Last week I happened across an advert for something called The Grand Vintage Ball. This was a very exciting find for three reasons:

1) I love vintage and vintage style clothes and accessories

2) It's at The Rivoli Ballroom, one of my favourite places in the world

3) It falls on one of my best friends' birthday, and she is a vintage vixen!

Obviously, my outfit is all important! Authentic vintage clothes rarely fit me well, so I'm going to look at vintage style pieces. Having had a good think, three eras are open to me and my shape, and I'll show them in this and the next two posts.


First up.....
1920's - flapper fashion!


Fashion-era.com describes flapper fashion thus:
"The costume history image in our minds of a woman of the 'Roaring Twenties' is actually likely to be the image of a flapper. Flappers did not truly emerge until 1926.  Flapper fashion embraced all things and styles modern.  A fashionable flapper had short sleek hair, a shorter than average shapeless shift dress, a chest as flat as a board, wore make up and applied it in public, smoked with a long cigarette holder, exposed her limbs and epitomised the spirit of a reckless rebel who danced the nights away in the Jazz Age."


That's definitely a bit of me! Except for the cigarette...maybe I could have a chocolate one?


This dress from Goddiva is perfect, at only £35!

(not sure why this is blurry...check it out on their website!)

I'd wear it with headpiece like this headband/fascinator from PegasusMaiden's Etsy shop ($32 approx. £21.31)

And maybe some long beads, like these ones - £4 from New Look

Completing the look with some black mary-jane or t-bar shoes. I love these by Miss KG -  £50 from asos.com

So what would do you think to this outfit? Let me know below!

xxx

Last week, Tim Burton brought 'Alice in Wonderland' firmly back to the foreground of the public consciousness. Of course, as with all big films (especially those funded by Disney), a glut of merchandise has appeared throughout the world of retail. Unfortunately, most of it isn't worth the shopping bag it's carried in, but there are some fantastic pieces to be found if you look down the right rabbit holes...

My absolute favourite piece is this Tom Binns for Disney Couture Mad Hatter necklace/wallet chain...

The perfect way to show that adults can let their imaginations run free, too. Or just celebrate the wonder of the Mad Hatter! It is a little pricey, but the detail in it is incredible, and it feels magical to wear. I got mine from Accessories Online for £146

I also love this ring from the Disney Couture collection:

It has a lovely, chunky feel, without being too obtrusive. The ring is also adjustable, which makes it a perfect gift (my mum certainly loved hers!).

And this Red Queen 'Off With Their Heads' necklace is gorgeous! It doubles as a brooch, too. Twice as nice!

(Both the ring and the necklace brooch are also available from Accessories Online)

But Disney aren't been the only ones to get in with Alice.

I've been a huge fan of Hoolala's jewellery for several years now, and my necklace stands and trinket boxes are full to bursting with her beautiful, unusual designs. Amongst my collection is a wonderful one-of-a-kind Alice in Wonderland piece. While you can't buy that, there are plenty more Alice pieces to be snapped up. Such as this Hoolala 'Down the Rabbit Hole' charm bracelet (£58) from Hannah Zakari

(Photo from Hannah Zakari)

Or, you can visit Hoolala's shop on Etsy here for all of her beautiful Alice in Wonderland pieces.

And how about this gorgeous Eclectic Eccentricity teapot and dormouse necklace?

Get it here for £36.50

(photo from Eclectic Eccentricity)

This Swarovski 'White Rabbit' pendant necklace has something of the minimalist cool about it at £97.

There are so many beautiful Alice inspired pieces to be found out there, more than I could fit into this post. It's well worth scouting around.

Next time - Alice clothes!

Mel x