My Big Fat Vintage Life

10 Items ALL 90's Teenage Girls Had in Their Handbag!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 15:47:00 +0000

If, like me, you spent your formative teenage years in the 1990s, you are bound to remember these absolute handbag essentials!

1. Perfume - Exclamat!on or CK One

It will come as no surprise to you that I had both! There were so many awesome scents that we HAD to have in the nineties. Some of my other favourites were of course The Body Shop White Musk or Dewberry sprays. There were a lot of Charlie Red fans too, but that never did it for me. CK One was a cool new revolutionary scent as it was unisex, so suddenly you and him could have the same fragrance. We were suitably amazed and impressed! Quite frankly nowadays I don't let anyone touch my perfume so you wouldn't find me sharing it with Simon that's for sure!

2. Mood Ring

These. Were. Incredible. A cool piece of jewellery that didn't only look awesome, but also changed colour depending on your mood. Seriously? Well, no. I was more inclined to change my mood depending on the mood that the mood ring said I was meant to be in. But anyway, whatever, minor details, These were cool. End of.

3. Brown Lip Liner

Brown lip liner was most definitely my thing back in the day. And I'm not gonna lie, in the absence of actual brown lip liner, I would just use eyeliner! I would line my lips then fill in with a clear lip gloss. yes really.
The thing is, I really thought I looked like this...

When in actual fact, I am now fully aware that I just looked like this...

In my defence, we didn't have YouTube makeup tutorials back then!!

4. Butterfly Clips

I mean, there was nothing cooler than clipping your hair back in thin rows and securing with butterfly clips in a rainbow of colours. It was good enough for Billie Piper and Sarah Michelle Gellar, so I was all over it and never left the house without spares. It was also a bit of an unspoken competition as to who could fit the most of these glittery little critters in their hair on non uniform day...

5. Flavoured Lip Balm

So many flavours. So little time. Lip balm was the absolute holy grail for us 90s teen girls. For me, at a strict Catholic school, it was the nearest thing to lip gloss we could wear and who doesn't want their lips to taste and smell like Coca Cola?! Let's face it, we wanted the boys to find our fruity pouts irresistible too!

6. Nokia Mobile Phone (with an assortment of fascias!)

Yes it was a mobile phone. Did it have a touch screen? Nope. Did it have a camera? Nope. Did it have a colour screen? Nope. But it did have Snake. And that was simply the best mobile game ever invented. And I'll tell you what else was awesome about this phone - one full charge would last you 3 or 4 days! Yes, really!
There was no end to the amount of replacement fascias you could get for your Nokia - my fave was the pink Purple Ronnie one pictured above, complete with cheeky poem on the back cover!

7. Multi Colour Pen

You never know when you might need a pen. But more importantly, you never know when you need 10 different colours in one pen to write your bestie a letter with a million different doodles and coloured bubble writing. Obvs.
Why carry a pencil case when you can carry a single pen with ALL the colours. It's was genius.

8. Dummy Necklace

No-one can be quite sure why these necklaces were such a thing, but they really were a thing. Not the sweety candy kind, these were hard coloured plastic on an equally colourful cord necklace. I love, love, loved these and had them in so many different colours! I was obsessed with them ever since my major crush Mark Owen worn one, and they were cute, right? Have you still got yours?!

9. Tamagotchi

The virtual pet that lived in your pocket/handbag - it was one of the coolest things we had ever seen! It was an adorable little digital animal that you had to keep alive by giving it enough food, rest, love, attention and training. But if you didn't... it died. That sucked. I killed a lot of tamagotchi in the nineties but I still loved the little blighters!

10. Roll-on Body Glitter

Glitter was probably the most used beauty product in the 90s! And these little roll on glitters were amazing. One your eyes, cheeks, shouldrs, arms, EVERYWHERE! Who doesn't want to look like a giant Christmas decoration??

And there we have it - the things we loved might seem weird now but they were the best of the best back then!

Don't forget to show me your 90s handbag memories too!

Over and out
Em
x

Christmas Jumpers - Hit or Miss?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 18:55:00 +0000

Love them or hate them, the popularity of Christmas jumpers does not seem to be waining! And just like when I was a child in the 1980s, it seems that when it comes to a festive knit, the uglier the better!

Somehow over the last few years, there has been a huge resurgence in the Santa, snowman, reindeer, penguin or Christmas tree emblazoned sweaters with a whole host of extras like 3D noses, glittery antlers, jingling bells and even real lights!

The Cosby Show was probably one of the first places these crazy jumpers appeared, as Cliff Huxtable was renowned for his loud, clashing and down right cringy knits. Not forgetting Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the 1980s loved these iconic sweaters!

But it wasn't until 2001 that they started to grow in popularity once again. Personally, I think you can either thank (or blame depending how you look at it!) Colin Firth in Bridget Jones' Diary for our reignighted love of the ugly Christmas knit! It was around this time that "Ugly Sweater Parties" became a bit of a phenomenon and the love has gown every year since.

We now have charities such as Barnados and Save The Children that hold Christmas Jumper days every December where participants wear a Christmas jumper to work and make a donation in return. It's a fantastic idea that has taken off all over the country and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.

Here at My Vintage, we have everything from original 1980s vintage Christmas jumpers dripping with beads, sequins and glitter - to our latest take on the trend which are these adorable Christmas print swing dresses/tunic tops. From Father Christmas print to penguins and snowmen, these are a really girly and comfortable alternative to those thick and scratchy jumpers!

Whatever your chosen Christmas wear, we are bound to have it in our Darwen shop or on our website www.myvintage.co.uk - ho ho hope to see you soon!

Over and out!
Em x

Disco Fever - 70s Vintage Glamour

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:04:00 +0000

It was in the New York nightclubs of the 1970s where disco began to take hold. Dance music was electronically enhanced with pounding catchy beats and layered orchestral sounds, and the urge to dance was just too strong to give into!

With this musical craze came a real shift in evening fashion and in 1976, Studio 54 really set the scene. The dancefloor was filled with women wearing shimmering and sparkling fabrics, hot-pants, leggings, leotards and super glam dresses. Hair was big and getting bigger, make-up was bold and glittery. This was the time when a woman really wanted to stand out and be noticed! Favoured colours were electric blue, lilac purple and fuchsia pink and man-made fabrics such as lamé, satin, sequin, polyester and velour were most definitely in vogue.

Whether wearing shiny tiny hot-pants and sequin boob tubes, or long draping dresses with dipped backs; this was a time of showing plenty of flesh, usually enhanced with a little shimmer or glitter of course. Designer such as Halston, Bill Blass, YSL and Chloe were the rulers of the stunning Grecian inspired dresses that fell beautifully from the neckline or strapless top. Sashes made from silk scarves and metallic belts and strappy heeled sandals completed the look for the fashion forward girl about town.

In street style, the disco look incorporated skinny shiny trousers in a rainbow of coloured satins, sequinned tops and lots of ruching. Towards the end of the decade, shoulder began to broaden and shoulder padding was most definitely on trend. Alternative looks for the younger disco crowd included silk shirts worn open over shimmering swimwear and leggings or oversized 'boyfriend' t-shirts sporting Roller Disco motifs. Disco was most certainly the last great look of the 1970s and really encapsulated the thrill seeking glamour of this revolutionary decade of vintage fashion.

I've always loved anything that sparkles and shimmers, so the vintage disco clothing from the 70s is amongst my favourite of the iconic looks we stock at My Vintage. Here are some amazing examples of funky disco chic that look as good today as they did almost 40 years ago!

You can shop 70s vintage clothing 24/7 at www.myvintage.co.uk or at our Darwen shop on The Circus.

Don't hate the Eighties! Vintage Fashion Special.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:31:00 +0000

The eighties has a really bad reputation when it comes to fashion, but if you delve a little deeper than neon leg warmers and ra-ra skirts, 1980s vintage fashion has a lot to offer in 2015...

The 1980s evening dress is a real classic that works for two very particular reasons. Firstly, the sleek and feminine lines work to accentuate and flatter a woman's curves and secondly most of the fabrics are very female friendly. I'm talking silks, sequins and lots of viscose.

1980s Vintage Laurence Kazar Red Sequin Cocktail Dress UK Size 12/14

Some of our favourite evening dress necklines jump right out of the 80s including the cowl neck, slashed neck, cut out back and high neck. There is also of course, that cute prom dress style of dresses that give a nod toward the 1950's whilst staying short, tight and flirty. In 1986, Christian Lacroix created this style with fitted bodices and skirt puffball skirts. It was a refreshing change for women who has spent years wearing classic floor length gowns to black tie events. Now the the economic boom for the youth and Yuppy culture flying high, cocktail parties and soirees were much more fashionable, and these just screamed out for younger, shorter and cuter styles of dresses.

Designers started to go over the top with their creations and soon there was no such thing as too many sequins or bows that were too large. Frilled tops, dropped waist skirt with tutus, back bustles, pastel colours, beads and ribbons all featured heavily for anyone who was anyone.

1980s Vintage Gina Bacconi Pink and Black Prom Dress UK Size 6/8

In 1987, Yves Saint Laurent and Emanuel Ungaro took the hemlines even shorter. Early Ungaro versions featured rouched satin skirts in rich chocolate brown, contrasted with cerise pink details such as rose corsages, sashes and trains.

I absolutely love 1980s evening dresses (with the odd exception of course!) and not least the fully sequinned shift dresses in bright jewel colours or the over the top fishtail skirts and asymmetric necklines. It'd pretty difficult to find a high street party dress today that doesn't have some 1980's vintage influence, and the more the start to explore, the more surprised you'll be.

Original 1980s Radley Peplum Cocktail Dress UK Size 10

So put crimped hair, glow sticks, white socks and rainbow lycra out of your head and start thinking of the endless possibilities of 80s fashion. I guarantee there will be something you like when you really start looking. You may even end up with a fantastic 80s dress for your Christmas party this year!

1980s Black Evening Maxi Dress with Metallic Strands

We have a huge and impressive range of 1980s vintage clothing here at My Vintage, browse the online rails at www.myvintage.co.uk or pop in to see us at our shop in Darwen town centre.

Over and out!
Em xx

The 1960's - Out of this World

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 12:15:00 +0000

No doubt inspired but the Yuri Gagarin space race of 1961, cutting edge fashion houses such as Courréges and Pierre Cardin began to bring futuristic collections to the catwalks. Using limited colour palettes, shimmering silvers and glossy whites; these 'space age' clothes were based on that fantasy vision of life in the modern year 2000. The pretty, whimsical and superfluous decorations were shunned in favour of short straight skirts, simple a-line tunics and flat leather boots and shoes. Minimal was the buzz word.

In 1964, André Courréges showed his 'Moon Girl' collection which was full of straight lines, boxy shapes and most definitely no frill in sight. Skinny trouser suits with front slits to fall open over flat boots, simple square cute coats with basic pockets and buttons and of course the very shortest of short skirts. Accessories were also 'space age' with goggle style sunglasses and astronaut inspired helmet-style hats.

In an already androgynous style era, the hard and straight lines of these collections and the more angular models that were chosen to show them off, led to a trend in his 'n' hers clothing. It was the must have look for young hipster couples who would have identical looks to show they shared absolutely everything.

I love the modern take on 60s Space Age fashion and here is a quick checklist of the most important features of this trend:

Mini pinafore dresses.
Monochrome and graphic prints.
Plastic detail and accessories.
Asymmetric cutting.
PVC coats.
Metal and chain mail incorporated into garments.
White, silver and shimmer.

We always have a great range of 1960's fashion here at My Vintage and if you fancy stepping into their preconceived version of the future, come and see some of our collections - they are truly out of this world!

You can shop 24/7 at www.myvintage.co.uk or visit us in store on The Circus in Darwen,

Halloween Makeup Tutorials and Outfit Ideas from My Vintage 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:42:00 +0000

I'm pleased to say that most of the cheap, tacky Halloween costumes we've seen regurgitated for decades, have been rapidly losing popularity over the last few years. It excites me greatly to see so many imaginative and unusual dress up ideas emerging and I have to say that watching scary and quirky makeup tutorials on YouTube is most definitely one of my guilty pleasures (that and Ru Paul's Drag Race honey!)

To give you all some fresh inspiration for this year's spooky extravaganza, I've teamed some of my favourite makeup looks from various beauty bloggers and mags, with the perfect outfits straight out of My Vintage.

If you don't find your perfect Halloween get up in this lovely lot, I'll be more shocked than Uncle Fester in the electric chair!

1) Freaky Mermaid Chic
Who doesn't love a mermaid though? But if Ariel is a little tame for your Halloween party then why not try this ridiculously easy way to create shimmering fish scales on your face...

I love this look, so easy, so pretty and so effective! Thanks @KaitlinMekel :)

Now, to complete this unicorn mermaid Katy Perry gorgeousness, here are my top 3 picks from the huge range of stunning vintage and retro clothing at My Vintage...

1950s Vintage Mermaid Sequin Top from My Vintage

1970s Vintage Sequin Evening Maxi Dress from My Vintage

1980s Vintage Monsoon Silk Prom Dress from My Vintage

2. Ventriloquist Dolly
This is ridiculously cute, but also kinda creepy! Here is a really easy but effective tutorial for that crazed living dummy look to start us off...

Thanks a million for that Miranda, aka Slashed Beauty - I love it!

To perfect this look, we need to go for super cutesy and dainty doll so here are the top 3 items I have selected from the My Vintage range...

1950s Vintage St Michael Babydoll Nightie from My Vintage

1950s Style Pink Chiffon Doll Dress from My Vintage

Cute Swallow and Rose Mini Dress from My Vintage

3. Wednesday Addams
I know, I know, it has been done before. But she is just so cute, and this tutorial from the brilliant Alexys (lex) Fleming is brilliant and has some really amazing, but simple to recreate, details...

And when it comes to what to wear, these 3 My Vintage gems are ideal...

1960s Vintage Susan Small Monochrome Dress from My Vintage

Vintage Inspired Monochrome Stripe Blouse from My Vintage

1970s Vintage Monochrome Day Dress from My Vintage

4. Comic Book/Pop Art Lichtenstein Girl
This is oh so effective and is much easier than you might think! You also need minimal product and it can be done with things you already have in your makeup bag! Destiny Godley has created one of my all time favourite tutorials here...

This look is screaming out for bright and kitsch clothing, here are the top 3 I've picked out from My Vintage...

Gorgeous Vintage Gina Bacconi Prom Dress from My Vintage

Vintage 1970s Kitsch Novelty Print Dress

Vintage 1980s Bold Print Shirt Dress from My Vintage

5. Zombie Pin Up Girl
This has got to be my favourite! Who doesn't want to dress up in a pretty dress and petticoat but still look scary for all Hallows Eve?! Maria Escalante has done an awesome half and half makeup look here and boy is she cute!

We have loads of gorgeous pin up dresses to choose from, I've selected 3 that flatter all figures!

50s Style Black Polka Dot Swing Dress from My Vintage

Rockabilly Horror Girl Swing Dress from My Vintage

Stunning Red Siren Wiggle Dress from My Vintage

Oh and just one other thing, I cannot be held responsible for any marriage proposals or indeed indecent proposals you receive when wearing the dress above - we don't call it the disclaimer dress for nothing! #smokin

I hope you loved my choices and if you do try any of them out, don't forget to tweet or Facebook me with your pics!

Over and out
Em x

The Peplum - Modern Trend or Old School Style?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 11:53:00 +0000

You'd be forgiven for thinking that peplum dresses, skirts, and tops were a new trend, springing up in high street collections over the last few years. But like many current trends, the peplum frill is actually a lot older than you think and features quite heavily in vintage fashion...

Originating in Ancient Greece, the peplum was originally worn by both men and women. Greeks wore lose fitting peplums, like short skirts, tied over their tunics and made from wool.

Fast forward to the Renaissance and once again peplums were reinvented , only this time round they were more structured and extended from the hips, in contrast to the draping style adopted by the Greeks. They were still worn by both genders.

The peplum as we know it in 2015, stems from the 1940’s. Ladies would wear both tops and dresses that featured peplums. This shape and style was popular as it created a nipped in waist and more curvy hips. This gave the wearer that coveted hourglass figure that we all still aspire to today.

Having been off the radar during the androgynous 60s and the hippy 70s, a brand new peplum became on trend fashion again in the 1980s. It was the decade of excess of course, and peplums would often have many layers, fold or pleats for even MORE fun! More variations were seen, including some dresses where the seam at the waist would taper down to a V, contrasting to the traditional straight across waist of the 1940’s peplum

Like many trends, this disappeared and and went through another re-branding and renovation in 2012 and there are many ways to wear a modern or a vintage peplum today.
If you want to wear a modern trend the unique vintage way, have a look for a gorgeous vintage peplum dress or top at My Vintage.

1950s Fashion - Beneath the Dreamboats and Petticoats

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 21:10:00 +0000

For most of us, when we think of 1950's fashion, we think the classic cinched waist line and huge circle skirt, filled with petticoats and crinoline. That killer New Look shape, created by Dior after the Second World War, has got to be the epitome of mid century style. It's most definitely the shape I am asked for most at My Vintage and one that I tend to stock the most of!

Original 1950s Vintage Damask Print Cotton Wiggle Dress UK Size 10

But underneath all the puffed out petticoats, there was so much more to fifties fashion, most of which are still with us in 2015...

One of the most prevalent features of 50's fashion was prints. Beautiful painterly florals, illustrated and cartoon style novelty designs and technology inspired geometrics and atomic patterns. These amazing prints make so much of the vintage clothing I come across so instantly recognisable. These gorgeous prints featured on a range of fabrics, starting with silks, satins and cottons but leading to the new light nylons of the era. These materials were so very popular as they dried overnight, this made clothing cheaper and easier to was and that was a big deal to the girls of the decade.

1950s Vintage Rose Print Chiffon Prom Dress UK Size 6

Christian Dior may have created the New Look shape, but he always said that fashion should never stand still. This led to him introducing collections that each challenged preceding silhouettes. From 'Tulipe' to 'H-Line', 'A-Line' and 'Y-Line' - these collections were so popular that manufacturers from leading fashion houses such as Givenchy, Nina Ricci and Balengiaga rushed over to invest in patterns and were sometimes even known to smuggle garments back so they could be copied!

Meanwhile, over in American, a new market was blossoming. Ready to wear separates for the younger market; namely blouses, jumpers, tops, skirts, knitwear and jackets. What really made these different was that they no longer needed to co-ordinate. Mix and match became a real thing, and was commonly know as "sweater dressing" This brand new trend became an alternative and internationally accepted way to dress and that's why it provides so many of the vintage garments from the 1950's that we see today.

50s Vintage Sequin Shift Top Mermaid Blue UK Size 10

Apart from the many rails of beautiful reproduction 1950's clothing we have at My Vintage, we also have many stunning original pieces from the era. Unique and one of a kind, there are few things quite as special as an original 1950's wiggle dress or a novelty print circle skirt. Pop in to see us or have a browse online to see some of our current 50's pieces and more.

Over and out!
Em xx

Catch Up | Light 'n' Lazy Makeup Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 13:08:00 +0000

Hi guys and girls, well it's been aaaages hasn't it?!

You probably know by now that I have been really unwell for the past couple of months and spent about 4 weeks in hospital. Pleased to say I am over the worst and on my road to recovery.

Here I give you a general catch up and show you my quick, easy, lazy makeup for looking good even when you don't feel it!

See you soon
Em
xx

How to LOVE other people's photos of you.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 07 May 2015 20:36:00 +0000

So we've all pretty much nailed the selfie now, right? I don't know many women who haven't mastered the art of good lighting, raised camera and duck face pout of course!

I am really good at selfies hahaha. Here are some of my favourites...

I'm sure you also have some selfies that you are comfortable with, that make you smile and that you'd be happy to show to anyone... And that's why they are probably (like mine) used as your social media profile pictures.

So why is it that most of us feel very differently about photos that other people take of us? Is it the lack of control? Is it that they aren't bothered about our best side or most flattering angle?

Well there is actually a proper grown up scientificmabobs explanation for this. We have one very frequent but surprisingly inaccurate source of seeing ourselves, and that is the mirror. We are so used to seeing our concise mirror image, on average around 70 times per day, that seeing a completely different angles/ratio/distance image is a bit of a shell shock.

Now you might be in the minority of women who are so completely happy with their appearance and comfortable in their own skin, that anyone could take a photo of them from any angle and they wouldn't mind in the slightest. If this is you then you have my admiration and utmost respect. You are very few and far between though...

So to recap, a selfie recreates the mirror image of us that we are used to seeing on a regular basis. A photo that someone else takes of us represents how other people see us everyday. From a variety of "bad" angles that we are never even aware of. That's why your friends and family will usually be shocked if there is a photo of you that you hate - as that's how they usually see you.

So how can we get over this? Well, like any fear, the best way to tackle it is to face it! We did a little bit of research on this and discovered that there is also a scientificmabobs way to deal with it.

The theory is called "Mere-exposure" and can also be known as the familiarity principle. The idea is simple - the more often you are exposed to something, the more you will like it. So when it comes to photographs you hate, the only way to start liking them is to keep looking at them. OVer and over again, for as long as it takes. But it actually won't take that long for you to start tolerating the images before you will actually begin to like them. And what could be better than liking yourself and the way the world sees you, that little bit more? Not much I'd say.

I will let you into a little secret now. Here are some pictures of me that other people have taken, ones that I HATED at first but have now grown to like with this very effective method...

Those of you who have met me will probably wonder why I ever hated these. But I did. I can confidently say now though that I really like them and no longer see the problem myself either.

So, your mission (if you choose to accept it) is to find those photos you hate that other people have taken of you and keep looking at them over and over again. You'll more than likely go from "Ewww" to "Hmmm not too bad I suppose" to "Actually I quite like that" much quicker than you think!

Let me know if this works for you and how much better it's made you feel.

Bye for now
Em xx

Jamelia - Your Argument is Flawed. Here's my Big Fat Story...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 10:05:00 +0000

I really hope you can spend 5 minutes reading this blog post, no matter who you are, where you're from or what size you are. It's a very upfront and honest perspective that not everyone will understand, but I'm hoping I can change that...

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last week, you'll be fully aware of failed pop star Jamelia's controversial comments regarding plus size clothing, and the huge backlash she has received in the aftermath.

I actually cannot be bothered to quote her but in essence her opinion (which she has explained she is paid to give) is that "extreme" sizes below 6 and over 20 should not be available on the high street and should only be sold in specialist shops. She explained that these sizes are unhealthy and that women who fit in them should be made to feel uncomfortable when they go shopping.

I have read many blog posts since then from many members of the amazing plus-size blogging community and have agreed with them all, But in my opinion (which I don't get paid to give) there's a big point that's being missed here and one that not everyone can relate to, but I'd like to share it...

JAMELIA - THIS IS ALREADY HAPPENING AND IT DOESN'T WORK.

I was a teenager of the 90s, when the world was a very different place to what it is now. I didn't get my first mobile phone (a rather splendid Nokia 3310 with Purple Ronnie fascia) until I was 18 and apart from spending 20mins waiting for the internet to dial up before being thrown off again (cos my Mum wanted to ring my Auntie) there wasn't an online world or a social media community to be part of.

Like most teenage girls have always done, I spent many Saturdays in town shopping with my friends. But I was a lot bigger than all of them so my options for clothing were very very limited. There was literally one shop in Blackburn that I was able to buy clothes from, and that was Evans. Back then, Evans catered for Mums, most of their clothes were flowery, frumpy and a far cry from fashionable. So who could blame me for being embarrassed to take my friends in there as a 14/15/16 year old girl? I felt exactly how Jamelia wanted me to feel. I was uncomfortable, ashamed and embarrassed. There was one "specialist shop" that I could shop in and that was it. So what did I do? Well just like my friends, I had money to spend, I started working at 13 doing bits of part time work here and there and saving as much money as I could. At home things were hard. My father had passed away when I was 4 and my Mum had lost a successful business through no fault of her own. She was going through difficult times and there was very little money around. Little money meant little food but I hadn't gotten to the size I was without being a big food lover! So with a pocket full of cash and nowhere to spend it that didn't fill me with dread, I spent several years buying nothing but shoes, handbags, make up and one other thing - FOOD.

I was too young to understand what low self esteem and depression were, but that's exactly what was going on. And like any good fat girl I was absolutely brilliant at self-medicating. As I trawled through pages and pages of glossy magazines filled with amazing looks I could never achieve, suddenly the only thing that made me feel better was a litre of ice cream or a family sized cream cake. Funnily enough that resulted in me gaining even more weight! So being "fat-shamed" didn't make me get healthier as the wonderful Jamelia seems to think it would, it made me fatter.

I then discovered alcohol and was out drinking with friends at least 3 nights a week. In fairness, I danced a lot of it off but I still continued to gain weight and when you're already way over Jamelia's acceptable size 20, a few more dress sizes really makes no difference at all.

When I was 19 I met my soul mate and partner Simon and we fell madly in love, within a couple of years we were living together with a baby on the way and I had everything I'd ever wanted. That still didn't stop me hating myself every single day, covering those feelings up to the outside world with my humour, boisterous personality and gift of the gab. I had my amazing, beautiful, perfect baby boy in 2004 and had then reached my heaviest weight, fashion was far from my mind and I spent the next few years buying whatever I could find on eBay that would fit and "look OK"

I suffered from horrendous post natal depression and behind closed doors it was a very very difficult and dark period of my life. Getting bigger, feeling worthless and at some points wondering why anyone wanted anything to do with me as I was just so inadequate and quite frankly, useless.

At this point, I was also holding down a very stressful sales job and surrounded by a very negative workforce, that only served to bring me down even more. I ended up having a breakdown and becoming very very ill for 6 months. This was a massive turning point in my life as I had mental space to really think and reevaluate my life. It was then that I decided to take a risk and open my vintage boutique to compliment my online shop www.myvintage.co.uk
Boy, did this begin to change my life...

Suddenly I was being true to me, doing what I love the most and also giving options to so many women of different shapes and sizes. I stock anything from a vintage size 4 to a gorgeous size 28 and sometimes beyond. I have had women cry in the shop of pure happiness as finally they have been made to feel welcome and feel beautiful, not ostracised. I've also been able to reach out on social media, finding incredible women who write about their feelings and their fashion, things that I can really relate to. I now have so many more shops and labels that I can buy amazing fashion from and it feels great. I've found my inner peace, inner confidence and there is absolutely no stopping me now. I'm even at a point where I now hold confidence and empowerment classes. These have absolutely NOTHING to do with size, they are about women feeling good about themselves and enjoying their life at last, subsequently achieving great things. I've also been HUGELY inspired by the incredible Tess Holliday (aka Tess Munster) over the last year, and she has been a real catalyst for my hugely improved mental health and wellbeing.

And guess what Jamelia? I've actually started to loose weight too, meaning my mental AND physical health is improving. All because I'm learning to love myself and subsequently I don't want to punish myself. And no, this really isn't any of your business but it is FACT, not opinion. The fact is, shaming made me fatter and self worth makes me healthier.

So, Jamelia (and anyone who agrees with her) your opinion is completely flawed and quite frankly, bullshit.

Em
xx

Defeating Trolls and Effing Beauty Standards!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 19:15:00 +0000

Well it's been another rather eventful week in the world of me and My Vintage!

As many of you already know, as part of our positivity and confidence movement, we have introduced Feel Good Fridays, where we encourage other women to wear something that they might not normally be brave enough to and to get those selfies rolling, hashtag #feelgoodfriday of course...

Last Friday, I decided upon a rather pretty Primark kimono jacket that I was gifted for Christmas but hadn't worn yet. I'd been avoiding it as it's a pale colour (that I'm not always comfortable with) and being a little bit sheer, it shows some of my upper arms, which is a huge issue for me. I put together this cute little outfit and I felt absolutely great, as well as getting SO many compliments...

I was thoroughly loving all the compliments I was getting (who wouldn't?!) and it was lovely to hear that people liked my outfit.

So there I was having a lunchtime scroll through my Instagram feed and I see this...

No, I think to myself, that must be a typo. She surely isn't being THAT rude? So I ask...

And sure enough...

So now I'm thinking - OK, not only do we have a troll in our midst, but she is now being a little confrontational! However, I tried to remain as calm and professional as possible and here was my (not at all sarcastic) retort...

And so the "conversation" continued...

Back tracking, much?! And just when you thought I couldn't get any more condescending...

Now there were MANY other comments made as my friends and followers began to get onboard and say their piece! I was happy for them to say whatever they wanted and if you do want to read everything that was said then please do hop onto my Instagram feed and have a nosey! But please note there is some very colourful language!

Needless to say, the troll retreated back into her cave without further notice and the whole episode really did give us an afternoon of laughs. But let's be serious here - does my posting of a photograph on Instagram actually give anyone the right to insult me? I think not.

If this had happened a year ago I would have laughed it off in public, got home and had a good cry, deleted the photograph from every possible location and never ever worn that outfit again. But I genuinely didn't feel any of those negative feelings. And to be honest, that gave me a real boost as I realised that I really had come so far on my journey to loving and appreciating my body and being at peace with myself. So I guess she kinda did me a favour!

The incident also drew in many comments from my friends on Facebook, which was lovely and supportive. I honestly didn't feel like I needed reassurance but it was nice to know that friends cared enough to speak up. It was on of these friends who contacted me and suggested we do a really fun tongue-in-cheek photoshoot the next day. Andy is a great amateur photographer and also someone I trust and feel comfortable with so I jumped at the chance.

The idea was just to reinforce the whole Feel It Wear It Own It philosophy and the message behind Eff Your Beauty Standards, whilst also (literally) sticking a finger to the aforementioned troll and any that may follow her!

Here are some of my favourite shots...

I think between Andy, Lucy and myself we really did get our message across and we also had an amazing laugh!

Troll defeated. Beauty standards effed! I think we reign victorious don't you?

Em
xx

My April Lust List

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:25:00 +0000

I love this time of the season, when Spring/Summer fashion is getting brighter and breezier by the day. I have, of course, been perusing some of my favourite online shopping destinations to bring you my April Lust List... all the goodies that I kind of need in my life this month...

From a fashion point of view I am a 5ft 10 pear shape with a wide size 8 foot. My wardrobe ranges from a UK22 - UK32 depending where I shop and what style the clothes are. I even have a rather fabulous Primark kimono jacket in an 18 what fits really well - bonkers!

My choices are tailored to my tastes and what suits me best, so if you are similar in stature, size or shape to me then I'm sure you'll be wanting some of these beauties too...

1. ASOS CURVE Exclusive Brushed Wool Cape - £70

I know it's a wool cape so you're thinking NOT for summer but LOOK AT IT! I adore this and with a light outfit underneath it's ideal for Spring. Kind of English Heritage meets NYC fashionista. Love it.

2. YOURS CLOTHING Navy And Red Floral Stripe Print Midi Dress - £35

I love the retro flavour of this cute dress. Navy and red is one of my favorite combinations too! I'd personally wear it with blue jeggings and red flats. I might have to do just that actually...

Now, you may not be surprised to learn that one of my favourite shopping destinations is actually www.myvintage.co.uk! Funny that isn't it? Well my absolute must haves this month are as follows...

3. MY VINTAGE Vintage Style Black Cherry Belt - £10

Well as soon as I put this belt on, Lucy immediately ripped it off me (no, calm down let me finish) ripped the tag off and shouted YOURS, I'll buy it for you! So from there on in, I owned it! It's such a great versatile belt that can be worn on the waist or at the empire line, and who doesn't need cherry print in their life?

4. MY VINTAGE - Black Tropical Floral Print Audrey Dress - £35

There's not a lot I can say about this dress, other than I NEED IT! The colours are sooo good on me and for someone who has a smaller top half and larger bottom half, the fit is ideal and very flattering.

5. MY VINTAGE Designer Vintage Bright Silk Moschino Scarf -£120

As we already know, I do love a scarf, and I do love my bright colours. This amazing original vintage scarf from Moschino is one of my absolute favourites and is a great way to inject some colour into your everyday wardrobe. And like any piece of original vintage, it's only ever going to increase in value. It's a winner!

6. EVANS Ivory Art Print Shirt - £35

I NEEEEED this shirt in my life. It's just the right thing to throw over black leggings and a top when I'm in a rush but still want that retro edge. I do love how Evans clothing is really shaped properly for larger proportions too, rather than a size 8 sample just being made bigger (you know what I'm talking about)

7. EVANS Scarlett and Jo Black Mesh Insert Dress - £65

This dress is just too cute and has several elements that I love. A stretchy short sleeved top with cheeky mesh insert and real 1950's flavour, plus bold jewel colours - faaaaabulous!

8. NEW LOOK Wide Fit Pink Leather Caged Shoes - £27.99

I wear flats 99% of the time. Mainly because I'm just not great in heels these days but also because when you're as tall as I am, you don't really want or need to be any taller! As much as I love my ballet pumps, sandals and Converse, I am always thrilled when I find cute new flats in a different style than I already wear. These New Look wide fit shoes are just adorable and will go with so many different outfits. They also come in white, but I think this pale pink will be much better on my pale skin and more wearable too. Need!

9. RIVER ISLAND White Slogan iPhone 5 Case - £8.00

Anyone who knows me, know that this is one of my absolute favourite things to say. And who doesn't love a hashtag? It's a dream come true in a phone case. I may have already ordered it...

10. TOPSHOP - Pineapple Straw Tote Bag - £28

Another vintage/retro icon is of course the pineapple, so this Topshop tote bag is brilliant for the beach or those days when your normal handbag just won't cut the mustard. Ewwwww, mustard and pineapple. Queasy, much?!

I hope you loved my round-up for this month my lovelies, let me know your favourites!

Em x

I choose confidence. I choose happiness.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 20:47:00 +0000

Wow, what an amazing week I've had!

There are various factors that have brought me to my current state of mind. It's been a tough few months (at least) with health problems and most importantly with mental health issues. No, I'm not scared or embarrassed to say that I battle with depression and anxiety. It's important at this point to mention that I just typed 'struggle' instead of 'battle' but I went back and edited it because I am not prepared to struggle any longer. It's very much a battle as some days those grey (or black) clouds will make their way over my head but I'm armed and ready for them and I WILL WIN!

Because I no longer choose self pity. I no longer choose procrastination. I no longer choose self loathing. I choose confidence. I choose happiness...

There is only one way to be happy and it's taken me 33 years to realise this. The only thing that can make you happy is yourself... Not your partner, your children, your friends, your clothes, your food. Just yourself. And once you choose happiness, there really is no looking back. The best bit is that all the aforementioned things fall into place once you choose to be happy.

I have an amazing partner, a wonderful loving son, the most precious family and incredible friends. And they all want the same thing - my happiness. So if I choose happy then guess what? They're immediately happier and closer to me.

So as part of my new love for myself (nearly wrote self love then but that's a whole different thing ha!) I am embracing the full length photos of myself and posting them on a daily basis! When I FEEL good I LOOK even better and that's why I've been getting so much love for these pics. I'm really, really proud of them. And I'm proud of myself too...

Here's a few from this week...

On Thursday (with a little help from Lucy) I wore this amazing Banned floral 50s style dress from the selection at My Vintage. We still have a few 18's, 20's and 22's left online and here is the link for more info or to buy... http://www.myvintage.co.uk/vintage-style-turquoise-blue-hibiscus-swing-dress-4633-p.asp

Friday was Good Friday, and through various conversations we decided to rename this as Feel Good Friday. The idea was to wear an outfit that for some reason you do not normally have the confidence to wear. I pulled out a t-shirt that I bought from Simply Be last year that still had the tags on! I'd never worn it but always wanted to. It's white and every so slightly see-through as well as being short. All the things I would normally avoid. But I summoned bravery and teamed with with a Simply Be pleather mini skirt and a cute fluffy 90s-esque shrug from Yours and here was the result...

I cannot tell you how many times I NEARLY wore this outfit last year. But that stupid self doubt kept creeping in. But after putting the work in and really changing my outlook, I felt absolutely amazing all day! It's no surprise that the compliments came rolling in as a good 80% of how we look comes from how we feel...

There really was not stopping me now, and Saturday saw me digging out a lovely Primark kimono jacket that I'd never worn! It was a gift for my birthday last year but I'd always avoided wearing it as I thought the colours were too pale for me and that it might show my upper arms! Those thoughts seem so silly now. I wore it and LOVED it!

This will definitely be making more appearances - I am also on the look out for some gorgeous orange sandals or flats to go with it. If you see any in a wide 8 or 9 please do link me up!

I will be bringing you weekly outfit posts from now on, I really can't wait to get stuck into my wardrobe and start WEARING everything! After all, that's what they're for!

I'm off to pick out something gorgeous to wear tomorrow!

And remember - you CAN choose happiness. So do it...

Over and out
Em xx

A very honest new direction...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 18:53:00 +0000

So I've been staring at the UNTITLED POST on the screen for a little while now, toying with several ideas of what to blog about today. But my mind kept going off on tangents. Mainly tangents about myself to be honest. And not in a conceited way, just that recently I have been through a lot of ups and downs of the last few months and to put it simply, I kinda lost my mojo...

I'm pretty sure that most of you reading this can relate to what I'm talking about. Between hormones, work, families, finances and all the other stresses that modern life bring, it's no surprise that we have wobbles here and there. And today something just clicked and I realised that it's OK to share with you when there are wobbles and you know what? It's OK to be positive about my size too.

I'm a plus size girl, always have been and probably always will be. I've spent far too long shying away from that and sticking my head in the sand. Full length photos are almost non existent of me but that is no more! If my idol, Tess Munster, has taught me anything its that fat is no longer a bad word and you really can #effyourbeautystandards

I want to be a bit healthier, not just for physical reasons but also because I feel that better health and wellbeing will be better my mental health, which has got to be a good thing. But I am not, nor will I ever be, on a diet. Any health benefits I find along my way will also be included in the blog, as well as lots of my general anecdotes!

Now, don't get me wrong, I will still be talking about vintage, the shop, the website and of course lots of fashion, but there will be a much more personal and varied feel to my blog from here on in... And I really hope it's something you want to read :)

And to kick things off, here are some of those full length shots that I usually don't want anyone to see!

That wasn't so scary after all!

I'd love to get some feedback from you all - if you think this is a good direction for the blog or even if there are some specific topics you'd like me to talk more about then please do let me know. You can comment here or get hold of me via Facebook or Twitter and of course my email is emma@myvintage.co.uk

Thanks for reading
Em x

The Oscars 2015 - My Favourite Frocks...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 22:30:00 +0000

Oooooh, it's that time of year again where the red carpets are flooded with silk and sequins and oh how I love to ooooh and ahhhh over the array of designer frocks on show.

Here are my favourite dresses from the night of the year in all their glory...

Emma Stone looking amazing in Elie Saab

This gorgeous Givenchy gown has a real vintage flavour. Full marks Jessica Chastain!

I loved this green Jenny Packham dress on America Ferrera.

Anna Faris glittered and sparkled in champagne.


Ravishing red lace for Rosamund Pike - stunning!

Thakoon custom made this peach gown for Anna Kendrick - lucky girl!

Jennifer Hudson was sleek and chic in understated lemon.

And finally, the lovely Dakota Johnson wowed in red Saint Laurent.

As always, there were so many gorgeous dresses and amazing pieces of jewellery at this year's Oscars that I struggling to pick out only a few. I hope you like my choices and I would love to see and hear your favourites too! Let me know in the comments below or drop me a tweet or Facebook post...

Bye for now,
Em x

Why Vintage Wins on a Night Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:46:00 +0000

Why vintage wins every time on a big night out!

It's the big night out. Seriously, you've been looking forward to this one for months. High streets and web trawled, you've found the perfect dress and heels. You want to stand out but not look too 'try hard'. Glad rags on, you don't want to blow your own trumpet but you look pretty hot!

A couple of hours in and that awful dread feeling creeps over you. You've spotted two different girls in the same high street number. Feeling completely bummed out, you grab another prosecco and spend the night avoiding your dress twins. Night wasted.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love a bit of high street fashion, but it's always wise to broaden your horizons and mix things up with some vintage in your wardrobe. And here's why...

1. No dress twin disasters
The above situation has happened to us all, it's practically unavoidable. But with vintage there is no such risk. You find genuine one-of-a-kind pieces, whose twins are likely long gone or at the other side of the world. You get quite a kick from sharing how it's unattainable anywhere else.
"Oh wow, where DID you get your dress?" "Oh this? It's vintage!" Bam.

2. Guaranteed quality garments
Today's society, and of course fashion, is very much disposable. 'Throw away' dresses that you have every intention of wearing just once. At the risk of sounding like your grandma, it really was better in the old days, at least when it came to clothes. Made to last and often handed down for many years, better quality workmanship with more hand made and less machinery made clothes back then just better. Enjoy superior tailoring, stunning fabrics and attention to detail in your vintage pieces.

3. Experimentation fun
The fun in vintage for many is finding something quirky, maybe in unique prints or unusual fabrics. Check out this gorgeous skinny mod dress in it's bright and quirky graphic print - I just love it!

http://www.myvintage.co.uk/Vintage-1960s-Graphic-Print-Skinny-Mod-Dress-p/mv2040.htm

4. Nostalgia
There's a story in every piece. You may not always know it, but it is a wondrous pastime to conjure up stories. Was your new dress worn in the 1920s by a flapper, or to a wedding in the 1950s? Perhaps an 1980s rock groupie? Who knows!

I wonder what stories this beautiful original 1950's vintage prom dress has to tell? If only it could talk!

http://www.myvintage.co.uk/1950s-Blue-Printed-Vintage-Prom-Dress-Wrap-p/mv1743.htm

So there you have it, vintage wins!

It's an investment and when done correctly, will last you a lifetime...plus no more dress twins and more time to enjoy yourself (and soak up all those compliments)!

Bye for now
Emma x

Top 10 High Street Finds with a Vintage Twist

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 23:26:00 +0000

Thanks for joining me again my lovelies, and a very very happy new year to you all! I don't know about you but I have a great feeling about 2015!

Aaaanyway, as you know I love mixing vintage and modern fashion so this week I've been eying up the latest UK high street fashion to bring you my top ten picks with a vintage twist. And I'm not just talking a swing dress here or some polka dots there, these pieces have a real authentic flavour and with the right ensemble could look as close as you get to the real deal...

1. Zara - Long Velvet Kimono - £79.99. I love the 1940's styling and muted tones. A really beautiful piece.

2. ASOS Premium - Velvet Burnout Dress - £65. Such an authentic 60's feel - I absolutely love this!

3. River Island - Blue Waisted 3/4 Sleeve Dress - £50. Gorgeous 1950's inspired dress with the cinched waist and tulip skirt for that curvy wiggle look. Also available in black, chic and simple - I love it.

4. New Look - Khaki Jacquard High Neck Tunic Dress - £19.99. I love the textured fabric on this little beauty - it really looks like original 60s crimplene! The cut and colour are also very authentic and it's an absolute steal.

5. Topshop - Daisy Print Shirt Dress - £55. This just screams 70's with it's gorgeous bold daisy print and pussybow necktie. I adore it!

6. H&M - Patterned Polo Neck Top - £24.99. This would look great with so many vintage items, from a 60s micro mini skirt in brown suede to some 70s flare or even some 80's acid wash denim. I also love the burgundy and teal colour combo.

7. Ichiban @ ASOS - Rainbows and Care Bears Sweater Dress - £50. I kinda squeeeeed a little bit when I saw this. I had Care Bears bedding AND wallpaper back in the 80s and this is just the very best kind of retro jumper for me!

8. Topshop - Vinyl A-Line Skirt - £42. This is an uber 60's skirt - just imagine it with white go go boots and a beehive!

9. Mango - Belted Long Dress - £89.99. As soon as I saw this I just thought BIBA! It really strikes me as a super boho 70's dress that could be dressed up or down and is a great investment.

10. Coast - Jelena Jacquard Dress - £125. This is a real Jackie-O inspired dress in the most gorgeous pale blue flocked with a bejewelled neckline. The perfect 50s/60s crossover dress.

Don't forget to let me know your favourite of my picks or any of your own vintage inspired finds!

Em
x

Top 5 Vintage Christmas Party Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 21:55:00 +0000

Jack Frost has been visiting and there is that festive jingle in the air - the Christmas season is most definitely underway!

Whether with work, family or friends, there is no doubt you will have a few functions to attend over the Christmas and New Year period and of course you need a killer dress to party in!

Imagine agonising over the perfect party dress, trawling every website and high street shop until you find something that makes you feel good. Handing over your hard earned cash and glamming yourself up on the night to then arrive and see someone else in the very same dress! It's a stomach dropping feeling that no-one wants to experience (trust me, I've been there!)

So how can you guarantee that you will be the only one wearing THAT dress? Go vintage of course! At My Vintage we have an unrivaled selection of vintage dresses that will always look glamorous and stylish whilst being totally unique! And with prices from as little as £30 they won't break the bank either!

Here are my top 5 picks from our current collection, spanning various styles and sizes so there is certain to be one you love...

1. 1970's Vintage Blue Betty Barclay Evening Dress - approx UK Size 8/10
A gorgeous cobalt blue evening maxi dress with pleats, caped sleeves and a dainty silver belt.

For more information or to buy, click here: http://www.myvintage.co.uk/dresses/vintage-1970s-betty-barclay-royal-blue-evening-maxi-dress-size-810.html

2. 1950's Vintage Green Boned Evening Dress - approx UK Size 12/14
Beautiful, elegant and head-turning. Emerald green with boning and brocade.

For more information or to buy, click here: http://www.myvintage.co.uk/dresses/vintage-1950s-green-black-boned-evening-gown-1214.html

3. 1950's Vintage Blue Chiffon Prom Dress - approx UK Size 8/10
Full, frivolous and fabulous! This is a truly stunning dress for any occasion.

For more information or to buy, click here: http://www.myvintage.co.uk/dresses/1950s-vintage-blue-chiffon-swing-prom-dress-size-810.html

4. 1980's Black and Gold Sequin Cocktail Dress - approx UK Size 14
Sparkly and striking, this is the perfect Christmas little black party dress.

For more information or to buy, click here: http://www.myvintage.co.uk/uk-size-14/80s-vintage-black-and-gold-sequin-cocktail-dress-size-14.html

5. Vintage 1980's Velvet and Taffeta Prom Dress - approx UK Size 10
We love this twist on a classic black occasion dress. Velvet bodice and full 50's inspired skirt.

For more information or to buy, click here: http://www.myvintage.co.uk/dresses/1980s-vintage-black-taffeta-prom-dress-size-10.html

Don't forget to let me know in the comments which of these is your favourite and if you fancy one of them for your Christmas party, snap it up before it disappears!

Over and out!
Em
x

10 Ways to Wear a Vintage Headscarf

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 21:20:00 +0000

As many of you know, at My Vintage we have a beautiful and exclusive range of handmade vintage style headscarves. These colourful cotton bands are available in a wide range of patterns from polka dots to florals and even quirky prints like foxes, Scottie dogs and campervans!

I wear headscarves quite often, as you can see here!

They are a really easy way to tackle a bad hair day, or just to give a more vintage feel to your normal updo. But I do hear many women say they don't know how to wear them or that they feel they don't suit them.

Well fear not, I can guarantee that there is at least one way you can wear one of these brilliant headscarves that you will love! Whether you're still not convinced, or you are just looking for more ways to wear your existing scarves, you've come to the right place!

Here are my Top Ten Ways to Wear a Vintage Headscarf...

Before we begin, please note that the vintage headscarves I am talking about are not squares, they are approximately this shape...

1. The Classic Tied
The most common and simplest way to wear these headscarves. simply tie round your head with the knot at the top. This can be done with hair up or hair down. If you prefer a thinner band then you can fold the headscarf in half lengthways before tying it.

2. The Neckerchief
It's really easy and effective to wear these headscarves as neckerchiefs too. Perfect for 1950's outfits and keep your neck surprisingly warm too!

3. The Back Bow
This is super cute! Simply tie the hair in a low ponytail, split in half at nape of neck and bring the ponytail through the hole, fixing a bow to finish nicely.

4.The Wide Headband
Similar to the classic tie, but upside down! Having the headscarf at full width gives you this cute boho look and shows the full pattern too!

5. The Rosette
This is another simple yet effective design. Simply tie a knot in the headscarf then thread each opposite end through the knot and tighten. Then tie at the bottom of the neck as per the wide band.

6. The Messy Bun
Gather the hair in a low inverted ponytail, wrapping it around a few times and tying in a bow underneath. Then taking one side of the hair and pinnng it to your head with kirby grips, then the other side. Practical but also cute.

7. The Boho Band
A real Woodstock inspired look. Just simply tie around head with hair down and in loose waves. Make sure hair is long otherwise this can look a little too Rambo!

8. The Front Roll
A really effective style. Take a front section of hair (1"-2" wide) and roll around your first two fingers, pinning to the head with kirby grips. Then tie the headscarf just being this roll. A really great look with your 1950's style dresses.

9. The Twenties Tuck
This gorgeous hairstyle is inspired by the glamour of the flapper girls, with a cute twist! Part your hair in the middle and tie the headscarf on your head OVER the top of all your hair. Then take a section of hair at a time, bring it up and over the fabric and tuck in. Repeat this all the way round until all hair is tucked it. Cute and practical - we love it!

10. The Pudsey Bear
I couldn't resist this one! Make like Pudsey Bear with this cute polka dot scarf eye patch!

So there we have it! My top ten ways to wear our fabulous handmade vintage scarves! We sell these in lots of different colours and prints for £6 each or 3 for £15. They are pretty, practical and also make great gifts.

Don't forget to let me know your favourite of the 10 styles and send me pics of your recreations via Facebook and Twitter!

Over and out!
Em
x

The Vintage Glossary from My Vintage - your one stop guide to vintage clothing, retro clothing and rockabilly fashion.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 21:45:00 +0000

The Vintage Glossary from My Vintage - your one stop guide to vintage clothing, retro clothing and rockabilly fashion.

5 Ways to Flatter your Figure with Vintage Clothing

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 22:15:00 +0000

No matter what age, height, size or shape, we all want to flatter our figures and look our best. There is no shame in wanting to make the most of your best features and with vintage clothes and retro fashion you can seriously tap into this with the right know-how.

Here is the My Vintage Top 5 Guide to using vintage clothing cleverly to flatter your figure...

1) 1950's Dresses

Whether original vintage or brand new retro, the classic 1950's swing dress is one of the only styles that really does flatter every kind of figure. With a fitted top, nipped in waist and full skirt, it is my go-to shape for all women.
If you have a very slender, athletic body, these classic vintage dresses create that killer hourglass figure and give you a curvier outline.
If, like me, you are on the plus size end of the spectrum, these beautiful dresses bring you in at your smallest part and skim over the rest, thus giving you a slimmer outline.
For ample busts, go for a v-neck or plunge neck top and for smaller busts, a classic straight Audrey neckline is perfect.

2) Fitted Cardigans

Again, you can easily find beautiful fitted cardigans in both original vintage and brand new retro clothing ranges. 1940's and 1950's fashion gave us the fitted, waist length cardigan. Often in a twinset with a matching top and most usually in pastel colours. In modern retro and rockabilly fashion, the fitted cardigan is a big player and colours are bolder - reds, blacks, greens and blues in the main.
The key here is avoid loose, baggy boyfriend cardigans. These can of course look cool in the right context, but if you are wearing something that hugs your arms and top half, it is always going to be more flattering. These cardigans look great with so many outfits too - jeans, cigarette trousers, pencil skirts, circle skirts and all shapes and lengths of dresses.

3) Half & Half Dresses

If you are fortunate enough to be completely happy with both your top and bottom half, this might not help you, but most of us prefer one or the other. Half and half dresses are perfect for this, you want to go for plain fabric on your least favourite half and something brighter and/or patterned on your preferred half! The eyes will be drawn to the bright/patterned part and this will therefore be accentuated. Easy peasy!

4) Vintage Belts

I do often hear women saying that they do not have a waist. Well, we obviously all do, but for some women it is more defined than others. With the same principal as the 1950's clothing, a vintage belt brings you in at your smallest point, thus creating that hourglass holy grail. There are so many different types of vintage belt, the wide stretch elastic belts are particularly good as they can be worn easily at any point on the waist, or even on the empire line if this is the place where it is most flattering on you. These can be found in all good retro and rockabilly ranges but there are also some gorgeous examples in 1980s vintage, with decorative buckles and sparkly finishes.

5) Sharpen your Pencil

Aaaaaaand finally, it is my one woman mission to ensure that every single woman owns at least one pencil dress or pencil skirt. They are a must for all figures and I absolutely guarantee you that despite how big you think your tummy or your bum is, if you wear the right fitted item then your figure will be well and truly flattered! Still don't believe me? Just wait and see how many compliments you get...

The Novelty of the 1950's

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 20:35:00 +0000

The 1950's, as many of you already know, is my absolute favourite fashion era. It was a decade awash with imaginative, creative prints and surfaces adorned with beading and embroidery, not limited to evening wear but also popular with daywear fashion.

It was in stark contrast to the drab and constrained 1940s, a real celebration of all that was new, stylised and modern. America was the instigator of the explosion of prints being used for dresses, circle skirts and blouses.

Circle skirts were one of the first items that came to the fore of 50s novelty prints - not least influenced by the wonderful Doris Day!

The most popular graphic prints incorporated cowboy and western paraphernalia, animals (most often poodles), furniture, playing cards, tickets, postcards and text. There were also the iconic atom prints - starbursts, atomic patterns, rockets and all things space age and futuristic.

We have had a wonderful array of novelty print 1950's vintage clothing at My Vintage over the years but just recently this Mexican inspired novelty print dress came into stock and has fast become one of my absolute favourites...

It is of course, a classic 1950's shape with a cinched waist and full skirt. I simply adore it's magical whimsical print of various cacti and plant pots in cerise pink, finished with bold blue striping.

So much of the 1950's clothing that I find on my travels is quirky and unusual, the real epitome of kitsch. Maybe tat is why I love it so much, as I truly am a quirky girl at heart :)

I'd love to see your favourite bit of novelty 1950's clothing, tweet me or link me in the comments below.

Over and out!
Em
x

Oscar de la Renta: A Tribute

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:11:00 +0000

There are hundreds of collectable labels when it comes to vintage fashion, but there are only a handful that really make my heart sing. One of those has got to be Oscar de la Renta, who sadly passed away this week.

In 1932 this future fashion legend was born in the Dominican Republic, moving to Spain in his late teens to follow his love of art. It wasn't long before this passion for art was focused on fashion and he undertook an apprenticeship with Spain's infamous Balenciaga.

De La Renta dressed the remarkable Jackie Kennedy in the early 60s, which undoubtedly launched his name into the stratosphere, leading to him creating his own label several years later.

Throughout his career, he dressed a long line of first ladies, including Nancy Reagan, Laura Bush and most recently, Michelle Obama.

He was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and passed away on 20th October 2014, aged 82. He will always be one of my favourite designers and I wanted to take this opportunity to pay homage to some of his amazing creations. Here are some of my favourites from the past few decades...

We have some gorgeous vintage Oscar de la Renta pieces at My Vintage, and here are my top picks...

Designer Vintage Oscar De La Renta Silk Floral Skirt Suit 10/12

Designer Vintage 1960s Oscar De La Renta Mod Dress Size 8/10

1980s Vintage Designer Oscar De La Renta Paisley Print Scarf

We've lost a real fashion legend, but I am so glad that I have some of his amazing timeless pieces in my collection. If you have a favourite Oscar de la Renta piece, why not show me on Twitter or via the comments below :)

Over and out!
Em x

Ruby Shoo has landed at My Vintage!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:50:00 +0000

Much like Romeo and Juliet, Ruby Shoo and My Vintage were kinda meant to be together... Our destiny was written in the stars and, let's face it, it was always going to happen. However, unlike the Montagues and Capulets, there will be no blood shed with these little bundles of joy (unless you get a little heavy handed with the keyboard whilst trying to order them)

Prepare to ooooooh and aaaaaaah - here are the current styles of Ruby Shoo in stock NOW at www.myvintage.co.uk

The Ruby Shoo Sophie is beautiful, the shape is very 1940's influenced yet the olive and mustard shades remind me of the 60's retro stylings of Orla Keily. Like most of the styles, this looks as good with jeans as it does with a cute vintage dress. £45 and available here:
http://www.myvintage.co.uk/latest-products/ruby-shoo-vintage-inspired-sophie-olive-shoes.html

The Eva is a really wearable shoe, perfect with that LBD or red cocktail dress. The thick heel also means these, like the other Ruby Shoos, are super comfortable too. £45 and available here: http://www.myvintage.co.uk/latest-products/ruby-shoo-vintage-inspired-eva-black-red-shoes.html

The Ruby Shoo Megan is another retro favourite, heavily influenced by bygone styles. In this rich wine tone with a modest chunky heel and supportive strap, this is also great dressed up or down and is just £40. Link here: http://www.myvintage.co.uk/latest-products/ruby-shoo-vintage-inspired-megan-wine-shoes.html

The Uma is one of my favourites from Ruby Shoo. This plum suede and bright red corsage with the double strap and wood effect heel are simply glorious! Team with one of our ravishing red dresses for a killer retro party look. £48 and available here... http://www.myvintage.co.uk/brand-new-retro-shoes/ruby-shoo-vintage-inspired-uma-plum-shoes.html

If you want the perfect vintage inspired shoes for that LBD of yours, then look no further than the stunning red flocked Miley. The 3" heel is high enough to feel glamorous yet low enough for your feet to last all night, and the flocked fabric is mesmirising. Prepare to be complimented A LOT! These beauties are £45 and available to buy here... http://www.myvintage.co.uk/brand-new-retro-shoes/ruby-shoo-vintage-inspired-miley-red-shoes.html

Last, but by no means least, the Ruby Shoo Ali is a fantastic easy to wear court shoe that's perfect for work and play. The multi textured panels give these gorgeous shoes a really interesting look, whilst the classic black is still easy to pair with many different outfits. These too are just £45 and here is your link... http://www.myvintage.co.uk/brand-new-retro-shoes/ruby-shoo-vintage-inspired-ali-black-shoes.html

That completes my round up, I am sure you will agree with me that these shoes are seriously gorge and also very affordable... They are already flying out so whatever you do, don't miss them!

As always, if you have any questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you via Twitter, Facebook or in the comments below :)

Over and out!
Em
x