Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Tribal Print Maxi Dress from Wallis

Tribalmaxi

British and American fashion has for decades been infatuated with colours and prints from faraway cultures, with the sixties and seventies fully embracing African influence in the mainstream. The rich colours and print of this Tribal Maxi Dress share that influence, retaining a retro appeal too.

The maxi cut is a great backdrop to create an early seventies style, tapping into the time that hippy looks went overground. The halter neckline of this creates the sharper cut, while a long flowing maxi skirt keeps the bohemian feel intact. With a black bodice ensuring the print doesn't overwhelm the dress, the vibrant tribal print can shine.

It's available now from Wallis for £60.

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Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Sleeveless Floral Chiffon Top from New Look

Floralbowtop

Most of the sixties influenced looks on the high street focus on dresses and sharply cut mini skirts, but finding something to pair with those minis can be a challenge. This Flower Chiffon Bow Top from New Look offers a stylish solution that stands out among the many plain blouses and cardigans.

The sleeveless cut instantly injects some retro appeal into the silhouette, with a high neckline adding the right amount of conservative balance. It's the print that really makes this top though, with a modernist floral in a rich orange shade. Finished with a kitschy bow at the waist, the vintage inspiration is obvious but not overdone.

Get it from New Look now for £19.99.

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Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Blue Spot Blouse from Topshop

Bluespotblouse

For a truly timeless sixties look simplicity is often the key, with the mid-decade styles relying on great cuts and fabric choices to create a sharp style. This Blue Spot Blouse from Topshop imitates that aesthetic well, offering a top with a subtle chic.

The use of a slightly sheer chiffon fabric adds some daring femininity to a conservatively cut shirt with long sleeves and high collar. The peter pan collar, combined with a peep hole notch at the back, add unmistakeably retro elements, along with a simple dark blue polka dot print.

Get it from Topshop for £38.

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Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Fit & Flare Jeans from River Island

Fitflaretan
It's plain to see that the high street's obsession with the singular skinny jeans cut is coming to an end, meaning good news for fans of 70s looks. The flare is the latest cut to inspire the mainstream, with this pair from River Island coming up trumps.

The combination of Fit & Flare creates the genuine seventies look, combining a snug cut on the hips and thighs with a sleek wide flare at the hem. The higher waist finishes off a smartly designed silhouette, while the use of a rich tan shade ensures instant seventies-style impact.

They're available online in the UK from ASOS for £44.99.

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Categories / Books

Vintage Fashion Sourcebook by Cleo and Mark Butterfield

Source

Not out yet, but you can now pre-order the forthcoming Vintage Fashion Sourcebook by Cleo and Mark Butterfield, which is published by Carlton Books on 12th May.

The people behind the book are the owners of C20 Vintage Fashion, which both hires out and advises on vintage fashion. The book itself, covering a fairly modest 64 pages, claims to offer a 'decade by decade look' at 20th century clothing, as well as pointers on sourcing and caring for original vintage pieces. The book also covers 'key looks' from the different eras.

Probably not the most in-depth book around, but certainly sounding like a good introductory guide, with a budget price of just £4.49.

Find out more at the Amazon website

Categories / Retro Women's Fashion

Wool Cape from American Apparel

Capeaa

While the Winter months draw to a close, there's still a chill in the air for most of us through Spring. That's good enough excuse to indulge in some snug outerwear shopping, with this Wool Cape from American Apparel providing the perfect option.

The cape's structure has an instantly sixties feel, with a wide a-line shape and high collar. In a rich navy wool fabric, it's reminiscent of The Beatles' classic Help capes. The cape's androgyny lends itself well to a mid-sixties aesthetic with a short mid-thigh hemline that can create daring femininity.

Get it now from American Apparel for £145.

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