Latest looks take us back in time

Feb 2 2008 by Lisa Haynes, The Journal

Lisa Haynes finds this season vintage is vital!

FASHION’S trends are often inspired by an era. From the Swinging Sixties through to the screen sirens of the 1940s, the catwalks take their cue from decades gone by.

This autumn/winter season, Forties is the way forward in fashion. Think cloche hats, cutesy tea dresses and retro driving gloves. But you don’t have to work the current catwalk era. Vintage has no expiry date, so you can dance through the decades with true fashion flair.

Retro clothing and styling is big business right now. Inspired by her own Swarovski dress, Kate Moss’ Topshop 1920s-style flapper frock flew off the shelves for the Christmas party season. So what’s the big appeal of stepping back in time?

“Vintage is ideal for those who lose themselves in another identity through their wardrobe,” says Christa Weil, author of It’s Vintage, Darling!

“Let’s face it, anyone can walk down the high street, spend some money and get a fairly fashionable look. But why not try for something more? An outfit that suggests hidden depths, imagination, allure...

“You can renew yourself with breathtaking garments that others were naive enough to let go.”

VINTAGE BASICS

Look to the 20s, 30s and 40s for everyday basics with super-feminine appeal.

“These were such glamorous and sophisticated eras that I think designers love to borrow styles from these decades and give them a modern make-over,” says Fiona Huntingford, personal stylist at www.stylestruck.com.

“This season the pussy-cat blouse is a must-have buy; great to wear dressed down with jeans or dressed up with a pencil skirt for example.

“Retro prints are also an easy way to pull-off the vintage look, the style of the piece can be relatively simple but worn in the right way can look very effective.”

GET THE LOOK: Topshop vintage cutwork blouse, £55; Primark bird print vintage dress, £10, Vintage 1940s mid-length suit jacket, £65, from a selection at Beyond Retro; Topshop vintage lace bib blouse, £32; Marks and Spencer Autograph abstract print pencil skirt, £29.50; All Saints Dorian jacket, £105.

DRESSING UP BOX

From drop-waisted dresses to flapper-style frocks, raid the vintage dressing-up box for an individual party number. Go for true vintage and it’s unlikely you’ll ever endure the horror of bumping into somebody in the same outfit. The secret is to spruce up your look with a surprising modern twist.

“Certain people will always be able to carry off the vintage look better than others, however I think most people can wear vintage-inspired pieces and integrate them into their modern wardrobe very effectively,” Fiona says.

“The key to not looking dated is mixing the old with the new.”

GET THE LOOK: Wallis floral georgette dress with corsage, £35; Vintage jewelled 1940s dress, £120, from a selection at Beyond Retro; Miss Selfridge vintage checked dress, £120, Wallis cream, beaded, angel-sleeve dress, £70; Debenhams Pearce II Fionda vintage prom dress, £200; Miss Selfridge vintage black prom dress, £120.

VINTAGE ACCESSORIES

“Jewellery is also key –- vintage pieces add that unusual and one-off look to your outfit,” Fiona advises.

But don’t make the mistake of going overboard with too many vintage style accessories if you’re wearing retro clothing too.

“Think Carrie Bradshaw from Sex And The City as opposed to looking like you simply raided your granny’s attic and threw everything on,” Fiona warns. “Patrica Field, the stylist for Sex and the City picked out the most amazing vintage pieces for SJP to wear on set, but she teamed them with current accessories and re-invented them with a modern twist.”

GET THE LOOK: Jones Bootmaker red Claimed T-bar court shoe, £75; Accessorize Portofino antique-style ring, £10; vintage mustard hat, £18, from a selection at Beyond Retro; Faith Chayne court shoes, £40; ASOS Jovonna suede cashmere gloves, £13; Wallis red cloche style hat, £7; Marks and Spencer vintage chunky glass bead necklace, £9.50.

STOCKISTS

Accessorize – 08704 129 000

All Saints – www.allsaintsshop.co.uk

ASOS -– www.asos.com

Beyond Retro – www.beyondretro.com

Debenhams 08445 616 161/www.debenhams.com

Faith – www.faith.co.uk

Jones Bootmaker – 0800 163 519/www.jonesbootmaker.com

Marks and Spencer – 08453 021 234 www.marksandspencer.com

Miss Selfridge – www.missselfridge.com

Primark – www.primark.co.uk

Topshop – www.topshop.co.uk

Wallis – www.wallis-fashion.com