A Truly Vintage Winters Look

Whilst many may complain about the influx of the snow over the last few days, I have to admit I have been a very excited vintage loving girl as it means I can get some of my favourite vintage pieces out!

This coat was given to me by my Mum, who found it in a charity shop around 2 years ago for a steal at £10! It is 60% cashmere, 28% wool and 12% polyester, so incredibly warm but I love the history that it holds. I believe it has a very forties shape to it, and has a very old label in it which says 'Lillian Smith of Lord Street, Southport'. My family is originally from Southport, and I even used to live on Lord Street! My Mum also showed the coat to my Grandma, who said that both her and her mum (my great grandma) used to shop there! I truly feel honoured to be wearing such a quality garment that holds so much history for my own family. I love vintage clothing as I am so fascinated by the history and stories that the clothes hold, and here is my own real life piece to hang onto. I can maybe even pass it on to my own daughter one day.

It certainly has come in useful this weekend in keeping me warm!

 

Here is the coat. My scarf is from Urban Outfitters and my shoes vintage from Snoopers Paradise in Brighton

 

 

My dress is a vintage reproduction from New Look

 

The above photos were taken just before we headed to Brighton Swing Thing. It was a great night, with lots of drinking and dancing...what could be better! We then took a stroll in the snow this afternoon, the coat got another wearing, but with quite a few more layers crammed underneath!

My lipstick here is MAC Ruby Woo

 

Peekaboo boyfriend...

 

I am now very happy to be back in the warmth with a roast cooking! Hope you have all had a fabulous weekend,

 

Lots of love,

 

Hannah xxx



Becoming more thrifty...day 1!

Hello everyone,

So a recent rummage around in Snoopers Paradise and a birthday dress dilema (what to wear?!) left me setting myself a huge challenge...

I stumbled across this pattern by accident, picking it up and having a moan "why can't I find a dress like this!", then realised oh, hang on second, this is a way to make it! I don't consider myself a sewing expert at all, three years of learning to make aprons, beanbags and cushions in high school seems to have been wiped from my memory. Luckily enough it is in the right size for me. I think this will have to be a project!

My boyfriends' Mum then also came to the rescue with this beauty, what can it be?!

                                                                         Can you tell what it is yet?!

So my rainy Monday off work has been spent being very patient trying to remember how a sewing machine works! Thank goodness for YouTube is all I say! I will keep you all updated with my progress for making the dress.

Having walked around some of the shops in the lanes, it seems some are making classic shaped dresses in different patterns and then selling them for extortionate prices. Whilst it is a modern take on vintage fashion, I really do think that the prices are really unbeliebable when you consider that this was the affordable way that people used to make their clothes. It seems crazy that an older generation are so well equipped and knowledgeable with sewing machines and repairs, yet most of my generation haven't got a clue where to begin. The 'make do and mend' culture is slowly diminishing and will soon disappear with people just buying new clothes to replace any old pieces that maybe just need a small bit of tlc!

As prices rise and wages don't seem to be rising, I know my purse strings are having to get tighter. My boyfriend recently got two pairs of shoes completely re-soled and re-heeled, which came to a grand total of £30. It would have cost more than double to replace the shoes, and so he is a very pleased boyfriend! I think this is a great example of 'make do and mend' and so I am determined to improve my sewing machine skills so I can become a bit more thrifty and hopefully be able to adopt this attitude a bit more!

Have any of you made any clothes for yourself? Are there any tips you have for making do and mending? I would love to hear!