What a great day. My prayers were answered and Lou Lou's Vintage Fair finally came to bristol on a Saturday that I wasn't working (for once!). Somehow I managed to leave my long suffering husband bricking up a wall at home, while I got to travel back to another era for a few precious hours.
Held at Bristol Temple Meads passenger shed at the side of Brunel's great train station, the travelling national fair laid on a bounty of all things pre-loved and beautiful. The grand space was filled with layers upon layers of tulle petticoats, brooches, bags and hats and an immense amount of clothing. There were cupcakes and tea served on vintage china for those weary shoppers, a pop up hair salon with ladies ready to tong victory rolls a plenty and even a swing band to entertain you as you rummaged. It really is a lovely event if you are ever able to go. The majority of people really do dress up and go to town with their outfits and it's a lovely way of seeing people's individuality shine through.
I wish I had made more of an effort to be honest. Although I put some though into what I wore, I wish I had really pushed the boat out and not worried too much about looking silly. I forgot that these fairs are the one place where you really can do that. Red lips and tutu's are de rigeur. It was also interesting to see a lot of men at the event and not just because they had been coerced with the promise of beer or otherwise, the men I saw were genuinely having a good time. Sifting with true intention along rails of old Levi's and American style shirts.
Here are a few photos that I took to give you a feel for the event...
The pop up parlour where I had my hair done for £20...
I love the idea of victory rolls and I am always keen to have it done but for some reason, I don't think they really suit me. That said, flicking through the vintage hairstyle books while I was being 'coiffed' has inspired me to try a few other styles. Watch this space....
And of course, I didn't come away empty handed (unfortunately for my purse and for my wrists that had to take the weight of the bags later on), but I am so so happy with what I found.
A gorgeous chiffon, deep red skirt that oozes swish-ability (a prerequisite for all skirts of mine). It was marked at £18 but the stall holder let me have it for £10. No marks or stains, holes or deformities.
All I need now is a white silk blouse, neck scarf and oversized glasses. Oh and Cary Grant and a backdrop of the French Riviera.
This is just sublime and I don't use that word very often. A true 'Margo' dress. The style that harks back to tv programme 'The Good Life' with Penelope Keith in her gorgeous maxi day dresses. It's a very thick polyester fabric but not in a horrible cheap way and a few of the tiny diamantés are missing but I will carefully paint the holes where they sat with silver nail vanish to fill the gaps. I cannot wait to wear it. I am not usually a fan of 70's fashions but for some reason I love this style of dress. A nipped-in waist, v-neck and floaty sleeves, it is super feminine and a steal at £20 from £35. If you can take the risk of waiting towards the end of the day, a lot of items get reduced and rails suddenly display £10 or bargain rail signs. But if you love something that much, don't put it back, snap it up or someone else will. And with one-off pieces (as is the nature of vintage), you know you won't find another one.
And finally, this coat. Possibly one of my favourite ever finds. It was £50 but it looks like new despite its age. It's a wool-cashmere blend and is so soft. A lady that walked by as I was trying it on said "if you don't buy that coat, I will buy it for you!". Very kind, although I happily paid for it myself. I think the stall holder new a guaranteed sale was coming his way from the enormous smile on my face. I do tend to be quite expressive and give away any hope of bartering.
I feel like Anna Karenina the minute it sits on my shoulders. Beautiful. And with the cold days approaching, a new coat edit is probably in order soon. Not that this will be an everyday coat. Strictly for masquerade balls and long romantic train journeys through snowy wastelands.
A girl can dream.
