Author: Orla Doherty

Often when an item of clothing combines influences from more than one retro aesthetic, it can end up with none of the styles looking quite right. But when this is done well it can provide a rare gem for the retro wardrobe, as in the case of this Mae Dress from French Connection.

The dress combines elements of 1980s fashion with an air of 1920s design, creating something which works surprisingly well. The luxurious bird pattern and embroidery gives the luxe glamour of the twenties and thirties, while the shape of the dress gives the impression of an 80s take on art deco era. The overall result, rather than seeming disconnected and too busy, is in fact almost timeless.

Get it from French Connection now for £200.

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In the UK it's certainly no longer bikini weather, but if you're lucky enough to have holidays planned, or you simply don't mind shopping well in advance, there's some fantastic swimwear currently knocking around. This Floral Bikini from Shoshanna is a great sixties style two-piece that worth investment.

With a very cute halter top, with bandeau design, the shape is perfect with tie side briefs to match. The print uses a floral in adventurously bright colours, against a black background. The effect is an almost psychedelic look that works in sync with the retro shape.

Get it online from Bluefly as separates, for the perfect fit, with a combined price of $110.

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Fifties style reproductions in fashion can often concentrate on the supersexy, with rockabilly and pin-up styles as the most popular and easy to find. Heartbreaker Fashion are offering something more mainstream, and with equal flair.

The Jolene Dress has that all-American 50s diner feel, but doesn't veer into looking like something from the Grease wardrobe. Available in both pink and blue polka dots, as well as block brown and a bold print version too, this is a great retro piece for day or night.

Get it online from the Heartbreaker shop for $78.

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The 1920s fashion scene is perfect to plunder for night-time fashion in the colder months, with plenty of sparkle on show. Unfortunately, much of the modern retrospectives on the decade can veer into looking more dressing up box than wearable chic.

This Paul & Joe dress, however, takes an instantly recognisable flapper style and does justice to the luxurious glamour of the era. The Black Squire Flapper Dress uses a straight cut silhouette, creating a bit of sex appeal with a short hem and tassling. The black beading treads the line between subtlety and glamour with ease.

It's available online from My Wardrobe in the UK for £880 – a big pricetag, but for 100% pure silk and showstopping style.

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The 1960s' penchant for modern fabrics has changed a lot of things about the way we dress, but some of the experiments didn't always make it past the turn of the decade. We've all seen many a reinvention of the plastic patent mac, but its accompanying headgear is less typical.

John Lewis have taken the revived patent rainwear look and applied it to a basic hat shape, creating a style evocative of mid sixties rainwear. It captures that youthful and bright side of the mid sixties in England, in this fantastic shade of red.

Get yours online from John Lewis for £15.

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