Category: Women’s Fashion

We’ve featured quite a lot of 60s and 70s-inspired fashion of late, but how about something authentically 1950s? That’s what you get with these Sivletto Asta 50s-style dark jeans.

Attention to detail is what it’s all about here, with a traditional 50s fit and hidden zipper down one side, as well as a press button in the waist band. There’s also a really high waist, which apparently makes your legs look longer and make your tummy disappear (good news if that post-Christmas diet has failed) and two roomy front pockets.

Made from 11oz denim and available in a range of sizes, they retail for $144 or £78.

Find out more and see more images at the Silvetto website

Next have long been known for making little more than work clothes for everyone and their dog, but lately they’ve been coming up with some ranges just as good as their high street rivals.

Among their Spring/Summer ’08 stock is a range which has a real seventies feel. With flares, floral shirts, and fab smock tops, there’s a number of surprising retro pieces worth a look.

The name Poetic Folk sounds a little cheesy, but this time the clothes speak for themselves.

Find out more from the Next website

Such is the cyclical nature of fashion that flared jeans are now making a huge comeback (they never really went away in my house, but that’s another matter). Most high street shops are doing reasonable versions, but if you want something more authentically 1970s, what you need is a pair of Dittos Classic Flare Jeans.

Dittos were the original premium jean brand in the 1970s, hugely desirable back then and re-launched last year. As well as a fabulous cut, Ditto jeans are available in an amazing palette of colours. ASOS have Dittos in Cherry Red (pictured here) and the wonderfully named Envy Green, priced at £175 a pair.

However, It may be better to buy them from the USA though, for example ShopBop is selling them for $159 (approximately £80) and whilst they don’t have the red option, they do stock various shade of blue that may be more forgiving on those with less than model proportions.

No one needs telling how much the Biba brand is synonymous with the swinging 60s, so it’s hardly surprising the brand’s relaunch was met with whoops and cheers.

They’re still coming up with retro inspired wardrobe fillers, and though some don’t match the wow factor of their vintage counterparts, there’s a few gems among the bunch.

A select few pieces from Biba’s new range for Spring/Summer ’08 are now available to pre-order from Matches Fashion, including these striking burnt-orange Greta shoes. This pair will set you back a very designer £275.

Find out more at the Matches website

One of my pet peeves is mis-use of the word vintage – surely its meaning is pretty clearly removed from the word retro? Well, Urban Outfitters have me cursing their blatant misrepresentation by ‘naming’ one of their new bags Vintage.

Irksome name aside, though, it’s not half bad. Rich brown leather and a decent size make it perfect retro fodder.

£80 isn’t exactly a bargain, but for that price you can hopefully guarantee higher quality than a lot of high street lookalikes.

Find out more at the Urban Outfitters website

Mary Janes of all shapes and sizes have been all over the place of late. It might be bordering on overkill, but there’s a retro gem or two sitting amongst the achingly fashionable.

This pair of court shoes from Faith have a distinctly ’70s feel thanks to that rich shade of brown leather, and the fantastic ruching detail on the vamp.

Perfect mid-height heels make them a versatile day or night pair, for a great price of £40.

Find out more at the Faith website