The high street's retro trend du jour for this Winter is undoubtedly twenties and thirties influence. Thankfully eschewing the more obvious end of flapper style, many womenswear retailers are offering a more subtle take on the era's fashions with pieces like this Etienne Dress from Monsoon.
Tag: embroidered
Dita Von Teese designs for Wheels & Dollbaby
There may be some debate about whether or not burlesque's journey into the mainstream is a good thing, but there's few who can deny the credentials of the scene's current darling, Dita von Teese. With proven retro credentials, she's turned her hand to fashion once more with designs for Wheels & Dollbaby.
This Dita's Closet Embroidered Cardigan has unmistakeable vintage inspiration, with a chic fit and skinny knit wool. The bow-fastening high collar and three quarter length sleeves tread the line between demure and daring well, allowing for the skinny fit to create sex appeal. Finished with fifties floral embroidery, this is not just any cardigan.
It's available online from ASOS now for £150.
Maeve Tunic from Monsoon
With seventies inspiration making its mark all across the high street, many designers have been focused heavily on the mainstream and disco styles from the era. This Maeve Tunic from Monsoon offers something different from that time, with a folksy post-sixties look.
The loose fit of the tunic style creates a relaxed, flowing shape with subtle femininity. With pleated sheer sleeves and a gypsy front fastening, the embroidery makes this an ideal Spring/Summer festival look from the post-Woodstock kids' style.
Get it online from Monsoon for £120.
Stella Silk Dress from French Connection
With so much revival of the vampish and sexier side of retro fashion – from pin-ups to Mad Men style sexy secretaries – we can often forget the appeal of more demure style. This Stella Dress from French Connection perfectly encapsulates the girlish innocence of the turn of the 60s.
With some of the delicately girlish prom appeal of fifties dresses, the embroidered bodice and more simplistic silhouette add a sixties vibe. The large skirt covers enough flesh to be youthful without dowdiness, while a light peach shade adds some luxurious, ethereal style.
It's available now from French Connection UK.
John Lewis Fifties-style Day at the Races cushion
Add a touch of 50s panache to a sofa with this Day at the Races cushion from John Lewis.
The feather-filled cushion is decorated with an appliqued scene of spectators – dressed in their elegant period fashions – watching a horse race. Though firmly situated within the Fifties, this design was actually apparently inspired by an original piece in the John Lewis archive dating back to the 1700s.
This piece of timeless style costs £28.
Buy it online
Evelyn Maxi Dress from Missguided
Maxi dresses are that one item you just can't avoid on the Great British high street this summer, with designs featuring influence from a wide range of fashion styles. There's a handful of very vintage inspired items hidden among the rest, like this Evelyn Maxi Dress from Missguided.
Taking cues from a seventies folk-style chic, the light and floaty fabric works in tandem with hippy influences like embroidery on the bodice. The feather-tie at the waist incorporates some late sixties influence, capitalising on the original incarnations of festival fashion.
It's available online from Missguided now for £31.99.
