A good friend of mine who study at LCF, in fact she doing the same course i was doing a year ago. She want to know what are my thoughts on vintage fashion, this is opening a whole can of worm for me as I’m a collector of all thing vintage and could happily writes for hours on vintage, but for now I’m just going to answers her questions:

What decade do you class as vintage?

Hmmm interesting, i say mid 19th century (in the Victorian period) to 20th century 90s. I know it a huge leap but i love period drama and reading books that was printed before the 20th century, such as books from Jane Austin and Jane Eyre is one title that i love. I class those era as every decade has it own unique styles, for example the 1900 has the Belle Epoque/ Edwardian period where you have the s-bend Silhouette. The 1920s was the era of flapper and Chanel fashion – right up to the 1950s where you have Christian Dior ‘new look’ and how the 60s was all about swinging sixties and youth culture. Post the 1990s and that where fashion style go down hill and you notice how everything is a copy-cat. This is more evidence when in the 2000s there was no original style and every season collection was a difference take on a past decades of fashion, it been there there, done that and being torn to pieces. From 1900 to 2000 was a huge major shift in society and you an see that within fashion.

What is your favourite era?

I love the glamour and glitz of the 1920s era with the flapper dress and the Chanel suit ( it remind me of the jazz era) and the freedom woman have. I’m a huge 60s girl! I suppose because i seen pictures of my parents getting married in the 1960s and i love my mum wedding dress. What can i say 60s that hasn’t already been said! I love the mini skirt, twiggy, hippie culture and the new popular culture that was emerging. Just watch film such as the boats that rocked and you will know exactly what i mean!!

Do you have any shopping tips when it comes to shopping for vintage fashion?

Yes my top 5 tips:

1) Be weary of buying anything online as often the material, the sizing is often out. I brought stuff and the stitching is undone and is falling apart. Make sure you are buying for a well-know vintage buyer who has a good reputation.

2) Don’t listen to the shop-owner and make up your own mind ( remember they want your money).

3) Try on in store/shop (often place has a small changing room, if not ask if you can go in the back room) as often once you get home and try and fit it on you and it will start tearing or will not fit you. Most vintage place they won’t give you a full refund.

4) investigate your garment, ask about it history and stories. Look at the stitching, will it fall apart easily? Ask how old is it? The older it is – the worse the stitiching can be.

5) Haggle the price, sometime you will get the sale of the century and often you won’t. But in my case people are willing to haggle you the price, just don’t be disappointed if you only get a fiver off and don’t angry the sale-owner as they can refuse to sell it to you.

Where are you favourite places to shop?

Topshop & New look are two name that spring to mind! Topshop flag street shop has a vintage department and it to die for!! A lot of unknown designers and collection, all really unique and one of a kind. Once it gone – it gone for good.

The new look flag street in Oxford street sell a collection of vintage clothes, these collection i discovered are from boutique you will find on Portobello road but in this case you have the security of getting a refund if it doesn’t fit you.

Ebay and Etsy. Etsy.com is an American site, similar layout to eBay but everything is handmade (or near enough) and it a brilliant place to find that 1950s dress you been searching for. The big problem is the pricing ( as it all in US dollar) and oversea delivering, but i been in contact and there a uk base site to be launched soon.

Ebay for obvious reason, just be careful and alway double check.

Modcloth.com – this is a fun clothes shop for vintage lover, an amercian site again but willing to do oversea delivering. If you just want to have fun then check it out.

Now the biggie: Portobello road/market – It in the weekend when you get the clothes stall more on the main market. But during the week (go on friday and you get a discount) down by portobello green (near ladbroke grove tube station) is the vintage market. Last time i was there i picked up a 1960-70s dress for £25 and i was dead chuffed!! I advise anyone to go down and have a look.

Ok i think i said everything now. I’m off now..