Get Your Skates On

The snow may have left the likes of me stranded at home with blankets and endless cups of tea (woe is me) but those of you who have waded your way into work like a trooper, bravo!

It didn't take long for me to hear "back in my day school didn't close blah blah blah" but it got me thinking about all the pretty retro snow outfits from "back in the day". Ice skating and skiing has never looked so fashionable than during the 1940s and 50s. We must be thankful for the birth of the skater dress, it has never left the high street and has become a wardrobe staple. Nipping in at the waist and flaring out over the hips, it flatters pretty much every body shape out there.

I could have browsed vintage snow photos for hours, everything seemed so much more glamorous, even winter sports! Chaps skiing in shirts and ties, ladies frolicking in fur, splendid stuff. I've narrowed it down to this bunch of retro snaps to share with you.

If you are a vintage purist then I advise heading to Etsy where you can find America's best vintage, especially rare and beautiful dresses from the 50s and earlier. I found this gorgeous ice skater dress with mink sleeve cuffs and I'm so sorry to say it has been snapped up! But it's so stunning I have to share it with you. Swoon. Etsy is also a fantastic place to buy vintage sewing and knitting patterns, the skater style is quite common so grab an original pattern for your very own original skater dress! 

  

Over the years the basic skater shape has not faded out of fashion and can be found in a range of fabrics and patterns with with various lengths, sleeves and necklines to suit every body shape. The original super short flippy circle skirt used in figure skating dresses seen in the example above has (thankfully) lengthened over time making a more practical, wearable dress. I've picked out four very different dresses for you to nosey at...

Black 80s skater style dress from Hoy Boutique

"The Figure Skater Dress" for the very brave from American Apparel

A gorgeous velvet, low scoop back example with a print that's out of this world at Urban Outfitters

More of a swing shape, flaring at the bust in a very modern print from Oh My Love at ASOS

Love

Gina 

x

It's A Brand New Year

Happy New Year to one and all! We've had a tremendous break over the holidays at The Vintage Fair, but it's back to business with our first fair of the season on 26th January at Sheffield Town Hall. And if, like me, the High Street sales have let you down this year then you're in luck! Because our first fair in Sheffield is a sale special! Vintage bargains as far as the eye can see, I can't wait!


So while we are feeling thrifty, I've gathered the best vintage and kooky sale bargains that are still out there online for you to snap up! My Top Ten starts with the forward thinking sale shopper, it'll be warmer before you know it and don't forget, It's Always Summer Somewhere.

 White Crochet angel sleeve dress/tunic from Bang Bang. Now is the time to bag style statements for S/S13, when they're on sale! Add a big tan floppy hat and tribal flats for a 70s boho look. Oh and at 40% off? Lovely.

 A site with an interesting selection of vintage, Lovely's Vintage Emporium brings us a tritone 70s suede skirt. It may not be to everyone's taste, but the styling really caught my eye, I love the autumnal colours, and I doubt they'll disappear from next season either.  Down from £79 to £20.

Tatty Devine are a firm fave! I adore this Parakeet necklace, it's only the medium sized one but it's definitely still a statement piece down from £60 to £40. The sale has a tonne of great perspex jewelry so I suggest you go and have an online rummage. 

It's still bloody freezing. So grab a cape! We love capes at The Vintage Fair and this full length neutral one will see you into those chilly Spring days and at £33 (was £65) Rokit have a winner.

Classic print, classic shape. Sales are the time to invest in pieces that won't date as well as to buy those crazier numbers at a more affordable price. Vi Nouveau have this polka dot dress on sale at £18 (was £24). Can't argue with that. 

So I mentioned "crazier numbers" and it's this sort of thing from Topshop that I'm talking about! Persoanlly loving the red version of this feather capelet, and at £15 I love it even more. I wouldn't be caught paying £45  for such a whimsy but at the sale price I could definitely be persuaded...

Agent Provocateur stockings for £10 anybody? I know right?

J Crew are a label known for simplicity in their cuts and colouring. This shirt dress would be at home in any rockabilly, 40s or hippy girl's wardrobe. Now, it still rolls in at £95 but thats nearly half price! Originally it was £190, call it an investment.

Collectif are my absolute favourite repro brand. I've been after a leopard print fur coat for quite some time and this is perfect. It's a fairly small discount, from £90 down to £70 but once again, an investment for any vintage vixen. And it's started snowing so get caught in the bad weather looking glam!

If you're more of a grungy vintage lover but can't stand the fusty vintage grandad jumpers then hop to the Urban Outfitters sale. Over there this Owl beauty is on sale at £20 alongside a load of other similar retro inspired pieces of knitwear. But let's face it, owls aren't going anywhere.

Did you get any vintage bargains over the festive sale season? If so, send us a pic! We love to hear from you. And you lot based in South Yorkshire, see you in Sheffield on Janury 26th! xxx

Gina x