Author: Orla Doherty

With the sun finally peeking its head from the clouds, sunglasses are becoming a required wardrobe accessory. With any number of retro influences to pick from, both designers and high street shops are still providing plenty of vintage-look styles to pick from.

These Cat-Eye Sunglasses from Alexander McQueen are perfect for a crossover look from fifties to sixties, combining the signature cat-eye style of the 1950s with the beginnings of oversized shades from the 60s. With a sleek combination of black and gold the detailing is bang on for an effortless and lasting vintage style.

Get them online from Matches Fashion for £179.

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Fitted cardigans are a retro wardrobe staple that you can never have too many of, and the high street is always ready to keep them coming. This Polka Dot Cardigan from Dorothy Perkins is an ideal choice for any fifties inspired wardrobe, making a simplistic statement you can wear again and again.

Appealing for its simplicity, the cut is pitch perfect for a retro look with a high neckline, fitted long sleeves and a waist-length bodice. The oversized white polka dots immediately conjure a vintage aesthetic, while navy provides a charming alternative to basic black.

It's available now from Dorothy Perkins for £25.

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Fifties inspired florals have proven popular at Spring and Summer over the last few years, and the influence has continued into many 2010 lines. This Silk Halter Dress from Vivienne Westwood Red Label fuses fifties influence with Westwood's signature styling to create a fresh retro appeal.

The rich fabric allows the draping of the dress to create curves in all the right places, taking care of the vintage silhouette with ease. Bright pastel shades provide a summery floral that's classic, while the cut of the hemline and neckline add a subtle contemporary edge.

Get it online from Net-a-Porter for £602.82.

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We often think of woolen dresses being far too casual for achieving a sharp sixties look, but once in a while that notion is proved completely wrong. Remembering how the decade itself used knits, this Riverdale Dress from Fred Flare doesn't put a foot wrong in transitioning towards Spring with 60s style.

The boatneck, combined with a sleeveless cut, creates the perfect silhouette and slimming look, while the A-line skirt is demure enough for daywear without looking square. The bold stripes combine with a natural green shade to give a twist on a French-inspired chic that sits well with the sixties influence.

Get it online from Fred Flare for $48.

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Among the vampish burlesque and pin-up styles of the 1950s, the cutesy side of the decade is often unfortunately forgotten. This Heart Print Dress from Oli takes that aspect of a fifties retro look and runs with it, creating an adorable modern interpretation.

The short prom style has an instant retro impact, with a more modern Japanese-lolita style twist in the short cut. The halter neckline, red heart print and slight sweetheart neckline keep the fifties influence in place while a dash of modern exaggeration is added to the netted circle skirt.

Get it online from Oli for £30.

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As we put Winter behind us, hemlines can finally get as short as we like and the minidresses need no longer be accompanied by thick woolen tights. This Maluku Linen Dress by KAS is the perfect dress to celebrate the sunshine with, with plenty of retro appeal thrown in for good measure.

The light linen fabric couples well with the late sixties/early seventies feel of the dress. With a bright orange-red border print and neckline, there's a subtle but effective hint of the Eastern influence so loved by late-sixties counter culture. The loose fit counters a super-short hemline to create a relaxed retro look.

Get it online from Bluefly for $83.

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