Archive for the ‘fashion’ Category

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

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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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Follow a Pattern

Friday, September 17th, 2010

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collection of vintage 1950s-1970s fashion paper patterns

We bought a job lot at auction recently. Initially, it was the tray of kitchen utensils that caught our eye…

vintage 1950s "Le Roy" paper pattern of women's Capri pants and pedalpushers

… but, in amongst it all, was a large box of sewing paraphernalia…

mosaic of vintage 1950s Leachway paper patterns

… embroidery silks, cotton reels and dozens of vintage patterns.

vintage 1950s "Style" paper pattern for women's blouse and skirt

They date from the 1930s all the way up to the 1980s.

vintage 1950s McCall's paper pattern for women's "New Look" dress and jacket

There were lots of 1950s examples by Leach-Way and McCall’s including some fabulous ‘New Look’ ones.

vintage 1950s "Practical Patterns" paper pattern for a teenager's pajama set

vintage 1950s "Maudella" paper pattern of a bridesmaid's dress

There was this one for a bridesmaid’s dress if you’re into that complete DIY wedding!

vintage paper pattern for a men's shirt

and patterns for the boys!

vintage 1970 "Womens Weekly" paper pattern for an asymetric midi skirt and puff sleeved blousevintage 1975 "Women's Weekly" paper pattern for midi skirt, long waistcoat and flared trousers

These ones given away free with Woman’s Weekly are a couple of favourites – especially the asymmetric midi skirt and puff sleeved blouse.

vintage 1950s paper pattern given away with Woman's Own magazine

Free patterns with your weekly reading was a common thing at that time…

vintage paper pattern from the News of the World for a woman's blouse and midi skirt

…as these giveaways from Woman’s Own and News of the World show.

vintage 1970s Butterick paper pattern for women's shirt dress, tunic and trousers

Doesn’t everything about this Butterick pattern for shirt dress and pants suit just sum up the 1970s?

It’s been a real pleasure sorting through this particular box.

Pinny for your thoughts!

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

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vintage pinny with Alpine scene with pretty blonde lady and snow-topped mountain in the background

There’s a new woman in Justin’s life!

vintage pinny showing pretty blonde lady

She’s an alpine flower girl – and resides on this fabulous vintage pinny.

detail of vintage pinnydetail of vintage pinny

She came home with him on Wednesday – and he definitely took longer photographing this apron than he does photographing a cruet set – dreaming of life in the alpine meadows!

vintage yellow pinnyvintage 1950s pink pinny
vintage 1950s blue pinnyvintage 1950s orange pinny

We love period kitchen textiles – tea towels, aprons, oven gloves, pan grabs, curtains etc.

Have a look at all the vintage pinnys currently available in the H is for Home shop

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