Rain Bonnet Success!

Long-time readers will recall that, many moons ago, I wrote a post lamenting the demise of cute and stylish rain bonnets. And it occurs to me now that I never followed up on that post, despite the fact that I did follow through on the rain bonnet hunt. I ended up buying a bonnet online, through Ebay I think, and I'm really quite pleased with the one I scored, for tuppence really.

Dress: Beyond Retro, Rokit, or some such!
Cardigan: Gift from a friend
Belt: Top Shop or similar
Rain bonnet: Ebay
Jubilee badge: Button Badge online shop

Here I am sporting it as the rain came down at a Diamond Jubilee garden party last year. Yes, it's taken me that long to write this post... But this was the perfect occasion for it, as an umbrella really wouldn't have been convenient or wanted when there was croquet and dancing to be had. (As you are admiring the bonnet, do also take a moment to appreciate my fabulous, patriotic badge with a dashing young Betty bordered by the Union Flag.)

The rain bonnet seemed to be largely accepted within the confines of an event such as this. However, as a general rule and as with any of these slightly more quirky things, you have to keep your chin up and ignore some funny looks if you're going to wear a rain bonnet. But I happen to think it looks rather smashing, and thinking that in turn helps me to keep my chin up as I embrace the bonnet.

.... Although, to be honest, it doesn't get the full workout it deserves, as I'm prone to switch bags and find I've left it in the wrong one when I'm caught off guard by the rain... And the downside of the bonnet is the rustling plastic noise so close to your ears. Nevertheless, I do recommend investing a few pennies in one, or maybe more than one, so you can leave a bonnet in each of your favourite bags.

For the moment though, I'm hoping the need for a rain bonnet holds off for at least a month more and that the English summer lingers on a tad longer.

The Sad Dearth of Stylish Luggage

Image source

I've been trying to find a suitably generously sized but at least somewhat pretty suitcase for my upcoming extended holiday to Australia. What I want to know is why they don't make them like this as standard anymore...

Image source

I guess travelling is an entirely different experience these days. Vintage luggage appears to be largely vanity cases and overnight suitcases for short trips, or massive steamer trunks for long voyages aboard ships. Neither of the above is really appropriate or feasible for catching a plane for a two-month holiday. The small suitcases aren't large enough and, as much as I would love to have some men on hand to lug a trunk around for me, sadly, that's not possible.

This luggage is too small!

This luggage is too big! (Image source)

In reality, I need something modern with wheels. But sadly, all the options are so deeply dull and unstylish... Except this!

This luggage is juuuuust right!
(Except, maybe not pink?)

Unfortunately, the Steamline luggage above is, ahem, just a tad more expensive than I was hoping to pay... Dammit, don't you just hate having to spend money on functional things when there just isn't the realistic option of choosing something at least a bit personalised or fun and stylish?

I definitely think that someone more entrepreneurial than me should start a more affordable repro vintage luggage line. I really think it would take off... no pun intended.

A Decade a Day to the Jubilee: Part 3

The third and final part to the Decade a Day countdown to the Jubilee... I found these two days - the '90s and the '00s - the most challenging, I must say. Both because I don't have much belonging to either decade in my wardrobe, and because it's hard to turn something from such recent times into a distinct outfit. I ended up rather going with my own personal version and experience of these periods... Oh, and I was at work neither day so didn't have anyone to act out female emancipation with, unfortunately.

Firstly, Friday, the 1990s. I was a teenage Brit Popper. As I said in my last post, I no longer have my Doc Martens, which would have really made the outfit. But I did have my Ben Sherman blazer and a little straight denim skirt.

1990s. Girls can totally catch buses all on their own these days.

 And then, Saturday, the 2000s. For me, this was The Strokes, the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, and other such indie rock. So I tried for my best rock chic look. Horizontal stripes, pointy shoes, white belt, red lipstick... I don't own skinny jeans because they just don't work on my thighs ('skinny' becomes somewhat ironic) so I just went with these as the closest thing.

2000s. Girls taking the stage and music world by storm.

So, that's it. Six glorious decades of Her Majesty's reign in sartorial format. Hope you've all had a smashing weekend, and that those of my readers in the UK enjoy the rest of the four-day weekend!

A Decade a Day to the Jubilee: Part 2

Glad so many of you enjoyed the first part of my Diamond Jubilee countdown! Without further ado, I present Part 2: The '70s and '80s. The additional challenge of charting of female emancipation through the decades kind of fell by the wayside, but we still got some snaps to document our outfits.

First up, Wednesday, the 1970s. A hazy summer field would have been more appropriate for this outfit, but work got in the way. My colleague (cropped out to preserve his dignity) and I actually accidentally colour coordinated quite well...

I guess you could say that men and women are standing side by side as equals
in this pic, if you were clutching at straws (or straw hats)

And Thursday, the 1980s. This is where it started to get challenging. As I am without power suits in my wardrobe, it was quite hard to find an outfit that was suitably '80s without being too inappropriate (or embarrassing!) to wear to work. I finally settled on the below ensemble. And note my colleague's glasses: they were absolutely awesome - the other side was a black triangle. But, again, sparing him the possibility of public internet humiliation so you can't see their full glory.

Applying my lipstick at my desk, in preparation for my high-powered meeting,
while my male assistant stands by

Tomorrow, the '90s. I think it's just getting harder and harder as I go on, to be honest. It's getting too close to home now, and yet not so close that I actually have any of the items I want for it in my wardrobe... Namely, where are my old Doc Martens when I need them, to recreate either Brit Pop or grunge? As for the '00s, that's going to be very tricky! I wore second-hand and vintage for the whole decade, so I can't even remember what was actually in fashion... Any tips??

A Decade a Day to the Jubilee

Some of my colleagues and I are doing a "decade a day" countdown to the Diamond Jubilee this week, marking each decade of Her Majesty's reign by dressing in an appropriate outfit. We've been doing a little photo shoot each day (which we've decided to also turn into a development of female emancipation). 

As is my usual fashion, I'm sparing innocent people the embarrassment of appearing on my blog with the aid of some crafty cropping, but I thought I'd share my outfits with you...

Yesterday was 1950s. I kind of regret not going more "all out" with petticoats and red lipstick and such, but I was a bit shy about wearing such trappings to work!

1950s female office assistant's duties - making tea and dusting the books.

Today was the 1960s. I listened to the Kinks as I got dressed and tried to channel Jean Shrimpton...

We can kind of have a proper, independent career now,  if we're happy
being advertising models. The men still decide who passes though...

Tomorrow, we enter the 1970s...

If you fancy joining in the fun, it's not too late! Dress up tomorrow and leave me a link to your photos! Or email me your pics and let me know if you're happy for me to post them in my next post!

The Headscarf Attempt

Rest assured, dear readers, that I have not fallen off the side of the earth, as it may have appeared with my uncharacteristically long and unexplained absence.  I have merely been away for a week and was too hectically busy before I left to post anything before I headed off.  I now have rather a back-log of things to write about and am just picking the topic of today's post somewhat at random.  So here we go...

Regular and long-time readers may recall a post I wrote some time ago, lamenting my inability to pull off the glamourous, movie star headscarf style.  You know the look, with the scarf crossed under the chin and knotted at the back of the neck...  Well, recently I got to go for a ride in a classic 1970s Triumph Stag when I was up in Leicester for an extended family Christmas.  

Posing by the Triumph Stag (I can't actually drive so I was merely pretending that I was about to jump in behind the wheel...)

I just happened to have my "motoring scarf" (i.e. scarf with vintage cars all over it) packed in my luggage so thought this was too good an opportunity to miss.  I decided it was time to experiment with the Hollywood/motoring headscarf look, even if the weather were too cold to take advantage of the convertible function of the car.

Although it was amusing, I can't say I was entirely convinced of its success.  Maybe it was the wrong scarf (too small, too narrow, too stiff?) but I am definitely thinking it's something to do with the shape of my face.

Headscarf glamour or headscarf fail?
 I feel I look more like the Queen than a Hollywood star.

That's okay though, we can't all be glamourous Hollywood headscarf-wearing types.  There are plenty of other ways for me to wear my collection of scarves.  I think this one looks just fine knotted around my neck, like a kind of feminine tie/cravat device.

Beret and necktie suits me fine.

If, however, I do experiment with the Hollywood headscarf look again some time (perhaps with a suitably different scarf), I will be sure to let you know.  Especially if it goes better next time.  Then I might even be able able to identify what it was I was doing right or wrong each time and share it with any readers wanting to give the look a go.

Hackney Empire Panto

Kate Moss as classic swimsuit siren in French Vogue 2010 (Image source)

You may be wondering what Kate Moss has to do with the Hackney Empire?  Well, I went to see the panto for my work Christmas party a few weeks ago and this divine lady just happened to be in the audience!  Unfortunately, word of this didn't get around to me until we were in the pub afterwards so I didn't see her myself.  But perhaps that was a good thing as I just would have ended up distracted and starstruck instead of enjoying the show.  As regular readers have probably picked up through my lack of talking about modern fashion or celebrities, I'm not generally that bothered by modern-day models but Kate is a special case.  I think her just utterly fabulous and was rather overexcited to hear she's been in the audience at the same performance as me.

That aside though, I'd recommend the Hackney Empire panto for anyone looking for some fun, silly entertainment.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself, getting into the whole panto experience with my workmates, singing along and joining in with the fun.  It's on until 8 January, so there's still a chance to catch it if you're in London.

Christmas Truce (and Christmas Gifts)

"An Historic Group" (Image source)

I still distinctly remember learning about World War I at school.  I would sit in class blinking back tears as we heard about the sheer numbers of lives lost, often due to the sheer stupidity of the military powers, and as we read personal accounts from people on the front and those left at home to wait and wonder.  The third battle of Ypres, otherwise known as the Battle of Passchendaele, is well known as being one of the bloodiest battles of the war.  But Ypres is also the place where one of the most beautiful and affirming events of World War I occurred - that is, the Christmas Truce of 1914.  

Thousands of British and German troops were involved in an unofficial truce beginning on Christmas Eve that year.  It reportedly started with the Germans lighting candles, singing and calling out Christmas greetings to the British soldiers.  The British soldiers begun to respond and eventually troops from both sides emerged from their trenches and crossed No Man's Land to exchange gifts with one another.  It's such a wonderful story, a perfect Christmas message of peace and humanity and trust and vulnerability.

Here's a lovely wee website where you can read transcripts of some of the letters from people who were involved in the truce.

And if you're stuck for Christmas gift ideas, there's a sweet-looking book about it at the Imperial War Museum shop.  

They've got a whole selection of nice things, in fact, including lots of vintage-inspired items, prints and books.  And, as a bonus, you'll be supporting them if you buy from there.  Which means they can continue to grow their museum collection and educate people about the historic and continuing impacts of war on society and individuals everywhere.

Here's an idea of some of the things they have on offer:

This book sounds really interesting too:

Life in Britain changed dramatically as the war progressed; the annual celebration of Christmas provides fascinating yearly 'snapshots', illuminating the changes over six years of conflict.  What was the weather like? What was on the wireless? What were the popular records and sheet music of the time? What films were showing at the cinema? What about the pantomimes, shows and concerts? Parties, decorations and trees? Gifts and food are discussed with a look at the presents available, and in vogue. As shortages really took a hold, the various make-do-and-mend solutions are described, and insights are gained into how people adapted food recipes to cope.

Hope I've inspired you!  Either with goodwill towards man or gift ideas, or maybe even both!

All Dressed Up...

Today I went to catch the last day of the Glamour of the Gods exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, which was a collection of Hollywood portraits from the 1920s to 1960s.

Whilst I was looking a picture of Marilyn Monroe, a lady came up to me and said, "You've obviously come from somewhere nice.  You're all dressed up".  To which I responded, blushing, "No, this is just my weekend wear", which she said was wonderful, making me blush further!  Unfortunately, I don't have an outfit photo for you to form your own opinions, but I was just in a full-skirted dress with bare back (It was hot in there!  I'd had to take off my jacket...), understated kitten heels and a bit of lipstick - quite a standard outfit for me.  Don't get me wrong though, I was flattered by her comments!

I do often have people surprised about what I wear on my "days off".  I don't know about everyone else, but I almost always dress more up than down on the weekends, no matter what I'm doing.  I have a bunch of dresses that I feel aren't quite right for the office which I relish wearing on the weekends.  They're not evening dresses, they're just perhaps a tad too... playful for the office.  That sounds a bit suspect but you know what I mean - full skirts and petticoats, strappy backs, that kind of thing.  Rather than showgirl outfits, which is what you might have thought with the "playful" description!

I guess I just don't understand the casual-on-the-weekend concept.  I take my non-work days as the chance to wear exactly what I want, and to experiment with hair and make-up as I don't have to be in a mad, morning rush.  I also find it's a good time to trial more quirky ensembles to see if I feel comfortable carrying them off in general public before unleashing them on my workplace.

I'd be curious to know, how does your weekend wardrobe compare to your weekday one?

Oh, and as I mentioned it, below are a few favourite pictures from the Glamour of the Gods exhibition.  Enjoy!  And hope you all have a good week, whatever you wear!

Louise Brooks by E.R. Richee (Source)

Carole Lombard by William Thomas (Source)

Michele Morgan by Ernest A Bachrach (Source)

The Birds Barbie

I'm spending my Sunday afternoon doing some internet searching and some pondering in preparation for Halloween.  Firstly, looking for a good event.  Secondly, thinking of a costume.  The costume kind of depends on the theme of the event but one of the ideas I had was Tippi Hedren in The Birds, with the birds somehow attached so I appeared to be being attacked...  Wouldn't that be fabulous?  Anyway, it's in my list of idea now but I just wanted to quickly share this wonderful thing which I came across whilst looking for images:  

Image source

Is that not just one of the most brilliant things you've seen?  Damn, I do actually love Barbie.  I don't care what people say about the dolls messing with girls' self-image.  They never did me any harm as a child.  Barbie's changes in style and clothes are a fascinating source for how fashions have changed as well.  I think Barbie is an amazing cultural icon.  Especially when she starts referencing other cultural icons such as Hitchcock.

Chap Olympiad - one month on

I'm finally here with my report of the Chap Olympiad. Unfortunately none of the pictures from the disposable camera worked terribly well so I'll just have to describe what my friend and I wore...

I wore a floral dress from Beyond Retro - it's the kind of dress your mother loves and your boyfriend hates.  The Cat calls it my granny dress.  But I think it's so pretty, all floral and floaty.  I have the perfect slip to go under it which feels as though it was made for the dress because the colour is a deep red that picks up one of the colours of the flowers.  So if my skirt blows up in the breeze, my outfit and my dignity do not suffer. 

I also wore my trusty, perfectly fitted, go-to, dark gray wool jacket which I've worn before in an outfit post here.  I adorned it with a brooch which I bought off ebay when I was having a brooch-buying frenzy due to a perceived unforgivable gap in my jewellery collection.  It's a sweet sprig of leaves with deep berries.  Seamed tights and heeled brogues finished off the look.  

My friend's dress was a pretty little monochrome number from somewhere online (though I can't remember where) which she coupled with saddle shoes.  She'd been living out of a suitcase for almost a month at this point as she was visiting London from abroad - so to look as smashing as she did was a mighty achievement!  She'd been hoping to go shopping for a vintage dress for the occasion but had been up visiting relatives in remote parts of Scotland the week previous so didn't get the chance...

But enough of my vanity project, describing our outfits.  While I'm on the topic of the Chap Olympiad, I may as well write a little something about the day itself, despite it being hardly fresh and news-worthy by now.  In fact, the best little summary of the day can probably be found with the instigators of the day's event - over at The Chap's website.  In the picture accompanying the article, you can see my companion gasping at the excitement of the spectacle in the audience in the background - I am beside her but obscured by the legs of the "shop counter".

All the same, I'd like to share just a few photos from the first half of the day.  I'm not sure about the legalities of putting pictures of a bunch of strangers on my blog - I should probably technically, legally have people sign a release form.  But if they're going to put themselves up on a stage, I'm taking that as permission.  Besides, if I'm posting these pictures and saying they all look fabulous, I don't think they should have reason to take umbrage!  So, as I was saying, a little bit of an illustrated recording of events.

Through a sea of umbrellas, the crowd observes the Opening Ceremony and the lighting of the Olympiad Pipe:

Although my first inclination was to groan when I woke up to hear pouring rain, I definitely think it added a certain something to the proceedings.  It just made the whole thing slightly more mad-cap, slightly more challenging, and slightly more British!  I also get the impression that it put off some of the less devoted ticket-holders, who might have slightly brought down the tone through lack of sartorial efforts or proper chap spirit.  I was seriously impressed by the efforts put into all the outfits there - it was a sheer delight to see.

As the contestants prepared for the first "sport", we managed to grab some seats in the front row, from where we had an excellent view (though also a few scares in the events which saw people teetering around on bicycles, being carried aloft on ironing boards, or crashing themselves and objects around for other reasons).  From said seats, we watched a series of quirky, elaborate, amusing events such as those that feature below...

In which a walking cane is used to pitch a bowler hat into a net:

In which the ladies line up to face the chaps who must attempt to make them swoon:

In which contestants must play tennis but with the least amount of focus and effort possible, i.e. ultimately to Not Play Tennis:

A stroke of luck and/or good timing meant that the rain cleared up at the mid-event interval so a large number of people were enticed to take to the stage for a dance:

These two were absolutely amazing:

... and then I dropped my camera into the jug of Pimms at my feet so there were no more photos!  At least the memory card survived.  And, with nothing left to lose, my companion and I took to the stage to join in the dancing.  

All in all, a thoroughly excellent day was had.  This was my first Olympiad but I will undoubtedly be returning next year.  It's certainly one of the most fun and zany days out in the London calendar.  Some of the events were naturally more engaging than others but the whole thing was held together brilliantly by the MC, Tristan Langlois.

Next time, now I can promote it speaking from first-hand experience, I hope to gather a wee troop of fellow chaps and chapettes, perhaps accompanied by a picnic.  

I just hope it rains again next year...  

Cherokee Chic

On my recent visit to the countryside, my friend and I went for a civilised, post-dinner evening stroll through the fields around her village.  On our adventures, we found some Cherokee planes...

I know, we probably weren't supposed to go onto the airfield, but there was a public right of way path running along the edge of it, and we weren't out for sabotage so we decided it would be harmless fun.

I've heard of Cherokee planes but don't really know anything about them so can't say much more.  I just love the old school look (and sound) of them.

So I had a quick browse of the internet for some history and found a couple of fun facts:

• The first Cherokees were introduced in 1960
• The original style of wing was colloquially known as the Hershey Bar wing as its convex shape had a resemblance to the chocolate bar.

But that's about all I have to say on planes, so I'll just fill the rest of the post with pretty pictures of the English countryside in mid-summer.

Caught taking pictures of cows.  I do love cows...

'60s Pulp

Guess what band I went to see on the weekend...

What, you mean you didn't guess Pulp?

No, that's fair enough.  I felt more like I was going to the Kinks, with my itsy bitsy dress and demi-beehive.  The 60s-inspired look happened kind of by accident, a series of decisions which just found me hurtling towards this seemingly inevitable result.  But I quite liked the outcome, and it was fun and novel wearing something so different to my usual look.

Basically, I was planning something mod-ish, as a nod to the whole 90s Brit Pop aesthetic.  But I have a lot less of this style in my wardrobe than I did in the past.  I've got a good stash of blazers so probably would have built something up around one of those, had the weather been cooler.  But it was quite warm out, and when I opened my wardrobe, this long-neglected dress caught my eye.

Long-neglected because I just rarely wear anything so short these days!  But mini seemed appropriate for the evening's event so I pulled it out, only to realise...

 Oh no!  Missing top button!  Was it somewhere at the bottom of my wardrobe?  It was in too obvious a spot to get away with not replacing it, but I didn't really have another appropriate button to hand.  I might have to wear something else.  Unless...

Yes, fabulous!  Just add in some more black accessories to co-ordinate...

And in case it gets cold, a little jacket in a completely different pattern.  Shouldn't work but I think it does...

We're there!  Sweet, kinda 60s, kinda Brit Pop outfit.  You know what hair would look great with this?  A restrained beehive.  Never attempted this before but can't hurt to try...

Voila!  Not too shabby, even if I do say so myself.  I had a bit of cat's eye, top lid eyeliner going on but just subtle so you can't really tell here.  Pinky-purple tint to the lips (gloss and a dab of lipstick blended in).

Ready!

Off to see the Kinks, I mean, Pulp!  Well, you can't say that Mr Cocker himself doesn't have a bit of a vintage sensibility...

The dapper Jarvis Cocker
(all images courtesy of Last FM)