Wearing Rockabilly (on a week day)

Posted by on September 27, 2013 No comments

Our retro dresses have proved to be very popular with our customers, as they are feminine, flattering and easy to wear.  However, it seems a shame that these dresses are just being worn for a special occasion or on holiday.  Several of our customers have said that they would not have the confidence to wear a rockabilly dress during the week, as they are “too dressy”.  Below is one of our floral rockabilly dresses with a four layer underskirt (£40), baby pink scarf (£3) as a belt, tropical shoes (£10),  1980’s handbag (£5) and little hair hat (£3). I’m sure you will agree that with an underskirt the dress is for a special occasion not for shopping is your local supermarket.

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However, if you take off the underskirt and put on a contrasting floral jacket  (priced at £25), aka Mary Berry from British Bake Off, you have a more dressed down look.  We have teamed the dress and jacket with a narrow belt (£3), bright pink shopper bag (£5) and black shoes (£10).  This outfit is ideal for lunch with friends or afternoon tea, plus the jacket will take you from summer to autumn.

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Tartan is one of the biggest trends this season but instead of the usual country kilt look, this season is all about clashing prints for a punky edgy look.  We have taken one of our edgy blue heart and dagger print dresses and teamed it with black tights and a black cardigan.  We have then clashed this dress with a bang on trend tartan cape (£80).  This look is perfect for autumn as it is trendy and warm!

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Next up we have a beige Day of the Dead print dress that we have layered.  Layering is a great way to look chic, keep up with trends and keep warm.   We suggest layering a lace blouse (£10) under the dress and finish with a simple belt (models own), neutral shoes and fringe handbag (£5).  If it is cold you could add another cardigan over the dress and put a belt over the cardigan.  To finish the look, try a grey leather jacket (£30).

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Finally, one of my favourite looks is this rather summery looking red and green water melon dress.  To bring this dress into autumn we have teamed it with a 1970’s military style jacket (£25) with zip detail and large collar.  To tie the dress and jacket together and to add shape, a bright red belt (£3) is used to nip the waist in.  The look is finished with black tights and a black Kelly handbag (£20).

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If you are interested in any of the above dresses or want suggestions on how to wear a dress, pop into see us at 2-4 Wilbraham Street, Westhoughton, Bolton.

Update on rockability dresses

Posted by on September 25, 2013 No comments

Follow our recent post concerning our rockability dresses, we have now sold out of the Lindy Bop summer dresses.  As the weather is about to change, we have decided not to buy any more until next March.

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With regards to our British made Beverley Jane dresses, we have sold out of several fabrics such as the Crown of Roses.  However, we do have some great new fabrics, like the above floral or the unique Day of the Dead.  Pop in to see what dresses we have in, we guarantee you will not be disappointed.  The dresses are priced at £50, excluding underskirt.  We have a range of British made underskirts from two layer to four, in different colours, prices from £35 – £40

Sunday 24th November 2013 Haigh Hall

Posted by on September 24, 2013 No comments

Our next vintage fair is on Sunday 24th November 2013 10am-4pm at the impressive Haigh Hall.  Although this seems a long way off, we are fully booked with stalls for the event and preparations are well underway to make it our best fair yet.  We have over 40 stalls selling vintage clothing, accessories, collectables, homewear, childrens vintage, retro craft, vintage inspired clothing, chocolate, cupcake and sweet stalls.  There are vintage campervans outside and a magic show for the children.  Finally, the Hall will be decorated with beautiful Christmas decorations.  Keep posted for more info.

On another note, we have made it through to the Vintage Manchester final for “best vintage fair”.  So we thank everyone who has voted for us.  Please can we ask that you follow the below link and vote for Vibrant Vintage Fair at Haigh Hall to win the best vintage fair award http://www.vintagemanchester.com/2013-awards/  Thank you in advance

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A charity afternoon tea

Posted by on September 24, 2013 No comments

One of my all time favourite things to do is to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon sipping tea, eating dainty sandwiches and devouring a scone (or three) topped with clotted cream and jam.  So when I heard that Tracey, one of our regular stallholders at Haigh Hall, was hosting a charity afternoon tea I jumped at the chance to attend.

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Tracey has recently set up the charity Leapfrog Community Platform – Bury and Bolton foodbank, a food bank to assist local people.  Having worked as a legal advisor for the housing charity Shelter, I am familiar with people having to rely on food banks for a variety of reasons from redundancy, fleeing domestic violence to young people who have found themselves thrown out of the family home.  So not only was it afternoon tea but raising money for a worthwhile cause.

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The event was held at Little Lever Cricket Club, where the room was decorated with handmade bunting and wild flowers in jam jars or vintage jugs.  The tables were laid with vintage table cloths, china cups, side plates and cake plates full of a variety of sandwiches.  Tracey’s daughter, Lauren, waited the tables bringing hot tea.

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Following a plate of sandwiches, cakes made by Brookes cupcakes were available to munch on.  I had a very yummy scone and carrot cake but there were also a variety of cupcakes, Victoria sponge and chocolate cake to eat.  While eating these scrumptious cakes, the fabulous Bexi Owen entertained us with songs from the 50’s and 60’s.

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For the afternoon tea I wore an original 1950’s silk wiggle dress with floral print.  I accessorised with pink 1980’s Etam shoes, art deco fan shaped clip on earrings and Radley handbag. I put a victory roll in the front of my hair.

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While my mum wore a lovely Bon Marche purple wrap round dress (this season).  She accessorised with a lovely opal and sapphire necklace.

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Following on from this event, Tracey is looking for people to put collection boxes in prominent places or act as a food collection point.  If anyone can assist please drop me an email and I will send you Tracey’s contact details.