REVIVAL repro-vintage in Kingly Court.

Now I have already nailed my colours to the mast concerning repro clothing. I have seen some very catty comments from purists over the years. In my book purists are wonderful when they are the kind of person who shares their enthusiasm and knowledge, but when they are snide they are just another brand of prat. I am delighted to find original items when the are affordable, fit and are in decent condition but this can't always be the case especially bearing in mind modern figures. Rowena (pictured below) hails from the jive scene and has started selling a selection of well known repro brands. Many of these can be ordered on line already from reputable on-line shops however if you cannot wait it is handy to be able to run in, try on and run out with a dress you have had your eye on. 

What caught my eye was that the shop, Revival, is not limiting itself to a certain era. For example there are some lovely beaded 20's dresses (Candlelight Club and Prohibition regulars please note!). The other element is that she is selling shoes. Now I have awkward shaped feet, 80% of the time shoes won't fit me so ordering these on-line is not possible for me, I think selling repro-shoes is a very good idea. She also stocks cute silk and button hair/corsages and is hoping to stock more things from small makers. Adornment for the brain is available in the form of a small range of beautifully bound books by the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The shop's range will be extending to include mens wear. She is currently stocking: 

Stop Staring
Trashy Diva
Tara Starlet
Vecona Vintage
Nicole Katherine
Re-Mix Vintage Footwear
Aris Allen Swing Dance Shoes

This now means you could completely kit yourself out in the Carnaby street area: hair by Betty or the Powderpuff girls, make up from the latter, undies from Sugarlesque, frock from Revival and a hat from Atelier Millinery. Details here: http://www.revival-retro.com/

Rowena in the shop on it's opening day.

Detail of beaded 20's style dress.

Some of the dresses on sale.

Long 30's style evening frock.

Now these shoes I really want

Hair decorations/corsages.

Books, pearls and shoes...all it needs is a glass of champagne and some chocolate!

Irregular Choice... these shoes are made for, erm... walking.

I’ve been off the radar for a while, largely because due to pollution amongst other things I was forced to hide in a darkened room with my inhaler doing a passable impression of a gothic consumptive (plus paracetemol and day time tv).  I’m now back in the land of the living as much as I will ever be and my thoughts have turned to shoes.

I suspect we all have our foot maladies, personally I don’t like feet, think toes are ugly and the idea of reflexology brings me out in hives. I do like shoes however, mainly because they cover feet and make them look attractive. I don’t like the sandally strappy type of footwear. Nor am I keen on the wedge type shoes loved by many stylish ladies. Perhaps a Remix wedge shoe in red or green would be ok, but white or pale blue and pink simply remind me of nurses’ shoes or cleaners’ feet. Also I feel wedges only look good on long slender legs.

My major problem is that I have those wide pointy feet, you know the type that poke out of the bottom of Norman tunics in parish churches. Some shoe people are good for this foot shape: Clarks do the job, New Look’s and Next’s wide fit can be comfy (although this season’s designs are not my cup of Oolong).  In fact recently shoes have done little for me, the tranny/wag heel doesn’t suit and is excruciating to wear.  As for all these chunky, strappy monstrosities I don’t want to look like the mutant child of Spartacus and Barbarella. Flip Flops are not fit for anything, even if they are fit flops. Those Vivien Westwood plastics look appealing but I am waiting for someone to tell me how they feel, I recall plastics first time round and even when flat they produced horrendous suppurating blisters.

My hopes at the moment rest upon Irregular Choice, who have a branch in Carnaby Street and also sell through Schuh on the high street. Many of you will be familiar with them, but if not they put the fun back into shoe design. In addition they sometimes have space in the front for wide tootsies: this is partially because they champion the round toe shape. Where they really come into their own is sheer quirkiness and interesting embellishments, trimmings and colours. These shoes are statements and some I suspect will only come into their won when combined with plain colours and simple clothes. Many have a vintage feel, some are downright daft. But the quality and price are not bad. I bought a pair of their Union Jack Courts for my mother who is a conservative dresser but she loves wearing them. Shoes are perhaps where more minimal women really can go to town style wise, especially as they are not as reliant on body shape or age for their effect. Currently I have my eye on the shoes below. The basic shape has a nice vintage feel but the toe is covered with tiny plastic little bunny buttons, impractical, whimsical and perhaps a bit silly but I do wear a lot of black and they would look nice with the black opaque tights  I wear all year. I’ve put up some pictures of other shoes from the current range that I fancy, they are all available from the website and cost between £60 - £90.  I prefer the shop in Carnaby Street (I really have to try shoes on) which has cheery young staff who dance to Abba, I also like the canvassy bag decorated with robots and the clever shoe boxes you get. Has anyone out there got any shoe recommendations to share? Let me know! xx

Bunny shoes!

These have a rather nice 30's / 40's feel.

Lovely lucite style carved heel.

The image on the front is an applique pink pussy.

Pretty detailing on these brogues.