The Last of the Summer Colour

Welcome to Gloriously Vintage, dear Reader I hope you are well and are enjoying the Autumn, with all the beauty of the wonderful colours. Finding out the heartbreaking news about dear Jessica and her husband Tony last week, has added great sadness to the Autumn this year.  I am missing Chronically Vintage and look forward to the glorious triumphant return, in the future of that inspiring blog.

 

It is starting to get cooler by the day here in the UK and Autumn is marching on as we will be turning our clocks back on 30th October. We have our central heating on to top and tail each day and I have been glad to wear my warmer clothes.

 

Do you enjoy this season, dear Reader?  What is your favourite time of year?

 

 

Change is afoot in a number of ways in our home. Our new kitchen and downstairs cloakroom work is almost all over, bar the shouting.  I am busy working through my Big Seasonal Changeover for A/W and will be posting about that shortly.

 

Today I wanted to share with you, dear Reader, the last of the summer hair colour, with a quick photograph taken by Glenn, literally , just before I departed to visit my Hairdresser at the beginning of October.

 

 

The photograph captured some seasonal “firsts” and a “last”.  I always go to see my Hairdresser, Ele, on a Saturday and I make my appointments for the whole year in advance.

My October appointment made in December 2015 was on the same day as a surprise family 50th birthday party, so the day had to be planned with military precision. Timing was very important!  Why not change the hair appointment I hear you say?  Well dear Reader, as you have probably guessed it would upset my Christmas appointment, and therefore my hair styling for that wonderful time of year.

The timing was important because to affect the surprise party we had to meet up for a family meal near Stratford upon Avon. We needed to allow travelling time and on this occasion, being late was not an option!  Do you have any tips for good timekeeping?  I usually start with the time to leave my house and then working backwards plan what I need to do to be ready.

Usually when I visit my hairdresser, Ele it is a wonderfully relaxing experience, not worrying over time – just totally enjoying the experience from start to finish. For this appointment time was of the essence.  I had to prepare more at home beforehand and as I wanted a roller set finished style done at home, to compliment my outfit for the evening.

I brushed out all the styling and washed and conditioned my hair at home. Then I dried my hair very quickly without any styling at all (!)and put a hat on.  I partially did my make up for the party in the morning using my CD of the Glamophones – which is great to get ready to.

The hat really saved the day.

The outfit was driven by my choice of hat. Those of you who know me through my blog,  Gloriously Vintage will be surprised – it is usually a handbag, shoes or jewellery that is the driver for many of my outfits.  What is the driver for your outfits?  Where do you start?  I would love to chat in the comments!

 

I so wanted to style the Hobbs jacket, which is a new find from Oxfam on line and the natural choice was the, lovely plaid skirt that I had bought the jacket to go with in the first place.

 

Well dear Reader, I had the hat, jacket and a skirt. I needed to pull in the colour of the hat and chose this lovely unnamed scarf from my A/W collection – another “first” because I had not worn these pieces together before.

I wore nude high heels and my nude coloured handbag that blends with one of the colours in the skirt. Dear Reader, a cream v necked top finished the choices because again it pulled out a colour from the skirt and did not clash with any of the colours in the scarf.

 

Yes dear Reader, I wore 2 rows of pearls, pearl stud earings and my stretchy pearl cuffs – all jewellery that I could take off easily at the hairdressers. Just as I was leaving Glenn took the photograph.

My hair has been fun to style through the S/S and you will see from this post how light the colour is.  I decided to put myself into Ele’s very capable hands and change the colour to a different, darker shade for A/W 2016. So the “last” is the light blond hair you see peeping out from under the berry coloured felt trilby from H&M.

 

During our consultation, Ele commented that if I wanted to stop colouring my hair, this light blond would be the point at which to do it.

“No! No! Oh NO!” my inner self cried “I am not ready to do this – NOT YET! NOT YET!”

So we decided on the new colours for A/W, with more definition and darker. New colours that will look great with navy blue, black, berry shades, camel and browns.  It will also look good with reds too.

 

Do you change your hair for the A/W? Perhaps trying a new shape or colour? I usually make a start in October and then tweak the colour again in December to have the best colour on my hair for Christmas.  This is when I go to town with an array of outfits for the Christmas season.  I am so looking forward to it!

So this post celebrates the last of the summer colour. On returning home, I set my hair and we were ready and on time for the surprise party.  It was a lovely happy evening and I felt very “new “and ready for Autumn.

My next task is to finish the Big Seasonal Changeover for A/W2016. I do hope to see you on the next post, writing about that…!

 

Outfit Details

 

Nude Signature Shoes   Next

Alexon Pleated Plaid Skirt   Oxfam on Line

Cream V-Necked Top   Marks and Spencers

Nude Handbag (featured in this post)   Next

Autumn Hued Silk Scarf   Sutton Vintage and Arts Fair bought 4 years ago

Berry Felt Trilby with Black Hatband and Feather Trim   H&M bought 4 years ago

Ecco Leaf Brooch   Oxfam on Line

2 Rows Lotus Pearls

Large Clip on Pearl Stud Earings

2 x Pearl Stretch Cuffs   Dorothy Perkins

 

Lipstick Blend

Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in Sangria + Revlon Red Lipstick + Chilli Lipstick by Max Factor

 

 

 

Dear Reader thanks for joining me today and do leave me a message, just to say you dropped by.

 

 

As always, thank you to Glenn for taking this impromptu photograph!

 

 

 

Fit for the Queen

Hello! A warm welcome to Gloriously Vintage today.  I am writing about the marvellous Day Out I enjoyed at the end of September. 

 

My husband and I went to Buckingham Palace to see the Exhibition of HM the Queen’s clothes -“Fashioning a Reign“.  This day was very special because it was the first time I had been to Buckingham Palace to see the State Rooms that are open to the public in the Summer when HM The Queen is at Balmoral her home in Scotland.

 

The summer has been different for us this year. 2016 is my 60th year and a lot of diverse things have been happening to us as we have celebrated, I started my Blog in February and we decided to get on with having a new kitchen and to create a downstairs cloakroom (rather like Harry Potter) under the stairs.  Our house is very small and therefore the impact of the changes we were making hit us hard.  One week into the project we suffered a serious flood in the kitchen due to a faulty valve that was traumatic, but could have been much, much worse.

 

I love a challenge and as we lost our kitchen inside the house, a kitchenette was created in the garden, in our little summerhouse and in the strong concrete shed in the garden. It is amazing how resourceful one can be and at the beginning of August it was summer!  I believe completely in the saying “Necessity is the Mother of Invention”.  It certainly forced some creative thinking to find a solution to not having a kitchen.  We have a dear little Summerhouse at the bottom of our garden.  As it has mains electricity were able to set up a comfortable kitchenette. The kettle, toaster and microwave all fitted in with a basic supply of cutlery and cups and plates.  We have two comfortable chairs and a table and chairs there already so it worked very well.

 

I am relaxing in  our Summerhouse/Kitchenette after work.

 

My washing machine went into the concrete shed which also has mains electricity. As I provide all the materials for my Housekeeping Service it was essential to be able to continue with laundry throughout the project.  After the flood our kitchen fitter created a temporary sink on the terrace outside the kitchen with a cold water supply.  We had a gas BBQ in the garden too although this was not as appealing as the space around it turned into a builders yard!  It was a bit like camping.  At first the novelty of it all made it rather fun. As the weeks went by it was not as much fun and we were getting tired as meal preparation and laundry was taking a long time to do.

 

A great perk was to go out to eat after work on days when it was raining!

 

My laundry schedule for work and home and also my mother was working, but very slowly in comparison to how I work with the washing machine in the house at my disposal round the clock. As the power and water were “off” at times I had to agree with our fitter to have the power off in the mornings only which stopped my morning laundry schedule at 8.30am and pushed more into the night hours to maximise time.

What we were not prepared for was the length of time this would all take. August and September have been interesting and October is starting with phase 2 of the project which I hope will be far easier.  It is now Autumn so I am glad that I am not still using my garden kitchen and having to do all the “cooking” using our microwave oven in the summerhouse!  Glenn and I have continued to work almost full time throughout these weeks and have needed the British stiff upper lip, stoically carrying on when days have been challenging!

 

So dear Reader you can see from this backdrop a Day Out seemed like a beacon of hope and delight.

 

We went on a coach tour to London. I was losing heart through the summer as the dates for the Tour were not easy to free up due to work commitments.  I was thrilled when a last date was added -so we made our booking  –  we were going.  I had read about Fashioning a Reign and my friend went to see it at the beginning of the summer -so I heard how marvellous it was.

 

I was born in 1956, three years after the Coronation.  All my life I have known the Royal Family as HM The Queen was just slightly younger than my mother.  Like my mother, she has always been a constant fixture and reference for my life.  As I have grown older I have come to appreciate more and more the amazing life of service, the sacrifices she has made and now what a wonderful role model she is for living a full life into your eighties and nineties.

 

So dear Reader, I needed an outfit that would be fit for the Queen.

 

At first I planned to wear end of summer colours and it was just before the autumn equinox.  It started as my outfits often do with a choice of handbag.  This naturally leads on to shoes and then the rest of the outfit follows.  I definitely wanted to wear vintage style rather than trousers which would have felt too casual for me.

This was all sorting itself out swimmingly until I realised that my feet would probably not survive the day because of my shoes! So dear Reader, I decided to go and purchase a pair of flatter shoes that I would be able to walk in for longer.  I own some Hotter shoes that are lovely plain almond toe court and they have a low heel – they are my concession to being 60 years old.

 

My “Shimmy ” Shoes from Hotter.  I really love high heels, but these were more practical!

 

I can wear them for about 4 -5 hours before my feel start to complain. This day was about 7.00am to 9.00 pm, considerably longer!

My  “Jewel “Shoes from Hotter.  Shoes that are even MORE practical!

 

Once the shoes and handbag was sorted out I put together a comfortable skirt that would be good to sit in on the coach and a jacket to meet the in between season time of year that is so great for jackets.

This skirt looks so much better with high heels!  I have three Buckingham Palace carrier bags now!

 

Looking bright eyed and bushy tailed at 7.10 am, waiting to get going.

 

Outfit Details

 

“Shimmy” Nude Almond Toe Shoes (worn until just after lunch)  Hotter

“Jewel” Navy Lizard Shoes (worn from Lunchtime until returning home!)   Hotter

Viyella Blue Checked Pleated Skirt  Oxfam on Line

Cream V Neck Top   Marks andSpencer

Blue Jacket   Eastex (inherited)

Nude Handbag      Next, bought last year

Patterned Silk Scarf   Oxfam on Line

1950’s Navy Blue Ruched Nylon Gloves   Diane Ashman

Blush Pink Brooch on Top

2 Rows , Lotus Pearls

Large Pearl Stud Earings

2 x Stretch Pearl Cuff Bracelets in Blush Pearl

Ecco Leaf Brooch in gold finish   Oxfam on Line

 

There is something very special about getting up very early and moving about quietly outside because neighbours are either asleep or just getting up! Do you remember, dear Reader, early starts to go on holiday when you were a child?  I certainly do and the excitement associated with it still comes flooding back to me.  So getting up at 5.00am felt very exciting!

 

We went off to London at 7.30am and arrived at Tower Bridge at 11.00am.

Our driver parked so well in this tight coach parking space.  He reversed out too!

 

 

Smiling in front of the most vivid yellow wall in the  underground coach park.  “Great!  It’s nearly time for lunch – breakfast was AGES ago!”

 

The next part of the day was a River Cruise on the Thames alighting at Tower Bridge.

That is Tower Bridge in the background.

 

Glenn took this photograph of Tower Bridge.  Can you think of a good caption for this couple in the foreground?  Mine is – “Where have the Ice creams gone?  We were licking them a minute ago!”

 

 

The back of our cruiser.

 

 

Our boat is the one in the middle of the River waiting to come and get us all.

 

 

Lunch was served as we went up and down the River taking in the sights on port and starboard.

Looking forward to Lunch.  The table mat was non slip.  Our cruise was not too choppy!

 

 

It was delicious and we were fortunate that it did not rain.

We returned to the coach and were driven to the Palace. The tour through the Palace is one way, so we were shown where we would be collected by the coach at the end of the afternoon.

 

It would take 15 minutes walk from the back of the Palace, through the gardens and out to meet the coach.

 

The entrance we went to was on the other side of the Palace – the Ambassadors Entrance. We had to pass through airport style security – our bags were x rayed and I set off the alarm with my metal brooches (as I had two – one on my top and one on my jacket).  Once through, we set off through the State Rooms towards the Exhibition.

The State Rooms were magnificent. There was so much to see that I hope to visit again next summer to focus on the State Rooms more, also having read the guide book thoroughly beforehand.  For this time, dear Reader, I was all agog to take in the clothes and to see the designs of Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Angela Kelly.  What I really wanted to see was the Wedding Dress and the Coronation Dress.  These two wonderful dresses had never been displayed together before.  Do look at the video in this link to see the dresses.

 

There were cases of the Queens hats and it was interesting to see the way the designs varied from different milliners and decades. I could remember many of the hats from Tours, The Silver jubilee, The Golden Jubilee and the Family Royal Weddings.  All the outfits from the Diamond Jubilee and HM The Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations were there too.

 

The only shoes displayed in the Exhibition were the Wedding Shoes. They were cream satin peep toes strappy sandals with an ankle strap.  There was the most charming deep oval shoes box with an E on the top, with a crown over the E.  I would have loved to see more shoes and handbags.

The Exhibition covered the Official Robes, Evening dresses and clothes for Tours. There was so much to see and take in.  Each outfit was displayed on a model, backed by large pictures of the event.

 

The clothes are of course brought to life by HM The Queen. However another element was clear – clothes have a diplomatic role and send wonderful signals of cordiality, deference and power.  The unspoken message in so many of the designs shows the care and integrity that goes into the design, planning, fitting and wearing of the completed ensembles.

 

This is a skill I know is being passed to the Duchess of Cambridge. She is learning how to do this and I am sure HM The Queen is eager to show how to use fashion to powerful effect, complimenting countries as we have seen on the recent tour of Canada by The Cambridges.  Kate looked wonderful in her striking first outfit with a hat adorned with maple leaves and wearing the maple leaf diamond brooch.

As we passed through the remaining State Rooms, I took in the wonderful paintings of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and 5 of their children, portraits of Queen Mary and George V. I also marvelled at the chandeliers shining and twinkling in every room.

We stepped out onto the terrace and saw the large green lawn where the Garden Parties are held.

 

The entrance behind me is where the Royal Family comes out into the Garden for the Summer Garden Parties.

 

 

The back of Buckingham Palace.

 

 

Looking back  at the Palace as we were making the 15 minute walk to meet our coach.

 

 I was very affected by the thought I had walked where The Queen walks.  It was so special.

 

The shop at the end of the tour had many different souvenirs.

There was a lot to see in the shop!  Glenn took these photographs while I was buying my book.

 

Souvenirs of all sizes!

 

This Steward is helping a visitor make her purchases!

 

I bought the book “Dressing the Queen” by Angela Kelly and I will be posting about it to share my enjoyment of it with you, dear Reader.

Glenn bought me a corgi soft toy to take home!

So cute!

 

I have called her Susan after the corgi that the Queen bred her line of corgis from.  Susan is a dear reminder of a unique and memorable Day Out.

I was impressed by the Stewards at Buckingham Palace. They were in uniform and therefore easy to recognise.  They wore Dark navy blue three piece suits with a cape in navy blue with a red collar.  I think the uniforms are based on Court Dress which is navy blue with red trimmings.  The jackets were fitted and single breasted and had red on the back of a revered collar with navy lapels.  The capes reminded me of those worn by nurses in the 1960’s.  They looked so smart and were all friendly, courteous and helpful.  I kept asking questions as I went round and they did their best to answer!

 

As always when travelling, we seemed to get home quickly and arrived back at home by 9.00pm we enjoyed the picnic tea I had left on the coach to return to. My feet had survived very well in the blue shoes for the afternoon and I was pleased with my outfit, which had been just right.

Do chat in the comments, especially if you have been to a Garden Party or have visited Buckingham Palace.  It is very interesting in many ways and will elicit different responses. 

For me, dear Reader, I felt humbled by the evidence of such obvious hard work from everyone involved, from the Royal Family to the army of Housekeepers and Stewards who had made the Palace such a fascinating place to visit.

 

 

A big thank you to Glenn for taking the photographs.

 

Glamorous Getting Ready!

Feeling so excited to be off to London – we were up at 5.00am!

 

 

Hello dear Reader, a warm welcome to Gloriously Vintage today. The post Glamorous Getting Ready has been simmering nicely in my thoughts for some time.  It is a joy to commit these thoughts to this post now. 

 

This photograph was taken at 7.10 am. We had got up at 5.00am to be ready for our trip to Buckingham Palace to see the State Rooms and the Fashioning a Reign Exhibition of HM The Queen’s clothes.  I will be posting soon about that amazing Day Out.  Feeling very excited and with a very early start –  wearing pearls – I tried to make getting ready for this wonderful day as glamorous as possible!

Do have a look at this book “Your Beauty Mark” by Dita von Teese and Rose Apodaca.

 

My favourite Beauty Book!

 

 

 

It is featured on the Gloriously Vintage Books Page. Last Christmas I gave a copy to myself as a Christmas present.  The book has been a great source of confirmation for me because it is written clearly and with honesty about all aspects of beauty, hair, makeup and nails – it is all covered with a sense of humour too.  A great read.

I have found myself saying “yes, I do that”, or “yes, what a great idea”, many, many times as I worked my way through the book and took in all the lovely photographs too.

 

We all need to be glamorous sometimes.  Glamorousness is there for us all to enjoy – accessing it can be tricky if life gets in the way as it frequently does.

 

The idea from the book that really leapt out at me on first reading was the way Dita gets ready. She knows her makeup routines inside out.  Although her look seems very high maintenance, it is not.

You could look at my hairstyle and say “high maintenance”, but it is not. The initial “set” takes time but thereafter it is quick to brush up to be ready to go out.

 

Essential combs for the “Brushing Up “

 

The secret here is knowing how much time you need to get ready and vary it depending on the day or the occasion.

Dita explained beauty routines for going to work out, going to dinner and getting ready for her performances.

 

The great idea she follows is she uses a playlist.

 

When I am getting ready I have different approaches depending on what I am doing. Usually it is:

1. Getting ready to go to work
2. Getting ready at the weekend to be out and about
3. Getting ready for a date or a special event – then it is the full works!

I have always loved to listen to music when I am doing jobs and often when getting ready. I sit at my dressing table and then make an important choice.

 

Just add makeup!

 

 

The appropriate playlist, dear Reader is essential to my sense of purpose and feeling glamorous! I love The Rat Pack and especially Frank Sinatra, sometimes I will have music from Hollywood musicals, it all depends on my mood!

 

Since reading this book I have started to look at playlists differently. It is not a random collection of loved tunes.  Now it sets out the available time at the dressing table – usually 8 or 10 tracks.

 

I am relaxing into the songs and know exactly what stage I should be at with my makeup and hair. Dear Reader, I have clocks in strategic places too.  Time is important; I like to be on time if possible.  Planning my time to get ready is usually an important stage in agreeing with my husband how our mornings unfold.

When you follow a beauty routine, very quickly it is possible to grasp how long each element takes. It then follows that you can group these elements into chunks of time.  The result is that the same tasks repeated daily can be achieved in a set time with no surprises to make you late!

I can get my hair brushed up; add a touch of hairspray too in 15minutes or 10minutes if it is closer to the initial “set”. My make up routine can take 10 minutes, 20 minutes or 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on where I am going.

 

Speed can certainly be achieved with specific practise. It is not a case of practise makes perfect – more that practise leads to accuracy and speed.

 

As you are experienced at making up your face, so you can expertly apply moisturiser, foundation , concealer, powder and the base is ready for the fun part – the colour makeup. I spend as long on applying the base and the colour makeup.  It goes on accurately because it goes on almost every day.

When I want a new tweak to my look I set aside time to practise- to save oodles of time later on.  You have a beauty skill-set that makes it possible to cut corners when needed and relax into a lovely pampering time to get ready – it is all there because you know exactly what you are doing.

 

Looking at a clock continuously can be stressful, do you agree, dear Reader?

 

Listening to music has the opposite effect.  So a playlist is a marvellous way to work through your chosen tunes and you quickly know where in the routine you need to be on song 3 or 4!  I have been doing this unconsciously for a long time.  It is only thanks to Dita von Teese that I have captured this idea and really started to use it to help me get ready, feel so happy because of the music and be finished on time!  I also feel much more glamorous because of the music.

Tracks vary in length but the music of the 1940’s and 1950’s are often 3 minutes in length. This helps when choosing.  I put on the music and get ready – if it fits into my routine I take note of how many tracks it takes.  Then I know with each one what I need to be doing to be on time.

Apart from the oasis of calm I experience sitting at my dressing table, the music enables me to relax and not have to keep clock watching.

One of my favourite CD’s is the one I have of the Glamophones.

 

Such a happy photograph of me with the Glamophones

 

 

It has 8 tracks –

1. In the Mood
2. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
3. Chattanooga Choo Choo
4. Johnny B. Goode
5. Why do Fools Fall in Love?
6. Umbrella
7. Britney Spears Mash-UP
8. Uptown Funk

I used these 8 tracks to help me get ready for my Day Out. Timing was so important as we were going on a coach tour and could not be late!

 

When I am giving myself longer pampering time I will increase the selection or play it twice. It works!

 

Have you used playlists like this, dear Reader? If you are tech-smart it is all probably easy for you.  You are possibly doing this with playlists in a number of contexts.  The advance in accessing music is one of the wonderful marvels of change in my lifetime.

I grew up with 78’s as a very small child and then collected 45’s and LP’s on vinyl all through my teens. At 18 years old I had a portable cassette player for my birthday.  That gift was absolutely wonderful.  I used it so much I wore it out!  The Walkman was also a great way to have music anywhere.  The access to music now is totally amazing.  I have over 3000 tracks on Spotify in creative playlists.  My next step will be to have a more elaborate phone to play them on.

As a teenager in the 1970’s I always had music on. I started with a love of Motown as a young teenager, Elvis and the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.  I still love all that music enormously.  I love new tracks too and keep up with the most played new music on Spotify!

 

Glenn and I both love the music of Glenn Miller.   Glenn is actually named for Glenn Miller.  He was born the year Glenn Miller tragically disappeared.  He was called Alan Lewis Glenn.  After the disappearance his mother started to call him Glenn.  So dear Reader, Glenn is Alan at the Bank and at the Doctors and Glenn to everyone else!

 

We were fortunate to go and see the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the UK, led by Ray McVay.  It was near our wedding anniversary and I emailed the orchestra and requested “String of Pearls”.  When they played it for us I said excitedly “That’s us!”  It was a magic moment.

 

I am listeningto the CD of the Glenn Miller Orchestra now and fitting the tracks into my beauty routine. It always feels glamorous as I hear the music -remembering that magic moment and what I wore.  The music adds a layer of glamour to getting ready in a way that clockwatching can never do.

 

I would love to hear from you about your playlists for getting ready. Is this a new idea for you?  Have you been doing it for years?  Do chat in the Comments!

 

A big thank you to Glenn for taking the photographs.

Can A/W 2016 Trends “do” Vintage?

Hello and a big welcome to Gloriously Vintage. I hope you will enjoy a quick round up of the A/W 2016 Fashion Trends and start thinking about how they could work with your wardrobe.

 

The red Schreiner demi parure

 

 

I love to wear vintage style and always mix in a few new pieces as well. My favourite Era is the 1950’s and I love influences from the 1930’s and early 1960’s too.  Looking at the seasonal fashion trends is a big part of my interest in styling outfits and it always exerts some influence on my wardrobe  – even if the influence is very small.  That is the freedom of wearing vintage style – you are outside or above high fashion – but a “nod” to it adds piquancy to wardrobe choices.

 

Twice a year I do “The Big Seasonal Changeover” – S/S and A/W. Around that time I check out the fashion trends and have a long look at my wardrobe, accessories, and jewellery and shoes to see which trends will suit me and what I have in my wardrobe.  This enables me to ring the changes a little and enjoy a “nod” to what fashionistas are doing!

 

So where do I find the A/W 2016 trends?

Well dear Reader, I make sure I have bought the August copies of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and then certainly buy the copies of the key month of September. Fashion Magazines are always a month ahead.  The previews in the August issue acts as a taster for the full reveal in the big September issue.

I have been following this pattern for some years now and find it to work well and be fun at the same time.

If I am searching out a few new pieces for my wardrobe on Oxfam on line for example I may as well choose current colours or shapes that will fit in beautifully and allow me to be creative.  Also when I am in charity shops or at vintage fairs I have a clear idea of what I am looking for.  If none of the trends suit me – well dear Reader I just happily do my own thing and rejoice in my individuality!

 

I have two maxims about style:

Nothing is smart unless it suits

And

Always dress up because others will wish they had!

The first maxim is essential and came from my Grandmother who was a professional dressmaker. The second one came from a style book years ago.  It has stood me in good stead over my life and has helped to increase my confidence to dress how I want to and enjoy it immensely.

 

So dear Reader here is a quick round up of the A/W2016 Trends. I have specified which publication they are from as the two magazines have highlighted some different trends this season.  Sometimes there is a great overlap in what they present as you would expect.  However this year it is a little different because the trends have been interpreted differently.

TRENDS (Vogue)

Mini Trends

1. Winter sandals
2. Long gloves for evening
3. Heavy metal handbags
4. Shearing – worn curly side out
5. Red boots, shoes and handbag- pop of scarlet
6. White 1980’s style shoes
7. Adorned sweaters
8. Buttons down the back – reversing tops and jackets
9. Statement belt
10. Matchy matchy accessories

TRENDS (Vogue)

1. Modern British – heritage tweed and clashing tartans
2. Silk – Boudoir dressing continues from S/S 16
3. Mood indigo – Denim
4. Velvet
5. Coat check – leather and Vinyl and THE CAPE
6. Duvet coats and jackets
7. Shearling
8. Military
9. Boots
10. Glasses with embellished frames

THE 7 BIG TRENDS (Vogue)

1. Extremely large totes
2. Soft military
3. Polished Punk – a strong 1980’s influence here
4. Tweed Redux – mixing heirloom tweeds and prince of Wales checks with stylist separates or just add white accessories
5. Tweed with Vinyl
6. Badass Florals – clashing prints
7. Chokers
8. Embellished velvet and rich brocade.

TRENDS (HARPER’S BAZAAR)

10 LIKES NOW

1. Shoulder barring top – this trend caries on from S/S 16
2. The cape
3. Heritage handbag – either top handle or chain handle
4. the roll neck sweater
5. Hiking boots – chunky boots
6. Corset belt – worn over a winter coat to cinch the waist
7. Re-worked trench – leather
8. Oversize trousers
9. Velvet puffa coat both luxe and street style
10. Ski Pants

TRENDS (HARPER’S BAZAAR)

1. Scotland the Brave – tartans and tweeds
2. Victorian Luxe – black lace, ruffles and pearls
3. Great outdoors – classic autumn colours
4. Rich velvet
5. Contrasting prints
6. The nomad – free spirit with inspiration from around the world.
7. Embellishment
8. Brocade

TRENDS (HARPER’S BAZAAR)

10 LIKES NOW

1. Shoulder barring top – this trend caries on from S/S 16
2. The cape
3. Heritage handbag – either top handle or chain handle
4. the roll neck sweater
5. Hiking boots – chunky boots
6. Corset belt – worn over a winter coat to cinch the waist
7. Re-worked trench – leather
8. Oversize trousers
9. Velvet puffa coat both luxe and street style
10. Ski Pants

 

TRENDS (HARPER’S BAZAAR)

1. Scotland the brave – tartans and tweeds
2. Victorian Luxe – black lace, ruffles and pearls
3. Great outdoors – classic autumn colours
4. Rich velvet
5. Contrasting prints
6. The nomad – free spirit with inspiration from around the world.
7. Embellishment
8. Brocade

 

Style Guide A/W TRENDS (HARPER’S BAZAAR)

TAILORING

1. Monochrome chick
2. Long and loose trouser suits – double breasted with exaggerated slouch
3. Evening Detail – shoes adorned with jewels
4. New waist the paper bag waist.
5. The Ageless icon – jacket with extended lapels over a pleated silk corset = Timeless glamour
6. Cinched and Sleek – wide belts
7. Modern and playful
8. Cape – The investment piece this year
9. Embellishment – The finishing touch
10. Pearl adorned Trousers for evening

 

ACCESSORIES (HARPER’S BAZAAR)

1. Heart’s Desire – Pinks, golds, rosebuds and diamonds
2. Forbidden forest – dark jewel colours- teal, emerald , black velvet embellishes bags
3. Folktale
4. Moonlight magic – black velvet with night stars embellishment

 

Sumptuous jewel colours and all shades of pink into lavender are the strong colour influences this season.

 

 

Here are the trends. Can they “do” vintage?

If you take a very purist view that vintage is separate completely, then the answer to this question must be a resounding “NO!”

I think there are certain trends here that can do vintage. The companies producing reproduction vintage fashions do produce collections for each season and therefore must take their influences from somewhere.  If like me you are putting your look together from vintage, vintage appropriate and new pieces the trends are open to interpretation.

 

What will I be following this A/W2016?

I will be looking at shades of pink, from blush and nude to deeper tones, to work them into my wardrobe. Rich berry tones are always wonderful as the autumn unfolds.

The jewel colours offer a lot of scope with jewellery and accessories.  I will also be trying to work in some lavender as well.  Dear Reader I will be using my Style Book to see what worked last year and it will help me to tweak some outfits to give them the “on trend twist” that is both fun to do and a bit of a challenge!

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE/TWEED

I love British Heritage fabrics checks and tweed and Scottish influenced plaids so these will feature greatly in my choices. The pieces I own will come out really on trend.  Tweeds are so versatile depending on what they are paired with.

This trend can certainly “do” vintage and look good whatever eras you prefer. Mixing tweed and plain fabrics always works and I may add nude courts instead of darker coloured shoes too.

VELVET

I plan to work this trend into my wardrobe with evening bags and separates.

I have my eye on a number of items on the internet and have some velvet items I would like to rework with my dressmaker.

A black devore full skirt I have will come into its own this year for the Christmas season.

THE CAPE

I do not own a cape currently, but have some large wraps that ore flowing like a cape. They go over a suit or jacket and skirt adding warmth and a bit of drama to the finished look.  The silhouette is the important shape here.  Also dear reader wraps bridge the gap before really warm coats are needed as the season progresses.

SHEARLING

My heart is always glad when this is on trend as have two wonderful coats – both with the curly side out as luck would have it.

EMBELLISHMENT

Dear Reader, do check out this post from earlier this year to see how you can create your own embellishment with vintage brooches. I will be looking at ways to embellish outfits this way.  Grouping brooches is the way to add flair to many different outfits.  It is possible to emphasis eth waist, they can go on pockets and on sleeves – you can be really creative here.

 

BROCADE

A fabric that is more for the evening, but one that brings immediate glamour and luxury to your outfit.

 

I will be wearing this jacket as my “nod” to this trend. I wore it at Christmas last year and also for my 60th Birthday Party in February.  Brocade is quite difficult because you do not want to look as though you are decked out in upholstery fabric or curtains!  (It was OK for Scarlet O’Hara, and the Von Trapp Children!)

Mini TRENDS can “do” Vintage too!

Handbags

Handbags with a top handle or chain handle are the bags to have this A/W2016. These can certainly be found in the vintage bags of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.  They can be worked into vintage style outfits easily.  I have a Laura Ashley handbag with a chain strap that I am thinking of bringing out this season.

 

Matchy Matchy Accessories

Dear Reader, I am so delighted about this mini trend because I have loved matching accessories since I was a teenager. There is nothing quite like them to really pull together the look of matching shoes and handbag.

Yes, dear Reader, I do miss-matched very happily as it enables me to use bags that it would be impossible to match the shoes.

If the handbag and shoes do not actually match – I make sure the colours are very close. Browns can vary a lot and I often get round this by wearing black shoes with a tan or brown handbag to avoid a really glaring mismatch.

Red Shoes and Handbags

This is a favourite combination that I love t wear. My personal choice is to wear them with grey, but I do pair them with blue and black too.  Reds can be very tricky to match.  What do you think? I go to where the natural light is best in my home and have a good look at the tones!

They always give a lovely shot of colour and there is something about red shoes … The Dorothy effect, I think!

 

Jewellery

HB features jewellery each season which I find interesting and helpful. I will be bringing into my outfits rich jewel colours – emerald, sapphire blue, ruby red and rich berry tones with gold.  These are lovely autumn hues that bring luxurious colour in to an outfit.

The red Schreiner demi parure

Silk

I will be working this mini trend with silk scarves and silky camisoles worn under tailored jackets. The boudoir dressing wit chemises dresses from the S/S is continuing into the autumn.

Pearls

Of course, dear Reader, I could never ignore the trend for pearls – I will be choosing pearl brooches to embellish bags and jackets and wearing pearls as much as possible.

Pearl embellishment is very to the fore this season.   I will be sporting pearls at every opportunity and feeling very happy in them.  Will you wear pearls this A/W?

 

Well I hope dear Reader you have enjoyed this quick round up and can get on with planning marvellous outfits for the coming A/W2016 season

 

I will cover beauty trends on another post soon. Certainly this post has helped me to feel rather excited about A/W2016.  Yes dear reader it is sad to say goodbye to lovely summery outfits.  However, it will be fun to wear vintage and be able to “nod to high fashion too!

 

There is very little faux fur this year. I do wear Vintage fur and faux fur collars and also leopard print is not prevalent at all. I will still wear leopard print with red and black and taupe, because I like it.  I also think of Marilyn, Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blonds” and Wendy Hiller in “I know where I’m going”- 2 of my all time favourite films.  How about you dear Reader? 

Do share your thoughts in the comments!

 

 

A big thank you to Glenn for taking the photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pearls – One, Two, Three even Five Rows

I have always loved to wear pearls.  Are they  favourite of yours, dear Reader?

“Pearls are always appropriate”

Jackie Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy was right, pearls go with everything and bring a timeless elegance to special outfits for special occasions and lift more ordinary clothes. There are many ways to wear them – how do you like to wear them?

It started for me when I was 19 years old  when I had my ears pierced.  The whole point was to wear pearl studs.  The process was very different to the piercing method now – I felt brave when my mother took me to a local jeweller to have them done. After the tiny gold sleeper stage, that was it , pearl studs all the time , with everything.

At 21 when I “came of age” I was given a single row of graduated Rosita Pearls that I still have and wear.  So from the end of the 70’s I wore my pearl studs and pearls with a lot of outfits, some more elegant than others.  As you know I love the old films of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s and noticed so many film stars wearing pearls – 2 or 3 rows particularly.

 

 

Pearls are classic and reflect a glow onto the skin that is flattering.  Her majesty, The Queen is hardly ever seen attending daytime events without her beautiful diamond and pearl earrings and 3 rows of priceless pearls.  The necklace that is seen so often is a 3 strand graduated necklace that was made out of family pearls shortly after she came to the throne in 1952. That necklace is fastened with a small diamond clasp.  The earings are Queen Mary’s Button earings, inherited from her Grandmother.  They are her trademark.

For a very large part of my life I wore my pearl studs, the Rosita pearls and the gold bracelet that was a21st Birthday present from my parents.  That jewellery saw me through good and bad times, and helped me to feel more confident when I needed to be.  I am very lucky because I there has been a second chance to be happy as I am now in a second marriage with a wonderful, caring man and a large blended family.  I sold my engagement ring and wedding ring from my first marriage, added extra money and bought a single row of real, graduated pearls.  Why?  There were two reasons.  Firstly , I wanted them.  Secondly, I had seen many times “The Glenn Miller Story”!

One of my favourite films of all time.

My Mother told me that James Stewart was more handsome that the real Glenn Miller, but the music and the story!  I just loved it all!  My favourite song is “String of Pearls”, a 1941 song composed by Jerry Grey, with lyrics by Eddie Delange.

In the film Glenn has a long distance relationship with Helen.  He pops in and out of her life putting his trombone in and out of hock.  He gets a good price on a single row of pearls for his girl. When he gets to see her , very late after a gig, he tells her “They are for your birthday!”.  “It’s not my Birthday until November.” says Helen.  “They are for your next birthday. “he replies.  Later when they are married, have found “The Sound” and are doing very well, he surprises her at a dance where his orchestra are playing. He bounds off the podium and presents Helen with a single strand of pearls, “These are for your birthday, they’re just real” he  says.  Returning to the podium , as the number ends he announces that it is called String of Pearls.  I love those moments so much, it is one of my favourite Glenn Miller Tracks.

Single row of creamy pearls with gold clasp

Wearing my “just real” string of pearls brought great pleasure and a classic look well into my life as is it is now.  Those pearls have seen me through a lot of happy occasions and represent surviving a long tough journey.

My collecting really started with buying my first powder compact at a vintage and Arts fair in Stratford on Avon.  That Collection sparked an interest in vintage handbags and making my style more 1950’s – wearing fitted jackets, pencil skirts, heels of course and a nod to Christian Dior’s 1947 New Look silhouette.  So, to get a more vintage look my single row was all right , but really more rows were needed.

My husband always comes with me to Vintage Fairs because he is a savvy negotiator and will always tell me if he thinks something is not good!  About 5 years ago, following my discovering the brown corde handbag we started to go to the NEC to Antiques for Everyone.  I was buying powder compacts for my collection, but once there I could see amazing costume jewellery, handbags, vintage clothes and more.  It all felt new and thrilling, this hunting out treasures.

After asking a number of exhibitors if they had 3 rows of graduated pearls I was directed to Diane Ashman, of Ashman’s Antiques and Old Lace.  She had some amazing pearls, which I bought!

My first 3 rows of pearls

I also got a great deal on some ruched 1950’s nylon gloves in black and brown!.  The excitement at being able to wear these accessories, to feel a connection to the decade I was born into was both wonderful and freeing.  I had my three rows of pearls.

With collecting it seems it is easy to expand an interest into other related things, would you agree?  There is also the sense of living history that I have read about in other vintage blogs that expresses this very well.  It is a feeling of joy.  I love the fact that there is never anyone, anywhere who look like me.  I am unique and memorable!

To collecting powder compacts, I added 1950’s costume jewellery and vintage accessories.  I have found more three rows of pearls in different lengths and with different gaps between the rows. they can be worn with all kinds of outfits and necklines   I just adore trying on different skirts, tops, and jackets and then getting the jewellery right.  I call it doing my “styling”.

My Pearl Necklaces

With experience and practice comes the understanding of what you really like and want.  I do not know if you have found this , but collecting goes in stages.  At first it is just collecting anything you can find.  Then comes preferences for certain styles and makers.  I love all my unmarked jewellery, but now favour Trifari, Monet, Napier, Christian Dior and Sarah Coventry.  For pearls I look for Lotus Rosita and Ciro in their original box if possible.

2 Rows of Lotus Pearls in their original box

I always take a magnifying glass out with me so I am prepared for hunting out treasures!  I have found some amazing things.  You develop an eye for what you like and get better and better over time.  There is a lot to help with knowledge on the Internet and aquiring reference books really helps too.

I have 5 rows of pearls often worn in films by actresses like Joan Crawford, but I have to admit I have not worn them yet.  I know they are they in the collection waiting for me.  I am too busy wearing 2 and 3 rows at every opportunity.

5 Rows

Have you had any amazing finds?  I would love to hear your stories.

Thank you for visiting Gloriously Vintage today.