Tag Archive | Fashion

DIY Denim

Apr17

Do you have pairs of jeans or denim jackets, and find that you aren’t wearing them as often anymore? I decided to make some changes and up-cycle my denim to portray more personality. Here are some different ideas to make your denim extra fancy and express yourself!

1.Denim Jacket with Tulle Hemline

I purchased this jacket already like this, but this an easy DIY project. This denim jacket has tulle added to the bottom and bling badges pinned. All you need to do is purchase tulle and sew it to the inside of the hem of the denim jacket. You can sew on as many layers of the tulle depending on the look you desire or you can gather the tulle and sew along the hemline.

2. Painted Denim

If you are a talented artist, or know someone who is, then you can paint on your denim! Make sure you draw your image first, using fabric pencils. Then with fabric paint you can go ahead and paint your desired image. You can do basic images or fancy depending on your preference. Be careful to never iron straight on the paint.

3. Iron on Transfers on Denim

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If you’re not too artistically skilled, another option is to purchase an iron-on transfer. You can find many excellent retro inspired designs online. Follow the instructions, but most just require ironing upside down onto the fabric. Be careful to never to iron straight on the transfer, when ironing your denim, as it may melt!

4. Patches on Denim

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You can purchase retro patches and sew or iron them onto your denim. Patches are an easy and affordable option to decorate your denim, and there are so many designs to choose from online, at markets or sewing shops.

5. Embroidered Denim

Embroidery is a super fun DIY if you already have the skills, or are willing to learn! There are plenty of online videos and tutorials making it easy to learn. I am planning on embroidering cherries on a pair of denim capris, so check out my blog in the next few weeks! Some sewing machines also have embroidery functions.

6. Fabric on Denim

Retro fabric can be sewn onto your denim, for a fresh look! To make it look professional I like to sew the fabric along the sewn sections of the denim, such as collars, pockets or the back seam of the jacket, like above.  Place the fabric over the area you want to sew it on, and cut it about 2.5cm bigger. Pin it to the area while tucking the edges under, for a tidy edge. Now you’re ready to sew! Try sewing as close as possible to the fabric edge. With excess fabric you can also make matching headbands, scarves or bags.

Double denim was big in the 1950’s, and I have achieved this look by sewing the same fabric on denim pants and jacket!

I hope this inspires you try up-cycling your old denim items. You can even purchase second hand denim from op shops, markets or vintage clothes shops to try out your DIY ideas. Send me photos of your finished products, I would love to see them.

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Ridiculously Retro Xx

1950’s Ladies Gloves

Mar7

In the early 1950’s, ladies were required to wear gloves as etiquette and as part of fashion. They wore gloves that match their shoes or their outfit, while some ladies wore traditional white gloves. Fashionable ladies would wear striped gloves or patterned with matching scarves. Not only fashionable, gloves were also worn to warm hands.

1950s Glove advertisement

The 1950’s glove etiquette for ladies was that gloves had to be worn in most public places, including the streets of cities and large towns, at church, to a luncheon or dinner, reception, a dance, theatre, restaurant, wedding and any official function. Smart ladies wore gloves on trains, buses and trams.

When wearing formal wear, ladies needed to wear elbow-length gloves. This made a person look fashionable and glamorous.

Everyday gloves were not fancy or piped or in contrasting colours. Ladies kept everyday gloves very simple, like all the basics in their wardrobe.

Brides had to keep their hands covered. A bride wearing short sleeves had to wear long gloves but had to slip her hand out easily for the wedding ring.

Bracelets could be worn over gloves but never rings.

Marilyn wearing bracelets over her gloves

Some ladies wore leather gloves. They could be deerskin or cowhide. For warmth some wore theirs lined with sheepskin but this meant the gloves looked bulkier.

Ladies wearing their gloves

A lady only removed her gloves before eating, drinking, smoking, playing cards or putting on makeup. Long gloves remained on at all times at dances. Gloves even remained on when shaking someones hands. At a restaurant, a lady removed her coat, then was seated and could only then remove her gloves.

To me, I think gloves are very stylish and I love to wear them at formal outings to match my vintage outfit. What do you think of gloves? Stylish or not? Let me know your thoughts.

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Fashion Icons of the 1950s

Feb20

The 1950s saw a huge change in fashion. The transition from the 1940s post war fashion moved from the saloons to the streets. It was easy care fabrics with speedier manufacturing. This meant fashion was available for the masses! Designers such as Christian Dior, Givenchy and Chanel were influential designers in the 1950s.

1950s Fashion

Christian Dior nipped hourglass shapes which created a new era in women’s fashion. After years of fashion oppression and fabric rationing during the Second World War, the era of Womanliness was here.

1950s Dior

Designer Cue Hubert de Givenchy, a Parisian designer whose designs were worn by the likes of Audrey Hepburn. The most famous being the black dress worn by Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the famous gold embroiled gown worn in Sabrina.

1950s Givenchy

Coco Chanel was creating fashion since 1910 but in the 1950s she created the famous ‘Chanel Suit’ as we still know it now. It is a slim tweed jacket and skirt with contrasting bound edges. It is an elegant look.

1950s Chanel

Fashion icons of the 1950s were stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Sophia Loren, James Dean, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelley. They were the first to showcase the fashion.

Audrey Hepburn mainly wore Givenchy gowns. Audrey epitomised elegance and was an example of less is more. She always relied on her little black dress when out on the town. Her pixie haircut was her trademark.

1950s Fashion Icon – Audrey Hepburn

Marilyn Monroe was one of the greatest and most recognisable fashion icons of all time, she defined glamour for generations to come. She was famous for her platinum blonde hair, red lips and her beauty spot.

1950s Fashion Icon – Marilyn Monroe

Elvis Presley was the poster boy of the 1950s. He invented his own brand of preppy rockabilly. His style was biker chic, guyliner and high waisted trousers.

1959s Fashion Icon – Elvis

Sophia Loren made famous the fashion item eyeliner. Also her hourglass figure accentuated her feminine fashion style.

1950s Fashion Icon – Sophia Loren

James Dean was one of the most handsome and iconic men of the 1950s. Dean has an effortless fashion style with his leather jacket, blue denim jeans and collars always up.

1950s Fashion Icon – James Dean

Brigitte Bardot wearing a bikini in the Cannes Film Festival, 1953, stole the show. This secured the bikini as a must have fashion item.

1950s Fashion Icon – Brigitte Bardot

Elizabeth Taylor’s style was brave, admirable and inspirational. She loved elegant jewels. Elizabeth liked to push boundaries with fashion and start trends, with her plunging neck lines, fur wraps, feather boas and eye catching head pieces.

1950s Fashion Icon – Elizabeth Taylor

Grace Kelly both on screen and off screen outfits, were the most talked about and copied of the decade. Her wedding dress in 1956 was one of the most memorable and elegant wedding dresses of all time. Grace epitomised classic and timeless beauty with her wardrobe.

1950s Fashion Icon – Grace Kelly

1950s fashion was, without a doubt, one of the fashion industries favourite decades. What do you love about 1950s fashion? I would love to hear.

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Ridiculously Retro Xx

Guide to Shopping Rockabilly

Jan27

My aim is to help people that are just starting to love and wanting to live the rockabilly way.  Here are some of my favourite labels that you can look out for when wanting to purchase a Rockabilly outfit.

  1. Lindy Bop  https://www.lindybop.com.au/ – Lindy Bop has stunning rockabilly dresses and skirts. They have such a wide and stunning range in traditional styles.
  2. Kitten D’Amour https://kittendamour.com – Kitten D’Amour have gorgeous rockabilly dresses, skirts and tops. You will adore visiting their shops, they are so glamorous and full of great accessories to accompany all your outfits.
  3. Hell Bunny https://www.facebook.com/hellbunnyclothing/ – Hell Bunny have a great variety of rockabilly dresses, skirts, pants, and tops. This is one of my very favourite brands to buy. I just love their 1940s inspired dresses, they really suit my body shape.
  4. Sourpuss https://www.sourpussclothing.com/ -Sourpuss would also be one of my favourite brands. They have great diner style dresses that I just love! They have a huge rockabilly variety in pants, skirts, dresses and tops. Sourpuss have great Christmas dresses and a variety of Halloween dresses and skirts. I have purchased a few as I love dressing up for special occasions.
  5. Liquor Brand https://www.sourpussclothing.com/brands/liquorbrand – Liquor Brand have some really unique and stylish tops and dresses. They also produce great rockabilly handbags. One of my most worn outfits in wintertime is their cherry print top and leggings that I accompany with my black pinafore dress
  6. Dangerfield https://shop.dangerfield.com.au/ -Dangerfield have great rockabilly dresses and skirts with different prints being released each season. These are great choices as they often make matching cardigans which mean your dresses can also be worn in winter time with a cardigan
  7. Revival https://shop.dangerfield.com.au/ – Revival also have great dresses in 60s or 50s style. They are really cute and in adorable prints.
  8. Princess Highway https://shop.dangerfield.com.au/ -Princess Highway do the cutest prints in their rockabilly dresses and skirts. I have so many different styles in this brand and there is new prints coming out each season.
  9. H&R Hearts https://www.handrlondon.com/ – I don’t own any items in this brand but I investigated the brand online and there is some really pretty rockabilly dresses to choose. I might have to purchase one! Lol
  10. Collectif https://www.collectif.cpo.uk/ – Collectif are another brand that produces gorgeous rockabilly dresses and skirts. I have a few of their items in my wardrobe, mainly tops and skirts but they are great to accompany some of my outfits.
  11. Voodoo Vixen https://www.voodoovixen.co.uk/ -Voodoo Vixen is another glamorous brand with designs by Micheline Pitt. She produces great T-shirt’s that I have a few in my wardrobe. She also designs lovely tops, skirts and dresses and produces a great makeup range to add to your pinup look.
  12. Banned https://www.bannedapparel.co.uk/ – Banned Apparel is a fun brand for rockabilly dresses and skirts. This brand has a lot of other styles available but it does also accomodate rockabilly styles.
  13. Chic Star https://www.chicstar.com/ – Chic star release great pencil skirts for a rockabilly look. I own a few and I find they are great for working in the office. They look professional while still keeping your rockabilly look. They also have great 50s full skirts and dresses.
  14. Steady Clothing http://www.steadyclothing.com/ – Steady clothing accomodate men and women’s rockabilly clothes. They also have a range of rockabilly bridal dresses, if you need one.

 

I hope this helps you find the dress brand that best suits your rockabilly taste. Let me know your favourite brand or any brands not listed.

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Ridiculously Retro Xx

Christmas Rockabilly Style

Dec14

There are so many events to attend at Christmas time, do you find it hard to pick an outfit? Why not go for an outfit in a Christmas theme. There are some great rockabilly dresses available for Christmas.

Hell Bunny Nevara Dress

Hell Bunny Candy Dress

Hell Bunny Blitzen 50s Dress

Above Hell Bunny Christmas Dresses

Lindy Bop Bertha Deer Border Print Swing Dress

Lindy Bop Lovi Poinsettia Floral Swing Skirt

https://www.lindybop.com.au

Here are some of my Christmas Dresses / skirt:

The top one is the Hell Bunny Blitzen, the next I picked up in a Salvos store but it has no label, following is the Hell Bunny Nevara Dress, the next is my favourite Sourpuss Christmas Kewpie Dress and the bottom one I found in St Vinnies.

You can find other items like Christmas T-shirt’s, bags, badges, jumpers, and more to add to your own everyday outfits. This can add to your Christmas feel.

It just adds to the feeling of Christmas to wear a gorgeous Rockabilly Christmas Dresses. Do you wear Christmas dresses? Send me photos, I would love to see them.

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Ridiculously Retro Xx

Chromefest 2018

Nov8

On the last weekend of October, I attended Chromefest, held over 3 days at the Entrance.

On the Friday the Chromefest starts with the arrival of all the classic cars. There was over 400 show cars to admire and take photos. On Sunday there were also retro caravans displayed. Below are some of the photos that I took:

There was a retro market with a lot of stalls to make special purchases including: Blue Belle Vintage Clothing, Rainbows n Fairies, Plus Size Pin Up, Koolcarz T-shirt’s, Leo’s Vintage, Bread and Butter Vintage, to name a few. I made some cool purchases too!

Then there was the entertainment featured on two stages: DJ Jimmy D, Matchbox, The Hitmakers, Mr James Band, Midnight Drifters, The Hellcats 3, The Rattlesnakes, Jumpin’ Juke Box, The Lincoln’s, The Class of ’58, Itchy Fingers and Elvis tribute artists. There was also the Sydney Swing Katz performing the Charleston, Swing, Lindy Hop and Rock’n’Roll. They were enthusiastic and so professional!

There was a kids zone for kids to enjoy.

Vintage glam workshops were being held. A vintage glamour fashion parade was held that anyone could enter.

instagram.com/pinupdollaustralia

There was also the annual Pin Up Australia Competition Finals.

Pinup Doll Finalists

This is a national pinup competition run by pinups for pinups. The pinups compete in 3 sections ‘Pinup by Beach’ celebrating The Entrance, ‘Pinup by Hotrod’ celebrating hot rods and ‘Pinup Star’ celebrating pinups through history. They also work for three months raising funds for ‘Share the Dignity’. ‘Share the Dignity’ gives sanitary products to homeless women and fights for domestic violence victims. Both are very worthwhile causes!

The whole Chromefest experience is really enjoyable and well worth attending. My husband and I absolutely loved the whole experience!

Have you been to Chromefest? Let me know what you thought, I would love to hear! I found it to be a fantastic weekend and I will be back next year. If you haven’t been then try to get to Chromefest 2019. Check it out at http://www.chromefest.org or Facebook.com/chromefest

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Ridiculously Retro Xx

Tiki Safari

Oct17

On Saturday, my friends and I went to the Tiki Safari held by Barfly Promotions, the makers of the Sydney Rock ‘n’ Roll & Alternative Market

at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville.

The Factory Theatre Marrickville

It was a fantastic afternoon and night! The event is held annually at the Factory Theatre, however it was my first time. What a great place to hold an event, with three levels and an outdoor area!

At the Tiki Safari

There was some fantastic stalls, including Blue Belle Vintage Clothing, Heart Shaped House Vintage, Bred and Butter Vintage, Beyond the Sea Swimwear, Shramek Art and a Tiki mug stand.

I purchased some great items too: leopard capris, green ‘Dolores’ top, retro salt and pepper shaker, tribal doll and a few hair accessories.

And food stands, including Bovine and Swine Barbecue Co, which was delicious, or a chicken and chips stall.

Bovine & Swine Barbeque Co

There was fantastic performers, including DJ Andy Travers, Los Monaros, Hellcat III, Pacific Dreamz Polynesian Dancers, DJ Rod Almighty, Pat Capocci, DJ Jay Katz , Rosa Maria and Thurston Howlers…. and you could not resist dancing along! It was fantastic live entertainment!!

Hellcat III

Pacific Dreamz Polynesian Dancers

Roda Maria

Thurston Howlers

There was a Tiki Fashion Parade too, full of gorgeous retro tiki outfits.

Source credit: https://instagram.com/heartshapedhousevintage?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1cs0xz7aox1my

It was a fantastic event, and we will definitely be back next year. Can’t wait!! Have you ever been to the Tiki Safari or something similar? Let me know about you experience.

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Ridiculously Retro xx