How to style vintage into a modern wardrobe

I am a bit of a throwback to the past. I adore anything vintage or old fashioned but I struggle to dress head to toe. I can't seem to pull off vintage clothes without looking a little bit frumpy so instead I buy retro inspired clothes to get the same look. However, I have learnt along the years how to work with vintage acessories to help enhance my wardrobe. Here are a few tips on how to get the look without going the whole hog.

Brooches

I have an obsession with brooches - to the point where I struggle to leave pretty ones behind. I find they are so great for helping to jazz up a coat or a jumper. They're such a talking point and gives your outfit a little old fashioned charm without being too fuddy duddy, Colourful ones are brilliant for all black or monochrome outfits and pearl ones can help you embrace your inner Audrey Hepburn. You can pick them up for hardly anything from charity shops and bootsales.

Vintage scarfs
A scarf is by far the most simple way to jazz out an outfit. You can have an all-black outfit and pick a snazzy printed scarf and voila it changed the whole vibe. Opt for a long sweeping scarf to wear around your neck with a faux fur coat or choose a shorted multi-coloured scarf to tie around a vintage-style hairstyle.

Old fashioned bags
I'm also a collector - sense a theme here? - of what I like to describe as Kelly bags. Structured leather handbags - usually from the 1950's or the 1960's - are pretty easy to pick up from charity shops and car boots. They look so classy and can really give an outfit a vintage kick especially if you pair them with a midi skirt or shift dress. They're also a great size which is perfect if you like to carry a lot of junk around like me.

Pearls
My favourite stone is by far a pearl - i'm not sure Cameos count as a stone? - and i've built up quite a collection over the years. A string of vintage pearls immediately make an outfit ten times classier in my opinion. You can also go for pearl stud earrings if you want to push the boat out. I'm hardly ever seen with a pair of pearl studs.

How do you incorporate vintage in to your modern wardrobe? 

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Do you ever get that fear that you can't shift?

Outfit:
Map print cotton midi dress: Laura Ashley
Nude block heeled sandals: Dorothy Perkins c/o Westfield London (similar)
Light wash denim jacket: Primark (Similar)
Leather nude structured Kelly bag: Vintage (similar)

I'd waited patiently for this dress since the Laura Ashley press day and had a voucher burning a hole in my pocket. The lovely ladies at the Colchester branch gave me a call as soon as it dropped in. It's such a perfect length and great for those weekends when you fancy making a bit more of an effort.

I wore this out for Father's Day at the weekend for Sunday lunch at a hotel in a village nearby. I actually worked there from the age of 15 to 20 so have fond memories of spending early breakfast shifts sneaking a full English in the kitchen. It still feels strange going back and being waited on! I'm off to Glastonbury next week for the first time. So i'm manically trying to get up to date at work and write myself lots of lists to ensure I don't forget anything. This week is going to be a busy one! But i'm counting down the days, that week off work is very much needed.

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Classic Car Bootsale

 

Last weekend Lily and I decided to hit up the Classic Car Bootsale on the Southbank after hearing about it on Twitter. It was a car boot with a bit of a vintage twist. Set out of the back of some amazing classic cars there was a mix of handmade goods, vintage clothing, bric and brac and cracking street food. We had such amazing weather and it was lovely to mooch around at a leisurely pace peaking at all the bits and bobs on display. It was a fantastic place to people watch and seeing people in full vintage clobber makes me wish I'd mastered that victory roll and wasn't so lazy in my dressing. I sense a vintage shop trip to Brick Lane coming soon....

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Brick Lane

Brick Lane has a very special place in my heart. It was one of the first places in London I properly explored as a teenager when I used to spends hours rifling through the numerous vintage shops dotted around. I adore the rough and ready vibe of East London and feel much more at home here than other parts in the city.

I always jump off at Liverpool Street and walk down to Spitalfields to cut down past the white church into Brick Lane. With so much eye-catching street art and the amazing smell of the curry houses, it's the perfect place for an afternoon wander. One tip is to not go in the first curry house you see as they all stand outside in the evening shouting numerous deals. Free drinks, poppadoms and starters can all be negotiated. Remember to stand your ground! Alternatively do plenty of research online and pick one with great reviews. I've heard amazing things about Aladin.

Once you get to the end of the road make sure you stop off for a salt beef Beigal. Oh lord they are one of the most amazing things I have ever eaten. At £3.40 they're such a bargain! There are two practically next door to each other but i'd recommend the first one. As they're open 24 hours they're a much better choice than a greasy kebab! I love the way the beef is slightly shredded rather than one big chunk. Be prepared to queue but it's well worth it!

The Old Truman Brewery has some fantastic markets on a Sundays showcasing quirky independant designers. You can pick up some great unusual things! You'll be spoilt for choice in the food markets inside. With cuisines to try from all over the world, it's best to go on an empty stomach so you can sample them all.

If vintage is your thing make a beeline for Beyond Retro in Cheshire Street. It's just off Brick Lane so keep an eye out for the street on your right hand side. It's a massive warehouse style building filling with treasures from top to bottom. It's one of the more reasonably priced vintage shops in the area so you can come away with a bargain.

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Bygone Eras

There's a saying that fashion always come full circle and if you keep something long enough it won't be too long before it's the height of fashion again. Dungarees are a prime example and it's slightly worrying that I remember wearing them the first time around - am I really getting that old?

Simply Be is featuring a special article about five decades of fashion and it got me thinking about my favourite eras. My personal favourite fashion throwbacks take influence from the 1950s and 1960s. I am much more comfortable in full midi length skirts paired with structured Kelly bags. You can pick up Kelly bags from charity shops and bootsales fairly easily. But with the high street constantly going back in time to find influences you'll find plenty to tickle your fancy if rummaging isn't really your thing.

I feel wiggle dresses compliment my body shape the most. I feel confident and ready to shake what my mumma gave me when I'm dressed up to the nines. This style of dress is something that I can't seem to stop buying. One of my new years resolutions was actually to start shopping more vintage and I haven't yet put that into place. Thankfully there's still six more months of the year left and I feel a visit to Brick Lane is on the cards.

What is your favourite era for clothes?

Infographic by Simply Be

This post was written in collaboration with Simply Be

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Thrifty Finds #1

After picking up lots of junk each week - much to my dad's dismay - I decided to start up a weekly feature where I showcase what i've managed to pick up. No one in my house is bothered that i've picked up yet another compact mirror.

Here's what I picked up last week over the course of the weekend.

001. Set of six Babycham glasses
I have been hunting out for these for god knows how long but everyone seems to know the value of them and asking prices always seem to be high. I spotted these tucked away in a cardboard box under the table. I wasn't going to rummage as I only had ten minutes left but I spotted some whisky glasses and decided to dive in. I got so excited when I realised there were Babycham glasses and even more excited when the seller wanted just £2 for all six! I didn't even try to haggle the price down.

002. Pink Marcel Franck glass atomiser
I decided on a whim that I wasnted to start collecting perfume bottles as I obviously need yet more things to hoard. I spotted this amongst a stall of endless books and managed to haggle the owner down to £2.50. I got the shock of my life when I decided to do a little research and found one on an American antique website selling for $175! 

003. Cameo brooch cameo pendant and brown oval stone brooch
The first thing i'm drawn to at bootsales is jewellery. I'm after any brooches, anything cameo related or any pearls. Basically anything an old lady would like. I'm trying to ween myself off brooches - 30 is perhaps a bit excessive especially as I wear them once in a blue moon. But I couldn't resist this brown one and of course the cameo brooch had to come home with me. It'll look lovely on the lapel of my winter coat.

004. Stratton peacock compact mirror
This beauty was only a £1 and I was delighted to find out it was from the 1960s - I love items with a sense of history. Admittedly i've not used it yet as i'm too scared to lose it but what's the point of it sitting on my dressing table eh?

005.Ornate glass pot
I've turned into my mother and am obsessed with anything glass. Butter dishes, cake stands, triffle dishes and dressing tables sets - we have them all in this house. I have no idea what to use this as - thinking maybe to store my cotton wool? But I had to take it home and it's looking very pretty sitting by my rings!

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Top five bootsale finds

The next in the series of my top five is gems i've managed to hunt down at bootsales. I'm a sucker for a bootsale and my mother and I try try to go them as often as we can. We both love a bit of secondhand junk! 

001. This has to be my all time favourite find at a bootsale. It was just 50p and I absolutely love it! It was in quite poor condition but my dad painted the frame and nailed the flyaway bits together - it came out just like brand new!

002. I've suddenly gone into full on nesting mode and have been buying bits and pieces for my future home. I have no intention of starting to save for at least another two years but best to be prepared though right? It might not be there by the time I move out - my dad doesn't agree with me! This is a little bit worn but I just think it adds to its charm. It's perfect for dinner parties!

003. I get so much wear out of this collar necklace, it seems to go with everything. I think i've definately had my money out of out for just a £1. Like i've said before you can get some proper gems at bootsales - they're perfect for magpies like me!

004. I dread to think how many brooches I own - i'm always picking one up here and there. I really think they can make an outfit and love to pop them on coats to add something a little extra. I pick up these three for only 50p each and admittedly I haven't worn them yet but they are so pretty! The three pearl one is my favourite.

005.This beauty was only £2. Bargain or what?! I've never heard of the make before but it feels such good quality. It's not often I find clothing at boot sales, it tends to be mainly bric and brac. Admittedly I've not actually worn it yet as I'm not a frequent jeans wearer but it's never going to go out of fashion - I've got plenty of time to wear it!

What's your best boot sale buy?

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Lady of the manor

Outfit:
Grey tweed blazer: Next
White v-neck t-shirt: Primark
Demin skinny jeans: Primark
Blue and brown bow pumps: Primark
Vintage navy kelly bag: Charity Shop

I bet you've all forgotten what I looked like due to my lack of outfit posts. Hopefully i'm back on track and have lots to blog about. I've just been so busy! Things will slow down a bit next week.

I nabbed this tweed blazer in the next sale, i've had my eye on it ever since it came in but even with 25% discount it was still a little steep so i'm over the moon I managed to get it for half price. I adore the elbow patches and feel so grown up in it! You can see a peek of the elbow patches in the first image if you really strain your eyes, they're pretty lush. The bag was a charity shop find and was only a £1 so it would have been rude not to add it to my ever growing Kelly bag collection. Think i'm on about six or seven now! I am craving a bit of charity shop binge, might try and fit a few in over the bank holiday weekend.

Hope you're all having a great weekend. I've just got back from some amazing pie, mash and liquor. It was the lunch of champions.

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Ethical Fashion

Outfit:
Orange full skirt dress: River Island via eBay
Black vintage kelly handbag: Carboot
Vintage silk scarf: Beyond Retro
Blue cameo necklace: Charity shop
Black cardigan: Primark
Black faux suede smoking slippers: Next

This post is part of a competition entry for the Ethical Fashion blog. The competition is open to all fashion bloggers so why not pop over to Style Eyes Ethical Fashion blog to find out more. The prizes are amazing! The only rule is at least one item of your outfit must be upcycled, vintage, second hand, ethical fashion shops, from a jumble, carboot or charity shop.

I must admit I have not fully jumped onto the ethical fashion bandwagon just yet. I am still in the stage of liking to have lots of things rather than just a few things. I am still a fast fashion kinda of girl. I have however fully hopped onto the charity shop and vintage bandwagon and can't see me getting off anytime soon.

It has always been a running joke amongst my friends that I dress like a granny. It's no secret that I lust over things from the bygone eras. As much as I love spending hours in a vintage shop I hate the prices. What do they have to be so darn expensive? Hence why I tend to get most of my vintage from charity shops and carboots. I love the fact that the items have a history behind them and the fact that they are originals. It is so much nicer actually owning a bag from the 1960's rather than having a replica from Topshop. Of course there is always the plus of wearing something that no one else has, I have often been out and spotted someone in the same dress as me. Oh the shame!

This post reminds me how I need to make more of an effort to visit charity shops to pick up some goodies! Nothing beats a charity shop binge.

What are your opinions on ethical fashion? Do you frequent charity shops?

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