I have been catching up on Dancing on the Edge a new BBC production set in the early 1930s. As well as the amazing story line and wonderful music I am absolutely in love with the beautiful 1930s fashions. What makes the 1930s so special fashion-wise is the fabulous draping of the fabric. Bias cuts and clever pleating and rouching add instant elegance to even everyday outfits.

Being a dress addict after watching a few episodes of dancing on the edge I just had to trawl the internet for some examples of 1930s dresses. Due to their age and rarity genuine 1930s dresses are very expensive. However it is worth remembering that they are investment pieces. As long as you don’t rip them like Kate Moss so famously did, they will retain their value.

If you’d like to create the perfect 1930s look here are a few dresses to help you on your way…

1. Adored Vintage $168 available here  2. Adored Vintage $178 available here 

3. Reproduction 1930s Day Dress – Revival Retro £189 available here 

4. 1930s Peeptoe Shoes – Etsy $124 (£84) available here

1. Bias Cut Evening Dress and Jacket – Ebay £640 available here 2. Velvet Silk Dress – Etsy £200 available here  

3. 1930s evening gown – Dorothea’s Closet SOLD similar ones available here 

4. 1930s Handbag – Amazon £80 available here

For more 1930’s inspiration follow my 1930s Fashion board on Pinterest.

It's Monday, What are you Reading copy

It’s Monday What Are you Reading is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Sheila over at Book Journey. It’s a chance to share what you’ve been reading over the last week and what books you have planned for the week ahead. Every Monday I share my latest vintage reads and the book being read by The Vintage Book Group.

This week I put my ongoing books to one side and read The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice. I had been meaning to read this for ages and managed to get a copy in a charity shop while I was staying in Bath a few weeks ago. The book is set in the mid 1950s in an England still recovering after the second world war. I really enjoyed this book, firstly because of the era it’s set in, secondly because it’s set between a crumbling English country house and London and thirdly because the plot and characters are very well written.

Having read The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets I am returning to the other two books I’ve had on the go for a while, The Island set in Crete in the years surrounding the second world war and A Glass of Blessings a book written in the 1950s by Barbara Pym.

This week with my daughter being back at school I am hoping to finish my unfinished reads and make a start on something new.

The Vintage Book Group are currently reading The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Greene. Our next book is A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolfe. If you’d like to join in on Goodreads you can sign up here. The group is open to anyone, you don’t have to be a vintage lover, just a fan of a good book.

For more vintage book reccomendations why not folow my Books and Literature Board on Pinterest.

Have a fabulous reading week xxx

Future Reads….

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Top Ten Reproduction

*** I’ve written an updated version of this post with many more lovely reproduction brands find it here ***

With affordable vintage fashion being harder and harder to get your hands on, reproduction vintage is the perfect way of getting your hands on nostalgic fashion. It has the advantage of modern sizing and care instructions and there is usually a wide selection of prints and colours. If you liked my Top Ten Vintage Blogs post you’ll love this list of fabulous reproduction vintage websites.

Putin’ on the Ritz is great for 1930s and 40’s style clothing. They are great for everyday staple wardrobe items like blouses and skirts. I also love their floral day dresses. I’d recommend them if you’re looking for an everyday authentic 1940s look.

20th Century Foxy have a great mix of vintage inspired clothing, everything is covered from glamorous dresses, to wide leg trousers, to very pretty 1940s style pussy bow blouses.

Vintage Style Blouse

2oth Century Foxy blouse £55 available here

Heyday have a lovely range of cotton dresses, as well as high-waisted trousers and cropped blouses. they als have a great range of menswear. I’d recommend Heyday if your going to a vintage themed day event and want to look the part.

Tara Starlet have a good mix of vintage style clothing as well as nightwear, I love their mix and match suits and cute winter capes.

Vivien of Holloway sells lovely 1950s style dresses in vibrant prints, if you fall in love with a dress you can buy it in 10 colours!

Pin-up Girl Clothing have a huge range of vintage style clothing, I am in love with their retro swimwear collection.

Love ur Look are more vintage inspired, than actual reproduction vintage. I love the bold prints and big buttons. I have a few dresses from here and I love the fabrics and the lovely cut and quality of the dresses. I’m also a big fan of their high-waisted circle skirts.

Freddie’s of Pinewood sell a lovely range of vintage casual wear. Think retro denim and 1940s knits.

What Katie Did Have the most fabulous range of vintage inspired lingerie. Absolutely essential for wearing under beautiful vintage clothes. You’ll love this if you want to feel like a vintage galmourpuss! See my What to Wear Under your Vintage Dress post for more ideas on shapewear.

Etsy Etsy is jam-packed with talented ladies making dresses from vintage patterns. Etsy is great for one-off pieces and lot’s of fabric choices.

Other Reproduction Vintage Shops I love…

La Vie en Swing – offer gorgeous reproduction dresses and separates with a lovely authentic feel.

Lady V London

Lindy Bop

Dolly Dagger

Bettylicious

*** I’ve written an updated version of this post with many more lovely reproduction brands find it here ***

I have recently done a lot of work on my kitchen. It’s still a work in progress but it’s starting to come together. My husband has recently put some shelves up, giving me some room for some of my vintage jars. They are a mix of vintage ones that I’ve thrifted and new ones in a vintage style.

Tea and coffee storage

My favourite corner of the kitchen, and there’s space for more jars

I got this lovely tea jar from TK Maxx for £2.99

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This one is from Tk Maxx and cost £3.99

I got this in my local charity shop for £2.50 this week. I love the design.

This is a charity shop buy which cost £2.00

This one is from TK Maxx and cost £2.99

This one was £3.99 in TK Maxx

This is from a charity shop and cost £2.99

This lovely Kilner jar is from TK Maxx and cost £3.99

I love that they are all mis-matched and go so well together. I keep going back to TK Maxx and finding more and it’s one of those things I see in charity shops all the time so well worth looking out for.

It being half term I haven’t got very much time to write this week. So today I’m just going to share some pictures from Orla Kiely’s AW13 display at London Fashion Week. I absolutely love the 1960s office scene and the clothes are so beautiful. These are my favourite looks from the collection.

I absolutely love the whole collection!

You can see the video here

These pictures are from the London Fashion Week Website