Going Gatsby
Jack Zelenka guides us through his picks of last years films with a homage to vintage
The Midlands
Birmingham - A brilliant read for all you thrifty lovers,
Victoria is an expert at blagging a bargain, whether that
be through car booting or online competitions. Her love
of Laura Ashley and Cath Kidston will speak to many of
the girlie girls hidden inside us all.
www.victorias-vintage.co.uk
Leicester - It may boast a fairly nondescript layout, but
The Leicester Secondhandista is a key to the vintage
city. Writer Amy Jane Barnes knows the city inside
outside and doesn’t mind sharing her knowledge with
you lucky midlanders.
www.leicestersecondhandista.wordpress.com
Derby - A self confessed high street addict, Becky’s
vintage connection is more of a homage than a
dedication, but that doesn’t stop her putting together
trend-clashing looks that you could easily achieve for
yourself at one of our kilo sales. Music fans will have a
great time guessing the song from her post title.
www.beckywhatshername.blogspot.com
Lincoln - A Londoner at heart, Sade is studying in the
Midlands and has featured everywhere from Company
Magazine to Rimmel’s youtube campaign. Her unique
street style is the work of someone who truly loves
experimenting and having fun with fashion.
www.inmysundaybest.com
Nottingham - With a wardrobe so on-trend that Topshop
Leamington Spa - Redressing is run by Angie, vintage might as well hire her as a fashion forecaster, 18 year old
loving wife, mother and business woman who declares
herself to be ‘on a mission to restore a sense of self
worth in all women, everywhere!’ Angie’s body shape
guide and self employment tips bring a well needed
sense of realism to the world of vintage dressing, where
not everyone is blessed with Hepburn hips.
www.redressingblog.blogspot.co.uk
Ellie’s stylishly minimal layout allows her photography
and wishlist collages to pop with youthful vigour. We’re
super jealous of her adorable cat-shaped clothes
hangers.
www.elliesfavouritethings.com
Scotland and Wales
Cardiff - Stating in her ‘About Me’ that she will only
wear dresses and skirts, never trousers, Gemma is a
girl after our own heart. Winner of Best Lifestyle Blog
at the Welsh Blogger awards, she has been known to
frequent some of our very own fairs and loves to share
vintage events with her readers. www.fatfrocks.com
Edinburgh - Bright and colourful, Oranges and Apples
should be saved in the favourites of every Scottish
shopper for it’s handy guide on the charity shops of
Edinburgh. A library of everything from lifestyle pieces
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to ethical fashion to feminism, Franca is a prolific
writer who offers something different every time you visit. www.oranges-and-apples.com
Glasgow - The Vintage Lassies is run by Jenny and
Claire, who spend their day job as owners of vintage
tableware and accessory hire company Butler and Taylor. As you would expect, their blog is a collection of all
the gems they find on their thrifting trips, as well as an
insight into their busy lives.
www.thevintagelassies.blogspot.co.uk
2013 was a simply mesmerizing year for cinema goers
(and you crafty downloaders). While Despicable Me
2 and The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug topped the
UK Box Office, some of the years other big releases
featured some truly wonderfully vintage costume
design.
Gangster Squad is a violent and action packed look
back at one of history’s most infamous criminals,
Mickey Cohen. With an all-star support cast including
Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Giovani Ribisi and Anthony
Mackie to name but a few, costume designer Mary
Zophres had plenty to work with and every single
character is flawlessly styled. Suits. Suspenders.
Fedoras…not to mention Emma Stone’s stunning red
dress. Despite having some of today’s biggest stars,
Gangster Squad feels like a product of its time but
with modern production value. A highly recommended
watch for anyone with an affinity for post war America.
The 20’s hit the
High Street
The Place Beyond The Pines is a three part drama
chronicling the aftermath of a spate of motorcycle bank
robberies conducted by Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling).
Also starring Eva Mendes, Bradley Cooper and Dane
DeHaan, The Place Beyond The Pines follows the knock
on effects on the characters involved with Glanton’s
crimes. We love Goslings’s Metallica Ride the Lightning
tee, sleeves cut off into a vest revealing countless
tattoos.
Set in prohibition era New York, The Great Gatsby
is a faithful and lavishly stylish retelling of F. Scott
Fitzgerald’s tragedy of the same name. Told from the
perspective of Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), it is
the tale of one man’s wealth, aspiration and obsession.
In keeping with the books theme of affluence and
frivolity, the film showcases some truly spectacular
1920s décor and costumes. When combined with
Baz Lurhman’s music video-esque directing style
and Jay-Z’s contemporary film score, the elaborate
costume and set design create a deliberately garish
and almost vulgar tone. This being said, there are
some subtle and tasteful costumes such as Gatsby’s
Beige-on-Beige corduroy and sweater combo. While
always overshadowed by DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire’s
Nick has a slightly less groomed look than Gatsby with
earthier toned suits compared to Gatsby’s outlandish
bright colours. Once you see his bright pink suit…you’ll
know. While 1920’s vintage requires a certain amount
of dedication, it was an undeniably smart period with
keeping up appearances held in high regard and being
in the right social circles equally so.
By Jack Zel