Retro Chick

Autumn Wish List

Retro Chick — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:33:53 +0000

There’s definitely that end of Summer feeling in the air.

Even when the sun is shining it has that weak and watery feel that reminds me that the evenings are already getting darker and gives me a back to school kind of feeling.

As I sadly put away my summer frocks for another year it’s time to start thinking about those holes in my winter wardrobe that need filling and the new pieces I want to update it for another season.

Top of my wish list for Autumn to be begged, borrowed, saved up for, stolen, made or hunted down in some way are….

High Waisted Trousers

Specifically these ones from Heyday. Probably in a nice sensible seasonal grey, though Forest Green is tempting me….

Ladies Swing Trousers - £45

Fair Isle Knits

Inspired by Lena Hoschek I’ve been stalking several Fair Isle tank tops and cardigans on eBay, but they seem to be going for silly prices, meaning I am evidently not the only person with my eye on this for Autumn…..

There’s very few knits like this I can find on the High Street at the moment, maybe later in the season. But this cardigan from Very.co.uk fits the bill. It’s from Love Label though and considering the quality of the last cardigan I got from them it makes me a little nervous. Maybe I need to try to learn to knit again.

Love Label Fairisle Cardigan £25

Circle Skirts

Because I love this skirt so much and inspired by the Louis Vuitton catwalks I find myself longing for some more circle skirts, preferably in tweeds and tartans (I’d like some pencil skirts in these fabrics too!)

Hopefully I’ve worked out how my sewing machine works and between us Mr Chick and I can figure out how to make some. If not then there’s always this one from Zara.

Zara Check Skirt £39.99

A Cape

I’ve wanted a cape for ages. So far I have NEVER seen a lovely cape in a Charity Shop, and considering the price of most of the ones I see this might end up staying in the realms of my dreams.

This one from Urban Outfitters is perfect though.

Hearts & Hands Check Cape £195

What’s on YOUR Autumn wish list?

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Twinwood, Gressenhall, Aberdeen, Leeds

Retro Chick — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:15:44 +0000

Did you miss me?

Ok, so it’s not exactly London, Paris, Milan, New York, but that’s where I’ve spent the last week.

So today I thought I’d give you a whistle stop update on my weeks holiday, helpfully split into sections coinciding with the places visited. After that we can all go back to normal and I’ll write scintillating articles about pretty frocks for you to drool over.

TWINWOOD

So, to begin at the beginning last Friday I went for drinkies with the lovely Claire from Poppy Valentine and Charlotte of Lottie Loves. At this point I had nothing much else planned for the weekend.

I had hoped to go to Twinwood, the Glenn Miller festival at Twinwood Arena near Bedford, but sadly my ever empty bank account wouldn’t allow. Then, at 10:30pm on Friday night, as I sipped my Xth beer, I received a tweet from someone I’d never met. They’d won tickets to Twinwood but couldn’t go, had seen my tweets and wondered if I’d like them.

Excitedly scanning the weather forecast and seeing sunshine predicted for the weekend I said yes.

On Saturday morning we stuffed the tent in the car and set off in blazing sunshine. On Saturday afternoon we arrived in a torrential downpour that threatened to blow our tent back to Norwich with us clinging helplessly to the guy ropes.

Anyway, I sat in the car and let Mr Chick finish pegging it down in the torrential rain (he managed to stick a tent peg up his nose in the process, it’s best not to ask how) once he’d done this, obviously, the sun came out from behind the clouds and the skies stayed clear all night.

Here’s what I wore to pose in front of some vintage cars, this is a fashion blog after all right?

❤ Jacket - Warehouse ❤ Dress - Principles via a Charity Shop ❤ Belt - Primark ❤
❤ Pearls - Antique Market ❤ Handbag - Vintage ❤ Shoes - New Look via a Charity Shop ❤

And, on the basis that everyone seems to be doing it these days and there’s nothing like a good bandwagon, an outake where I’m most definitely not doing any kind of posing whatever.

We bumped into Charlotte from Lottie Loves (again!) and the lovely Shona from Heyday before eventually getting chatting to some WWII reenactors, drinking far too much beer and stumbling back to our tent after 2am.

I woke up the next day to high winds and a thumping headache, but thankfully no rain. Dragged myself out of my sleeping bag and back down to the arena for a proper look around. My arrival in the arena coincided with the arrival of yet more rain. So I took the opportunity to shelter in the stall of the lovely Fiona from Notorious Kitsch. You can probably see it’s a little breezy!

❤ Dress - Vintage 50s Nelly Don ❤ Cardigan - M&S via a Charity Shop ❤ Brooch - Boot Fair❤
❤ Pearls - Antique Market ❤ Handbag - Vintage ❤ Shoes - New Look via a Charity Shop ❤

It was such a shame about the evil British weather as Twinwood was an amazing event with so much more to investigate than just the music and dancing. You can check out the rest of my photos, including a CC41 utility clothing exhibition and the very odd man sat on a chair in the corner of one of the stages on Facebook.

GRESSENHALL

On Bank Holiday Monday I visited an event that was local to me. The Gressenhall Village at War weekend. Normally the place is an old workhouse and museum, but for the Bank Holiday weekend it was transformed into a living example of wartime village life. A marquee in the courtyard provided tea, cake and entertainment, and the lovely vintage hair stylist Flamingo Amy was present creating victory rolls for visitors. There was a flyover by a Lancaster Bomber and a replica of a corner shop handing out sweet rations to the kids. We left hurriedly when we saw the Home Guard attempting to draft innocent bystanders into performing drill in the courtyard as we didn’t think we were up to that kind of thing. Keep your eyes peeled on my events page for similar events in the area, if this one is back next year, that’s where you’ll find out about it!

Here’s a selection of photos from the day.

ABERDEEN

Well, Aberdeen is very, very far.

It’s also where Mr Chick’s family are, so 13 hours in a car later there we were.

❤ Dress - Topshop via a Charity Shop ❤ Cardigan - M&S via a Charity Shop ❤ Shoes - Clarks via eBay ❤

Visiting the wilds of Scotland reinforces quite strongly to me how much of City Chick I really am. I had a wonderful time (and there are some good charity shops in Turriff, don’t tell anyone) but mostly all that countryside makes me feel like this.

It’s a duck out of water. It would be better if it were a fish but I don’t have any photos of fish out of water, so lets compromise and go with the duck. It’s actually one of Mr Chicks Parents ducks. And this is one of their chickens.

And this is their house.

This is PROPER countryside. No messing.

While in Scotland I gained several things, apart from 2 lb in weight from delicious cooked breakfasts and haggis I also bought myself a dressing table from a Charity Barn. It needs a bit of fixing up, but when it’s all done and in situ I shall show you it in all it’s glory. Mr Chicks’s generous mum has given me a 1950s travelling dressing table case to use on it, as well as a nice new hat. All of which I’ll show you soon.

And so, back to:

LEEDS

Those of you who haven’t yet fallen asleep or wandered off to do something more fun than look at my holiday snaps will note that the England and Scotland photos were taken on the same day (and also that I look like crap, I did mention it’s a LONG way, right?).

That’s because this is the actual photo I took of the Scottish border on the way IN to Scotland.

Great.

Anyway, my holiday adventures are drawing to a close and Leeds was really just a stopping point to avoid travelling a full 550 miles in one go.

It was a stopping point that involved a trip to a casino, where I drank many cocktails and actually WON some money. (about £30, lets not get excited) I have now crowned the Manhattan as my “New Favourite drink”. Now I just need to find somewhere near me that serves them without thumping music and annoying men in Ben Sherman shirts (or a price that means I have to mortgage the house I don’t own to buy one)

We also paid a brief trip to the Royal Armouries, which is FREE, and therefore exactly the kind of entertainment I like. I really recommend it if you happen to be in the area at any point. Not only does it have all this

But it also has some great opportunities to pose by fireplaces and pretend you’re the lady of the manor.

❤ Jumper - Primark ❤ Skirt - Laura Ashley via a Charity Shop ❤
❤ Shoes - Clarks via eBay ❤ Belt, scarf & bag - vintage ❤

And at least one unmissable opportunity to pretend you are a painting of Queen Elizabeth the first.

And there (to your relief) ends my tales of holiday adventures.

I now have 400 emails to catch up on, and some new pieces for Autumn to photograph and list for the shop, so back to the grindstone I go.

What did YOU get up to over the long weekend?

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Links à la Mode 2nd September 2010

Retro Chick — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:44:45 +0000

The End of Summer? No! The Beginning of Awesome!

Edited by: Thom of The Sunday Best

For the past week I’ve been listening to Cee-Lo Green’s fantastic send-off, F@#* You, and little else. At the same time I’ve been reading a lot of the hand-wringing in the press about bloggers and whatever are we going to do about them, along with our responses both here and on our blogs. And the two have combined in my head to form a single determination – bloggers need more swagger. I don’t mean anger, of the you-don’t-respect-us variety, or apologetics, of the we-are-as-legitimate-as-other-media variety. I mean swagger, the kind of swagger that comes from doing something well and knowing you’re good at it. So whatever other themes might knit together this week’s links, they all share that important characteristic – swagger. Step up to the plate, knock it out of the park.

Join us at IFB’s Evolving Influence Fashion Blogger Conference @ NYFW

Links à la Mode: September 2nd

A la Modest – The Mystery and the Magnificent Monki
All Tumbled Down – Fancy Style File
Any Second Now – My Fashionable Heritage
A Pretty Penny – Fashion Fitness and Floggers
Awakened Aesthetic – To Covet: Cold Comfort
Beautifully Invisible – The Corset: The Sexiest of Sexy Shapewear
Beyond Fabric – Size and Fit: Shirts
Bright Lights, Big Style – Losing Style in Fashion
Chic Steals – Long-awaited Interview Outfit
Fashion Cents – When to Alter Your Clothing
Independent Fashion Bloggers: How Blogging Changed My Life
My Closet in Sketches – Outfit Sketch
Oranges and Apples – Thinking About Aging
Ramblings With Rin – Before Meets After
The Coveted – Design Your Own Shoes With Jeff Silverman
The Demoiselles – Millenials: We Are the Revolution
The Fashionista Lab – The Emmys: Red Carpet Recap
The Lingerie Addict – Is Expensive Lingerie Worth the Cost?
The Pursuers – Cheer Up, Margot
The Sunday Best – Let Them Eat Bread
What She Should Have Worn – Copy Cats

SPONSOR:

New at Shopbop - JNBY - Wildfox Couture - Kirrily Johnston - Graham & Spencer

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10 Question Style Snapshot – Oranges & Apples

Retro Chick — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:01:18 +0000

I can’t remember exactly when Oranges & Apples made it’s way onto my blog reader.

Whenever it happened it’s now found a permanent home. With her colourful outfits mixing home made, vintage and thrifted pieces with High Street buys and insightful and intelligent posts on everything from sustainable fashion to fat activism Franca never fails to make my day a little bit more interesting.

Reasons you should read her blog:

If you’re scared of colour she’ll fix that in a jiffy.

She mixes outfit posts and beauty features with insightful and thought provoking social commentary.

She inspires me to try and be more creative with layering.

She posts pretty photos.

1. What was the first piece of vintage clothing you remember buying or owning?

I grew up with second hand clothes (they weren’t called vintage then) and I wore a lot of my mum’s old clothes from when she was young. One of her things I remember in particular is a tshirt with mickey mouse giving minnie mouse a kiss on the cheek. I still have it, but I haven’t worn it in a while because it’s got a hole in it and I want to preserve it to maybe pass on to my daughter, if I end up having one.

The first vintage thing I remember buying on my own is a pair of 1960s navy faux snakeskin wedgy sandals, when I was in first year of university. I should wear these again soon!

2. What was the last item of clothing you bought?

A vintage dress from Dolly Mix Vintage in Leicester. It’s from the 1980s I think, but 1950s-style, with a fitted waist and a massive circle skirt. The fabric is a multicolour patchwork print with a caption that says ‘I like you America’ which makes me smile!

3. What is the most expensive item of clothing you’ve ever bought?

A pair of £150 camper boots. This was five or six years ago, when I was temping on minimum wage, and was always skint, so it was a massive deal. I’ve worn them constantly during winter since then though, and they’re still ok to use, so it’s been worth it. The other thing is a Tula leather handbag that I got when I got promoted at work, which I’ve also worn constantly. That was £135, and I felt a little bit sick spending that much on a bag. I don’t think I could ever get a proper designer handbag, no matter how much I liked it, I’m far too thrifty.

4. What’s your current favourite item of clothing?

I love this blue checked puff sleeve dress that my lovely boyfriend-fiancee-partner-person Dave made me out of an old duvet cover. I love handmade things, but unfortunately I’m too clumsy with the sewing machine to have ever got into sewing clothes myself, so I’m so pleased Dave has discovered that he has a talent for it!

5. Do you prefer heels or flats?

Flats. I can totally appreciate the beauty of heels, but I can’t walk in them at all! Whenever I do put some on, my feet are agony within about twenty minutes. I have been getting into small (2-3 inch) heels though recently, particularly if they’re chunky, or wedges. So maybe I’ll work my way up to proper heels at some point!

6. Describe your style in 3 words.

Colourful, quirky, feminine

7. Skirts or trousers?

Skirts! When I look through my wardrobe remix set, about 95% of the outfits are based on either skirts or dresses. It’s just more fun, there are different shapes, you can see the shoes better and it’s an opportunity to wear different coloured tights! I’m partial to the dress over trousers look though, which sadly seems to have gone out of fashion. So I guess I would say skirts AND trousers.

8. How much do you spend on clothes in an average month?

This is a really hard question! I do shop a fair bit (though I’m trying to cut back), but I mainly get stuff from charity shops, so cost wise it’s not much. In August I got three dresses for a combined cost of £75, and in July all I spent was 15 euros on some jersey basics from h&m. So maybe £60 a month on average?

9.How is your wardrobe organised?

I have a three door wardrobe that I keep organised like this: dresses on one side, and skirts, shirts, jumpers and jackets on the other side. My tshirts and my vest tops are in easily accessible boxes at the bottom of the wardrobe, my trousers and special occasion dresses on separate shelves, and long sleeve tops in a drawer. My gym clothes, pyjamas and the jackets I’m not currently wearing are stored in boxes on top of the wardrobe. I have separate storage for underwear and hoisery, shoes and bags. I did a post about it actually, when I first came up with this organisation. This system works ok, but I do get lazy after a while and need to do a big tidy up every three months or so.

I’m also pretty ruthless with getting rid of clothes regularly to make space for the new ones. It doesn’t matter what system of organisation you’ve got, there’ll always come a point when it fails if there is just too much!

10. Are you sentimental about your clothes?

I’m sentimental about some things, like my mum’s stuff, which I’ll never get rid of, and some jewellery I’ve inherited from mine and Dave’s grandma’s. But I’m trying to not get too attached to too many things. It is just stuff at the end of the day. Giving things you don’t wear that much away to go to someone who will is good karma!

Check out her blog at Oranges & Apples

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Things to do in Norwich – September

Retro Chick — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:03:21 +0000

Can you believe it’s September?

I’m sure it’ll be blazing sunshine after the total washout that was August, right?

This months big event is the 40s weekend on the Sheringham railway with a dance in the evening. It promises to be a great weekend. But the Norwich and Norfolk area also plays host to the No Strings Bursleque night at the Puppet Theatre, some Big Band, to be handily combined with Sunday lunch and afternoon tea and some collectors fairs to spend your pennies at.

03 September 2010

The Woolpack Inn 1940s Night
19:30 @ Woolpack Inn, Golden Ball St, Norwich
In aid of Help for Heroes
Wartime music & wartime buffet
Dress up in your wartime best and join the party
Tickets £6 per person (buy at the bar) 01603 627047

05 September 2010

Antique and collectors Fair
10:00 @ Simms Reeve Institute, Brancaster Norfolk
Small but friendly fair with about ten stalls, selling china, silver, linen, jewellery and much more.
Also home made refreshments.
50p Entry All proceeds towards the renovation of the hall.

18 September 2010

Sheringham 1940s Weekend
10:00 @ Poppy Line, Sheringham
Come and enjoy the 1940s weekend on the North Norfolk Railway, our most popular event for adults by far!
Come in uniform or 1940s civilian dress to add to the atmosphere. Don’t forget your gas mask and ration books!
More information �

SHERINGHAM VICTORY SWING DANCE
19:30 @ Sheringham High School and 6th Form Centre, Holt Road, Sheringham NR26 8ND
Admission £7 on the door.
Bring Your Own Drinks. Tea, Coffee and Donuts Provided.
Period Dress, Allied Uniforms welcome.
More details from Esther and David on 01473 635176 Or Email esthersew@tiscali.co.uk

19 September 2010

The Jonathan Wyatt Big Band, with special guest John Miller
14:30 @ Assembly House, Norwich
Remembering & celebrating 65 years since the end of World War 2
Also featured during the day will be a display of motor vehicles from the Norfolk Military Vehicle Group.
The Grand Assembly House restaurant will also be serving a 1940’s themed Great British Sunday Lunch
and after the concert a tempting traditional afternoon tea & cakes.
Ticket Prices: Concert Only £12.95 – from The Assembly House Box Office at the Theatre Royal – 01603 598688
Restaurant enquiries & table reservations 01603 627526
More information �

25 September 2010

No Strings – Burlesque and Cabaret Club
19:00
Hocus Pocus Theatre
will proudly present their next evening of Burlesque and Cabaret on 25th September after a summer break.
Tickets £15
More Details to Follow
More information �

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Designer Spotlight – Lena Hoschek Autumn Winter 2010

Retro Chick — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:42:17 +0000

I take it all back. You can keep Summer.

When the Summer weather disappears at the end of July there’s better to cheer you up than looking for beautiful Autumn clothes. (Apart from, possibly, cake and wine)

Lena Hoschek is an Austrian designer who shows at Berlin Fashion Week and started her own label in 2006. Rejecting traditional trend led fashion her collections are all, and I quote:

“a reflection of what has fascinated her since her childhood: the female ideal of the 40s and 50s, craftsmanship, high-end tailoring, traditional materials and patterns but also rock ‘n’ roll and punk music, tattoos, bad guys and fast cars.”

Essentially what this means is that Lena Hoschek appears to have clambered into my head and every season she makes my dream wardrobe a reality.

Her Autumn Winter 2010 collection has me scouring eBay for fair isle tank tops, plaid and berets. Alongside the nipped waists and full skirts is a more masculine look, with models sporting bow ties and cravats which is prompting me to consider raiding parts of Mr Chicks wardrobe next season.

The runway shots from Berlin Fashion Week are stunning.

But I’ve just ordered her Autumn Winter catalogue so I can drool in person over shots like these.

There are also rumblings of an imminent online shop which will mean I can not buy it because I can’t afford it, rather than because I can’t see a UK stockist *sigh*

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