Shana For Spring [Collectif]

Posted on May 6, 2023 by missamymay

I’ve been blogging for 9 years now, so I think I’ve reached the point where I’ve wrung as many jokes and intros out of the famous ‘Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking’ line from The Devil Wears Prada. Like florals (according to Miranda Priestly, that is,) there’s only so many ways you can work it in before it gets tired and expected. But despite that, you know, I still really like florals. I think it’s one of the loveliest parts of spring–not just watching the actual flowers begin to bloom out in the world, but going into my clothing storage to bring my florals back out into my closet, packing away my tweeds and wools and tartans for six months in return.

By February, just as I’m getting truly sick of rain and cold and greys skies, the daffodils start to peek out, leading into my absolute favourite stretch; the hawthorn, then the bluebells, then the fruit blossoms. Those weeks of nature waking, petals unfurling, colour returning, revitalises my winter-wearied spirit, and echoing that process by bringing colour and florals back into my wardrobe to greet the brightening world feels refreshing and exciting every time. So, sorry not sorry, but yes, I like florals, I like wearing them in spring when I feel most hopeful and happy about the world around me. And I like this floral in particular, the Shana dress by Collectif, and how it feels wearing it among blossoms.

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Louis Louis! [British Retro]

Posted on May 1, 2023 by missamymay

I’ve wanted a white summer swing dress for years. I’ve got close a few times with a mostly white dress, or a white dress that is fancy but not really summery. In my heart, I wanted a swing style made from broderie anglaise. If it had sleeves of some description, preferably not capped? All the better. Well, finally, I found it! Let’s take a look at Louis Louis among the bluebells.

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Vada Is Back! [Horrockses Fashions x Joanie Clothing]

Posted on April 23, 2023 by missamymay

As someone who long ago gave up attempting to buy true vintage for a variety of reasons, I was thrilled last year when Joanie Clothing teamed up with Horrockses Fashions to release some of Horrockses most beloved prints on staple Joanie dress styles. I loved the Margaret dress and kept meaning to buy myself the Vada, but by the time I went back for it it was sold out in my size. Missing out has haunted me ever since–so imagine my delight upon discovering that there is now a Joanie and Horrockses round 2, with last year’s releases back again and a couple new styles along for the ride. Finally, Vada and I have our second chance!

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Maximum Solange [Hell Bunny]

Posted on February 25, 2023 by missamymay

A dress made for sunshine and good times, Solange is a maxi dress that’s ready for fun. Offering rainbow-but-not-really, it boasts yellow, sky blue, white, pea green, and deep red stripes for a bright, playful print.

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Hey-a, Adelaida! [Hell Bunny]

Posted on February 20, 2023 by missamymay

Hell Bunny always offers great tropical prints, typically creating one or two new ones every year for their spring/summer range. This year sees the return of the Ukulele print from SS21 but now in pale blue and green tones, and the release of this lush Adelaida print, a darker, earthy take on what I often think of when I think of tropical prints—namely, colour and lots of it. In fact, the Adelaida print doesn’t feature tropical flowers at all, and yet something about the print still tells my brain it’s a tropical print, but like, in a chilled way. Is it just me?? Let’s take a closer look so you can decide.

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Heidi, Ya Peach [Hell Bunny]

Posted on February 16, 2023 by missamymay

One of the great things about dressing in mid-century inspired clothing is that you can achieve a fully authentic look and yet with those the same clothes you can often create an outfit that feels very modern. The day dresses especially easily translate to modern looks, as a cinched waist and flared skirt has been considered a flattering silhouette ever since. So, for folks who can only or want to dress vintage part time, having a wardrobe of versatile pieces that can be worn dressed fully up as well as smartly to work or casually at play is crucial. To me, therefore, a solid-coloured swing dress will always serve well, because it can inevitably be styled to fulfil all those functions. Today we’re looking at Heidi as just such an option.

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Let’s Circle Back [Timeless London]

Posted on February 10, 2023 by missamymay

Here’s the thing about vintage inspired clothing companies—they know how to do a great skirt. And by great skirt, I mean FULL CIRCLE, baby! Flattering AND fun (you know, because of the swirl factor), you really can’t beat a full circle skirt, and this woollen Sophie skirt by Timeless is a sustainable winter gem. Oh, and did I mention it comes in several different checks? Because it does, and here’s two of ‘em!

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Sustainable Helena [Timeless London]

Posted on February 4, 2023 by missamymay

Give me a sleeved, check dress when it’s cold outside and I will feel happy and cosy in my heart, even if my actual limbs still require tights and boots. I think one of the things that intimidates newcomers to vintage fashion is the idea that one must get unbearably cold in winter if one wears dresses year round, but I’ve always found that knowing how to style an outfit for practicality as well as appearances is a skill that serves one well no matter your aesthetic preferences. And speaking of practicality, how about looking at a sleeved, checked dress from a brand who think it’s pretty practical to make clothing from sustainable and recycled fabrics so they limit their contribution to climate change? Yeah, I think that sounds pretty good too! Let’s get at it.

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Nancy Do Good [Hell Bunny]

Posted on January 29, 2023 by missamymay

I’m one of those people who is always early. The mere thought of arriving only on time, let alone late, stresses me out, so I prep and I plan and I arrive early, even if that means sitting in my car for 15 minutes before I turn up, only 1 minute early, to an appointment or social gathering.

Hell Bunny is the brand version of that. Twice a year, they’re the first brand in the vintage-inspired clothing world to begin releasing their latest line, sometimes getting out their first seasonal pieces before other brands have finished releasing their last straggling items from the season before. It always makes me chuckle. And so, many of their SS23 items have been out for weeks now, with others coming soon. This Nancy dress was one of their first spring drops and while I greatly appreciate Hell Bunny’s reliable promptness, it is in fact still January and was 2°c when I shot these photos, so please think warm, spring-like thoughts for yesterday’s Me as we look at this dress together.

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Ms Margot [Lady V London]

Posted on December 12, 2022 by missamymay

I told you at the weekend all about how much I love the Stella dress by Lady V London, so much so that it spurred me to buy this Margot dress because I loved its similarity of shape, simplicity, and the identical fabric from which it’s crafted. Margot is sleeveless, but that’s never stopped me from wearing a great dress in cold weather. Let’s layer up and take a little look, shall we?