The inspiration for this blouse is pretty obvious, it’s right there in the name. Jasmine Guinness has done a rather impressive job of paying homage to Brigitte with this Bardot Blouse.
The candy stripe, combined with the cut of the chest and fitted silhouette, conjures up the French sex symbol’s curves perfectly, and the slightly preppy style is very in keeping with her occasional bouts as the demure Frenchwoman.
The blouse is available exlusively at Oli and is available for £30.
The approaching holiday season brings a whole new range of retro clothing options, from minidresses to swimwear. If you’re a lover of the 1950s pin-up style, then this nautical bathing suit by Steady Clothing is a must have.
Everything from the halter neckline to the shorts cut at the leg makes this the most authentic reproduction bathing suit I’ve yet seen. Perfect for glamorous posing by the pool with set rolls, the navy blue and tiny woven red anchor make this nautical style perfectly retro without being over the top.
It’s available online from PinUp Girl Clothing for $58.
Traditional British retailer Mulberry has teamed up with eyewear experts Cutler & Gross to produce a rather stylish retro sunglasses range.
Something like 15 styles available covering various eras, but we’ve picked out a pair representing the 1950s and one from the 60s – Betsey and Jackie. Betsey is available in various colours (including the peach pictured here), offering that ‘cat’s eye’ style frame (made from hand-polished Italian plastic), am embossed gold Mulberry logo and 100 per cent UV absorbing tinted lenses. Jackie is a classic 60s shape in black or white, again with a hand-polished frame, but this time with a silver Mulberry logo, black lenses and a matching case.
Most of the pairs in the range retail for around £250.
Remember the Celia Birtwell camping range for Millets we previewed a while back? Well, it’s instore and online right now to order – and it’s not just tents – there’s also accessories like a dining set, wellington boots and this rather smart Celia Birtwell Golf Umbrella.
Ideal for campers or those of us living in a rainy climate, the large umbrella features a distinctive Celia Birtwell vintage print and automatic opening, should you get caught in a shower.
And best of all, it isn’t that expensive either – you can pick one up for £14.99.
Vintage accessories are often a tantalising prospect, but with many ridiculously overpriced or unfortunately in poor nick, retro alternatives are often the sensible choice.
Raucous Rocks have a great range of vintage inspired bags, accessories and jewellery. Their costume hair clips are a great ode to 1940s hair for bargain prices, and this flapper bag is just one of many fantastic handbags from various periods.
Retro formalwear, be it from the 20s right up to the 50s, would be nothing without fantastic headgear. Vintage hair accessories and hats are difficult to source in decent condition, so retro reproductions are a great find.
Taissa Lada Designs handcraft a huge range of one off pieces of vintage inspired headwear, from pin-up style fascinators to more daring pieces that would fit in at any burlesque stage show. If you’re in need of some retro formal fashion these are a must have.
