vintage style dresses on the high street

When I returned from Asia I found, regrettably, that 'vintage' or rather my much loved jumble bargains had become trendy. The jumble sale itself seemed to have disappeared in favour of Ebay, no more elbow duelling with determined elderly ladies or fantastic earrings for 20p. Whilst it is good to see old clothes being valued and not thrown away it has left me bereft of my usual sources. Additionally, whilst it is rightly up to people how they wear their clothes, there is a nasty fairy hiding inside me that wants to jump out and thump Kate Moss wannabes wearing uncared for vintage 50's tulle with Ugg boots. Even worse are Hoxtonites who have cut up (or in their words 'deconstructed') lovely old rayon 40's dresses. The only thing that cheers me is the fact that so many of these women are being ripped off by the likes of Rellik and charged a fortune for crappy old 60's crimpolene and vile 70's nylon.



The problem remains however that the prices for the vintage I want to wear with a hat and heels are now beyond my means. Especially as vintage clothes also come complete with challenges: difficulties of sizing, moth nibbles and that unique, not entirely pleasant smell of damp. I like reproduction clothing, but the difficulty is that when I wear a Stop Staring dress everyone recognises it, nice in a way but I cannot help feeling profoundly unoriginal. New companies and designers keep on appearing to fill this demand but their clothes are often as expensive as the vintage versions.



Sometimes the High Street throws up good alternatives. I love my Jasmine Guinness cherry- print rockabilly style dress. Recently I bought her navy blue day dress featuring fabric with a little peach coloured pattern which has an 'atomic' feel to it. The combination of navy and dusty pink is also very retro. The tie belt is far too long but anyone with basic sewing skills (ie not me!) could shorten it and attach a vintage buckle quite easily. Her sleeves to be snug but other than that I love the cut and the crepe like fabric. It has been mistaken for a genuine vintage item even though in truth it is a hybrid of 40's cut with 50's pattern and 30's detailing.



The other shop that seems currently to have some dresses with a distinct vintage feel is Laura Ashley. I also recently bought a good emerald green embellished dress from Phase Eight that had a late 40's feel about it with a fitted draped waist and sweetheart neckline. Coast also have an elegant long navy crepe de chine like dark blue evening gown that is pure 30's in stock. Although the price is steep it might crop up in the new year sales and it is nice to see something in such a classic colour. Coast dresses are manufactured for giants so a seamstress would probably be needed by most to shorten the hem.

Coast long floaty navy blue 30's style gown with embroidered front.



Laura Ashley 30's style grey silk gown (I want this one!)

Laura Ashley classic 50's style gown.

Laura Ashley 40's style gown

Jasmine Guinness Zita dress.

All of these dresses are currently available, I love the grey Laura Ashley one and may well buy it. Jasmine Guinness sells through Littlewoods and Very.