
• The Ongoing Project - Go shopping in your own closet

The Dream Wedding Guest

August is one of the most popular months for weddings, and therefore one of the most fraught months for their poor guests having to make outfit choices.

Weddings are one of the few occasions where people still put great store on the "rules" of dressing. You can't wear white, you can't wear black, don't outshine the bride and make sure you have a hat. Apart from this there is the trauma of multiple location dressing. Photos on grass, a church or registry office and an evening party all have different dress requirements that can give you a real headache!

So, here are my favourite 3 dream wedding guest outfits for all occasions..



For traditional summer wedding, in a church, followed by Pimms on the lawn and a sit down meal, you want something demure, yet dressy. Flat shoes making tramping round on grass for endless photos much easier and these pretty pink flats from Retro Chick are glamorous enough to take you through to evening. This gorgeous vintage dress with it's bold floral print is from Bally Hoo Vintage. At $215 this peacock and rose clutch bag isn't cheap, but it picks up the colours of the dress and shoes beautifully and really makes a statement.



A more informal wedding in a registry office with followed by an evening do means that you can go a bit funkier. Chocolate brown and turquoise are natural partners and this vintage chocolate brown mini dress is ideal for the unpredictable weather in the UK. Available from Retro Chick at the bargain price of £14.99 it has great 1940s styling but dates from the 1970s. These amazing Marc Jacobs brown and turquoise peep toes go perfectly, team with some chunky turquoise jewellery, a simple bag and keep your hair simple with a matching alice band for a dramatic but understated look.



If you feel like being a bit of a rebel then break all the wedding rules and bring out the black. Once you know it's Diane Von Furstenburg it's hard to criticise a style choice! Pick out the yellow in the dress pattern with some dramatic yellow and black accessories. This Stussy fedora puts a twist on a traditional wedding hat and these gorgeous yellow dolly shoes are high enough to be smart, whilst being low enough to wear all day and night without crippling yourself!

Holiday at Home

Going on your summer holidays has never been so complicated. Gone are the days when you could just buy a big red bus, gather up all your friends and sing and dance your way round Europe for a week or two. In fact, gone are the days when you could just pop into the travel agent for a cheapy trip to Ibiza in a cockroach ridden hotel 10 miles from the centre of anything 4 hours before you left.

Travel these days, apart from the attendant bag packing, airport security, "am I carrying too much moisturiser?", "what if they think my eyelash curlers are scissors" trauma is an ethical and environmental minefield. Is the country you are going to supportive of terrorism? Is it likely to suddenly burst into civil war while you are there? Is the carbon output of your flight being offset by tree planting programs? Am I contributing to the cultural impoverishment because all the local tavernas are selling pie and chips to tourists?

My solution? Holiday at home! In the UK you can get all the glamour you wouldn't get abroad, your carbon footprint will be more of a carbon tip toe and there's no need to change your money or hang around in a huge queue while someone asks everyone in front of you if they packed their bag themselves.

If you're really skint, as I often am, then why not REALLY holiday at home. Sleep in your spare room, stick a fire evacuation procedure notice on the door, buy tiny little boxes of cornflakes and pretend you're staying in a hotel.

Wherever it is you live I bet there are any number of tourist attractions you've never visited, I know there are near me. Go look at them! Go on guided walks, visit your local cathedral/castle/gallery, eat in local cafes you've never visited before and generally act like a tourist. Go out for a picnic and see if your local council puts on any free activities over the summer. Check out your local tourist board for more information.

If you've got a bit of money to spend the choices are HUGE for full on luxury, areas of the UK vary hugely, book yourself a gorgeous cottage on the North Norfolk coast, you can go on seal watching expeditions, explore the fantastic unspoilt coastline and visit Cromer to go crabbing off the pier, and maybe catch yourself a crab for tea ( or just buy one in the local fishmongers)

I spent the first week of my honeymoon in Well Barn from Blakeney Boltholes, so I can heartily recommend it. With a romantic galleried bedroom, complimentary bottle of wine on arrival, the luxury coffee machine, crisp cotton sheets and luxury toiletries I certainly didn't feel I was being deprived of a holiday!

They also have a range of other cottages, and cost a maximum of £575 a week in high season.

Another area in which I can heartily recommend a cottage holiday visit is Suffolk. You can visit Southwold Pier and play with the bizarre penny slot machines. Or Aldeburgh for Artisan shops and a quiet walk on the beach. It's also great for little country pubs you can walk to and enjoy a pint of ale. In fact, if ale is your thing why not visit St Peter's Brewery? They do a fantastic organic ale.

I recommend Grove Cottages near medieval Lavenham for some great Suffolk cottages. Designed and run by an ex film director the cottages are rustic chic with all mod cons. On arrival you'll find local bread, eggs, milk and bacon for a great breakfast, plus a folder showing all the local pubs and the country walks that will get you there!

I spent Christmas in the fantastic Dons Barn with it's inglenook fireplace and millstone kitchen surface. But they also have other cottages in the area in a range of sizes.

For something a little more unusual than a cottage holiday, and if you're really not up for slumming it in a leaky tent there are a range of more glamorous options in the UK.

Feather Down Farms and Yurtworks both offer luxury camping in the UK. Featherdown Farms has a range of working farms across the UK for you to spend time getting back to nature with sprung beds and flushing toilets. Where as Yurtworks in based in Cornwall, so ideal for grabbing a Cornish pasty!

If you fancy a structure that's a little more permanent then Vintage Vacations on the Isle of Wight have a selection of retro American Airstream Trailers available. And the Isle of Wight is a great UK holiday destination with it's own local vineyard amongst other attractions.

Of course, to keep your Carbon Footprint as low as possible you need to get to these places on public transport, or take a cycling holiday and get some exercise at the same time.

If this really doesn't sound like your thing then make the journey into the Holiday by renting a retro VW Camper and setting off on an adventure, still better than flying and a lot more fun! There are several places in the West Country that will rent Camper Vans so you can eat cheese and drink cider in Somerset, eat cream teas in Devon and Cornish pasties in Cornwall before returning to your own regional stereotype free life.

Try Kampadaze, Snail Trail and Seven Degrees West.


Of course now you're feeling all smug about holidaying at home and keeping your Carbon Footprint down you don't want to ruin it all by popping off to the High Street and picking up some brand new clothes full of pesticides, flown halfway round the world and made in a sweat shop. So here's a few places to pick up an ethical wardrobe to go with your ethical holiday.

For recycled vintage and pre-owned clothing visit Retro Chick. I can't always vouch for how it was made originally, but at least it's not now in a landfill polluting the environment whilst yet another new garment is made to replace it.



For something new visit Quail by Mail, their ethical, fairtrade and organic pieces are gorgeously stylish, and, even better, made in the UK.



Or try making some yourself or customizing your existing wardrobe! For free patterns try here

Join the Army - Read Magazines......

Well, I can pretty much say I've never felt so patronised as I have this week by a "promotional magazine article" on behalf of the British Army.

The article in question features "Jenni" posing in a fashion shoot style photo alongside an editorial interview about her time as an HR Administrator in 2 Royal Welsh Regiment.

The editorial encourages us to "celebrate our equal rights!" by joining the Army, and helpfully reassures us that "you're even allowed some make-up these days!"

In her "interview" Jenni is asked how she manages to cope without her "dose of celeb goss" when she is abroad on operations, but it seems that she doesn't need to as the welfare office helpfully get the glossies delivered to troops in Iraq. Phew. Thank goodness for that. Suddenly spending each day under daily threat of violent death seems more appealing now I know I can keep up with Katie Holmes changing hair styles while I'm there.

Jenni also reassures us that although Basic Training is "hard work" it's "only 14 weeks" after which, presumably, you go onto the important army business of deciding which shade of lipstick goes best with desert camouflage and whether khaki is in or out this season.

90 years after it was admitted that UK Women (well some of them at least) were capable of concerning themselves with politics as well as ribbons and kittens without causing themselves permanent physical damage you could be forgiven for thinking that we had finally reached equality.

However it would seem that, even whilst trying to encourage them to join up, the British Army, at least, still considers women mentally deficient in some way. I can safely say that amongst my reasons for not joining the army I do not list a lack of make-up and glossy magazines.

At a time when soldiers are spending increasing amounts of time away from their families, fighting often controversial wars, it seems inappropriate to be attempting to encourage more female recruits with the promise of free magazines. 176 British Soldiers have been killed in Iraq since 2003 and it would be nice to believe that when they joined up they knew what they were getting into, rather than being enticed in by the promise of a free i-pod.

Considering that I sell pretty frocks for a living maybe I shouldn't comment, maybe I'm reinforcing negative female stereotypes by applying make-up every day and occasionally wearing totally inappropriate shoes?

Personally I consider myself a well rounded individual. I can put up a tent and I know how to stop my eyeliner smudging (pat eyeshadow over the top...) The point is I can choose from a variety of skills appropriate to the situation in which I find myself. When I worked for a plumbing and drainage company I wouldn't have got anywhere by screeching "Ewww!" every time I saw a blocked drain, but that doesn't mean I go around seeking them out for fun, and the same applies to any person who chooses a career in the forces. We don't assume that women are put off from a career in the legal profession because they are worried that the wigs might mess up their hair.

If you have major concerns that someone might take your mascara away then possibly a career in the military isn't for you, but this isn't sexist, it's just a fact of the requirements of military life that applies equally to a bloke who can't possibly live without his hair gel. Trying to pretend that these limitations don't exist is not only patronising, but downright deceptive.

If the Army are serious about making it a more appealing career path to Women then maybe their money would be better spent appealing to professional pride of both genders and addressing the deep seated sexism inherent in the Armed Forces that make them think that this kind of advert is the best way to appeal to Women.

Further reading, and some serious academic research into attitudes towards women in the British Forces can be found here:

Gendered Bodies: Personnel Policies and the Culture of the British Army

Links à la Mode - 7th August 2008

This weeks sees Independent Fashion Bloggers first ever weekly links round up. Links à la Mode.

For your reading pleasure this week I present:

• dramatis personae - Tips on Giving Back…
• Dress Me Up Dollie - On oversized sunglasses and fringes
• Independent Fashion Bloggers - Stay Inspired, Plan Your Editorial Calendar!
• MASH-World - As Good as Gold!! Santagold’s Brooklyn Jammin looks…
• Retro Chick - Vintage Clothing & Retro Style - Gothic Elegance
• The Couturist Records - Please bite me… fashion for the undead (very glamorous)
• THE COVETED - Messy Hair, on purpose… not quite wholesome 60’s and not punk.

Gothic Elegance

When I was a teenager being a Goth meant white pan stick and black lipstick. I remember finding it really hard to find black nail varnish in suburban Kent and making my own by mixing black eyeshadow with clear nail polish.

Over the intervening years, as with much extreme street style, elements of the Goth look have worked their way well into the main stream. Underground Goth style is still around of course, crossing over with cyber punk and metal sub cultures. The catwalk take, however, is much more elegant and pared down, often with a burlesque twist.

For Autumn Winter 08/09 black Victorian lace and Gothic dresses appeared on catwalks such as Chanel, Christian Lacroix and Givenchy. The look was structural with some dramatic shapes, darkly shadowed eyes and pale skin.

Elegant and sophisticated with a slightly dangerous edge, I absolutely love this look, however my personal budget doesn't quite stretch to Chanel. So here are some great pieces to get this darkly elegant style for less.

This black leather Warehouse jacket has the right structural details and victoriana look. At £130 it's not the cheapest item, but a good leather jacket should see you through many, many years, and this isn't so OTT that it'll be out of style in 6 months.







Teaming it with this beautiful Vero Moda Taffeta prom dress, available from Retro Chick, gives it a girly twist and the voluminous skirt is bang on trend for the coming season. Keep your eye make up dark and your skin pale and add a pair of black lace tights for a look that is pure catwalk.








For a more slimline look pick up this vintage look black lace and silk blouse from Warehouse. A stunning flattering shape in luxury fabrics this is ideal evening wear, and again, important for a new purchase, with care should give you years of wear.





This tight devore wiggle skirt from Retro Chick is it's perfect partner, worn with heels and an attitude.





An evening jacket is another way of adding a touch of structural Gothic style to a simple shift dress.



I have 2 very different evening jackets in store at the moment. The first, a late 80s puffed sleeved chiffon rock chick bolero has great peek a boo details and needs to be worn with an attitude. By contrast this early 80s velvet jacket with a structural collar and lurex thread has a much more sophisticated feel, while looking fantastic with a pencil skirt and eyeliner.
In the interests of recycling, most of us already have a wardrobe full of black clothes and, fortunately this look can be all about the accessories. Black lace tights and lots of eyeliner are the key essentials.


The High Street is full of multi strand beaded necklaces and cameos that can easily add interest and detail to a simple black dress, and if you haven't got a simple black dress then it's about time you got one! I like this Bulb Sleeve Dress from Bunny Hug, that is now reduced to £49.50.

To see the rest of the vintage and pre owned Gothic elegance available on Retro Chick visit me on Ebay!

It's good to be home.....

I've been away for a mini break over the last few days, did anyone miss me? The weather was gorgeous and it's always lovely to escape your normal life for a while for a few days by the sea side or in the country.

As it happens I did both, spending a night in the lovely Weald of Kent, where I grew up, before heading down to the south coast.

Finally an opportunity to wear some favourite summer outfits as the summer has been patchy so far this year!

An evening walk in the park before dinner means I got use out of my LBD, teamed with skull print peep toes and a vintage belt.

A countryside picnic meant an opportunity to channel my inner Julie Andrews with a very old favourite, I've had this pale blue striped cotton 50s style halter neck for 2 years now! Princess Anne eat your heart out!


My trip to the seaside produced some great new finds for Retro Chick stock (I never stop working, me!) and also a valuable lesson

Two fantastic plaid 60s Shifts, ideal for Autumn Winter 2008













A beautiful 1970s black pleated formal dress with diamante buttons









And a vintage Horrockses Fashions seersucker summer dress