Categories / Women's Fashion

Jolly Jessie Kaftan by French Connection

Kaftanfrenchconnection

When remembering 1970s fashion, it's one of a few eras which seem to get a raw deal in retrospect. Decadent disco-era styles are often forgotten, though well worth revisiting for vintage style lovers. This Jolly Jessie Beach Kaftan taps into that aesthetic ideally for modern wear.

The kaftan style, born out of the early 70s love of African and Eastern influence, lends itself to a seventies Riviera style thanks to the loose and luxurious fit. The batwing sleeves are offset by a tie waist to add some femininity to the silhouette. This is one of many beach-wear items well worth incorporating into your year-round wardrobe.

Get it from French Connection in the UK now for £55.

Find out more from the website

Categories / Toys and Games

Lego Space Shuttle comes packed with 80s nostalgia

Lego_space

The NASA Space Shuttle project is only now coming to an end, but the design of the space plane is still very much an 80s icon – an icon you can have in your home if you invest in the Lego Space Shuttle.

Yes, that's right, this is the Lego version of a 20th century classic. Which obviously means you'll have to make it yourself. Not easy when it means clicking togehter 1,204 pieces to build the 17.5-inch model, which also boasts a 10-inch wingspan. But once you have made it, you'll be able to impress (or scare) your friends with the launch pad, detachable fuel tank, booster rockets, robot arm, retractable landing gear, opening cockpit with two mini astronauts (male and female), opening cargo compartment, satellite, and ground vehicle.

$100 is the US price. No word on a UK price as yet I'm afraid.

Lego website

Via Gizmodo

Categories / eBay watch

eBay watch: Columbia 1960s stereogram

Stereogram

Type in the words radiogram or stereogram into the eBay search box and you'll be greeted with numerous vintage stereo systems built into sideboard-like wooden cases. They were the norm for years, but fell out of favour as audio systems became smaller and more portable. Which inevitably means there are plenty around today – like this Columbia 1960s stereogram.

Like the majority of these things, the stereogram plays your vinyl and offers access to numerous bands of radio. If that's not enough, it doubles up as a vintage-style sideboard, offering storage too, just like a sideboard would.

The one here 'could probably do with a new needle' and 'some TLC', but is said to be in full working order aside from that. It's up for just £2. If you don't like the look of this one, check out the many other models also for sale on the auction site – and all for similarly small amounts of cash.

Find out more at the eBay website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Kids

70s apple tree money box

Green-apple-tree-moneybox

Give your kids an alternative to raiding the piggy bank, with this apple tree money box which has a design dating back to the 1970s. 

This fun and bright plastic design has been helping Danish children save up their krone for almost forty years. Also available in red, the tree opens on the back for access to the money and there's a slot on the back so it can be displayed on the wall. 

For £8.95 it's perfect in proving that money really can grown on trees. 

Buy it from Hus and Hem

Categories / Design and Interiors

Ulsberg 50s-style bedside table from Ikea

Ulsberg
Grab yourself a high street bargain with a retro look with the Ulsberg bedside table from Ikea

Although this design is intended for use in the bedroom, it's got a similar feel to this genuine 50s plant stand we featured a few weeks back. And, while you could probably also use this one for a plant, there's plenty of space for an alarm clock, reading matter and other bedside essentials too. 

The table is available either in white and frosted glass or, for the more 50s look pictured, in dark grey and frosted glass. 

You can buy it in-store for a very reasonable £19.99. 

See it online

Categories / Books

London Calling: A Countercultural History of London Since 1945 by Barry Miles

London

A recent release that's certain to be of interest to anyone with an enthusiasm for London's 'underground' past – London Calling: A Countercultural History of London Since 1945 by Barry Miles.

It is described as 'a major and definitive history of the counterculture' by a 'pre-eminent chronicler of the cultural underground', written by a man who should know all about it, being the co-owner of the Indica Gallery, founder of the International Times and organiser of the 14 Hour Technicolour Dream event. In terms of content it looks at the counterculture that sprang up in the decades following the Second World War, focusing on the West End and Soho, from the heady days of post-war Soho. the jazz bars and clubs of the fifties, the teddy boys and the Angry Young Men, Francis Bacon and the legendary Colony Club, the 1960s and the Summer of Love, along with the rise of punk.

Out now in hardback, Amazon is selling it for a discounted £12.48.

Find out more at the Amazon website