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I Made a … 1930s Knitted Cardigan
This 1930s knitted cardigan pattern was a the top of my Knitting Wishlist and came from Subversive Femme on Etsy*. Bex has a wonderful selection of vintage knitting patterns from the 1920s to 50s. She also has an amazing blog with lots of free knitting patterns. It’s well worth checking out!
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I Made a…. 1940s Winter Coat
My 1940s winter coat is complete! I am so thrilled with how it turned out and really pleased I was able to finish it before the cold weather truly sets in. I used a vintage Vogue pattern from The Vintage Pattern Store* with a selection of new, vintage and organic fabrics. Take a closer look below.
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How to Start Dressing Vintage?
How to start dressing vintage is a question I hear so often as if vintage is a mystery that I have somehow unlocked the answers to. I get it, it can seem intimidating when you are surrounding yourself with images of professional pin up models and hairstylist thanks to Instagram and Pinterest. But it’s important to remember, those people ARE PROFESSIONALS. They have dedicated a lot of time and money to getting to the point they are at. If you’re New Year’s Resolution is to take up jogging you’re not going to be running a marathon in February are you?
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On Costume and Vintage
Today on the tube, a man told me he liked my costume. I smiled and said thanks and then he got off the tube. But actually I was a little unsettled by this encounter, not just because anybody talking to you on the tube is a bit weird, but because my first thought was ‘what costume?’
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What’s the difference between a vintage shop and an old clothes shop?
Last week I was celebrating my birthday. Birthdays for me are always low key affairs, I’m not one to organise parties or wear an enormous badge. To be honest I’m not really that much of a fan of getting presents either. Perhaps that sounds ungrateful but as someone who doesn’t really value ‘things’ I can find it very frustrating when I am landed with an unwanted scented candle just because someone felt compelled to buy me a present. If they knew the first thing about me they would know that a) I’m very afraid of fire b) most heavy perfumes make me sneeze and c) I try and live a minimalist lifestyle and so don’t want things for the sake of things.
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Are you ever too old for hand-me-downs?
As I sit here wondering how to begin my very first post for Retro Claude, my mind struggles to find something to talk about. Believe me, I am not lacking in things to say, far from it. My issue is how to introduce the ideas and concepts behind this little project of mine in a way that sets the tone for things to come, doesn’t give too much away but leaves you all wanting to come back for more.
