Archive for the ‘fashion’ Category

Dress to Impress

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

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top detail from vintage 1960s/70s sleeveless patterned polyester dress

Justin arrived home with this dress last week after a trip to a local auction.

top detail from vintage 1960s/70s sleeveless patterned polyester dress with thin belt

He was well aware that it may not find its way into the shop.

full front view of vintage 1960s/70s sleeveless patterned polyester dress with thin belt

It’s very ‘Me’ – vintage, bright and very versatile.  I’ll wear it on its own, with this thin belt, with brightly coloured tights, over trousers and/or a blouse – the combinations & variations are almost endless!

detail of fabric from vintage 1960s/70s sleeveless patterned polyester dress

…and what a groovy pattern!

vintage orange Welsh wool tapestry handbag

In the same week he came across this vintage Welsh wool tapestry handbag. And he was even more certain that I was going to keep it for myself – I have a cape and a purse in the exact same fabric & colour!

buckle detail from vintage orange Welsh wool tapestry handbag

It’s in absolutely mint condition – and look at its gorgeous brushed steel clasp!

Sign of rain!

Friday, February 24th, 2012

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vintage shop advertising sign for Antirain Rainwear

As we enter our 5th consecutive day of rain here in the Pennines, we think this is a very appropriate blog post.

detail from a  vintage shop advertising sign for Antirain Rainwear

We came across this fabulous vintage sign recently.

detail from a  vintage shop advertising sign for Antirain Rainwear

It’s a shop counter sign for ‘Antirain rainwear’ and dates from the late 1940s or early 50s. It has a classic look of the day – think James Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life or Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter. It’s even got a cute dog thrown in for good measure!

We uncovered a couple of trivia gems whilst looking into the company responsible for Antirain products – P.Frankenstein & Sons Ltd  (yes, Frankenstein!). The first is that one of their prototype flying suits which incorporated pipes with circulating liquid were used by NASA in its trials to develop the Apollo spacesuit. The second is that they designed the amazing iconic yellow spacesuits seen in the classic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

detail from a  vintage shop advertising sign for Antirain Rainwear

Making waterproof macs must have been a doddle compared to spacesuits – and the company was based in Manchester, so who better to develop waterproof clothing?

Gentleman’s Valet

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

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tabletop of the vintage gentleman's valet

We bought this lovely vintage gentleman’s valet stand last week.

tabletop of the vintage gentleman's valet tabletop of the vintage gentleman's valet

The main structure is elm with some chrome & Formica detailing.

full length view of the vintage gentleman's valet full length view of the vintage gentleman's valet

It incorporates both jacket & trouser hangers – over which ties, belts or braces can also be placed.

In addition, there are shoe rests and a small circular top shelf for wallet, watch, cufflinks etc.

base of the vintage gentleman's valet

The ‘atomic’ or ‘sputnik’ styling to the base gives it a real fifties look – perfect for all you Mad Men fans.

We bet Donald Draper has one of these!

Life’s a Beach!

Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

"Life's a Beach!" blog post banner

vintage beach bag made of bright yellow 1950s towelling fabric with beach umbrella and male & female swim-suited figures pattern

It’s pouring with rain as we write this, so not exactly sunbathing weather, but we had to highlight this fantastic vintage bag we found this week.

detail of vintage beach bag made of bright yellow 1950s towelling fabric with beach umbrella and male & female swim-suited figures pattern

The bag is ideal for the beach – big enough for your towel, phone, purse, suntan lotion, book, swimming cossie & sunglasses.

And the fabric… how perfect!

detail of vintage beach bag made of bright yellow 1950s towelling fabric with beach umbrella and male & female swim-suited figures pattern with vintage Biba sunglasses sitting on top

And, speaking of sunglasses – we bought this vintage Biba pair at the same market a few weeks earlier. There’s been quite a delay with them reaching the website as Adelle hasn’t stopped wearing them!

detail of vintage 1960s op art patterned inflatable li-lo detail of vintage 1960s op art patterned inflatable li-lo

Two fab beach items that are actually available – both from the 60s/70s. The first is a real eye popping airbed/lilo in shades of orange. The second is a nifty drawstring bag that can be inflated to form a pillow.

detail of vintage 1960s op art patterned inflatable li-lo detail of vintage 1960s op art patterned inflatable li-lo

It’s not quite Autumn yet, so there should be a few more beach days left this year!

a la Mode

Saturday, November 6th, 2010

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pile of vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazines

We bought this pile of fabulous vintage French lifestyle magazines this week.

pair of vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazines

L’Echo de là Mode or ‘Echoes of Fashion’.

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

They all date from the mid 1950s.

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Sometimes magazines from this date have very enticing covers, but can be a little drab inside… not these!

Red and black illustrations from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

They’re full of wonderful colour illustrations featuring lots of ‘New Look‘ fashion articles.

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

fashion article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

They really conjure up images of a spring weekend in Paris or sunny holiday on the Cote d’Azur… very ironic as we bought them on a cold, wet Thursday morning in Todmorden!

holiday article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

holiday article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

ski-ing article from vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Also, there are lots of cookery articles and interior features…

Advertisement for Advertisement for Cuisine Idéale kitchens from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Feature on maisonettes from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Kitchens feature from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

…and not forgetting all the advertisements which are often stunning in magazines from this period.

Advertisement for Duralex from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Advertisement for Concord washing machines from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Stove advertisement from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine Advertisement for Phildar wool from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Advertisement for Tide detergent from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Advertisement for Omo detergent from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Advertisement for Omo detergent from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

Advertisement for Thé wafers from a vintage 1950s French "L'Echo de la Mode" magazine

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