This week's "must have" Ezine for lovers of vintage clothes

FLOWER POWER - London has been awash with sunshine this past week so it seemed only fitting to feature a light and bright floral dress. Florals are everywhere this season. Enjoy.

Skirts

Well it's been quite a quiet week in terms of vintage finds. However I did manage to unearth some lovely skirts.

I don't wear skirts very often but when I find a nice one (or two!) it reminds me of what a great wardrobe staple they are and that I should wear them more often, especially considering that my pins ain't half bad lol.

So I first found this very simple and classic but gorgeous beige Gianfranco Ferre skirt. The Italians really do have a flair when it comes to design. There's nothing like finding a second hand designer piece at a knock down price. It makes you feel as though you have gotten one over on the fashion houses and their extortionate prices. It's a nice, warm smug feeling. Of course I believe in paying for quality and unique design but quite simply I can't bring myself to splash that much cash so it's a good job that I love vintage so much.

So anyway, back to the skirt. From first impressions you might think it isn't anything special...

...but then you look a little deeper and you see the way that it is fastened. Velcro! I love it. And don't worry, it's very secure and won't accidently leave me "exposed" on a night out.

The fabric is a gorgeously soft woolen mix which is warm in winter but just as comfy on spring/summer evenings. The colour is timeless. What a buy.

My other skirt purchase is again very simple but the unbeatable combo of red and black. It's smart but the red stripe makes it a bit playful. Just right to take the seriousness out of a boring work day.



The week's "must have" Ezine for lovers of vintage clothing

Get off at the First Floor

I forgot to say that on Mother's Day I had lunch at First Floor Restaurant. It's on top of Ground Floor Bar on Portobello Road, both of which are a local haunt of mine. The prorpietress, Suzie, is a riot and the food is gorgeous. On top of that the decor of the restaurant is truly unique. I should have taken my own pics but didn't so check out the great ones on their website: http://www.firstfloorportobello.co.uk/. It's kind of shabby chic meets aristocratic grandeur and I love it.

We had the private dining room as there were so many of us. As well as the truly sumptuous food that was served we were serenaded by some good ol' Mowtown classics. What more can one ask for?

Thanks Suzie.

Dallas vs Dynasty

Now, I think this is one of those tops that you have to see in person and that you have to see on a person. I assure you it is gorgeous but at first glance it might seem a bit blousey, a bit Dallas and Dynasty, a bit 'Pat Butcher' for those of you who have ever watched EastEnders. To be honest though, that is kinda what I like about it, along with the perfectly balanced shoulder pads. It fits just right and as far as I'm concerned you can't go wrong with the colour. I think the pattern even has something a little batik about it. I ESPECIALLY love the shoulder brooch. Gold and pink work so well together.

I actually had to take some convincing myself in the beginning. I was furiously riffling through the rails of vintage goodies and saw the colour and pattern at first. I pulled it off the insanely over crowded rail and grimaced a little when I saw the neck line. It just seemed too much. But the key with vintage is giving things a try. Some pieces you just have to try on and get over any initial misgivings because you could be rewarded many times over and I am so glad I took a chance because this silk beauty is so different. The buttons fastening on the side is a very nice touch. I actually wore it today for mother's day with some deep indigo skinny jeans. It was a real hit. The top sort of has a scarf attached to it that flows from the neck line. Very dramatic in a gust of wind as is billows behind you.

A little bit of androgyny never hurt anyone

I found this little gem on Saturday and it's not my usual style. I'm a real girlie girl and am all about clothes that accentuate my best bits. Now, that doesn't mean low cut and tight but always flattering. This top however goes totally against that. It's not sexy but my gosh it is stylish. Well at least I think so lol. I bought it in the morning, washed it and then wore it the same evening with some black leggings and a black leather, very fitted jacket AND a pair of heels of course. 

 It was quite a masculine look. Especially with the neck line but I really love it. The green, red and black combo is great.

This week's "must have" Ezine for lovers of vintage clothing

It's that time again, your weekly fix. Enjoy!

En Vogue

Coincidentally this month's Vogue has done a feature on peplums. I love the irony of looking back to be fashion forward.

Loving the peplum

I told you I'd be back with my 80's inspired star buy and look what I found. It's peplum perfect!



What's even more ideal about it is that the shoulders aren't too big.

I really do love 80's fashion but sometimes the shoulders are just too big and only for those fashion Bravehearts. But this little beauty has lovely shoulders and just creates a gorgeous silhouette.

The ultimate 80's icon

Having been inspired by my latest Ezine entitled, 'True Blue' I've been bobbing my head to some vintage Madonna.

I'd forgotten how much I loved this album. You can't beat the classic anthems 'La Isla Bonita', 'Papa Don't Preach' and of course. 'True Blue' itself. I'm so inspired that this weekend's Portobello jaunt will focus on the 80's. So I'll be back soon to show you what jewels I've unearthed.

This week's "must have" weekly Ezine for lovers of vintage clothing

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Pretty in pastels

As I've said before, I'm not a slave to designer labels or what the catwalk "says" is in fashion this season. I do however definitely take inspiration from the bits I like whether it be high street or high design labels and then see what I can find on the vintage scene. This is exactly what happened with this purchase and OMG I love it.

None of us could have failed to have seen pieces from the Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 collection. It's been everywhere.

I really like the pastel pallette, especially the mint green. So when I found this vintage suit I couldn't believe my luck.

Now let me qualify this purchase. Yes, I love it but no, I wouldn't wear both the skirt and jacket together. A bit too Princess Diana methinks. I would however rock the jacket with some skinny jeans. Indigo denim would be lovely as would a washed out hue or even white or mint green when spring really takes hold. The cut of the jacket is so flattering and fits like a glove. The skirt would be divine with a floaty white shirt tucked in so you can show off the sinched in waste. Or for a look that's a bit more edgy you could team it with a nice tight fitting and simple white racer back vest. On the other hand, if I don't feel like playing it safe I might just team the skirt with a complementary goldy-orange coloured top to bring out the gold edging of the buttons. I even like the idea of a dusty pink with the mint. Who knows? The possibilities are endless...



The new "must have" weekly Ezine for lovers of vintage clothing

LAUNCHING TODAY, your weekly dose of vintage loveliness, showcasing what clubcognoscenti is loving this week. Subscribe at the top of the page and forward to a friend for a chance to win this week's featured vintage piece, a fab herringbone tweed jacket.

Polka dotty

As of now, I'm totally loco for polka dots. Yesterday I found this cute cute waisted belt with an adorable big bow.

I'm picturing it on top a crisp white shirt if I'm going for work-smart or combining it with any pastel coloured top and some jeans for weekend wear. Nice!!!! It's a great piece for following the spring polka dot trend in a more subtle way and at a bargain basement price. Vintage wins again.