The Look I Love. It Could Only Be....California Cottons!

Every time I go on a vintage expedition I struggle to contain my eagerness in the hope that I might find a hidden gem in those many rails, that distinctive orange or white label with the jazzy font and stitched sombrero perched on the 'C'. I am talking of course about California Cottons.
This brand, in my opinion is equal to that of Horrockses.

Very little is known about the brand itself, and its origins are unknown. Some vintage sellers claim that the brand is American and was exported to the UK and some say that it is a British brand inspired by the bright and colourful designs of the USA. Either way the only information available can be found on a blog, where advertisements for the brand are featured. Here are some examples:

Courtesy of Miss Rayne at SheepandChick.blogspot.co.uk

Courtesy of Miss Rayne at SheepandChick.blogspot.co.uk

  I am pleased to say that I  have formed quite a collection of this brand, in various styles and patterns, although most are of the drop waist variety. It seems to be a trait although looking at the adverts, the dresses were available in the pencil skirt and circle skirt styles.

My First California Cottons Dress!

I bought my first California Cottons dress at the Vintage Festival 2011 on the first stall I visited and I am so glad I did. As soon as I saw it I loved the quirkiness of the colour and design, the patterns are generally very distinctive, this particular dress has daisy buttons on the bodice and a cute little bow at the back which pops up when the zip is pulled.

The Cute Bow!!!

 Most California Cottons dresses contain an orange label however some have a little white label instead. Whether this is an indicator of age or era is unknown, but I would assume so.


I also own two pink floral dresses (same pattern but different styles) navy with white stripe, blue and pink floral (from Mela Mela Vintage in Teddington) and my prize winning pink dress with the small collar (BEST DRESSED at Festival of Vintage Epsom 2012) which I bought a week before the event!

My Prize Winning Dress!!!

I would love to hear from anyone who owns a dress by this label or anyone with information on the label. I'm hoping to extend my collection so if you are interested in selling, please contact me!

Holly x

Vintage in Paris!

It is easy to think of elegance, glamour and scandal when someone mentions Paris, it's something that comes naturally with seeing films like Midnight in Paris (which I have yet to see) and reading about the exciting exploits of Bright Young Things in the 1920s.

This however, was my second trip to Paris and I have to say, that it is suffering in the current economic climate. This is obvious from the amount of people begging on the streets and sleeping rough in the cold tunnels of the Metro, which looks to be the shape of things to come :(.

 
 

Still, I was there to enjoy the delights of shopping in the main city and with this in mind, I started what I could only describe as a vintage-shop-crawl (rather like a pub crawl) around the streets of Paris. I started at La Gallerie Lafayette which currently has a vintage concession in the centre on the first floor, and spent ages going through the rails to find something that wasn't 80s! Eventually I found two jackets I loved, but since the budget was to be tight for the three days, I decided on the cheaper one, a sweet Tricolon 60s jacket in orange-red with black buttons, an almost match to my lovely red Jonathan Saunders coat (Debenhams best seller 2012)!




Next I went to my favourite shop from the previous visit, Mam'zelle Swing near Hotel de Ville which has some amazing stock. Although the owner is very French, she is friendly and if you explain what you are looking for, she will find it for you. I must have tried on at least 12 dresses in the shop before deciding on a gorgeous French silk navy 50s blouse with orange buttons and a lovely mustard coloured bow blouse.




The Lovely Mamzelle Swing shop!




After trawling around the various thrift stores, including Frip'Star which is more of a jumble sale than an actual vintage shop, I was becoming desperate to find that one special item that would define Paris.

It took a long journey to Pelleport, an area located just outside Paris, and a very helpful resident of the town to give us directions to Goldymama Vintage. We arrived just as the evening was drawing in and the area around the Metro was quite intimidating, so we decided that if we couldn't find it down the road where the resident had suggested we would turn back.

Thankfully our efforts were rewarded. We headed down the darkened street where most of the shops were closed and then just as we rounded the bend in  the road, Goldymama appeared like a beacon, in full retro splendour with bright lights and rails and rails of beautiful vintage!


 

 You can find Goldymama at:

http://www.goldymama.com/boutique/index.php


I couldn't wait to start and immediately pulled dresses from rails, dumping them in my friend's hands as I scoured for special items to try.

Of all the dresses and skirts I tried on none of them seemed to have that 'wow' factor. I was very disappointed, I had been so sure that we would find something amongst the many tempting pieces in the shop, but to no avail. My friend who speaks fluent French was able to ask the owners for the right items and one of them whisked her way around the stockroom, pulling out items for me. It took several attempts until my friend called out:
"The lady's got a 50s blue check dress for you."

I groaned. I was imagining the sort of dress from the 80s in a large gingham print, but this was something else.

I drew back the curtain and gasped at the sight of the dress. Typical 50s style with a full skirt and sailor collar I immediately knew that it would fit and that I would have to buy it. This was the item I had been looking for. I tugged it on and paraded around the shop. For some reason petticoats in France are quite ruffled which makes it difficult to determine the actual style of the dress, but nevertheless I bought it. I then asked to try the dress with a pair of shoes, and with the help of my friend's translation skills the lady brought out a pair of petite typical Parisienne shoes. They looked to be quite old, in a gold colour with sensible heels. I couldn't resist them as they fitted me perfectly, so I purchased those too.

I kept my purchases to a minimum after that but I would definitely recommend Goldymama and Mam'zelle Swing to any vintage fashionista looking for that one special purchase from abroad. Just be aware of the changeable weather, and wear sensible shoes!


Holly
x

Mela Mela: Vintage in Teddington

It may be snowing outside, but that doesn't mean no shopping trips! I braved the bitter cold and snow to venture to one of the best vintage shops I have ever visited, which came personally recommended by my friend Liz Tregenza.

(Do follow her blog, it's amazing: advantageinvintage.blogspot.co.uk)

Along with my friend, Fae, a fellow vintage fan, (also look at her blog: http://faeallegravintage.blogspot.co.uk) we took the train from Victoria to Clapham Junction, standing in the freezing cold for quite some time, before boarding the train to Teddington. It didn't take us long to find Mela Mela and when we arrived, cold and exhausted, we received a warm welcome from the team.

The shop itself is a thing of beauty, very tastefully decorated in a pretty shade of pastel pink, with elegant counters and carefully arranged stock. We were asked if we were looking for something in particular and when we said no we weren't pestered.

Mela Mela is one of the only shops I have visited where a personal shopper service is available. We were asked for our measurements and sizes and garments were brought to us to try on. I absolutely adored everything I tried, the stock is of the very highest quality and everything was immaculate.

The changing rooms, although small, are large enough to accommodate lots of items and there are no limitations. I eventually decided on a beautiful California Cottons dress which I had seen on the website but nothing compared to seeing it in the flesh!

The California Cottons Dress

Although I couldn't afford to pay the full amount, I was allowed to place a deposit, so this will be with me very soon! I also purchased two pairs of beautiful 1950s shoes in black and cream. The cream ones, a modest mid-heel with pointed fronts, look exactly like the ones in Mad Men! I felt exactly like Peggy Olson in a beautiful 1950s dress in cream with bright orange flowers and green vines with a matching white bag and full skirted petticoat. Unfortunately we didn't take any photos but we had an amazing afternoon. I would definitely recommend anybody to visit Mela Mela even if only for a browsing shopping trip!

A Vintage Christmas!

I love Christmas. I'm normally listening to Christmas songs in early December, with a playlist on repeat til the big day, but this year I wanted to celebrate differently, with a vintage twist!

I picked up a great CD for just £2.99 in HMV which I definitely recommend if you love the 1950s! It's called Rockin Around the Christmas Tree and yes, it does feature that Christmas classic by Brenda Lee, which immediately makes me think of the scene in the first Home Alone film.


Even the cover of the CD is vintage styled! I'd really love to see a Vinyl copy! It has some great songs, most I haven't heard of, but for those who love 'Warm this Winter' by Gabriella Cilmi, prepare to be bowled over by the original, "I'm Gonna be Warm this Winter" by Connie Francis.

There are other songs that are good, although I'm not going to list them as there're far too many.

Recommended Books for Christmas:

Only one book made my reading list at Christmas, and that was Miracle on Regent Street by Ali Harris, which is a lovely warm story about a failing department store and a stockroom girl who sets out to spread some vintage magic through the store.
The book features lovely descriptions of vintage makeup, clothes and window displays and is a great read for a dreary afternoon.


VINTAGE CHRISTMAS DAY:

I had this outfit planned for weeks before Christmas. Usually I have to make do with a cheap dress from Primark picked out for me, but this year I made my choice. I bought this skirt from Tessa at Rainbow Valley Vintage and teamed it with my favourite 50s style sweater from H by Henry Holland at Debenhams. The shoes are Miss KG at House of Fraser, Sales 2011, a bargain at £30!




I also have a thick red petticoat which you can just about spot in this photo.


 Unlike my friend Liz Tregenza,my parents have yet to realise the vintage scene, so no vintage gifts, however I did receive lots of vintage style items.

-The Mad Men DVD Collection (something I have wanted to see for a long while)
-The House of Elliot DVDs
-The Little Guide to Vintage Shopping
-The Fashion File by Janie Bryant
-The Vintage Tea Party book
-The Vintage Tea Party Year book

I did manage to find some vintage gifts for family as well. I bought a gorgeous clasp 60s bracelet at the Hammersmith Vintage Fair and after several conversations with Grandma, tracked down a perfume she hadn't used in years. Bourjois' own Evening in Paris or Soir de Paris, whatever you want to call it.

So with the presents out of the way, the following days were filled with board games, watching films and festive music with not much on TV.

Vintage Bargains in the Sales!

I've never really been interested in the sales, to me they've always been an excuse to spend more money on things that I don't really need when I've already received presents for Christmas.

However on Boxing Day this year I was persuaded to visit the sales at my local shopping centre. First port of call was Marks and Spencer where I immediately purchased a fantastic 60s style coat, very chic, with a matching bag that I'd been eager to get before Christmas. A quick tour of the other shops concluded with the purchase of a gorgeous coral bow blouse with short sleeves from Dorothy Perkins. It seemed to be the only item worth the title of Retro or Vintage. 

My second outing involved a visit to a shopping centre far from home where I bought the very last Henry Holland domed bag left in the UK.

 

 It really is a lovely bag, and looks much more expensive than it is. My purse strings also detached in House of Fraser to purchase a gorgeous 50s style clasp bag from mid range Therapy. 

Then I saw them, a pair of shoes unlike any other, just waiting on the Sale rack. As a size 2, it’s really hard to get shoes that fit properly, and after several disappointments I was about to give up on finding anything.

The shoes are beautiful, a rich burgundy velvet with 70s wedge heels and gold buttons. Admittedly a Size 3, but small enough.  I looked inside at the price tag, decided they were an absolute bargain I simply had to have, and then peeled back the stickers, nearly dropping them.

BIBA!

BIBA shoes! Price tag: check. Quality of shoes: check. BIBA: Double check. They were presented in a lovely BIBA box with a bag, and for those who are interested, the discount was: £120 to £59.

Definitely a winning sale item!

Vintage TV Programmes

It's easy to say that all period dramas are vintage, but are they really? I like to watch them, whether it's a 1920s drama series saga like Downton Abbey, or the thrilling ITV drama The Bletchley Circle, and I count these as true vintage dramas, but in my opinion, anything before the 1920s is not vintage, but nostalgia. 

Vintage means something different to everyone and I will not try to debate what is the true era range of it, but I will give my views on the best Vintage TV Programmes.

Firstly, although I like the new channel named 'Vintage TV' it is basically for music only, which is a shame because it could be really good. It has a lot of potential to broadcast vintage events, maybe do a tie in with The Vintage News (http://www.vintagenews.tv/default.asp?page=9) to report on all the nostalgia events? 

Just a thought.

Anyway, my top three Vintage Programmes:

Goodnight Sweetheart: 

 This amazing series launched in November 1993. the same day as Radio Days in Waterloo opened (coincidentally of course). The series tells the story of a modern day TV repairman called Gary Sparrow who lives with his wife Yvonne in Cricklewood, London. Whilst on a call out he stumbles across a time portal and is transported back in time to Wartime London, where he meets a lonely barmaid called Phoebe and begins a relationship with her across the times. 

Series 1 to3

Series 4 to 6

 Reasons to watch this: It has a terrific cast, fantastic one liners and although towards the last series vintage experts will spot that Phoebe's clothes are most definitely NOT authentic 40s but badly adapted 70s and 80s, it's definitely worth watching for the sheer audacity of some of Gary's claims. 

Rating: *****

Best to watch: On a rainy Sunday afternoon.

The Darling Buds of May:

Kent in the 1950s. An oast house cottage. Seemingly eternal summer, it could only be The Darling Buds of May. based on the novels by H.E Bates. This series encapsulates a rosy depiction of life in the 1950s and revolves around the many members of the Larkin family. 

The Larkin Family

 (From Wikipedia)

"Pop" Larkin is the eccentric and loving father. He has no regular employment but several projects and a succession of jobs provide income for the family. He invents things. His money-making schemes are often a side plot in each episode.

"Ma" Larkin is the mother of the family. She is usually cooking food, tending the garden or caring for the children.

Mariette Larkin is the eldest child. Her name was created by combining 'Marie' and 'Antoinette'. In the first episode she is shown to be the family beauty and slightly wild. However, she quickly marries Charley and settles down with him for the rest of the series.

Montgomery Larkin (played by Ian Tucker) is the eldest son. He only appears for part of the series before joining the navy and attending college.

Primrose Larkin is the second daughter. She reads romantic poetry and dreams of love. Her full name is Primrose Violet Anemone Iris Magnolia Narcissa Larkin.

Zinnia and Petunia Larkin are the twins. They attend a boarding school, which they love. They share the middle names June Florence Nightingale.

Victoria Larkin is the youngest daughter. She often plays with the twins but feels left out.

Oscar Larkin is the youngest child. He grows from an infant to a toddler throughout the series. His full name is Oscar Columbus Septimus Dupont Larkin.

Cedric "Charley" Charlton is Mariette's husband. He was a tax collector but gave up his job after falling in love with Mariette and the Larkins' life. He and Mariette eventually own a brewery .

John Blenheim Charlton is Mariette and Charley's son. 

The plotlines of the episodes are generally very good, although some of them can seem a bit too sweet at times. 

Reasons to watch: The incredible 1950s costumes, (look out for Primrose's birthday dress and matching bolero) the beautiful Kent countryside and the nostalgia.

Rating: ****

Best to watch: On a Sunday evening.

Pan Am: (Or rather, the Mad Men that didn't take Off)

Not many people seemed to like this series, which was a shame, because the plots were very well written and the actual design was fantastic. I particularly liked the costumes, most of them from a specialist costume outlet, but some from American vintage boutique, Posh Girl Vintage. 

The characters were very well acted, Kate's exploits were always thrilling, and Christina Ricci as Maggie with her quick one-liners were brilliant, creating comedy in a very dramatic series.

Somehow, despite all the hype and merchandise, Pan Am failed to make a second series, which is disappointing as it is a very good programme. Still the series is available to buy on DVD.

The Girls: Laura, Maggie, Colette amd Kate

Reasons to Watch: For the costumes, sets and retro souvenirs.

Rating: ****

Best to watch: Vintage Night In.

So there they are, feel free to add your favourites in the comments. Still, all of these are about the fashion!

  

 
 

John Lewis' 'Goodnight Sweetheart' Inspired Advert

So Downton Abbey is back! Yay! It's the Roaring Twenties, bringing with it a tidal wave of nostalgia-led advertising, including the amazing and enchanting John Lewis ad!

This lovely advert tells the story of a boy and a girl separated by time, the girl in the 1920s and the boy in modern day. I absolutely love EVERYTHING about this advert, from its catchy Paloma Faith soundtrack 'Never Tear Us Apart' to the beauty of the photography, and ESPECIALLY the vintage clothes, which I would guess are all authentic. It also captures the essence of the lesser known drama series Goodnight Sweetheart, which is definitely a must see for anyone who loves time-travel, vintage or just great TV!

 However I digress. Pursuing the line of clothing used in this advert I did do some research and the only item I can actually find is the cute cloche hat worn at the beginning:

 Alice Isaaz tries on a gorgeous 20s hat which I think is this one?

Can someone confirm?

Also, there's a pair of incredible Mary Janes at the beginning, vintage versions of John Lewis' Bertie Shoes:  

 

As seen here:

Or if you prefer a cheaper alternative to these, try New Look for these, a bargain at £45!

 

 There are so many 1920s inspired items out on the High Street at the moment and with Downton Abbey's return and The Great Gatsby release in November, it's sure to continue. With this in mind, to capture the style of the 1920s in the John Lewis advert, here are my picks:

 I love Alice Isaaz's cute cotton coat, and this one is the closest:

 I like these coats as they look very authentic for the era without looking like cheap costumes. The little buttons only add to the kitsch quirkiness, and the colour is perfect for anyone to wear!

To get the sweet feminine look of a true 20s girl, combine neat pastels and lace collars with dainty jewellery. The day look of the 1920s was generally a drop waist dress or a pretty blouse and skirt.  Fortunately I've found this little top:

                                                

 Of course the 20s girl also enjoyed a night or two at a speakeasy or cocktail bar, where she would dance the Charleston as seen here:

There's also fashion for this too:

 

  So why not try out the fashion for this era and get yourself some true glamour!