I’ve recently returned from a short visit to Los Angeles and I was impressed… LA offers everything from swimming and surfing at the beach to skiing in the mountains and camping in the desert, and its shopping experience is not too dissimilar. From bargain local thrift stores to designer vintage meccas and quaint boutiques to expansive shopping malls, it’s a city with it’s fair share of fashionable neighborhoods and [blissfully] retail therapy is never far from reach.
LA, it would seem, has created a vintage way of life, with its abundance of bustling vinyl record stores, classic American cars still in use on a daily basis, and the presence of America’s leading Antique Flea Market on Long Beach.
Elle and Blair Fowler, founders of online fashion community ElleandBlair.com, were surprised to discover the craze for all things vintage when they moved to LA five years ago. They said: ‘It felt like every cool ring we complimented or beautiful scarf we saw was “vintage”…. everyone in LA-la-land loves vintage and now we’ve joined the club.’
The vintage market is booming and, according to many, vintage has never been more in vogue – you can see a range of retro influences in the Spring Summer 2014 collections from pre-Raphaelite prints and Jazz Age flapper fringes to forties-inspired coordinated separates and fifties’ florals. There is also an increase in vintage-themed fashion websites; one of my personal favorites is www.tarastarlet.com, whose range of clothes promises to transform you into a silver screen starlet from the golden-era Hollywood flicks.
So with this in mind I’ve scoured the high street to find vintage-inspired picks that are sure to conquer up feelings of nostalgia, and inject a little vintage glamour into your Spring wardrobe.
Which fashion era suits your figure?
- Hourglass: Hourglass body shapes look great in 1940s-50s clothes such as wiggle skirts, wrap dresses and fitted separates;
- Pear: The empire waistlines of Regency fashions and 1970s maxi dresses are great for Pear shapes. 1940s and 1980s shoulder pads help to balance out hips, and 1950s fit-and-flare skirts make your waist look smaller;
- Athletic: 1920s styles were made for an Athletic body shapes so indulge in beaded, fringed, floaty and silky flapper-style dresses. You also look great in 1960s fashion such as A-line shift dresses and mini skirts.
Athletic images (from top left)
Luxe Embellished Bodice Dress, £95 – The Vestry; Knighton Dress £249, Amia Court Shoe £159 – Hobbs; SAVIDA, Allure Jacquard Dress, £38 – Dunnes Stores;
Pear images (right and below)
Joanna Hope Jersey Dress, £45 – Fifity Plus; Heidi Floral Dress, £140 – Phase Eight; Leopard Maxi Dress, £189 – Biba at House of Fraser
Hourglass (main) image
Dickins & Jones Green polka dot jacket £150, Skirt £80 and Blouse £40. Cream ‘Hollie’ frame bag £35, Therapy – all House of Fraser
