Vintage on the Web – September 2015

Vintage on the Web

Here we are, another month gone. Is it me or does this year seem to be racing by? Anyway, it’s been a busy sewing month and I’ve been buying loads of new-to-me vintage patterns and beautiful lengths of fabric, including a stunning Pre-Raphaelite inspired silk print, so there is plenty more to come. The only problem is I need to find time to actually photograph what I’ve done so far so I can show you all, I’m just finding it quite hard to fit it all in at the moment. But I haven’t forgotten my monthly Vintage on the Web post, so here is this month’s fabulous vintage finds.

The Clara Knicker - Prohibition Clothing

The Original Prohibition Clothing Company

I cannot tell you how excited I was when I came across The Original Prohibition Clothing Company and their Clara Knicker (or plus fours if you’re in the UK). I have been thinking about making myself a pair of these ever since I saw Rouge Your Knees (Isabella in real life!) on Instagram wearing a white pair at The Chap Olympiad.

These, however, are exactly what I had in mind for my own as they’re made in a very English Country Gent coffee coloured tweed wool. I love how they’ve styled them in this photo, it has a real androgynous look that was popular during the 1920s and 30s. But if plus fours aren’t your thing, they also do a lovely 1930s style flutter skirt in a slightly darker shade pinstripe and a pair of wide leg trousers in a pale latte colour check wool. Primarily they are a menswear company, so the ladies wear is limited, but it’s still fabulous all the same!

Make More Noise! Suffragettes in Silent Film

Make More Noise! Suffragettes in Silent Film

The big Hollywood production of Suffragette starring Carey Mulligan is hitting the cinema’s in the UK on the 23rd of October which I am dying to see. However, as part of the BFI London Film Festival, where Suffragette will première, they will also show Make More Noise!, a film made up of a compilation of 21 short films from the BFI National Archive. These include real life footage of the suffragettes’ public activities and snippets from films of the period which show women in very non-ladylike scenarios, some of which would’ve been quite shocking at the time.

The real life footage comes from mass demonstrations, the time Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested at the riot in Whitehall in August 1913 and the infamous and shocking Derby Day when Emily Davison was trampled by the King’s horse, as well as her funeral. Unfortunately all the tickets for the première, where the film will be accompanied by silent film pianist Lillian Henley, have sold out but Make More Noise! will be in selected cinemas in the UK from the 23rd of October. It will also be released on DVD a month later.

Fuji Kimono

Fuji Kimono

I love anything Oriental and have several pieces of Chinese inspired clothing, both vintage and modern, in my wardrobe. However, one thing I have always wanted to own is a beautiful vintage kimono, and it would have to pink, much like the one above. Why pink? Because Andie had a stunning one in Pretty in Pink that I have been obsessed with nearly my entire life!

Fuji Kimono is an online shop selling just that, vintage kimonos, haoris (shorter jacket style kimonos) and obis (very wide, very long belts). There is something for every price range on here, from a casual obi belt at £7 to a stunning 1930s rinzu silk kimono at £350 (reduced from £695!). The company is the brainchild of Fuji Maeda who also appears at many of the big vintage fairs in London, including my favourite, Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair and London Textiles Vintage Fashion & Accessories Fair.

Dolly Parton

20 Beautiful Portraits of Dolly Parton in the 1970s

One thing you may not know about me is that I love country music! Yes, there, I’ve confessed it. I’m also a big fan of Dolly Parton, not just as a singer and songwriter but also as a strong-minded, confident woman who has her own unique style and doesn’t give a stuff about what people think of it.  My kind of lady! Her music not only defines country music but it’s also brilliantly written and can bridge many different genres. Think ‘I will always love you’ by Whitney Houston, written, composed, and originally recorded by Dolly herself.

The Vintage Everyday blog put together a fantastic collection of photos of her during her heyday in the 1970s. I love the one above because she looks like she could be one of Charlie’s Angels. Check out that Farah Fawcett hair! And if you’ve never watched 9 to 5, starring Dolly alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, then make sure you do as it’s just so good.

Reviving Vintage Hats- a Kittys Vintage Kitsch How-To

Reviving Vintage Hats- a Kittys Vintage Kitsch How-To

I found this very helpful guide to reviving vintage hats just in time as I purchased a lovely one from Shepton Mallet Flea Market this weekend that needs a little bit of tlc. It’s probably from the 1970s/80s but it has a real 1930s feel about it and looks amazing with my curly hair.

I’ve always shied away from buying vintage hats that don’t look perfect as I had no idea if they could be resurrected or not or how to go about it. However, this blog post takes you through step by step of how you can revive the different aspects of the hat so I’m feeling a little more confident. Now all I need to get is a stove top kettle!

Paris in 1920

I came across this amazing video of Paris in 1920 when one of my vintage friends shared it on Facebook. I have watched it over and over again and am so mesmerised by it. I love the cafe scenes, particularly when the woman with the really low cloche comes on. Seriously, how stunning is she? And the tables up in the trees and the ladies dancing together at Robinson’s restaurant. There’s just so much to see and it really makes me want to go back to gay Paris.

Fascination Street Blog

Fascination Street Blog

And if you’re a fan of the 1920s why not check out the Fascination Street blog. There is a plethora of posts on here, all featuring truly enchanting photos from the 1920s showing us exactly what it was like back then. My most favourite post has got to be 50 Fabulous Pictures of Women’s Street Style From The 1920s, which features so many outfits I would looooove to own including the two above with their incredible knee high socks!

Cate

Just a vintage gal suffering from the Golden Age syndrome. A lover of all things old, especially the 1930s, seamstress, crocheter, maker of hats and enjoys rummaging at flea markets.

4 Comments

  1. It’s not just you in the slightest. I’m almost unnerved by how quickly this whole year, September massively included, has flown by. It feels like mere days ago that it was October 1st 2014 and here we are again in the blink of an eye.

    Thank you for another stellar roundup of engaging links. I am clicking through to read all those that are new to me.

    ♥ Jessica

    • Oh, I know what you mean, I can’t believe it’s October already! Ah well, at least we’re officially in autumn now so the warmer clothes can come out.
      xxx

  2. I am not fond of C&W – my mum is a big fan – but I do love a bit of Dolly. Anyone who doesn’t love Dolly is to be viewed askance.

    If any of your readers have larger waists than the Prohibition Clothing Company cater to (like me!), here in the UK, Bob Parratt (http://www.bobparratt.co.uk) do plus fours in a range of tweed fabrics.

    • Oh absolutely, everyone should love Dolly. I mean, what’s not to love? Thanks for the tip on larger sized plus fours.

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