Blog — 40s style

It’s probably safe to say that we’re all here because we love genuine and/or reproduction vintage fashion, right? But have you ever wondered how the things we wear and the features of our outfits we rely on day-to-day came about? How did we end up with tiny, fiddly zips to seamlessly fasten our dresses, or laces for our shoes? What even is a dart, and why were (or are if you’re a vintage lover) people so obsessed with petticoats? These are just a few of the questions that researching items, writing product descriptions, and exploring the rails at our Gosport...

What Necklace Length should I choose? You’ve no doubt seen that we have a dazzling array of vintage style and semi-fine necklaces to browse both in-store and online, and we always try to include the length and adjustability where we can. But do you find these measurement numbers are a bit baffling?  For starters, there’s a range of necklace lengths in general, and some places may include names for each rough length, as detailed in this handy table:     Chain Length (Inches) Body Placement 14” Collar: Wraps around the throat/neck 16” Choker or Bib: Against the base of the throat/neck...

The sun has (finally) made an appearance and we’re praying to the fashion gods for a sickly sweet, sticky hot summer worthy of all our vintage fabulousness and finery. Mrs Darling has outdone herself this year and our quality check of this season’s stock was a non-stop swoon fest with lots of trying things on (aka an after-hours fashion show!). Read on for a whistle-stop tour of some of our absolute favourites new in for the Spring/Summer season. You might want to buckle up though, there’s a lot and it’s all goooooorgeous. Psst: if you don’t have time to read...

They say that necessity is the mother of all invention, and what’s a girl to do when she needs a new frock? Use her husband’s military issued parachute silk, of course! During the Second World War, parachutes were made of genuine silk due to their durability, lightness, and how easy they were to pack. What’s more is that, unlike Nylon, which may melt and cause significant burns when ignited, silk is very fire resistant. Silk was simply the more practical resource, and as such, the US, UK, and German militaries all coveted this already precious material for their respective war...

For those among us who love shopping, it isn’t just about picking up something you like and taking it home with you. It’s about feeling different fabrics on your skin, their drape, the texture of their weave, their intricate beading and embroidery, the way they flow with your movement. It’s about the smell of new shoes fresh out of the box, artisan perfumes, and freshly poured tea. It’s about the uplifting conversations you’ll have which go beyond polite chit-chat. That’s why, for me, the boutique experience can’t be beaten. I never just leave with a piece of vintage fashion that...