For Luna, For Me 

I’m not a sunbather, nor a swimmer, so it’s a bit of a disappointment that I can’t generally justify the cuteness that is vintage style swimwear. A high waisted bikini looks good on every body, not to mention a good vintage inspired one piece with flattering ruching. It’s the latter that I was most tempted by when For Luna contacted me about reviewing one of their pieces, even though that email came in late winter and there is nothing tempting about swimwear during a British winter. Still, one look through their collection and I knew I couldn’t resist–okay, so maybe I don’t swim or sunbathe, but I do hot tub and that’s good enough for me.

For Luna offer a gorgeous range of pieces, both one piece and bikinis, plain and patterned, and most available thankfully in plus sizes as well. Whether you’re feeling fruity, sultry or a bit polka dotty, there’s a swimsuit for your precious, gorgeous body no matter it’s size.

For Luna Carmen Exotic Flowers swimsuit plus size Continue reading

The Best Western [Lil’ Lou Lou]

Lil' Lou Lou Boogie Woogie Southwestern skirt

This skirt and I have been a long time in the making. The first time I saw it featured on Lil’ Lou Lou’s Instagram account last summer it danced to the top of my To Buy list. Those zig zags, the adorable tiers, the gold! It was. too. cute. I messaged owner Lily on IG to ask about the release date and she was perfectly lovely and helpful in her replies. As it happened, however, production of the skirt ended up falling back ’til this spring, when Lily sweetly contacted me to let me know the skirt was now available and she would love to send one over for me.

 

It arrived perfect and shimmering and full of southwestern charm. For those that don’t know, the South West comprises Arizona and New Mexico, with some disagreement between folks as to whether it also includes portions of southern Colorado, Utah, the horn of Texas, a triangle of Nevada and the most desert-y southern areas of California. Think desert and mountains, cacti and scrub, canyons and dry, dry heat. Continue reading

Beaded & Fabulous [Joanie Clothing]

I may dress in 50s styles predominantly but I have a fond appreciation for the vintage clothing of many a past era. I tend towards big skirts and small waists, bold colours and vibrant patterns, but I can still appreciate a sleek 40s skirt suit, a cute 60s mini dress, an example of exquisite beading of the 20s.

One of my favourite pieces of clothing that just doesn’t get utilised enough in modern day fashion is the capelet, whether a toasty warm one made for winter in a heavy tweed or a luxe decorative cropped number worn entirely for glitz and glamour on an evening out. It’s a taste of the latter I’m pleased to be indulging in this post, with this gorgeous beaded capelet on offer from Joanie Clothing.

Tap Shoe Black Cody Embellished Occasion Cape Joanie Clothing Continue reading

Bluebells & Cupcake Frills [Unique Vintage]

Unique Vintage Mint cupcake 1950s tulle swing prom dress plus size

Some dresses are so special there’s almost no adequate way to describe them, but still I will try. The Cupcake dress by Unique Vintage is frothy, delicate, glamorous and timeless, not to mention as sweet as its name suggests. It’s the kind of dress that makes me immediately flash back to watching Grease on repeat as a child, marveling at the intricacy and beauty of those prom dresses, with their full skirts, their cinched waists, those incredible fluffy busts. Like milkshakes in dress form, if you happen to like drinking milkshakes filled with diamonds and silk. That’s the kind of sugary level of optimum glamour we’re talking about, and I love it.

More accurately, I F*#&ing love it, but let’s pretend for this post at least that I am as ladylike as this dress suggests and that my fervent passion for splendid clothing would never move me to such crass heights.

(Except that it does and it has, many a time. But still. Let’s pretend.)

Now, put on your gloves and your sparkliest shoes and let’s look at this utter beauty together. Continue reading

Tahitian Dreams [Hell Bunny]

Hell Bunny have done great work this season in producing not only an array of dresses in fun prints, but also in including design details in the construction of those dresses that produce a great fit and a level of customisation for the wearer. Given that Hell Bunny is a budget-friendly vintage inspired brand that really impresses me, and I’m pleased to be sharing another such dress with you today.

To me, the Tahiti 50s dress is a pinch of tropical paradise done by way of England–that is to say, it features a gorgeous tropical print that won’t scare off ladies who are wary of wearing super bright colours. It’s all about rich plums and muted greens framed against a soft fresh minty-blue, with a dose of clean white, and it’s kind of perfect.

Tahiti 50s Dress Hell Bunny Continue reading

Hey There Deliliah [Voodoo Vixen]

Okay, so maybe this post isn’t named with all that much original brilliance, particularly since it’s a real near-miss with the name, but the dress it focuses on offers enough to make up for it. It is, of course, the wonderful Deliliah dress by Voodoo Vixen.

Every season I say it’s Voodoo Vixen’s best season yet, and considering the utter gem that is the Violet dress I already reviewed a few weeks back and now this delightful Deliliah, it’s kind of no wonder. Both dresses are fresh, fun and ready to be worn out in the sun, and with Deliliah now in my hands I’ll be doing just that. This green, those daisies, these pockets! My, someone hold my handbag because I sure do feel faint.

Voodoo Vixen Deliliah dress Continue reading

Take Me to Monte Carlo [Hell Bunny]

Hell Bunny always offer up such a varied, fun selection of prints for their summer lines, and this year is no exception. I’ve already featured a dose of their lemons and a view of their lighthouses, and today it’s time to journey with them to Monte Carlo, playground of the rich and famous.

While I’d love to be able to feature this dress set against a backdrop of the glamorous principality by which it was inspired, this country girl has instead been enjoying it on fresh spring walks, the occasional seaside trip and lots of garden hangs. Thankfully, it’s a dress so fun and flattering it looks good no matter where you wear it.

Hell bunny Monte Carlo 50s Dress Continue reading

Del Ray Of Sunshine [Unique Vintage] 

I’m certainly not known for being afraid of bright colours, but even I’ve got to admit the Del Ray dress by Unique Vintage might be taking that love of brights to new heights.

I saw it previewed at London Edge back in February and featured it then in my review post among my favourite picks from UV’s upcoming line, so its fearlessly bold striped print definitely captured me right from the off. Still, when it arrived and I pulled it from its bag, unfurling it before me in the air of a dim English morning, I had the slightest moment of pause: wow, was it too bright for me? Within a split second I had remembered myself: Nah! I’m good.

Let’s do this Del Ray, you beautifully obnoxious burst of Californian sunshine!

Del Ray dress Unique Vintage plus Continue reading

Lana in My Life [Dolly & Dotty]

At this point it’s got to be redundant when I talk about how much I love all things nautical, right? So I won’t. I’ll say instead that while this Lana dress by Dolly & Dotty is striped and fits a nautical themed styling easily, beautifully even, the dress itself technically isn’t nautical. It’s just a lovely white and navy striped number that comes with a red belt, fitting that red, white and blue colour scheme that’s so closely associated with all things seaside, beach front and sailing that it’s evocatively on trend in that area without so much as a flash of an anchor or glimpse of a sail.

Oh, huh. I guess I utterly failed at talking about nautical things after all anyway. Damnit!

But, still, you get my point. This Lana dress isn’t technically a nautical novelty, it’s just a comfortable striped sun dress that I couldn’t help but style with a nautical flair because I am a predictable red, white and blue loving maniac. Sorrynotsorry.

Dolly and Dotty Lana striped strapless dress Continue reading

I Got Frills [Joanie Clothing]

As much as I love bright colours, I’m not much one for clashing. I’ve actually been known to say before how much I hate pink and red paired together, with an unnecessary amount of passion. Turns out, that dislike is more of a contextual thing, because when I spotted this Eden frilly fronted cardigan I was totally on board. I immediately pictured it paired with a sky blue skirt and a wicker basket handbag, and then when it arrived I styled it exactly so. It’s just like I pictured it would be. Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together?

Joanie Clothing Eden Frill cardigan Emmy Rattan basket bag Continue reading