Posh Swaps Blog

The first Vintage Fashion Fair of the year is approaching on 22 January so not too long to wait for another vintage shopping experience.  The stallholders will have a vast selection of the most desirable vintage winter wear, something for everyone.  Whether you want to put a complete outfit together or just find some interesting pieces to make you stand out from the crowd….

Keep a lookout for imitation jewellery as this is making a comeback and adds great pizzazz to a simple sweater or in fact any outfit.

Hemlines seem to be falling in the way of 30′s glamour and 70′s maxi’s – have some fun searching for these great pieces of nostalgia.

When its time for a break seek out the Nice Green Cafe a pretty vintage style eaterie with delicious homemade snacks, lunches and refreshments.

Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London NW1 7AY     11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Admission on door £3.00  -  Special ticket offer on website –  purchase one ticket and get one free!

For futher information go to Vintage Fashion Fair London

Style Eyes Fashion Blog is the latest in a number of designers, celebrities and fashion bloggers to switch their focus to green and ethical fashion. The blog has also changed its name to Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog can now be found at www.ethicalfashionblog.com.
Ceri Heathcote, founder of Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog, made the change after realising that there was more to looking stylish than constantly buying cheap bad quality fast fashion. She discovered that it is possible to combine a love of fashion with charity shop, second hand, vintage and ethical clothing. She has also joined the army of fashionistas who are getting creative to refashion and upcycle old clothes for a unique and sustainable alternative to shopping on the high street and sharing their creations through online social networks.
Ceri says “How could I enjoy wearing and writing about clothes that had been made at the expense of both people and the planet? Blogging about second hand and ethical fashion is the perfect way to indulge my love of clothes without any guilt and hopefully inspire others to get involved too.”

Future plans for the Style Eyes Ethical Fashion Blog include a monthly new letter with ethical fashion news, tips and offers, plus affordable ethical fashion and vintage clothing guides.

For further information
www.ethicalfashionblog.com
Email: ceri@heathcotecommunications.co.uk

Festival fashion is all about individuality and doing your own thing and vintage clothes are a great way to do this. Of course if the weather looks ot be wet, you might change your mind about wearing one of your favourite vintage pieces for fear of ruining it but a piece of second hand clothing might just fit the bill.

For style inspiration remember to check out the streetstyle blogs and pictures of the US Coachella festival. If you can’t find just the right thing you could always have a go at customising something. Look for practical clothes that look great and will help to protect you from the elements be it sunshine, rain or the cold weather.

Here are just a few ideas of vintage and secondhand clothes that would make great festival fashion

Denim mini skirts or cut off shorts are a great choice for festivals. If the weather gets cold you can always layer them over a pair of leggings.

A colourful printed top is a great for a festival as it will not show dirt or creases as much as its plain counterpart.

With seventies styles being so popular this year, the maxi dress is a great choice for the summer’s festivals.

Trends are great but they come and go. If you are a true follower of fashion you will need to update your wardrobe constantly to keep up with the latest fashions and trends. If everyone shopped in this way it would have a huge impact on the environment with a high carbon footprint and lots of waste.

Classic pieces of clothing are a great way to build a timeless wardrobe that will effortlessly take you from season to season on style. Most pieces of clothing that have earnt ‘classic’ status have done so for a really good reason. They are usually incredibly flattering and wearable pieces. But if you are worried you will look dated in classic clothes, don’t be. You can pick out some amazing modern classics that combine timeless style with a modern twist. You can also keep your look on trend by adding fashionable accessories. Here are our favourite 4 modern classic pieces.

Sheath Dresses - the sheath dress is a style which has been made popular by Victoria Beckham. It is simple but very stylish and suitable for an range of different occasions.

The Wide Legged Trousers - these are such a flattering cut of trousers, they will never go out of fashion. Whilst peg legged, skinny and harem trousers have come and gone out of fashion wide legged trousers have remained a firm favourite with so mnay stylish women.

The Classic Blazer - you really  can’t go wrong with a classic cut blazer. It is one of the most stylish and flattering pieces of clothing that you can own. Wear with jeans for a casual look or tailored trousers for work. You can even wear with a little dress for the evening.

Floral Shift Dresses - bright florals, romantic florals and ditsy florals all come back into fashion year after year. Pick yourself a simple shift dress for the most timeless style.

Classic clothing is also great for swapping, buying and selling second hand.

Which classic pieces do you love?

The next Vintage Fashion Fair London will be held on 17th April at Primrose Hill in London.

For all of our keen vintage fashion followers dress up in your finest vintage chic and prizes will be awarded throughout the day for the most authentic, quirky or unusual vintage attire.

Our fair on 17 April  will be brimming with a fantastic selection of vintage stallholders.  As well as our large hall we also have the smaller hall downstairs.  So the array of vintage fashion treasures will be amazing!  All Mums should look out for one of our new stallholders who has a fantastic range of beautiful children’s clothing from the 60′s and 70′s mostly unworn stock. 

In April we will,  without a doubt be into spring,  with weather to match hopefully….. So you can expect to have a very large choice of spring and summer fashions.  I think most of us can’t wait to empty our wardrobes of winter clothes and begin to stock up with prettier, lighter and more colourful fabrics.

Why not think about changing your style its so easy with the addition of one or two unusual vintage pieces.  Stand out from the crowd and find your own unique way of  dressing!  This does not have to cost a fortune there will be lots of bargains to be found at the fair.

While on route to our downstairs hall make a point of taking a break for a snack or lunch in the Nice Green Cafe.  A variety of different and delicious food all made with natural ingredients and very reasonably priced.

Entrance to the fair is a snip at £3.00.  Open from 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.  Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London NW1 7AY.

Some free tickets will be available from www.vintagefashionfairlondon.co.uk before the fair – so watch out for these………

The great thing about swapping and buying second hand clothes is that although you might not be buying the latest designer collection, if you know what to look for you can find some great pieces that work perfectly with the seasons new fashion.

Get some fashion inspiration for your swapping and shopping with these 5 trends for SS11.

Stripes - stripes are one of those looks that are always on trend. For SS11 they featured heavily in the Prada collection, a sure sign that they are going to be huge for SS11.

Floral Prints - another look that never really goes out of fashion floral prints just keep on coming back. There were some amazingly bright and colourful prints featured on the catwalk at D&G for SS11.

Bright Colours - the perfect way to get yourself noticed bright colours were the perfect contrast the neutral colours that have become so popular recently. Look out for neons and juicy citrus colours to brighten up your spring wardrobe.

Maxi Skirts - hemlines will be moving downwards for the spring with long ankle length and mid calf length skirts and dresses. As maxi dresses have been popular for some time now there are likely to be some great second hand choices available.

The Seventies - the seventies will have a huge influence o Spring fashion with flare, maxi’s and pussycat bow blouses all featuring. Also watch out for that Studio 54 disco style.

For more ideas on trends for the season ahead check out www.theshoppingforecast.com

Vintage fashion fairs

Here at the Fashion Buzz, we can’t wait until the weekend because Sunday (23rd January) will be the first Vintage Fashion Fair London of 2011. The event which is held at Cecil Sharp House in Primrose Hill, will be open between 11am and 5pm and will feature a large selection of vintage stalls selling clothing, accessories and textiles from a range of decades. In addition to its regular stallholders the fair will also feature a number of new stallholders.

We love vintage fashion because it offers a refeshing change from shopping on the high street and is a great way to get a different and unique outfit. There are so many different styles of vintage clothing that there should be something for everyone. For those who like to keep up with the latest fashions, the styles or the fifties, sixties and seventies are all likely to be having a big influence on fashion this spring and summer.

If you need a treat to get rid of those post Christmas blues, there are sure to be some real gems at the fair, perhaps some original designer pieces by Chanel, Dior or Ossie Clarke.

For further information visit Vintage London Fashion Fairs

Vintage fashion refers to styles which have been recycled from previous eras, and there are vintage outfits to suit any interests, from the 20’s through to the 80’s. Vintage has seen a major revival over the last few years, and is a trend which will keep your style unique and timeless. Many of the recent catwalk shows have showcased vintage trends, with top designers creating wondrous replica designs. 

Some tips to remember before you go looking for any vintage items of clothing, is to consider what exactly you are looking for. Are you interested in a classic piece from the 1920’s, or maybe the hippy style from the 1960’s is more up your street. You also want to think about why you are buying your vintage clothing, whether it be for a special occasion or just for the sake of collecting a unique piece of clothing. Knowing exactly what you want is half the battle to finding the perfect vintage outfit, and there are looks to cater for all needs.

The next thing to think about is where you are going to find your vintage clothing. As vintage has become so popular lately, you will often find a lot of niche vintage markets, where you can pick up a piece of unique clothing at an inexpensive price. There are many shops on the high street which also have a collection of vintage pieces, although you may have to pay a bit extra for these.

When shopping for vintage, you really have to be patient, as it may take some time before you find the perfect item, and it can be a lot more complex than the clothes shopping you are used to. The beauty of vintage clothing is that it is a trend which is timelessly fashionable. The fabrics and patterns are unique, so have a good feel of these in order to determine which clothes will make you feel most comfortable.

Always try the clothing on before you purchase it and be aware of it’s condition. It can range from being in mint condition (just like new) or good condition (some repairs needed.) If you feel a bit weary of trying second hand vintage clothes on, then wear your other clothes under it, to get a feel of what it looks like and if it suits you. It may also be an idea to take someone along with you when you’re out shopping for your vintage clothes. As long as it’s someone who will give you an honest opinion. If you are working from a tight budget, then it’s a good idea to look at replica designs, as these are usually a lot more affordable.

Current fashion trends tend to mix up vintage with a more modern look, which will streamline your look, and make it more wearable for all different occasions. You may want to wear vintage with a popular key trend for the season, as this will keep you looking stylish, but will also give your look a unique edge.

Shop vintage London 

Shop vintage clothes London

14 November 2010 will be the last of the Primrose Hill vintage fairs this year! So come along for another wonderful shopping experience at Cecil Sharp House. As we are now more or less into winter, you will find a large selection of the most stylish coats and jackets, ranging from tweed, camel, real fur, faux fur, certainly something to suit all tastes and price ranges.

This seasons fashion includes ranges of designer knitwear copied from 50’s style. At the fair, you can find originals of these knits at a fraction of high street prices.

Christmas parties are looming, so an ideal time to look for that very special outfit. Remember all vintage buys are one offs, so the beautiful lacy sparkly dress you find will be totally exclusive to you!

Don’t forget to look for Christmas presents – maybe a pretty piece of affordable jewellery or some other vintage treasure…..

The perfect way to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon, the fair offers wearable vintage pieces at affordable prices, and for those looking for something extra, there is always a selection of designer labels. Previous finds include Chanel, Biba, Ossie Clarke, Yves St Laurent.

Take a break in between shopping and relax in a The Nice Green Cafe. You will find delicious homemade food all with natural ingredients at a very fair price.

Entrance to the fair is a snip at £3. Please visit vintagefashionlondon.co.uk for the chance to apply for complimentary tickets.

Open to the public from 11am -5pm

Address: Cecil Sharpe House, 2 Regents Park Road, London NW1 7AY

For further details please email fair@vintagefashionlondon.co.uk

Posh Swaps has just had its first birthday and in celebration, we are holding a great prize draw during the month of May. Anyone who lists clothes to swap on Posh-swaps.com during May 2010 will be automatically entered into the draw. For each item listed you will get one entry into the draw so the more items that you list, the more chance you will have of winning. The winners will be drawn at the beginning of June and notified by email, all prizes should be claimed within 2 weeks or there will be a redraw to determine a new winner. So here is what you can win:

First Prize - £100 of shoe vouchers for Spartoo.co.uk (this prize is only available to those resident in the UK) - take your pick of some of the latest styles of shoes and handbags including some great designer brands.

Second Prize - a new Initial wallet by Lollipops Paris - a large and well organised purse with large coin pocket and sections for notes and cards, this is the perfect balance of style and practicality.

Third Prizes - three lucky winners can take their pick of one item from our own Posh Swaps swapping account. With a selection of second hand accessories and clothes in a variety of sizes (and a few vintage pieces).

Runners Up - ten runners up will each recieve one of our stylish reusuable Posh Swaps cotton bags.

ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions