1940s vs 1990s

Check me out with my 1940s vs 1990s vintage mash-up! Does it still count as vintage when you wore it the first time round? I'm referring of course to the Clueless-influenced craze for mini kilts in the late 90s. I pretty much figure that if it's an era-specific fashion, it counts.


Matin had a seminar in Winchester yesterday so I tagged along and took the afternoon shopping. The charity shops didn't turn up a single thing (well they had some vaguely interesting vintage, but all priced really high. Hate the way charity shops do that now! Even 1980s polyester is around £15!) My second-ever visit to Primark was very exciting - it's sooo cheap! They've got some nice accessories, and I also got a pink polka dot cotton knit cardigan which I'm very pleased with. But the best purchase of the day was probably the Red Cardigan that I've been searching for for over a year!

Outfit details: Skirt, blouse & handbag, charity shop; 1950s wool cardigan, estate; 1940s beret, Tasty Vintage (at Vintage at Goodwood); Shoes, Hotter.

PS Sorry again for my excessive absenteeism this month - perfectly disgraceful, I know.

New and Coming Soon

I'm listing still more fabulous clothes in my ebay shop and etsy store, including some more from my own wardrobe.

Clockwise from top left: 1960s-70s Check outfit; 1940s aubergine crepe de chine tea dress; 1930s-40s Art Deco jacket; 1970s cherry print jacket/top; 1950s-60s mint brocade evening jacket; Early 60s pink atomic print shift dress.

It's not just clothes either - there's accessories too, including a whole lot of unusual vintage gloves I'm selling from my collection! I've got embroidered, embellished, polka dot nylon and suede gloves in lots of different colours. Most in small sizes (unfortunately). I'll be listing them on ebay over the next week or so, but if you want to beat the bidding and snap up any of these in advance, please contact me.

Clockwise from top left: Rose embellished nylon gloves (M); Cherry embroidered nylon gloves (S); Polka dot net gloves (M but short fingers); Polka dot gloves (S); Embroidered sheer pink nylon gloves (S); Gemstone studded pink leather gloves (S).

Pirate Dress

This was my Halloween dress! Isn't the pirate fabric fun? I've had it in my stash since I got back from my last trip to Thailand. I didn't have enough for a full dress, so I made the bodice in black (I think it works better this way anyway). I haven't finished the sleeve openings - I was going to finish them with bias binding, but then I had an idea to make winged cuffs in the pirate fabric.

Does anyone else have a geeky way of organising their sewing plans? This collage wasn't even intended for public viewing - this is just my project reference!

I used Simplicity 2491, which I bought after a long search for a plain 50s sundress pattern - you'd be amazed how hard it is to find a super simple, cap-sleeve, full-skirted sundress pattern. It was very easy to work with (helps that it's in my actual size, so I didn't need to adjust the bust/waist ratio. At least in theory - there are one or two adjustments I'll try and make the next time I use it - which I fully intend to). I like that rather than have a fully gathered skirt, the front is pleated and lays flat rather than adding bulk to the tummy area.