Del Ray Of Sunshine [Unique Vintage]

Posted on May 5, 2017 by missamymay

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!

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Lana in My Life [Dolly & Dotty]

Posted on May 2, 2017 by missamymay

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.

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April Outfits Round Up

Posted on May 1, 2017 by missamymay

I am so psyched that April has been such a good weather month for me. Most shocking of all is that the best weather we had took place over the weekend when I went to Edinburgh on a little trip–Edinburgh! In Scotland! AKA the land of wind and rain. When my friend Giselle and I booked that trip we braced ourselves for the likelihood of bad weather and sodden hair, but we got nothing but clear skies and a happy sun. I even got a little bit sunburned on my chest the day we went to the Botanical Gardens. (I know, I’m super white. Sunburned in Scotland, FFS.) I had hoped I would manage better outfit pictures while I was away, so I apologies for the mirror selfies as they all I could remember to snap at the time. Oh how time flies when you’re having fun!

Tahiti 50s dress by Hell Bunny (AMYMAY20!% for 20% off), Ice Blue Tootsie Cropped cardigan from Doll Me Up, old New look flats

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I Got Frills [Joanie Clothing]

Posted on April 27, 2017 by missamymay

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?

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Wearing Carnival Art [Trashy Diva]

Posted on April 24, 2017 by missamymay

The thing I love most about border print pieces of clothing is that the prints feel like artwork in a way most other fabric designs don’t. Whether the design features the architecture of a far away city’s famously beloved skyline or a scene of an anonymous corner cafe on a spring day, they tell a story as they wrap around your body. And never has that been more true than of Trashy Diva’s recently released Carnival border print collection.

Trashy Diva Carnival Trixie Dress Continue reading →

Comfort in Stripes [Dolly & Dotty]

Posted on April 21, 2017 by missamymay

Come on, you must know by now that I’m a little bit crazy for nautical colour combinations. Give me red, white and navy, give me anchors, give me stripes! I just don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. But I suppose, sigh, that it is sensible sometimes to have separates that can make up a nautical outfit but don’t have to, that can be paired with other pieces for a different kind of look. I mean, I guess.

These pieces from Dolly & Dotty both indulge my nautical love and gift me with a somewhat reluctant possibility of versatility.

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Wrap It Up [Unique Vintage]

Posted on April 19, 2017 by missamymay

It’s not often I reach for anything other than a full-skirted 50s dress. Even all the beautiful gathered border print skirts I own get massively overlooked, because wearing a dress is just so much easier than pairing together separates. Dresses always come across as effort intensive and fancy to people who don’t often wear them, but those of us with a closet full of dresses know the secret truth: they are the laziest, easiest way to look put together with almost no effort. With my 50s style swing dresses, that just means zipping one up and tugging on a fluffy petticoat underneath. Continue reading →

Absolutely Charming, Maisy [Vendula London]

Posted on April 17, 2017 by missamymay

I’ve featured Vendula London here on the blog several times, a handbag and accessories company known for their quirky designs and funky style. Last Autumn I was in raptures over their romantic storybook style clutch bags, pieces I’m still in love with, but now that it’s spring I’m looking forward to outfits that revolve around sundresses, chunky wooden bangles, bright and light colours that feel good in the sun. In summer I flit back and forth between wearing bold colours and nautical theme ensembles, so I’m often on the look out for a bag that can pair with both. Enter the Maisy charm bag, the perfect versatile handbag for my summer style.

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You’re Allowed To Unpin

Posted on April 14, 2017 by missamymay

The pinup style is a very effort intensive one. Whether you wetset, heat set or prefer an elaborate set of victory rolls, the hair takes time to craft each evening or morning. The liner flicks and sharp brows and perfect pout all require regular practise and daily precision. The stockings and garter belts and corsets can all take a while to cinch into and layer up under the petticoats and swing dress or the slips and tight wiggles. All of these things are something you get faster at over time, and get used to, becoming an automatic part of your routine that you’re used to allowing time for. And part of being a pinup is that you love doing all these things, it excites you to get your glam on; if we hated doing it, then we wouldn’t do it. We enjoy it.

That being said, we don’t always enjoy it. There’s not a pinup I know who doesn’t have mornings when she wishes her liner wouldn’t take a full 10 minutes when it’s misbehaving, or that she could just wash her hair without having to plan which day it most makes sense to do so to make the most socially out of her fresh set. Sometimes there are days, weeks or even months when despite your love for the style, some of the things we do, or even all of them, just seem like too much effort.

That is okay. Continue reading →

Glasshouse Fairy [Collectif + Lulu Hun]

Posted on April 12, 2017 by missamymay

The Fairy Doll dress by Collectif is one of their staple dresses that receives new print and colourway releases every spring/summer. This year the offerings are tropical themed samples of deliciousness, and I’ve been eagerly waiting for this orange and green combo of bamboo summer fun to be released since I saw the preview of SS17 last September.

I knew I loved the dress instantly purely for its vibrant print, but I didn’t realise it was going to be such a comfortable, easy wear. With no zips and only stretchy, stretchy smocking, this is a perfect dress for wearing on hot summer days when tight waistbands can pinch and rub as your body temperature rises. Plus, that stretch factor means it’s an excellent dress for travelling in both style and comfort, something I appreciated massively when I wore it this past weekend in the hot glasshouses of the Royal Edinburgh Botanical gardens and walking round the gorgeous (but hilly) city.

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