Weird fashion...Technology is the future.

There's a butterfly on my shoulder!

BEJEWELLED eyes and diamante wings add a finishing touch to any outfit, vintage or new. Oversized butterflies, leopards, owls, birds & stick insects to name but a few reflect individuality and a hint of quirkiness to a scarf, jumper, coat or hat. I think it's even better if there isn't any kind of co-ordination and it's certainly a massive NO-NO to dress head to toe in vintage.

The older and bolder it appears, the more stylish and creative it looks. Pieces can also be multi-purpose; clip-on earrings can also be transformed into brooches. A long vintage necklace can be wrapped around your wrist as a statement bracelet. It's easy to create a stunning look with a vintage piece of jewellery. Swallows are trending at the moment whether it's earrings, rings, necklaces or print on dresses & jumpsuits.

The beauty of these unique pieces is that they are not produced in mass batches, like those sitting in the accessories section of New Look or Topshop and Primark. In a vintage shop, you will find one jewel encrusted butterfly, as opposed to 20! Basically, if your nan’s got a brooch lying around, wear it.

Ebay is an excellent treasure trove of interesting and individual, unusual and curious creatures.

J'adore Dior

THE BEAUTY and elegance surrounding vintage clothing stems back decades. I never really understood the core glamour of the style…until I delved into the history behind one of my favourite designers, Christian Dior.

There's a lot more to him then just a designer label; in times of economic upheaval and war, his flawless and creative designs truly made women feel empowered, unique and beautiful amongst a

bleary backdrop of war-town Cities.

The launch of Christian Dior's couture houses & the 'New Look' in 1947 marks the golden age of fashion. I can now see the inspiration behind the clothes we wear today and vintage pieces sitting in second hand shops. The end of the war and birth of a new era set high standards and introduced women to high-end unique fashion pieces, which are still in a league of their own. He interweaved cinched-in waist long skirts, small hips and sloping shoulders to create the figure 8 of the womanly form through his clothing.

This voluptuous collection marks the end of military uniforms and a celebration of a new outlook on living an independent life, especially for women.

However, not everyone was in awe of his designs. Garment rationing was still in place which meant Christian Dior was restricted in the amount of fabric required to create a New Look garment. The collection was shown in secret to Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family at the French Embassy in London. The British Board of Trade initially condemned him for turning a blind eye to rationing; however, once Princess Margaret adopted the look, the New Look trend gained widespread popularity. His fashion line reflected femininity and youth; a celebration of being a woman which is still reflected in today's fashion trends.

Vintage Jewellery...the treasure trove

VICTORIAN gems, bangles, lockets, rings and necklaces galore! I discovered an online jewellery boutique Violet Vintage which had me hooked for ages.

There are real gems to snap up, including vintage bangles and1960s cameo necklaces - the ideal accessory for this season's ladylike trend.

With prices ranging from £25 - £500, there is a perfect something for everyone - and with the 'New Vintage' collection, you can even add a quirky personal touch with hand-stamped discs and engraving.


Get clicking now at Violetvintagejewellery.com

Granny chic

MY NAN used to have the same (fake) fur coat as I now have when she

was my age.

So vintage is back..did it ever go away? The timelessness of clothes which were

trends back in the 60's, 70's & 80's mean that clothes look as elegant and unique now as they did back then.

Clothes associated with your nan & gran aren't really seen as fashionable to most people...except for now. 'Granny chic' has already featured on catwalks and is inspiring many women to ditch their edgy, smart and uptight look for a heavy, knitted cardigan, tweed mid-length skirts and flesh-coloured tights. So it looks like women aren't just interested in old, vintage items, but to look old is a trend in itself too.

(ASOS Vintage Look Faux Fur Coat £60.00)