I'm pretty confident that fellow fashionistas will chant amen when I declare what I believe to be the eternal dilemma of the wardrobe: that is treasuring the freedom of showcasing your sparkling new attire to your peers at uni, but all the while enduring that crippling pickle that is 'what on Earth am I going to wear'?
The fact is most of us cherish our newly exposed individuality, but loathe it all the while. For that thrilling first week of college and university it will feel like you've finally ridded yourself of that stamp of conformity that is also known as the dreaded school uniform, but come Christmas you'll be wishing bin bags and cardboard are this season's must have apparel.
As a student myself, I find I'm often encountering that my purse has undergone a bit of a make under and
is cursed with a streak of loneliness after being stripped of all its precious pennies. After making the devastating discovery earlier this year that my maintenance loan will have to go on actual needs rather than just pretty stuff that satisfies that 'Ooh! I want it' impulse, I now realise I will need to start being sensible with spending. This means treating shopping as a luxury rather than my every day remedy and making new items last rather than wearing them a measly once and then deeming them no good.
So, this got me thinking about how I can buy beautiful vintage and retro clothing that will match most seasons, are university friendly and come at a fraction of the price. I've been on an online prowl for irresistible bargains and couldn't go away without sharing my love for them here. Enjoy!
Vintage Picnic 1950s dress (from eBay): With its casual aura this 1950s classic style dress is ideal for university attire, but is still designed to impress. Timeless lace hugs the collar of the dress with its floral detailing which pairs with the smaller detail embossed throughout the number. A must have. :-)
Enamel Record Necklace with love heart (1950s retro style): Jazz up the dainty picnic dress with this to-die-for record necklace. You can't beat draping your neck in vinyl and showing your appreciation for1950s culture.
Retro buckle doctor bag: At the height of sophistication, this boldly coloured bag is the weapon for fashion success. Its retro style in terms of its prominent gold buckle and unique shape will help sweeten your back to school style and ensure you always show up with utmost preparation.
'Jessica' Floral Print Day Dress: Pretty and affordable, this floral blue day dress is retro inspired but still relevant to modern trends. The notorious feminine bow tie jazzes up the collar and adds a little '50s flavour.
I sure hope you enjoyed today's post. Keep reading and leave a comment if you'd like a natter. I'd love to hear what you're studying at university or even how you're making up your wardrobe this Autumn.
Okay, so my child-like enthusiasm for constructing history's ultimate hair-raising and spine-chilling Halloween ensemble may be just slightly premature, I admit, but when Britain is enshroud in a nest of dreary drizzle and gloomy cloud and my only saviour is Buffy box sets on repeat, my mind has started to wander about infusing Halloween with a little vintage flavour. I mean, sometimes, we just want to pepper ourselves with pretty rather than mask our faces with grubby chalk and gloopy food colouring. What better way to beautify than to morph yourself into a Beauty Queen classic? I've came up with some Halloween ideas for mirroring movie stars and idolized retro popstars, I hope you'll enjoy them!
1. Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn): Draped in diamonds and elegance, Holly Golightly is every vintage fanatic's answer to a woman bible. With her feminine chic and charming aura, her whole demeanour oozes the qualities that are perfect for show stopping festive attire.
Rainbow Retro
Get the dress: Low in price, high in glamour. This Holly Golightly inspired frock mimics the movie version with sophistication and is injected with character with its pull-in waist and petticoat.
Price: £34.99
From: Rainbow Retro
I chose this eye liner because I use it every day and it's super easy to apply! Take it from somebody who sucks at applying liquid eyeliner. It also works great for Holly Golightly's signature 'cat eye' effect and looks prominent and smooth on the eye.
Price: £6.99
These eyelashes have a feminine feathery style which is ideal for Holly Golightly. They are designed to create a vintage look which is prominent yet delicate and pretty. Price: £9.95
Blush: FashionistA Mono Blusher (from Superdrug) This blusher defines the term 'pretty in pink' and is perfect for that Holly Golightly feminine glow. Price: £4.00
(Makeup chosen was inspired by a makeup tutorial on YouTube but I added and changed a few products. I am not a makeup artist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl-Ye52XDRA)
Get the jewels & props: No Holly Golightly Halloween costume would be complete without eye catching costume jewellery and signature props.
Costume jewellery: Pearl necklace (from TheBridalBlingShop on Etsy): This pearl necklace is emblematic of Holly Golightly's style with its chunky beading and sparkling brooch. Price: £25.99
Fancy Dress Cigarette Holder (from Amazon): Holly Golightly's cigarette holder is pretty much fused to her hand in this movie, and let's face it, it's much more glamorous to have something else hold your cigarette for you.
Price: £1.27
2. Twiggy: With her razor sharp hairstyle to reflect her inner edgy self, model icon Twiggy Lawson refashioned women's style and the female image. With her unparallelled mod styling, Twiggy's bold and daring nature was a quality for every fashionable woman to admire.
Get the dress: With her renowned mod style and bold colouring, this dress envelops Twiggy's daring nature and has a fun flare to it. Price: $42.00 (American website shipping worldwide) From: Rusty Zip Vintage Clothing
Earrings: Beauty is pain was undoubtedly Twiggy's motto in her youth. These mod style earrings reflect the loud and prominent jewellery that Twiggy was often photographed in and are a part of eminent 1960s fashion. Price: $12.00 From: Rusty Zip Vintage Clothing
Mod brooch: This mod style flower pin is a super cute addition to a Summer mini dress and adds a splash of colour. Price: $20
From: Rusty Zip Vintage Clothing
Shoes (from TheVintageArah on Etsy): These adorable strap shoes are ideal accompaniments to a mod mini dress and the small heel helps Twiggy fans showcase their dancing feet. Bonus!
Price: £15.60 (converted from $ - US seller)
Tights (from bargainhouse2009 on eBay): Matching coloured tights is another of Twiggy and the mod wardrobe's signature styles, adding some dynamic and boldness to the outfit. Price: £3.49 (buy now option)
Get the makeup: Twiggy's renowned striking eye makeup is a requisite element to her outfit.Eyelashes: Eylure Naturalite 116 Multi Pack False Lashes (from Boots)
These dolly-esque false lashes mirror Twiggy's compelling and powerful mod makeup perfectly.
Price: £13.75
Eyeliner: Twiggy's signature 'drawn on' eyelashes to give a dolly effect are a must for this look. Bourjois Eyeliner Feutre Noire (from Superdrug)
I'm listing this eyeliner again simply because it's my ultimate favourite and the easiest to apply smooth and arresting lines which are guaranteed to mimic Twiggy's wide eyed look.
3. Kate Bush (Wuthering Heights video): A haunting yet endearing 1980s rendition of a Bronte classic has inevitably earned the ever imaginative Kate Bush a spot in the ultimate Halloween costume inspiration hall of fame. Her enchanting eyes spark life in Catherine's character and give the story of Wuthering Heights an amplified place in listeners' hearts.
(For this costume I focused more on the red dress version of her Wuthering Heights interpretation. This is simply because all of the white dresses I found that are similar to the more 'well known' dress are wedding dresses and the prices were a little steep. Plus, I feel this dress is more of a vivid colour and creates the mystical Victorian Gothic theme that is repeated throughout Wuthering Heights the novel. A much easier costume to mimic! Of course, if you find a cheaper white dress and prefer that version, then this look is easy adaptable and just as stunning. In terms of the red version, I just feel the deep colours are more accurate in echoing the passion that is demonstrated throughout the novel.)
Get the dress: If you're a fan of Kate Bush you will definitely be a fan of
her bohemian choice of dresses in the two Wuthering Heights videos. The
two bold choices emit the dreamy and wild aura of the moors and the strong personalities within the book.
For this one I've came up with a few options for the dress, as I couldn't find an EXACT match but found a few slightly similar. I'm sure it's probably bad luck and maybe closer to Halloween there will be a more suited match!
Long sleeve maxi dress (from birthday2549 on eBay): This alluring red maxi dress with its floaty sleeves oozes the femininity within Kate's dress. The V neck and length create the same shape to that of the original and can be easily spiced up with a floral belt and accessories.
Price: $20.98 (US seller)
Vintage '80s Lipstick Red Sheer Sleeve dress (from 830 Vintage): The over sized sleeves of this vintage gown are match perfect to that of the dress in the Wuthering Heights video and the '80s style is convenient for devoted vintage lovers.
Price: $27.00 (US seller)
Get the accessories: Kate Bush is draped in plants and flowers in this video which emphasizes her nature surroundings and her wild side. Both dresses used can be jazzed up and get more of the 'Kate' feel by adding a large belt to the middle (by removing the belt from the second dress if desired).
Red Rose Black Scalloped Lace Choker (from pandorasgems777 on eBay): Go gothic in true Halloween fashion with this lace choker similar to that of Kate Bush's. The rose and lace emit a femme fetale aura with a hint of girly charm. Unfortunately, though, there wasn't one available in red but I think this one is just as striking and pretty.
Price: £4.99
Belt: To create the flowy material effect that Kate Bush has in the video, a scarf with floral detail would be the ideal marriage for a gothic red dress. A belt would work just as well for that cinched in effect, however.
Vintage 70s Navy Scarf (from retro*rainbow on eBay): This stunning vintage scarf has the same deep reds in Kate's dress and envelops beautiful floral detail with a retro flare.
Price: £4.99
Tights: Kate very cleverly combines her bold red dress with matching leg wear, creating an extravaganza of prominent primary colours throughout the video.
Aristoc Velveteen Tights With Cashmere (from 801campbell on eBay): These deep red tights are the ideal sidekick to a gothic red Halloween dress.
Price: £1.99
Get the makeup:
Intensifying eyes and captivating lips are the signature for the Kate Bush Wuthering Heights outfit. With glittering lids and blood red lips, this one is definitely a fun Halloween makeup look to try.
Eyes:
Glitter eye shadow (from cameliarose.com): Go for an olive green sparkle which isn't too bold to mimic Kate's fusion between shimmering green and a dash of grey.
Price: £4.00
Lipstick:
Max Factor Colour Collections Lipstick in Red (from Boots): A show stopping red is a sure winner to merge with the rest of this look. The motto of Halloween is pretty much the brighter the better!
Price: £7.99
4. Princess Leia (1980s Star Wars): Sci Fi devotees fear not! May the frocks be with you this Halloween. With its unmistakable sound track and renowned characters, it's no secret that the Star Wars trilogy is pretty much a big deal. Here, I've blended classic sci fi with a hint of retro glamour for the ultimate Halloween costume combination.
Get the dress: What girl hasn't dreamed of being a Princess? Princess Leia's signature white gown with the turtle neck is something pretty special and mistake not how vital dress picking when becoming royalty.
Princess Leia White Dress Costume (from sewdelightful4u on Etsy): A gown made to dazzle - this Princess Leia official costume envelops all the conventions of the traditional dress in Star Wars and is ideal for Halloween shenanigans.
Price: £48.52 (converted from $ - US seller)
1970s Women's Designer Knit Cheongsham Dress (from Rusty Zipper Vintage): Adding a less conventional take on the traditional Princess Leia gown, I chose this dress because it immediately lured me to look closer. With the conventional turtle neck and bat wing-esque sleeve, I feel the oriental flare adds a pretty perk to the dress and could easily be temporarily removed for Halloween by pinning a black sash onto the side.
Price: $42 (US seller)
Hair: Get ravels and ravels of beautiful Princess Leia hair with the added bonus of a super simple tutorial. Wigs can also be bought to mirror the notorious hairstyle of Princess Leia to help you shine in style on Halloween!
That's all for today but please do keep your eyes peeled for more fun tutorials I hope you enjoyed it. :-) And I applaud you if you read it all haha! I hope I have filled you with Halloween spirit and inspiration today. What will you be dressing up as? :-)
Gone are the days when sweethearts would worship the rollers and copious hair grease in a desperate endeavor to dress to impress for their honeys. It's all about seizing the date, and a careless whizz through a take out or the signature mundane 'how's it goin'?' chat on Facebook wont satisfy that seizing. There is no shame in going that extra mile for the one you love, and what says 'I love you' more than a vibrant venture which will inject a hint of retro glamour into your romance?
Here are some of the retro inspired backdrops I came up with which I deemed ideal for an old fashioned sentimental get together.
1. Ballroom/swing dance sessions: Dancing lessons are modern day's remedy for hopeless romantics to get dressed to the nines and not feel out of place. Local leisure centres and ballrooms often welcome beginners and dancing is a super fun way to create something with your sweetheart that reflects 1950s romance and is yours to share. If you, like me, were cursed with two left feet, you could always clear a space at home to rehearse with your honey or request private lessons for a little more intimacy. Happy jiving!
2. Retro picnic: I doubt immensely that there is anything out there more romantic than a picnic for two. The original chick magnet, picnics are emblematic of a traditional romantic get together. Plus, guys and gals can lure their lovers by cooking up a traditional sickly sweet pudding and good old fashioned indulgent treats. Go all out by playing dressing up in vintage treasures and preparing those signature retro dishes.
Cooking ideas: fresh fruit and wine, bread and butter pudding, apple pie, trifle, creme brulee, strawberry cheesecake, scotch eggs, eccles cakes, chelsea buns, bakewell tarts (all popular recipes between 1930s-1980s).
3. Retro camping: There's no better ice breaker than being covered in mud in the middle of nowhere. Trust me, I know. If you want to add a retro edge to your camping experience there are plenty of places out there to hire vintage vehicles and VW camper vans for a memorable weekend getaway filled with vintage chic. Visit campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk for some insight into the ideal camping haven.
4. Shake, rattle and roll: Throw in some 1950s elegance and your date is a sure winner. Decked out retro milkshake diners are becoming increasingly popular as teenage hangouts and date destinations. Check in your local area for your sweet milkshakey paradise! A great venue for casual chat and under-the-table-footsie, you can enjoy gazing at your dreamy date while indulging in milkshake flavours such as sugar puffs and jaffa cakes (totally legitimate flavours, by the way.)
5. Datin' and skatin': Ever saw an old movie and turned a rather unappealing shade of green over young couples and friendship groups hanging out at roller discos? Fear not! Retro utopias such as these haven't completely disappeared off the radar and maybe an ideal upcoming date opportunity. They are a great place to get some quality flirting done while listening to retro classics and pretending you're a skating champion in front of your friends and love interests.
6. Retro closeup: How cool is the idea of ultimate pampering with your lover while posing for a fun retro photoshoot and having the evidence of a great day out afterwards? Pretty much super cool. Websites such as http://www.alteregoportraits.com/vintage-couples-photography/#!wp-prettyPhoto[g72]/7/ offer the full vintage package and are available for bookings online. You could also look up some of your local photographers and get them to come up with a retro backdrop and retro inspired photos for you.
7. A retro night in: Some days we just want to kick back and chill out in the comfort of our own home. There is nothing wrong with that. There are still things you can do with your sweetheart which are super romantic with a vintage flare. How about cook up an old fashioned recipe or watch a vintage film? An ideal intimate night in where you can still satisfy your vintage craze. Perfect!
Classic vintage movies: Hard Days Night, Blow Up, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Darling, Singin' in the Rain, My Fair Lady, E.T, Back to the Future, The Shining
8. Retro bike ride: Places to go and places to see. Bike rides are a classic outing for lovebirds and create a great opportunity for talking while soaking up the sun. Pimp your bike by purchasing a vintage bike or adding a retro style basket to your current ride. You can also look up picturesque bike tracks such as York's dainty cobbled streets or Whitby's gothic chic haven.
That's all for today. I sure hope I have inspired you with super cute dating ideas! I'm no expert but I am a sucker for romance and have tried out these ideas myself.
As an urban town dweller surrounded by screeching sirens and slightly under the influence individuals struggling their way home on boozy Saturday nights, I'm often left infatuated when envisioning quaint country manors in all of their nick nack and paddy wack glory. Don't get me wrong, I would never tire of prancing around the city and getting all googly-eyed at titivated mannequins whose glamour is echoed through endless stories of sparkling glass. Sometimes, though, I can't help but visualise how serene life would be to be forever mellowed by nature's calls and the rustling of country branches, the only disturbance being the occasional melodic chirp from a refreshing ice cream truck. My own personal picture postcard utopia!
So, as I was engrossed further and further into this daydream, I imagined how mine and my boyfriend's country lair would be decorated until I'd practically created an entire new home in my head. The only setback being...it wasn't real. But, for blogging sake, I would like to imagine it is and share some of my vintage interior findings with you all and desperately pray that one day I will have the pleasure of owning such wonderful items. Enjoy!
Put some junk in your trunk: for me it was love at first sight with this duck egg coloured 'bargain basement glamour' trunk. Ideal for an old vinyl collection or some treasured dusty hardbacks, the chipped paint effect gives it that countryside edge while the floral carved lock fills it with mystery and exudes aspects of a fairytale storybook.
Price: £199
Reflect your style: What lured me into this duck egg painted vintage dresser is the windows! Ideal for parading your pricey vintage accessories and super cute makeup sets. Originally it may have been a vintage dining cabinet but the charming chipped paint and pastel colours would make a wonderful accompaniment to a classic feminine bedroom with a contemporary country twist.
Price: £599
No retro home would be complete without a fancy vintage style desk phone. The fully functioning buttons make for easier access than a traditional vintage desk phone but still emit that '60s office girl elegance with the shape and style.
Price: £49.95
Holy...chair?! This old chapel chair oozes character and could easily be glammed up with a floral or patterned cushion while still emitting a vintage quirkiness with its conventional hymn slot at the back. What could bring more personality to your country manor than adding a traditional piece of history to the home?
Price: £50
Step back and marvel at these Alice in Wonderland-esque draws in all their vintage splender. With the curved legs and door knocker handles, this fabulous find has more character in it than a Game of Thrones novel. Finished with decorative carvings at either side, this vintage drawer is emblematic of country home chic.
Price: £120
(products found at dovetailvintage)
So those were my best thrifty finds of the day and I hope you enjoyed them! All stores I list are based in the UK and use UK currencies but if you're wanting me to look on an international level please let me know!
“I don't understand
how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if
only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day
she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible
for destiny.” - Coco Chanel
Okay, I'm just going to throw this out there. I'm a hard working university student, a 20 year old woman starting out in a career and juggling a riddle of responsibilities in early adult life, but I'm a fool if I'm going to deny how my heart overflows with glee whenever I take the time to do some digging for gold in the back of my wardrobe on the hunt for prized prom dresses and sparkly evening gowns.
I'm utterly guilty in the act of girly dress up and recall many drizzly afternoons lounged indoors wearing my hot pink heart shaped prom gown desperately trying to morph into Grace Kelly or the rather flawless Princess Aurora. I'm a sucker for sickly sweet retro dresses and I fail to memorize a time when I refused the rush of pure giddiness my body swells with when I know I have a fancy event to attend.
So, with that in mind, I thought I would go on an online prowl for some lacy, glitter embossed gowns that my keen retro eye couldn't resist. It's certainly the season to splurge on fancy vintage dresses with plenty of upcoming weddings and outdoor family events, but even if you're having a quiet Summer this year, do you really need an excuse?
(All of these I found at rokit.co.uk, a fairly established vintage clothing store. I'm sure there are tons more sweet finds online if you have the patience to take a look, but these were by far the prettiest in my opinion! Hope you enjoy. :-) )http://www.rokit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=BVWC00648 Excuse me while I hyperventilate and squeal with joy! This being a sure contender for the most glamorousandglitzyandsupersplendidultracute dress I have ever had the pleasure of feasting my eyes on, I simply had to parade all of its extravagance all over my blog and give it the thumbs up and appreciation it deserves. Ideal for a young sweetheart attempting to stun her dreamy prom date, it's lace petticoat and intricate floral stitching echo signature 1950s classic elegance and feminine charm. What more could you want? Price: £200
Fresh out of a fairytale which tells of a glittering snowy wonderland, this '50s maxi ball gown emits more of a Christmas aura but is nevertheless enchantingly beautiful. The tiers of lace create texture and sprinkle character over this show stopping ball gown. Warning: although this dress may be deceiving, it will not turn you into an ACTUAL princess.
Price: £350
http://www.rokit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=BVWC00182 Another elegant '50s classic, this captivating peachy maxi dress looks good enough to wear. The subtle charm evoked from the silk makes this gown wearable without being too choked with frills and fancy bits. The delicate pleats at the back add style and a pinch of personality and flare.
Price: £120
http://www.rokit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=WC100441 Lathered with sequins and style, this alluring evening dress complete with a sweet and alluring bow is enough to put a sparkle in any girl's eye. Finished with glitzy fringing to extract glamour and chic, this £75 bargain find is a precious and glittering addition to a thrift addict's wardrobe.
Price: £75
That's all for today. Please keep your eyes peeled for more fabulous thrifty finds! Any recommendations or tips feel free to do some chattin'. :-)
Since the dawn of cyberspace itself and the ever growing friendship between me and my laptop I have been keeping a secret...a secret so shameful it has cost me hours of my life, tedious training and endless stress, not to mention a mammoth hole in my wallet. I've tried conquering it. I've distracted myself with Angry Birds, Temple Run and even cute kitten videos on YouTube...but nothing will defeat the demon that haunts me. I'm still charmed by that one last rush of adrenaline because I am, in fact, addicted to eBay.
Yes, that's right, I'm a slave to the bidding and captive to that endless spending of cash. But, let's face it, where else can you buy the world's most gorgeous pair of shoes for less of a price than it costs for your lunch? Plus, when your hometown seems to be living under a rock and is growing increasingly oblivious to the idea of thrifting, the notorious eBay is the ultimate saviour for feeding my need for pretty bows and polka dots. By far my favourite thing to scavenge for on my personal retro haven is cute heels. There is a feeling of pure bliss as you discover you've won that all important bid and can take pride in knowing you haven't brought shame to you or your wardrobe. Also, the contentment after the ultimate win in knowing you've bagged yourself your perfect shoe is comparable to that 'I got the last Rolo' feeling. It is resting assured that probably only a few other people in the history of the universe will own those shoes, which makes them have an unparallelled sense of individuality.
So, I thought I'd share a few gems I've discovered with any equally obsessed retro heel fanatics. Cue...cute shoes!
These sparkle-embossed evening shoes are so jazzy and alluring that they remind me of a more modern ruby slipper. It's like if you tapped your heels in them you'd be transported to somewhere magical. Yes, they have little glitches here and there but for me that adds to their character and gives them a history. If you want a shoe that looks like you've just been dragged right from the times of Beatle Mania and mini skirt galore, this is the pair.
Although they're technically a little 'Plain Jane', when I saw these it created a vintage little tea party scene in my mind. I want to sit in them on a sunny day and drink tea from miniature china and make small talk with strangers. I feel that the large dolly-esque buttons add character and would make a super cute marriage with a little white day dress (which in the Summer months I have no shortage of). Sorry again, bank balance!
Okay so that's all for today as I'm all ebay-ed out but keep your eyes peeled and I may post some more awesome bargain finds! Also, considering I'm fairly new to blogging I would really appreciate if you could tell me what you liked if you enjoyed the posts or what you didn't like if you weren't such a fan. I will get right onto taking on recommendations or tips and ideas for improvement.
Vintage Picnic 1950s dress (from eBay): With its casual aura this 1950s classic style dress is ideal for university attire, but is still designed to impress. Timeless lace hugs the collar of the dress with its floral detailing which pairs with the smaller detail embossed throughout the number. A must have. :-)
Enamel Record Necklace with love heart (1950s retro style): Jazz up the dainty picnic dress with this to-die-for record necklace. You can't beat draping your neck in vinyl and showing your appreciation for1950s culture.
Larger than life satchels are a must have for any university student. Possessing practical qualities as well as looking fresh makes this retro satchel ever more irresistible.
Retro buckle doctor bag: At the height of sophistication, this boldly coloured bag is the weapon for fashion success. Its retro style in terms of its prominent gold buckle and unique shape will help sweeten your back to school style and ensure you always show up with utmost preparation.
