Amsterdam

This week I went to Amsterdam with some very BADASS ladies and we had a whale of a time. Here is a little summary of my time away as well as some brief write ups on the flea markets and the vintage shops I visited. First things first, outfit post. 

Skirt: Topshop Maternity (!)

Jacket: Charity shop

Shoes: New Look

T-shirt: H&M

Sunglasses: ASOS

Bag: River Island

Waterlooplein flea market was very high on my list of things to visit, so I went renegade for a morning to rummage through piles and rails of clothing and accessories. Table tops of 5euro dresses, 7euro jumpers and shellsuits were fantastic for those with patience and other higher end vintage sellers had better stock for not much more money. Still a hell of a lot cheaper than England! There were ridiculous amounts of stuff I could have taken home with me, I just didn't have a big enough suitcase.

By this area, on your way back towards the Dam square, there are a few retro shops such as the one below. However, I felt these were overpriced and lacked diverse, good quality stock. There is one exception - Retro et Chic which sold beautiful Victoriana and antique clothing and accessories. I didn't manage to get a photo of this shop as I couldn't find it again! 

The Nine Streets is an area straddling the three main canals of Amsterdam behind the Palace. It is brimming with curious, trendy and quirky boutiques selling all sorts. Of course I was there for the vintage. Before I get there  - and the quality of these photos is awful but the sun was bright and I felt dead cheeky so did it in a rush! This opticians stocked new prescription glasses based on vintage frame designs. You had to ring the doorbell to enter and I just daren't! But really incredible specs, in fact the dutch do glasses very well indeed.

Here we reach my highlight of Amsterdam. The jewel in the Nine Streets crown. Laura Dols Vintage.

This shop doesn't stock vats of 80s naff polyester drivel OH NO. This shop has rails and rails of 40s, 50s and 60s frocks that are beautifully mended, cleaned and railed according to size and then colour. I was in there for ages! I could have taken photos of everything, but these two dresses stood out for me.

1950s dress

1940s dress - I was going to buy this as a birthday present to myself, but it was too big. Sob.

Vintage and repro linen too.

Love a good showgirl outfit!

My only other real "vintage" moment to share with you are my friend Kate's Victory Rolls. She has a short blonde bob so struggled to do much in the way of retro hair before, but I had a go and am quite pleased with how they came out! First attempt styling somebody else's hair and it came out OK I reckon!

Well I don't have much else to share with you I'm afraid! Apart from that we had an awesome time and I would recommend Amsterdam to EVERYBODY. There are so many "types" of holiday you can have there and I will definitely go again. This is a farewell photo of us all looking a bit drunk. xxx

Oh I wish wish wish!

I have only just found out that this very day is the LAST day for your chance to win £100 gift voucher to spend at Vintage repro experts,  HeyDay. Even though I'm in the midst of a thousand boring admin things, I'm stopping and damn well telling you all what I would buy if I won.

 

This Fleur dress, modelled by it's namesake Fleur De Guerre of Diary Of A Vintage Girl fame, is a classic vintage day dress. Being a curvy girl, the wrap dress is my friend! I love a cinched waist. However, the only problem I have here is which print to choose from. I would hands down go for English Rose on White but if there is only limited stock (shock horror!) I would be incredibly happy with English Rose on Black too - heh. 

It also means I could go out and buy some new heels, as this dress cries out for some. Oh and look at the pockets! I love pockets on dresses. 

Fingers crossed I win!

Love x

Dead Man's Spex

Lovers, I gots me some new specs. I have been after a pair of 50s cat eye frames for a long time as the high street just wasn't quite doing it for me and I just don't have a designer budget. Thankfully, my Mother is wonderful and has delivered me with a cracking early birthday present. These 50s frames are from Dead Men's Spex. The chap there, Darren I think, even fits prescription lenses to most frames, which is incredible, especially since they are really quite affordable. 

I couldn't wait to show you these glasses, so I didn't make as much effort on the hair and make-up as I would usually. These glasses definitely need a bold lip colour (surely Gay Geranium by No7?) and hair up on top of head, but not so messily as this badly done suicide roll. 

The dress is from Miss Selfridge, belt is vintage brown leather and the sparkly shoes are - quite honestly - what I found by the front door - but they are from ASOS.

Much specky four eyes love to you all.
xxx

Deth Rose Vintage

If only I were very slim, blonde and THIS WOMAN...OK I will start again.

If only I lived in the US, had lots of money and could fit in these beautiful dresses or at least knew somebody who I could watch wear them. This is Deth Rose Vintage. Her blog can be found here and her Etsy shop can be found here. 

With "Classic Style not Costume" being her accompanying statement, I think you can see that this shop is a rare find. Gorgeous 50s and 60s dresses, skirts and suits in stunning shapes, textiles and design. Not to mention the girl herself! What a babe. 

There are a few downsides, a) she is based in Chicago and b) they ain't cheap - but this grade of vintage is so high that I suppose it is worth it. Perhaps more for a special occasion. Lastly c) the sizes are generally small (6-12) so I'm missing out already. Sob! But this isn't stopping me sharing her stunning clothes with you!

x

My Vintage Fair Buys

 I had a spare 30 minutes to nip around the fair after promoting in the cold all day. First of all, I couldn't believe how cheap everything was! I could have gone mad! And I seriously regret not buying one particular dress for £5. But we live and learn. 

Below are two bird hair clips. They are so bloody lovely, I can't wait to create a nest for them to sit in (in my hair).

 

I saw this necklace from afar and expected a hefty price tag but no, £5 later and it was in my pocket.

 Super stuff.

Sticking to £5 items, I am in love with this simple 50s summer dress. It is a little big, but belted and petticoated I reckon this dress will see me through many summer days.

I took a risk with this next 60s dress. Again a snip at a fiver. But it's so high necked that I figured it would make me look very busty. It isn't the most flattering of my dresses but it is so detailed with the beading at the collar, cuffs and waist that I couldn't turn it down. 

Oh and I'm well aware my frizzy locks need to be in a top knot for this dress. 

Well! There you go. The Vintage Fair - get going. 

If you're in London this weekend (4th February) then visit the fair in Shoreditch.

http://www.thevintagefair.com/

x

Incredible.