Digging for Vintage Victory!

Sometimes in life, you just have to work for it..  no such thing as a free lunch etc etc etc.  This is very true if you want to source that bargain vintage statement piece – doesn’t matter what it is, you never seem to find it if you look for it!

Over the past few weeks I have been ordering from lots of different suppliers to see what their delivery time is like and their return policy and not least, the quality and fit of their clothes.  This is not exhaustive, just a small sample of the market..  I am continuing (in the name of research you realise!)  to buy lovely vintage things and show them to you!

Here are my findings so far!

My favourite shop of the moment has to be Tayana Vintage Their clothes are sublime!  they are excellent quality and fit, and they have a phenomenal sale on at the moment – up to 90% off!!  so go have a look.  I have spent a fortune (don’t tell the hubster)  on fantastic vintage repro dresses.. and for such a bargain price, I am chuffed to bits.  The only fly in the vegemite is that it’s an American site, therefore you pay in $$$’s and there’s a hefty shipping cost, PLUS the addition of customs fees when the goods reach you.. however, it’s still good value once you work it all out..  here is a (small) selection of what I have purchased.. and their sizes are good, they go up to a 4XL = 22-24 in UK sizes.

Lindy Bop I ordered 6 different styles of dresses sizes 18, 20 & 22 as I wasn’t sure how they would fit. As you may imagine the results were confusing. But all of them except one, we’re too short in the body and above the knee! Well you know how I feel about my knees! I did keep one dress. It is an Audrey style cotton polka dot size 22. It’s a little bit too big, which means it doesn’t chafe! And is long enough!! Miracle. They also gave me free delivery as I ordered over £100. However returns are not free. It cost £4.99 for me to send the parcel back.  This is the dress I kept, and am very pleased with it.

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The next company I ordered from was:-   Collectif   Which had a much larger choice of plus sizes, and although more expensive, when the dresses arrived, they were of a higher quality fabric and manufacture than Lindy bop (in my opinion).  However, the proportions again were not right for me, the body was too short, and the skirt was short also, so they all went back..  Returns are again charged for – i.e. they cost you to post them.. and recorded is advised!    I did buy a dress from a fellow Marvellette from my Facebook group,  and fits like a glove  is long enough for me & is just gorgeous! ! So another success!! It’s a Regina style dress and the cotton has a slight stretch to it which makes it more comfortable too.  I love the quality of this dress as well as the fit, which is a BIG YES to Collectif!

 Here’s the dress (excuse the socks!!)  lol

Oxfam Online Shop is a treasure trove of all kinds of goodies.. and sizes, and prices come to that.  They have designer brands as well as items dating from the 1800’s and from a tenner to hundreds of £££££££’s. My digging (although not that hard I have to admit)  revealed this beautiful 50 style coat which still had the tickets on it for £30. Their delivery fee was £2.99 and they do FREE RETURNS. you also have the satisfaction of knowing that the money goes to a worthy cause.

Obviously, many people use eBay to buy and sell vintage clothes, and it’s probably the worlds largest vintage shop (as well as many other things)  and I have found some absolute bargains on there, but it’s being in the right place at the right time.

I did also order from Irregular Choice Shoes   Their shoes arrived promptly but I was disappointed at the quality. The designs are amazing but I felt that they wouldn’t last long and being heavy, my shoes take a lot of punishment! So I decided to return them which cost a lot as the boxes are large and there’s no free returns with this company. I think they could do better. If Oxfam can offer free returns then they should be able to as well.

I don’t think you can beat the buzz you get from sifting through the dross at the local charity shop to find that rare gem !!  Only yesterday I was looking for a hat to go with the new dress, and was told that “A lady came in yesterday and bought all our hats, they were a real bargain, as I found out later they were made by the same guy who does Boy George’s hats”  –  bloody typical!!  Here is a selection of what I found yesterday!   All for sale in my shop

Considerably Bigger Buns Shop

HOWEVER.. the motto of this piece must be – “Opportunity Knocks”  (or maybe Knicks! tee hee)  as I always seem to find things that are  A. the right size and B. a great price, when I’m not looking for them – or indeed – looking for something totally different!  An open mind is what’s needed.

Happy Digging!!

TTFN

Anna xxx

 

 

Dad’s Army Does us Proud!! FAB Hair + Dress porn!

Just back from the wonderful new film  “You have been Watching…..”    And we went on a Meerkat voucher too, so only paid for 1 ticket.. but was so disappointed that there were only 4 people in the whole cinema…

Such a great film, lots of laughs, in fact – I was guffawing most of the way through it!   Very close to the knuckle innuendo… which was fantastic.. and slap-stick comedy – which is what the Brits are good at, but the lack of a decent audience, made me a little self conscious to laugh out loud.. but I just couldn’t help myself.

The cast were very good, considering they would undoubtedly be compared to the original cast members… only one of which is still with us (sniff)  the lovely Ian Lavender (Stupid Boy Pike) … the others were a very good likeness, and sounding alike too.  Well done casting directors!!!  I thought the actor who played Captain Mainwaring, was excellent..  Toby Jones, who was recently in “The Hunger Games”  – came over as a bumbling idiot, with a heart of gold.. and completely stole the show.   Although I am a fan of Bill Nighy, I’m not sure that his character worked… but go and see it, and make up your own mind.. It may have something to do with the character he played in “Love Actually”  – the ageing rock star.. I still can’t see him in anything else, without recalling that part.. it was so right for him.

HUSK-07514. Dads Army Fiming in Bridlington. Some of the extras on the Dad’s Army Film Set in Old Town, Bridlington. PIC SIMON KENCH

Haworth Living History Group was recruited to help with the authenticity of the filming, as they already had their own uniforms which were true to the date… and as you can see they did themselves proud!  Spot them in the crowd…

My main infatuation was with the clothes and the hair of the women though. (obviously)!!  duh!!!

Whilst hubby was looking at Catherine Zeta-Jones’s backside.. I was ooing and ahhhing at her fantastic wardrobe and hairstyles.  Here are a few stills from the film, and I hope I haven’t broken any copyright laws by using them???   The Women’s uniforms were spotless and fitted beautifully, a thing that didn’t happen in the 2nd WW…  you took what you could get!

Picture by Townsend and Horton Photography

So my mission now, is to re-create as best I can, one of the looks from the film, and see if I can pull it off!!

Although – CZJ’s wardrobe was essentially all designer brands – which formed part of the plot of the film (not giving too much away)  so that’s out of the question.  I am sure I can find similar items for much less and that will look as good!

 

Due to the surge in interest in this period recently, the true vintage clothes available have rocketed in price!   The Etsy and eBay vintage shops dont have a massive selection any more, people are holding onto their clothes hoping to cash in when the price reaches it peak, which it will do soon…  so finding suitable comparable outfits has not been easy.

However – help was at hand from my lovely group on Facebook that I’m a member of

“1940’s/50’s Most Marvellous Meetups”  and the members call themselves the “Marvellettes”  !  gorgeous innit?

When I asked for help with 1940’s outfits, here is what they sent me, God bless them all

These ladies (mostly – sorry gents!)  are ordinary people, like you and I who have a love for and an interest in the 1940’s and their clothes are gathered from all sorts of different sources.  Just shows you what you can achieve with a little will power and some spare cash (although not lots)  and you could look as FANTASTIC  as these ladies..  I am blown away by them all, and very humbled to be part of their group.  They have all given their permission for me to show their pics on here too… just in case you were wondering.

Right!!  I’m off to the shops now.. (vintage shops that is) – and am “Digging for Vintage Victory”

ooh I say – I feel another blog coming on with such a title… “Digging for Vintage Victory”  – watch this space!!

TTFN

Anna xxx

PS don’t forget to visit my shop http://stores.ebay.co.uk/considerablybiggerbuns?_rdc=1

thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you suffer from “Sleevidge” ??

As a plus size lady, I am constantly frustrated by the size of SLEEVES on dresses and tops – even if they’re the right size body for me, sometimes I despair that the seamstress must be a T-Rex fan (little arms)

EEK!  a monster!

But you get the point – right??   You find a FAB dress, (or top)  in your size!!!  in the right colour!!!  and for the right price!!!

You go to try it on – and can’t get your bloody arms all the way in….

now some of you want to show your arms off, as you have amazing tatts  – which I don’t – but.. I do understand the wanting to show them off..

But for those of us who would like 3/4 length or even (GASP)  long sleeves… there’s 2 hopes

and one of them is Bob!         

So, if you have experienced this phenomenon…  Or even if you have had little sleeves !  Let me know …

To be fair, it’s mainly the high street that is the culprit here.  The vintage style apparel is more atuned to no sleeves or shorter sleeves, with a cardi on top – so the actual problem doesn’t come up that often..

But this brings me onto another issue…  do you show your bingo wings???  It’s a little bit akin to the Knobbly Knees issue..  ewwwwwwwwwyuk.

 

and how many of the fashion pics have been airbrushed??  surely this is a part of getting older??  there are some parts of the body that you just can’t save.. and your bingo wings are a prime example.

I am very conscious of this – and tend to use a bolero style wrap, or little cardigan when out singing..  here’s my page just to prove it!

http://www.annanight.com

Or a jacket with full length sleeves…  and famous song-stress Dolly Parton (who is teeny tiny by the way)  NEVER goes on-stage without long sleeves..  I challenge you to find a picture of her with short or no sleeves where she is showing her upper arms! So in a way it’s comforting to know, that no matter how famous you are, there maybe still part of your body that you don’t like, or aren’t comfortable showing off!

Anyway – back to me!!!

I have found some absolutely gorgeous dresses with longer sleeves, shown on a plus size model that are bucking the trend, and maybe one day, I can actually afford one of these.

House of Foxy does a beautiful 50’s style wrap dress with 3/4 length sleeves up to a size 24 for £125  http://www.thehouseoffoxy.com/1950s-swing-dresses/1950s-wrap-circle-dress-red

Also available in blue polka dots for £135  http://www.thehouseoffoxy.com/1950s-swing-dresses/1950s-wrap-circle-dress-navy-polka

I am going to put those on my Christmas list!

This is from Starlet Vintage, and in the sale!!  up to size 26 they are very reasonably priced.. http://www.starletvintage.co.uk/hr-6839-flwht-hearts-and-roses-london-white-floral-1950s-dress.html

Failing that.. it’s hitting the gym 4 times a week and the dreaded tricep dips!! YUK

Actually to be fair, they don’t look too bad… it’s the remembering to do them that’s the rub!

Let me know your thoughts!

 

Please take a look at my shop on your way out!!  Thanks for reading!!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/considerablybiggerbuns?_rdc=1

 

TTFN!!

Anna xxx

 

 

 

 

 

Knobbly Knees and whether to show them??

I hate my knees…

It’s official.. they are ugggg-leeeee !  and trust me, I am not exaggerating..  😜

I always try to cover them up whether I am wearing dresses or skirts, and NEVER wear shorts, unless I have very thick tights on …. which is rarely.

The only time they see the light of day is on the beach, or in the privacy of my own garden when I am hidden from the outside world and safe to be myself, without turning anyone who witnesses them to stone (seriously!)

I feel quite strongly that women over a certain age should also cover their knees, unless they have drop dead gorgeous ones!  After all, why show them off when they’re ‘orrid!❌❌❌

It’s fine if you’re 22 with lovely legs, and don’t have hang-ups about your knees.. but some people look like they’ve got baby monkeys 🐵 stuck inside their legs and can’t get out!

Ladies over 40 unless you have got FAB-U-LOUS legs (dahling)  should keep them covered… and with this in mind, I have been searching for genuine pics from the 40’s and 50’s for ladies which show knees – and the length of their skirts..  So here are what I found, and Guess what?  NO KNEES!!!!

Obviously, the trousers won’t show knees, but all of these genuine 40’s photos show the skirts below the knee..  Even the dance fashion, don’t show knees..

So I looked for the 50’s fashions,  which included the pencil or wiggle skirt, as well as the fuller drindle and circle skirts… and here are a few examples.

My point is….

Whenever I have bought a reproduction 50’s skirt or dress, the length of the skirt is too short.. and I don’t necessarily think it’s because I’m tall, I think the manufacturers are being too tight with their fabric..  It costs a lot less to make a shorter skirt,  than a longer one, as you need wider fabric, or more panels… all of which add up to higher manufacturing cost.

I would LOVE to be corrected here – so if there are any readers out there who KNOW the answer to this, please comment!    But having made quite a few vintage style dresses myself, I have had to work all this out for myself… which is why I ask the question.

Vivienne of Holloway is a prime example of this.  Their clothes are beautiful, but just not made for the taller ladies.  The bodice of their dresses is too short – and the skirts are above the knee..    so they are making for the masses… how much extra would it really cost to include a “Tall” range in their sizes, which go up to 24 incidentally.. but cost quite a lot.. their dresses start at £65 and go up to £160!! (full price, they tend to be much cheaper in the sales).   And although they do have a helpful size chart, it says nothing about the length..  It would be very helpful to tell us (as some websites do) how tall their models are – I suspect they are 5’4″  and a size 8 !!  or somewhere in that region.

I would also love to see some plus size models on their pages.. but they don’t have any!

So why did I start this, because I haven’t yet found a company that sells these types of skirts or dresses..

See how long these skirts are?  I cannot imagine that the models are midgets… so why is it so hard to find something like this for sale, without having it made to order?

I particularly like the spiders web skirt, which could possibly be a one off??? who knows… but if you’re in the business of making repro gear, have a heart!  and get my knees covered up!  I will be a loyal customer forever!

Take a moment to look at my Shop on eBay – thanks!!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/considerablybiggerbuns?_rdc=1

 

TTFN

Anna xxx

PS.  some of you lovely ladies have asked me how you “follow” these blogs… and when you read them – a small blue button should appear at the bottom right of the page with “follow”  on it.. just click this, and everytime I post a blog, you will get a notification..

and please comment as well.. with the issues you would like to hear about!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoorah!!! My first ever Vintage PLUSSIZE Blog for over 40’s!!

WELCOME!  I have pontificated about doing this for yonks and finally got off my derriere and have actually written something.

As A “larger lady” – I am a size 18-20 depending on where I shop,  I am fed up ….  No disappointed mostly, about the lack of attention to plus size girlies when it comes to vintage clothing. That includes repro. Added to that I am officially “Over The Hill” ⚠⚠ ie 40+ which translates to – I don’t wanna look like mutton dressed as lamb, prime rib, or pork chops come to that!

This blog, and accompanying video blog (or Vlog as they are now known)  will be all about the trials and tribulations of finding the best fit, best quality and best value for money clothes, shoes and all other matters concerning vintage styling… and I have also been asked to include the odd mention of the fellas too!! So I will do that, but it’s mostly about us girls. 😉

The reason behind the blog is  – I am a vintage style singer, (please take a peek)

http://www.annanight.com/

and when I first started, I looked for genuine vintage clothes to wear for my performances, that were a little bit special.. out of the ordinary, to dazzle my audiences, and hopefully leave them gasping!

However, this was not easy..  I trolled through pages and pages of internet vintage shops, looking for the one (or three) outfits that would take my breath away and WOW my clientele.  Never found nuffink… 😦

So I turned to my old dress-making skills – which hadn’t been seen since Grammar School – yes dahlings.. I did go to the posh school – but it wasn’t as easy as you may think.

However, I persevered and eventually produced a couple of completely gorgeous gowns, which I subsequently wore to gigs, and indeed did receive a number of quite lovely compliments and requests of where I bought them from!

This is my 1st attempt and what I call my “Doris Day” dress!!

 

2nd Attempt – More “Grace Kelly” style, full skirt again

I vowed then to start researching vintage wear for larger ladies, and started my eBay shop, which is called the same name – Considerably Bigger Buns!

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/considerablybiggerbuns?_rdc=1

This store contains items from friends and family that they have asked me to sell, so it’s not all plus sizes, however, that is still the main reason for it, and I still keep on the lookout for those vintage and vintage style bargains where ever I go..

Since then, I have bought a few repro dresses from “Vivienne of Holloway”  which are lovely, but just too short in the body, so I’ve had to alter them myself, and a couple from “Betty Page”  – but they were horrendously expensive, and I had to pay the import duty when they were delivered, so I won’t be doing that again.

Camden Market

VOH dress

eBay

Betty Page Import

Betty Page Import

As you can see – a real mish mash of styles and colours, and although they all look OK, there’s nothing there that I really loved.. except perhaps the Pink Poodle skirt and shirt 🐩 from Betty Page, which cost the earth!!   BUT is by far the best quality manufacturing of the whole lot.. so maybe you DO get what you pay for…..hmmmmm

WElllllllllll

Since then I have joined a number of groups on Facebook!!  Hello everyone in Facebookland!!!   and learned a lot – really  lots and lots…👍

I will continue to learn I am sure, and will share my research and finds with you, and also my disappointments and problems, because one shared is one halved.. (so “they” say!) ..

and my latest passion at the moment, is SHOES!!  I just can’t seem to get enough of them.. and having size 9 feet, that’s not easy..! 😄

There are already other bloggers out there specifically for VINTAGE… and they are doing a grand jib. There are also many PLUS SIZE bloggers too.. However — I am not aware of any that do both AND are over 40??? !!!! 😆
If I’m mistaken -then I apologise. . But I haven’t found you..;)

So, this is the first of many & I hope that you can send me your triumphs and fails to spread the word about what to love & what to avoid…
This plan to do 2 posts per week & 1 blog (get me!!) So will link the two.

Please tell your friends & family and I promise (cross my heart bra) that I will include your input whenever possible.

Lorra Lorra love
Anna xxxxxx💋💋💋💖

PS today would have been my Dad’s birthday as well as pancake day this year.  So Happy birthday dad xx enjoy your celestial pancakes xx 🎂