Saturday Night at The Movies: a guide to retro dating

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.

Happy dating. :-)

xo