Sew Seventies

The generous gift of a voucher brought me to the door of an antique and vintage shop in Rathmines recently. The 3rd Policeman’s extensive collection of authentic period clothing is beautifully displayed at the back of the store and I made a beeline for it, but not before stopping to ooh and aah at a mishmash of antique furniture and quirky knickknacks, which included a Victorian tea set, toy airplanes, a 1960s record player, lamps in every size and style imaginable, a stuffed fox, typewriters and a picnic set from the 1950s! I wasn’t distracted for too long as I had clothes on the brain (a spending ban will do that to a girl) and I spent a blissful hour trying on items that spanned the twentieth century. This hand finished 1970s sundress fits like a glove and I adore everything about it – the flared skirt, the pockets, the charming embroidery to the bodice. It will see me into autumn too when I plan to channel Russian beauties Miroslava Duma and Ulyana Sergeenko by pairing it with my thrifted knee high boots and a heavy knitted cape.

Dress - The 3rd Policeman

Sandals - New Look

 

A Retro Day Out: Smithfield Market Fair

A day spent leisurely browsing market stalls brimming with treasures and trinkets is a day well spent in my eyes. As a lover of all things vintage I’ve been to several vintage fairs and flea markets. There’s something enchanting about sifting through rails of brightly coloured garments hoping to find a gem in your size, discovering your favourite band amongst the stacks of pre-loved vinyl, trying on glittering rings and necklaces and chatting to the stall owners about their carefully selected stock - every item with its own story. Now there’s a new fair in town and this one is like no other. The first Smithfield Market Fair was held on Sunday June 15^th in Generator in Smithfield Square. Generator is a hostel with a difference; it boasts a bar, a café, a cinema room, and can be used as a music venue…or a market!

                                                       Vintage clothing at Vertigo Vintage

The fair kicked off at 1 p.m. and by the time my two friends and I made it in at 1.30 p.m., the place was a hive of activity. Over thirty stalls were dotted around the split-level venue. Not only was there genuine vintage clothing but also upcycled vintage pieces, vintage reproduction, handmade and second-hand clothes. There was also a lot of handcrafted gifts including cards, jewellery, art, contemporary art, hair bows, headscarves, hats and painted tiles. The cinema room was showing cult classics and a band were starting to set up in the bar. I couldn’t stay for long as it was Father’s Day but I believe there was live jazz, skiffle and hip hop until the wee hours. That’s why Smithfield Market Fair stands out from the crowd; it’s the bad boy of fairs. While other fairs are packing up at 6 p.m. and trotting off home, Smithfield Market Fair is pulling an all-nighter. Food was available in the café but we couldn’t find a table. We did however find an Italian restaurant across the square; Bel Cibo serves reasonably priced, tasty food. Perfect for ravenous bargain hunters!
 

                            Handmade jewellery, headscarves & bowties at A Little Idea

                                                 Vintage reproduction clothing at FiftyFive65

                                                          Handmade jewellery at WhimsyJig

Lovely Maeve of Vertigo Vintage with her beautiful clothes & bags

 

 

What I wore:

 

 

Dress – Vintage 1960s from The 3rd Policeman

Shoes – Mel

Sunglasses – Tiger Stores

 

 

What I bought:

 

Upcycled 1970s top from Dottie & Pearl & 1960s skirt from Vertigo Vintage

 

 

 The next Smithfield Market Fair is August 10^th. Check out their Facebook page for updates.

 

 

 

Found In The Attic: Forgotten Treasures

 

Vintage clothing is in high demand. Several factors have contributed to vintage clothing’s soaring popularity including an appreciation of classic design, television period dramas such as Mad Men and Downton Abbey and an increased interest in environmental sustainability. Due to the demand, vintage garments in good condition, in particular pre-1950s garments, are becoming more difficult to find and more expensive to buy. You can find vintage clothing in a number of places from vintage clothes shops, vintage fairs, eBay and Etsy to the more obscure charity shops, flea markets and auctions. And then there’s your own home – yes! A rummage through your attic (or your parents’ or grandparents’) could yield some unexpected gems.

 

While helping my mother clean out her attic over a year ago, I stumbled across more of my Great-Aunt Liz’s belongings. I had already inherited a few beautiful pieces from Liz which I talked about in this post.  Apart from her wedding dress, I had no idea the items described below were tucked away in the dusty depths of the attic. As much as I love vintage fashion, I’m no expert at dating vintage clothing. I’ve researched each item but I’d love my vintage savvy readers to give their thoughts and opinions.

 

 Beaded Bag:

It was difficult to determine the date of this small bag as it’s unbranded and has no label. It seems beaded purses were the ultimate fashion accessory of the 20^th century, enjoying huge popularity from the 1920s to the 1960s and beyond. This bag has a gold frame with a clasp closure. Cream and beige seed beads form an intricate design. Unfortunately some of the beads are missing and the lining is quite soiled. I’m guessing this dainty purse is 1940s/1950s.
 

 

Embellished Belt:

A jewel-encrusted silver clasp adorns this embroidered fabric belt. In my mind, I can see this cinching in a tailored jacket á la Christian Dior’s 1947 “New Look”. The silhouette of nipped-in waist and full skirt was a refreshing change from the frugal styles of World War II, greatly influencing 1950s fashion.

 

Formal Gloves:

 

I wore these cream gloves to Ladies Day at the Dublin Horse Show last August (see post here). Their flared shape, which is called gauntlet style, was very popular in the 1950s. They’re in excellent condition and I adore the elegant detailing around the cuff.

Juliet Cap:

 

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (née Bouvier) is credited with resurrecting the Juliet cap. Juliet caps, small crocheted or mesh caps, were worn by brides throughout the 1920s and 30s but they became fashionable again when Jackie wore one for her 1953 wedding to John F. Kennedy. My Great-Aunt Liz got married in 1954; I’ve no idea if she was inspired by Jackie but I’d like to think she was. This Juliet cap is the only item of Liz’s wedding attire that’s survived. Unfortunately, her dress wasn’t stored correctly and was badly damaged. The dress, high-necked and long-sleeved, reminded me of another iconic mid-20^th century bride. Grace Kelly’s gown worn during her wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956 is one of the best-remembered bridal gowns of all time. The bride also wore an elaborate headpiece.

 

 

Gold Evening Gown:

What a find! I was convinced this dress was from the 1960s due to the high neck and sleeveless style. However, on closer inspection I found a distinctive ILGWU (International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union) label. The union changed the design of its label numerous times since its formation in 1900, making it easier for vintage lovers to identify the general era an item was made. According to the Vintage Fashion Guild, this dress is post 1974. In 1974, ILGWU decided to change the colours of its label to red, white and blue with the addition of the line 'Made in U.S.A.’. This was part of a campaign to encourage American consumers not to buy imported goods. The label was changed again in 1995 when the ILGWU merged with another union, the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union, to form UNITE.

 

Now who’s going treasure hunting?!