Vintage Vampalicious

Vote For Us - For the Muddy Stillettos Somerset Awards for Best Menswear Shop

2017-06-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

Best Men’s Store - Please vote for Top Notch Vintage Somerton

We’re in the finals of the Somerset Muddy Awards for best Men’s Store and it’s all thanks to you!
Please take a minute to vote for us in the finals by clicking the Muddy Awards logo
Thank you so much for your support.

Voting starts from zero. Nominations from the first round are not carried forward, as it is now a 5-way competition between 5 Finalists. Voting seen live on the site in real time, so when you vote for me, you can see the percentages move live.

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO VOTED

Stunning 1930s Hungarian Embroidered Peasant Tops

2016-06-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

This amazing beauty wasn't in the shop long before it was snapped up by an actress to wear on her opening night. It's a 1930s aubergine/plum colour crepe jacket with glorious hand embroidery and little red early plastic buttons. Just incredibly beautiful.

Along with it, came this beautiful delicate 1930s sheer silk crepe Hungarian peasant blouse with smocked waist and the biggest embroidered front panel I have ever seen on one of these tops. It's a rockabilly or boho girl's dream blouse and will make anyone look and feel so pretty.

Such a work of art and is still available in the shop or online.

Vintage 30s Traditional Dirndl Costume

2016-06-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

I've had some beautiful and interesting things come into the shop recently. This is an original 30s Bavarian Dirndle dress with matching apron. The work in it is amazing, all the pleating, gathering, tucking etc all hand done on the prettiest of floral printed fabric.

Fastens with hooks and eyes and has a removable white lace bodice piece that fits on with poppers.

The colours are beautiful with a pale dusky blue and pale coral pink decorated with a white eidelweiss floral pattern.

Some of the gathering in the sleeve.

Vintage 70s Men's Shirts - Rockabilly Western and Pure 70s Disco.

2016-06-24T12:29:00.003-07:00

Since binge-watching the TV show Vinyl I'm all out hooked on the 70s again, Studio 54 the works. So I've been prancing about in vintage jump suits, mega flares and my monster platform heels and floppy hats. Love it - now all we need is more sunshine for that Summer of Love reinvention.

In the meantime.... I got a stash of men's 70s shirts to add to the shop this week, once I've washed and pressed them. Here's a lillte taster of a few of them that came through the light colours wash. Darks are next.

Above is a 70s H Bar C longtail California Ranchwear, blue embroidered Western shirt with pearl snap buttons to fit 38" chest.

Above is a 70s Kennington Western shirt with patchwork quilted yolk, you couldn't get more 70s I don't think.

Above is a 70s Kennington Western shirt with embroidered flowers and braided trim.

Above is a polyester disco shirt featuring a fly fishing scene - I can just imagine the dance moves to go with this shirt. Haaaa.

Above is another polyester disco shirt featuring a landcape with a red village and flying green birds.

I'll show you some of ht ejump suits in the next blog.

Opening times

2016-03-16T08:05:00.001-07:00

I'm reverting back to being open Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. I tried Wednesdays but it was just too lonely so am in the studion photographing stuff for the online listings instead.

You can always contact me if your need is urgent though.

Enjoy the pix of lovely Deco bakelite trinket boxes to cheer you up in the meantime.

Wishing for Spring sunshine and the colour yellow

2016-03-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

It's all grim and grey outside so let me cheer things up with some wonderful Spring colours, cheery yellow and fresh green florals.

A fabulous vintage 1960s cotton umbrella parasol to brighten up your day as well as outfit. Take it with you for a Spring walk or picnic in the park to guard agains showers or bright sunshine. It would be fabulous for a festival too, where the weather is changeable or taken to the beach for stylish shade.

Available here from Etsy

Gorgeous Midcentury housecoat, dressing gown by the lingerie and loungewear brand Sidroy. Late 50s early 60s and just divine for wafting around the house looking all pretty and charming - what's not to love about this. It's got a lovely large curved collar lapel, tied with a yellow ribbon (not the original), a pretty little fron pocket. It's got yellow satin edging and oh that print! If you are a fan of Midcentury fabrics, you will just adore this print.

Available here from the online shop.

Back to Black with Victorian Whitby Jet Mourning Jewellery

2016-02-29T07:38:00.000-08:00

Have been fiddling with Victorian mourning jewellery all made from antique Whiby jet and French jet. I have been repairing and re-stringin necklaces, here's a few pieces from the selection. The long necklace is a 1920s Flapper necklace with hollow jet beads.

Gorgeous Whitby jet link chain necklace.

Another Whiby jet link chain mourining necklace, I am a couple of the rounded links short, so this one still has string holding the links together in a coule of places. Along with a pretty shell cameo mounted onto a jet pendant base.

A massive jet button or it might also have been worn as a mourning bead fob decoration to hang on a watch chain, also pictured is a three-way spacer with hand carved solomon seal flower decoration. Just beautiful, I love jet it is so glam-gothic and it is ever currrent.

Maven the Mannequin given a Steampunk Makeover

2016-02-22T09:28:00.000-08:00

Decided to style up the dummy with a steampunk theme, she's wearing a vintage lace blouse, steampunk riding bustle skirt and matching bolero with elasticaded waist and brass buckle. a faux fur duster coat, vintage wide brim hat with velvet trim, a vintage riding crop and riding boots.

Top Notch Vintage Somerton

2016-02-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

New stock arriving thick & fast

2015-11-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

Well I've only been open a couple of weeks and people are bringing boxes of vintage treasures through my door, so far there's been this fabulous bespoke made vintage 1950s 3 piece tweed suit in a brown windowpane check with a hint of yellow and copper lining. It's in a good size too at 44-46" chest and 32" inside leg, the trouser waist is 40" and along with the jacket have been let out at some point in their history. The suit is dated 1954.

The same people brought in a stash of 1950s and 60s cocktail dresses and evening gowns, below is a fabulous lime green silk number.

Another silk and such a classic style this is a timeless full length evening gown. In the most beautiful copper silk with gold and ivory bands running horizontally, I love it.

Below is a wild and colourful Peter Barron 1960s dress, made from Tricel fabric which is usually used for silky cravats. This dress is lightweight and slinky with the most intense orange, green, yellow and black geometric print with a peter pan collar and little attached neck tie detail.

Below is a polyester fabric pink floral evening maxi dress with a pretty green velvet attached ribbon around the empire line. It's a true Abigail's party classic with double breasted opening and popper closures. Fab.

Here's the copper dress again teamed with a luxurious vintage squirrel fur coat, which is ever so elegant with its bell sleeves, super posh copper colour lining which has been hand embroidered with the lady's initials and the wonderful large collar.

I've finally done it & opened an actual vintage shop

2015-10-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

Woohoo!

I can't believe it - after how many years of wishing, deliberating and faffing about I have actually done it! Vintage Vampalicious is now in a proper bricks and mortar shop, my very own premises all full to the brim of vintage loveliness. I am so excited.

Here it is -

The address is: Top Notch Vintage, 14 Brunel Precinct, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 7PY.

Come and say hello and browse for something fab' to wear.

Spiderweb beaded dress with silver faux fur evening jacket on the left and on the right a black velvet Victorian cape with a gold and black striped basque, wearing a spiderweb necklace.

It began looking like a total mess like this. At first I was panicking thinking I wasn't going to fill the space. That didn't last long, several car loads later....

I now have areas divided up to menswear and women's these are some of the waistcoats.

Toppers and Victorian lingerie - watched over by the 1920s chap whom I have decided is the patron.

Loads of mens and women's vintage jodphurs, including 1940s land army, 1930s tweed cycling breeches, military breeches, corded, tweed and wool.

My first window display - it had to be Halloween didn't it. Here's a spectacular kilt set for the chaps, with matching fishtail trews, buckle shoes, too and tie and dicky bow tie, for the whole ensemble.

And in the men's department we have shaving accessories, ties and bow ties, cravats, hats, gloves, pipe collectibles...

Scarves, fur collars, men's shoes brogues by Racing Green and Loakes, sewing magazines and books.

Not much chance of it looking minimal now and I'm still waiting for the electrician to fit better lighting.

My pimped up counter which was kindly donated to me by Trevor and Liz at the Witchcraft shop in Glastonbury. After a good old scrub down with lots of elbow grease and glitsy sticky back plastic it has been restored to loveliness.

The most fabulous gentleman's oriental black silk satin brocade smoking jacket - oozes vintage scoundrel, along with a black trilby and a velvet songkok Malaysian hat.

Lovely blue fedora, and hanging is a full length complete with train, blue velvet medieval style theatrical or wedding gown. It's so heavy, the fabric and quality of the make is beautiful, would make a spectacular winter wedding gown.

Beaded purses, there are more inside the cabinet, dressing table trinket sets, gloves and inside the box are bakalite art deco buckles.

On the groovy purple dresser are bits and bobs, here shown are a wonderful set of 1930s shot glasses decorated with with pink dancing ladies.

Dinner jackets from Edwardian tuxedos, through to 1940s CC41 double breasted tux and the lushest of lush blue velvet bespoke made shawl collar dinner jacket that is eminently strokable. There's a shelf of dress shirts including starched front and collarless as well as marcella waistcoats with and without backs and also dove grey formal waistcoats too.

Starched collars, gent's scarves and funky Gieves tweeds.

Added a few more tweed hats to the mix since taking this picture.

The glass table and perspex chairs are also for sale, but the vase and flowers aren't because I love them so much. On the table is a beautiful silky soft moleskin fur wrap and matching muff, along with an Edwardian fur muff that matches the stole pictured elsewhere.

Fab 1960s Quad burgundy hooded cape with pink quilted lining, full length red taffeta evening skirt with fitted net underskirts and the chiffon blouse is potentially a 1980s Dior.

Bags, cases and shoes.

Stunning cobalt blue velvet opera coat with removable faux fur collar.

Here's what you see when you walk in the door, sorry for the bag I was still setting up, but it gives you an idea. I had a couple of lovely customer's yesterday who stumbled across me and were so excited, they ever so kindly declared my shop as the best shop in Somerton. That's high praise indeed. Wow. Hope I get more like that.

Now all I need to do is finish pricing everything up and do some marketing and sort through the boxes of patterns and fabrics for the haberdashery area which I need to make room for!!

Come see me - say hello.

Castle Cary Vintage and Flea and the BBC

2015-05-15T15:03:00.002-07:00

It's been a busy few months at Vintage Vampalicious towers. I launched the new monthly vintage and flea market at Castle Cary, Somerset, which has been a great success. Our first one in April brought record numbers of people into our lovely little country market town and the sun shone down, there was a fabulous flurry of happy faces browsing and shopping all the quirky, vintage and upcylcled goodies available.

Last Sunday on May 10th we had lots of additional stalls which packed out the cobbles outside, we even had a vintage ice cream tricycle, although the weather wasn't as sunny, there were still lots of activity and a really great vibe.

At some point between organising the markets, we had the BBC down to film me for Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is with the lovely Katherine Higgins, pictured above.
We filmed in the atmospheric Mother's Tea room in Castle Cary which is so authentic, you feel like you have stepped straight into a wormhole and back to the 1930s.

The next date for the market is Sunday 14th June. If you're interested in trading with us, the booking form and info is via Vintage Vampalicious Booking Form

Above is the lovely Daisy Mae who dresses impeccably in 1940s outfits.

New Monthly Vintage & Flea Market in Castle Cary, Somerset

2015-03-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Vintage Vampalicious is organising a new monthly antiques, vintage and flea market in Castle Cary at the refurbished Market House, starting from April 12th 10.30 - 3.30, and then every second Sunday of the month following.

Some of the lovely items you'll find will be; vintage and antique textiles, clothing for men and women from Victorian up to 1980s, art deco lighting, collectibles, mid-century, shabby chic, vintage print and literature..... and much more.

We are keen to source new traders - so if you sell vintage or antiques and collectibles get in touch. Link to the trader information and stall application click here. Pdf form and terms click here.

Castle Cary is a lovely small country town which still maintains it's historic charm as a South Somerset medieval market town. So far we've managed to escape the influx of high street shops and the town is filled with independant boutiques, gallery's, gift shops, antiques and vintage tea rooms and pubs. It's so charming and loved by tourist who stumble upon it and we have also been voted at the 11th best place to live in Britain - but shhhhh keep that to yourself.

Legend has is George Clooney and Johnny Depp have been seen wandering up the High Street. Quite a few ex TV presenters and 1960s models live in the area as do a few film producers and A-lister parents! But we'll keep who they are secret - you'll have to find that out for yourself by visiting.

There's three areas for stall holders and shoppers to browse, inside the shambles, under cover in the undercroft and outside on the cobbles.

The shambles inside area.

Undercroft area.

Kitchen facilities for the traders.

Reasons to come along;

There are lovely cafes and pubs in the town which will be open especially to supply food and refereshments, so please check them out.
There's a Barclays cash machine just opposite
Free parking
Beautiful picturesque town surrounded by countryside
Nearby is Hauser & Wirth art gallery and the increasingly popular Bruton
Dance studio upstairs
Museum upstairs
Antique and vintage shops in the town along with lovely gift shops, and boutiques.

Hope to see you there.

New website

2015-03-12T08:19:00.001-07:00

I've redesigned and moved the website address over to VintageVampalicious now. I am still adding all the old stock and new stock which is taking foreveeer - but slowly making progress.

The new site has lots of user and mobile friendly features and is much quicker hopefully - please let me know what you think and if you have any issues using it.

There's a wishlist option, compare tools and multi-layered searching so you can find exactly what you are looking for, with share buttons, newsletter sign up and overall much prettier to look at.

As always, I still have boxes of items not yet listed - so if you're after something particular just drop me a line.

Hope you like it.

C

Vintage gifts for him

2014-12-07T07:51:00.001-08:00

Vintage gifts for him by vintagevampalicious featuring home decor

Keep Warm with Winter Vampalicious

2014-12-07T06:20:00.001-08:00

Keep Warm with Winter Vampalicious by vintagevampalicious featuring coats

Vintage Metallic Glitz

2014-10-23T06:38:00.002-07:00

Vintage Metallic Glitz by vintagevampalicious featuring antique shoes

Vintage Halloween

2014-10-19T10:47:00.001-07:00

Vintage Halloween by vintagevampalicious featuring gloves

Silhouette Design Store: witching you happy halloween - vinyl phrase
silhouetteonlinestore.com

Gown
vampalicious.co.uk

Antique Victorian Black Velvet Mourning Cape with Fur Trim
vampalicious.co.uk

Brooch
vampalicious.co.uk

Glove
vampalicious.co.uk

Vintage 1930s Great Gatsby Evening White Tie & Tails Suit 38 Vintage...
vampalicious.co.uk

French Jet beaded Victorian Mantle
vampalicious.co.uk

Vintage black silk mourning handkerchief Vintage Victorian black silk...
vampalicious.co.uk

Antique Victorian Black Silk Knit Stockings Antique Victorian 1800s...
vampalicious.co.uk

And it was all yellow

2014-05-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

Yellow, yellow, everywhere! It’s certainly the colour of the season; both in home furnishings and fashion too, so here’s a selection of this season’s yellow items from Vampalicious to get you feeling mellow yellow or perhaps a little fruity.

Fab late 60s black double breasted mod suit, tailor made and designed by Mike martin.

Lovely amber gold original 1960s Tootal evening scarf

Yellow gold matching bow tie and cummerbund

mustard paisley squareSilk yellow and red paisley pocket square in original box

tootal yellow cravatVintage 1960s Tootal cravat in lemon yellow rayon with red paisley printed design.

über dandy 1960s polyester flower power cravat in fruity oranges and yellow, it’s reversable with the back being completely yellow.

Vintage 1970s straw cloche hat with a big pink faux flower attached to the band.

Vintage late 1960s early 70s psychedelic mini shirt dress from Saks Fifth Avenue – is it Pucci? Well it could well be but there isn’t a Pucci label unless it’s been removed.

Fabulous yellow crimpeline original 1960s mini mod dress with a little collar and fitted shape.

Then to accessorise you’ll be needing these 1980s yellow dotty tights too won’t you.

New Vintage Vampalicious Stock

2014-03-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

Wow I feel like I haven't come up for air at all this year, it's been all steaming, ironing, dressing the dummies and waiting for sunshine to shine through into the studio to photograph all the new vintage stock.

There have been over 46 items added recently and I'm not even halfway through, I still have loads to go - phewee.

If you're on Pinterest you can follow my newstock board, I add to it every time I list another item so you can see it all in one place. and it looks great on there.

There's so much more for the vintage gentlemen with vintage dinner suits, formwal wear, tails and tuxedos as well as lots of tweed for both men and women and a whole bunch of Tootal cravats and scarves which I am currently in the process of photographing along with a whole lot more waistcoats too.

I hope you like it all and find something that's just for you. If there's anything you'd like me to keep my eyes open for too then just let me know via the site and I will bear in mind when I'm sourcing new stock.

Ta-ta for now - it's my bedtime

Victorian - Edwardian Pinterest

2014-03-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

This week's Pinterest, where Vintage Vampalicious products are grouped together, so you can see a whole collection in one place, has all the period drama of the Victorian and Edwardian era. With plenty of dinner jackets and suits for the Gentleman and clothes and accessories for the lady too.

I hope you enjoy it. All the items shown are fro sale at Vampalicious.co.uk.

Pinterest - Dandy Chaps

2014-02-23T12:35:00.001-08:00

Come and take abrowse at my new Pinterest pins and see selections of Vampalicious products all curated together. I'm fairly ne to it but hooked already. Here's one for the dandy gentlemen, full of Victorian and Edwardian evening wear, tuxedos, frock coats, fishtail back trousers and dress accessories.

Pre Christmas Sale on Vintage Clothing & Accessories for Men and Women

2013-12-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

Just to help out my lovely customers I am doing a little festive 20% off sale until 14th December, so you can buy your loved ones or yourself something gorgeous and vintage.

http://www.vampalicious.co.uk

I want to do a clear out because I've picked up some lovely new stock, such as this amazing #WW2 #1940s embroidered hand tailored vintage housecoat, gown, or just a delightfully pretty dress, the lining was made with parachute silk and the main dress made from an antique silk piano shawl and silk velvet - it is exquisite and got a lot of attention at the vintage fair I did today in Somerton.

Happy Birthday & 1 month to Vintage Vampalicious

2013-04-03T11:03:00.003-07:00

I forgot to post a Happy Birthday anniversary post, but I've been going for one year and a month now and still here, justabout woohoo. It's been really hard just selling online, with a very small customer base viewing my stock and website but sales have been trickling in every month and I have to say our customers are truly fabulous.

I am still on the waiting list to do local vintage fairs here in Somerset, so fingers crossed I'll get a slot soon ;o).

Over the past year my direction of stock and customers have also veered towards the chaps and revival crowd, so I have a lot of vintage tweed and vintage furs, which are selling well.
Overall I have over 500 vintage and antique items of clothing and accessories including homewares and collectibles and vintage uniforms too, perfect for the Goodwood Revival - so if you haven't check out Vintage Vampalicious yet - what are you waiting for, come on over and take a look, it'd be great to see you!

Dads Army Militaria New Site

2013-03-01T12:48:00.001-08:00

I've been helping my dad set up his own little website, specialising in Militaria and collectibles, military cap badges and such like. So if you get a chance, take a wander over there and check out what he has. Click on the photo below to enter site.

Thanks