Tagged: Vintage

May 20, 2014

Rose Tinted x

(Women welders from World War II)

There are some clothes that my mother hates…but I love – Utility wear comes under that heading. I suspect it’s a generation thing..my Grandmother hated brass beds associating them with poverty, the Husband’s mother hates our wooden floorboards preferring her perceived luxury of fitted carpets. Then there’s the ongoing discussions between the benefits of a free-standing kitchen rather than a fitted one. We definitely see things with different eyes depending on our subliminal associations.

I love a good Chore coat, like this one from Toast. But my mother would see small, grubby, repetitive work with a touch of coarse. Clothes reduced to their bare essentials with aprons and housecoats abandoned for their practical purposes because the undercurrent of domestic containment is just too strong.

But for me there’s an intrinsic quality – I embrace the practicality, the structured comfort, the soft detailing, the wholesome vintage charm. Instead of servitude and drudgery it represents a time when we took pride in making things from scratch..when it seemed there was more space to breathe.

(Also from Toast)

(By Sisters by Sibling SS14)

Of course, you could just see them as brilliant coats, perfect for layering in this bridging the weather time till the lazy days of summer truly hit…

Laters, Kate x

February 1, 2014

Salvage Yard x

A few months ago Caitlyn Moran, writer for the Sunday Times, wrote an article on the deficits of money. She decided that once she had money she always chose the easy option..got an Event, need a dress? Buy it. But without it she was forced to be creative – rumble through wardrobe, find something, get sewing machine out. Go to Event as the new Lady Godiva. Her conclusion was that her brain was far better and more inventive in her desperate youth than it is today…and that the ability to adapt and alter is something we need to treasure and nurture.

New bedside tables perhaps?

A rather dramatic floor lamp?

A unique piece of Art…

Just because..

Fur coat, no knickers in the downstairs toilet?

Stunning.

A kitchen..or a new industrial office?

A new headboard?

Life is really what you want to see.

Laters, Kate x

April 30, 2013

Swedish Hasbeens x

I was aware of fashion from a very early age …rolling down my hated knee socks in primary school in longing of cute ankle ones – and lusting over those nearly not there socks with the pom-pom at the back? Sigh. And there was the utter object of my desire..navy blue clogs. I’d watch those lucky girls nonchalantly flick them off to do cartwheels on the grass..before sliding them back on and jauntily walking off with that bone dry rhythm. I knew it was wrong to be fiddling with a buckle.

Time has made a difference..and I just got me some new summer shoes…CLOGS! A long held desire has been appeased and a wrong has finally been righted..Do you know the brand Swedish Hasbeens? They have a lovely story..(although it has given me visions of Anita lighting up a four-legged beast from the desert)..

The story

Her name was Anita and she was the hottest mum in all of southern Sweden in the 1970’s. While smoking Camel she screamed at her kids until her curlers fell out and just looked fabulous in her white high-heeled clogs.One summer day in 2006 we found the shoes she wore (300 pairs of red, white and black beautiful clogs from the 70’s) in the basement of an old clog factory in the neighboring village and brought them to Stockholm. So for all these people that shared our love for Anita’s wooden shoes and for ourselves we started Swedish Hasbeens.Our ambition is to continue to release more incoherent and fun shoes and stuff inspired by Hasbeens that once ruled the planet.The Hasbeens toffels, bags and belts are based on original 70’s models and are made of ecologically prepared natural grain leather since it’s the most beautiful and the highest quality at the same time as it’s environmentally friendly.They are still handmade with respect for people and the environment in the old traditional way, and in small factories that have made shoes for decades. Our production methods and material are kind to nature and people. Happy toffels make happy people.

The designs are delicious…

inspire10_s A clunky shoe that’s elegant..want this one. Love this colour – they also do in canary yellow! Want these. And some more retro style ads from their website:

I went for simplicity and a lower heel – I’ve never worn Hasbeens before and I suspect a wooden sole takes a bit of getting used to, also I was ordering off the internet…and truth be told – I’m not too good on really high heels and I want these as regular day shoes..the colour is divine…not white, but a soft, buttermilk.. they’ll go with everything..

But if they suit…and they become my best-ever-summer-shoe-purchase-since-the-arrival-of-flatforms..guess where they’ve opened their first UK shop? Only in Hanbury street in Spitalfields…I hear a siren call..

Laters, Kate x

P.S. Tip from Anna, the half-Swedish girl who knows..to wear them in (the leather is good n strong) start wearing them in the house with extra thick socks!

April 3, 2013

Idylic Islington..

Another foray..if you ever want a posh place to trawl vintage then head to Islington. Ever want a delicious place to shop?…to eat?…to be? then Islington is your place…

Super cool idea for vintage jelly molds..