Joining Freddies Chain Gang...

Despite wearing repro and pin-up style clothing for a few years now, I'd never bought anything from amazing repro brand Freddies of Pinewood before. This was mainly due to my compulsive fear of denim and specifically, gulp, jeans. These being Freddies speciality I'd browsed but never committed to a purchase before. 

Seeing the Chain Gang jumpsuit in the sale for only £45 was the push I needed.....

A true 1950s greaser dream. The Chain Gang features a shirt style top, cropped trousers and a medium width, adjustable belt to provide that killer silhouette. While it has a denim effect look in grey pinstripe the suit is actually mostly cotton making it a little more lightweight than denim. The fabric has the perfect balance between being stiff enough to keep it's shape but flexible enough to cling to your curves. 

As I don't have the biggest waist to hip ratio I tend to choose sizes based on the waist measurement. There's nothing worse than having something fit everywhere else but cut in uncomfortably around the waist, especially if you want to, you know, sit down or something. Making the decision to have slightly roomier hips but not get cheese-wired every time I moved I went with a size 28. The measurements on the Freddies site are provided in cms which I found a little strange and, I'll admit, meant I had to use an online converter tool for. The 28 has a roughly 28 inch waist measurement and 43 inch hip measurement. This was actually a little loose on the waist and as you can see definitely gave me space to spare generally but I'm pretty sure the size down would have been far too small (with a 26 inch waist where mine is a 27). I actually liked having a bit of room in this as it's the sort of thing I'd wear out for a casual meal or drinks when it's nice not to have to get the shape-wear out. I used the belt to cinch the waist in a bit and made the most of being able to move by dancing like crazy the first time I wore it out.

Despite having to tab between browser windows to convert measurements I found the Freddies size guides really useful as they feature extra measurements that some brands don't. For example, thigh and inside leg measurements which have caught me out in the past. As a majority online shopper this was a real selling point! It was also great to know the length of the cropped trouser leg on this piece which ended up being the ideal length on me when paired with a heel. 

Overall I really enjoyed my first Freddies of Pinewood shopping experience and love this jumpsuit! You can still get it in Freddies sizes 24 and 30 in the sale section of the site for £45. As something which I know I'll be getting a lot of wear out of through Autumn and Winter I'd recommend snapping one up!

*All photos by the lovely Sally Molineaux

Cuban Heat!

Following on from my last post here's another little beauty that I meant to write about for ages and haven't really had much chance to wear yet (plus also being a little bit scared about the amount of leg it exposes!).

Introducing the Cuban Heat Ruffle Romper by The Oblong Box Shop..............

The Oblong Box Shop are an American online retailer with an emphasis on bright and bold retro inspired fashion. Browsing their website is a colour injection that can't help but make you smile. Their novelty print skirts are a must for fans of kitsch and chessecake styles and they stock a great range of block coloured tops so that you can match any outfit. They have also introduced a range of men's button-downs and t-shirts. I've always found it strange that there isn't more stuff out there for the retro fellas so it's nice to see some options for them! 

I couldn't resist the playful yet relaxed look of this playsuit. Compared to a lot of my wardrobe which is pretty dressy this feels more casual but still glam and works well for transition from day into evening wear - something you can't always say for pin up style clothing!

As you can see it's pretty short! Something which I usually avoid but the wide neckline helps to balance out your bottom half if this is something you're nervous about. I'll admit that I did first wear this with leggings but with a pair of heels on the length isn't quite so scary.

It's a simple piece but I love the bright colour. I don't own much blue but since I went green with the hair it's something I've tried to wear more of as I love the colours together. The neckline is the only detail you need and gives a more demure edge to it than some other playsuits as it covers the bust. Personally with something this short I couldn't cope with also having a low neckline so it's a good gateway playsuit if you will!

As the fabric is stretchy I went for a Small and it fits perfectly. While I had to pay shipping costs these weren't too high and I didn't get any random extra customs charges so for something I will probably wear holiday after holiday I'm pretty damn happy. 

While this style is now sold out they have a lovely range of Hawaiian playsuits in stock and the Copa Cobana dress, which has a similar feel around the neckline but with much more length, is now in the sale in five different colourways! I'll definitely be ordering again!

All photos by the lovely Sally Molineaux

Seashells and sun

Well, summer hasn't really arrived this year and most of my sunshine-y wardrobe has been gathering dust at the back of my over-stuffed wardrobe. As someone who is constantly cold, pin up styling can sometimes be a bit of a problem as it does involve a lot of dresses, skirts and little tops that just don't work with modern layering. When you've taken the time to put together a really cute outfit, throwing a long cardigan or jumper over it is the last thing you want to do. So to show off the fabulousness of some of those retro pieces you sometimes just have to deal with goosebumps and colds. Beauty is pain right ; )

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a late blooming summer, a few days or weeks of unbroken sunshine and the opportunity to go hosiery free and step out in some of my summer bargains. The summer sales have been abundant with tempting swimwear and picnic dresses that I know in my heart I probably won't be able to wear until next year. Not that that's stopped me investing in a few pieces to save for a sunny day.......particularly when the Collectif sale started..........

Collectif are one of my favourite brands for affordable, modern pin up styling. They usually run a couple of ranges each season, one inspired by more traditional vintage and another with more of a modern pin up vibe. Their summer pieces this year have been gorgeous - pineapples, strawberries and flamingos printed across a range of pieces. It was their beachy prints that caught my eye when they were first released though and my first basket addition as soon as the sale hit.

I snapped up this pleated skirt, covered in shells and seahorses for £27.50 down from £55.

The skirt has plenty of room for a petticoat and sits at the perfect point on the waist to hide the fact you've eaten 674 Mr Whippy's....

I paired it with a pair of old Topshop chunky heeled sandals to give a bit of height as I don't have the longest legs in the world and the skirt falls at a traditional vintage, below-knee length.

Now, let's talk about the cardigan.......

That cardigan has been reappearing in my dreams all summer and I kept dithering about buying it until it disappeared from the Collectif website, all sold out :( 

I kept hoping it might make a reappearance, bought the skirt anyway and waited to no avail. Then, while browsing other sales, found it with a £10 discount on the Audrey Stars Boutique website and did an internal fist pump before swiftly checking out!

Just look at the little lobster! 

I don't know why it makes me so excited but it does, it's just beautiful in all it's embroidered, crustacean glory! 

This cardigan is also a perfect shape and fit for wearing alone with a skirt or shorts as I did, or layering over a top or dress. The sleeve length is my ideal as I tend to turn up long sleeves and a short sleeve sometimes leaves me a little chilly. It teams perfectly with the skirt and would be lovely for a day on the beach collecting shells or afternoon tea at a coastal cafe.......

After thinking I'd never get my hands on that cardigan I was thrilled to track it down and don't mind that I may have to wait until 2016 to give this combo a proper outing. You can still get the cardigan in the sale in a size 10 at Audrey Stars Boutique along with lots of other retro bargains. The skirt is sold out on the Collectif site but you can get the similar Florence skirt in the reverse colourway in a size 12 or the Adele dress in this print in a size 22. You'll have to be quick though as the sales are almost over for this year!

All photos by the lovely Sally Molineaux