Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Retro-cut high waist shorts from Oli

Shorts

The backlash against the hipster cut is in full force in women’s fashion, which is lucky for us lovers of retro tailoring and silhouettes. The high waist has been brought back to revive the trouser cuts that were so very popular with the women who didn’t rely upon their frocks in the 50s and 60s.

The summer range at Oli has taken the high waist further with these tailored shorts, which remind me of classic Old Hollywood style. Great for summer, the French Matelot style fastening of the navy pair adds another classic element to the garment.

The shorts cost £35 and £30 each (left to right) from Oli online.

Find out more from the website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech

Pure introduces One Mini DAB radio with 1970s styling

Pure_mini

It might have the looks of a 1970s-style plastic radio, but the Pure One Mini is brand new to the market.

Offering both DAB and FM radio, the Pure One Mini works from both mains and (optional) rechargeable battery, with 16 presets, a headphone socket, connectivity for your iPod, USB for updating the software and textSCAN, which lets you control the scrolling text on the screen.

Available in black, white or pink, you can pick one up for £39.99.

Find out more at the Pure website

Categories / Film and TV, Gadgets and Tech

Mio Knight Rider sat nav system – with original KITT voice

Mio_knight

Fans of cheesy 80s crime fighting show Knight Rider are in for a treat – the Mio Knight Rider sat nav unit will soon hit the shelves.

Yes, you can be the ‘Hoff’ in whatever car you choose, as the Mio unit offers directional advice from William Daniels – the man who originally voiced KITT. Power it up and you get a ‘Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?’ request, which is probably even better if you happen to be called Michael. There’s even some flashing red lights to give it that authentic retro tech look.

Oh yes – and it’s a fully-functioning sat nav unit too, with everything you might expect (maps, traffic problems etc). It launches in the US first, selling for $270 (around £135).

Find out more at the Mio website

Categories / Art and Photography, Food and Drink

Sir Peter Blake designs limited edition pop art bottle for Cains Finest Lager

Blake_beer

Sir Peter Blake is over 75 and shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, his output seems to be ever-increasing, with this limited edition bottle for Cains Finest Lager his latest work.

It's all about the European Capital of Culture – Cains is a Liverpool brewery and sponsor of the Capital of Culture, with Blake designing the bottle as part of the brewery's activities. The lager is available for the whole of 2008, with Blake-designed limited edition posters also available to promote the beer.

If you local supermarket doesn't have it, you can buy the beer online for £24.99 (16 bottle pack). Which is probably the cheapest bit of art you'll see this year.

Categories / Travel

Art Deco Beach Changing Tent

Decogolf460Amongst its deckchairs and parasols, the website Deckchair Stripes also stocks this somewhat more unusual product for outdoor use, the classic Art Deco Beach Changing Tent.

Beach Changing Tents were all the rage back in the 1920s, when they were pretty much essential for a day out at the beach, to allow fashionable ladies to enjoy bathing without sacrificing their modesty. In this clever design, the tent folds up into what looks like an ordinary beach bag with a wooden handle, but it drops down from the bag, and is easily assembled into a tent. It even has a pocket for your belongings, a towel loop and a hook to hang up your clothes. It is available in a choice of green or blue colourways, and costs £145.

To add a touch of twenties glamour to your next trip to the seaside, visit the Deckchair Stripes website.

Categories / Homeware

Clare Nicolson Retro Teatowels

ClarenteatowelA 1960s home or a new VW Beetle are huge aspirational purchases, and not something that everyone can buy. At the other end of the scale, for anyone looking for a weekly retro fix, are Clare Nicolson’s retro tea towels!

There are two different styles encompassing eight different designs to chose from so you should be able to find something that co-ordinates with your kitchen. There are digitally printed retro designs, measuring 12 x 20 inches or new designs mearuing 17 x 20 inches featuring a printed appliqué details from one of Clare’s collages. Pictured here is the print from the “Time for Tea” teatowel.

They all cost £10 each and can be bought online from the designer’s website.