Style Fashion Guides
Fashionably Retro
Vintage has become the ultimate fashion statement. No premiere is complete without Julia Roberts wearing vintage couture while fashionistas Kate Moss and Stella McCartney are legendary for their skills at mixing the old with the new. Experimenting with vintage style should not be intimidating. The first step is knowing exactly where to look.
Way back when
Back in the 60s and 70s, girls who wanted to create an 'individual' look rummaged in jumble sales and sorted through the racks of old clothes at Camden Market. Victorian blouses looked great with jeans, 1920s dresses were the epitome of glamour and nothing looked more enticing than original 1940s satin underwear. And you got a lot for your money too. The fabrics were top quality, the clothes were well made and you got a little bit of history thrown in.
What is today's vintage?
Well it's not a pair of 20 year old M & S trousers in a charity shop. But it is a classic Pucci dress from the 60s. It's an original Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress, but not (yet, anyway) a Laura Ashley pie-crust frilled shirt. Biba is retro, so is Ossie Clark. Essentially, clothes that were well made and must-haves the first time around stay classics forever.
Vintage style directory
Where's the best place to find it? Top of the tree has to be vintage store Steinberg and Tolkein at 193 Kings Road, London (Phone 020 7376 3660). This is a favourite haunt for all serious (and rich) vintage fans in search of an original Chanel or Pucci. The clothes and accessories are sourced from auctions, markets and private collections all over the world. Research like that takes time, so don't expect bargain basement prices. If you want couture pieces online, try Annie Creamcheese. Based in New York, they sell classic pieces including Missoni and Armani. Prices start at $60 (around £32) for an unlabelled piece and rise to the $400-$500 (around £213-£266) mark for a classic designer dress.
If you're looking for good value, then Camden in London is still a good starting point for all kinds of retro gear. Avoid the market itself though (overpriced) and go to the Arches in the Stables Market; they're packed with a variety of stores selling everything from Victorian through 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. You can even buy vintage denim and trainers!
Back in the 60s and 70s, girls who wanted to create an 'individual' look rummaged in jumble sales and sorted through the racks of old clothes at Camden Market. Victorian blouses looked great with jeans, 1920s dresses were the epitome of glamour and nothing looked more enticing than original 1940s satin underwear. And you got a lot for your money too. The fabrics were top quality, the clothes were well made and you got a little bit of history thrown in.
What is today's vintage?
Well it's not a pair of 20 year old M & S trousers in a charity shop. But it is a classic Pucci dress from the 60s. It's an original Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress, but not (yet, anyway) a Laura Ashley pie-crust frilled shirt. Biba is retro, so is Ossie Clark. Essentially, clothes that were well made and must-haves the first time around stay classics forever.
Vintage style directory
Where's the best place to find it? Top of the tree has to be vintage store Steinberg and Tolkein at 193 Kings Road, London (Phone 020 7376 3660). This is a favourite haunt for all serious (and rich) vintage fans in search of an original Chanel or Pucci. The clothes and accessories are sourced from auctions, markets and private collections all over the world. Research like that takes time, so don't expect bargain basement prices. If you want couture pieces online, try Annie Creamcheese. Based in New York, they sell classic pieces including Missoni and Armani. Prices start at $60 (around £32) for an unlabelled piece and rise to the $400-$500 (around £213-£266) mark for a classic designer dress.
If you're looking for good value, then Camden in London is still a good starting point for all kinds of retro gear. Avoid the market itself though (overpriced) and go to the Arches in the Stables Market; they're packed with a variety of stores selling everything from Victorian through 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. You can even buy vintage denim and trainers!
