Fashion today is constantly changing and updating, with old classics from past eras making re-appearances each season. The High Street can often take these trends and provides us with cheap, sometimes badly made, imitations.
However, events such as The Vintage Fair that took place in Loughborough Town Hall on Saturday October 8 allow us, as consumers, to get a product with a ‘story’ behind it. It gives us a sense of nostalgia, coming from the type of fabric, print, cut, colour or even the smell!
The event took us back in time with not only the 1920’s to 80’s fashion but also the music that was played as we wandered around the stalls. The Hall also held a tea and cupcake stand that added a quirky bit of glam to the event.
Each rail around the room consisted of a mix of garments; from dresses, tops, woolly jumpers, blouses, skirts, cute denim shorts, and fur coats; ranging in all colours and styles. The stalls were decorated with jewellery, home accessories, crafts and classic brief cases overflowing with gorgeous silk scarves.
And it was only vintage pieces on sale, many stallholders made one-off, quirky pieces of clothing or jewellery that simply couldn’t be found in the likes of Topshop. ‘The Prettiest Things’ run by Jenny Simpson offered fun and quirky handmade jewellery, from sweet heart necklaces to teacup rings, each piece would add a bit of fun to any outfit!
‘Fabulous Vintage Fashion’ sold customised ‘I Love Vintage’ T-shirts, which would go perfectly with high-waisted cut off Levis shorts from seller ‘Jenny and Amber’.
They also offered a range of amazing bags made from old vinyl records that had been moulded and shaped to create an eye-catching accessory, something we simply couldn’t resist.
The designer, Charmaine Roberts, told us she sourced her vintage goods from anywhere and everywhere, whether it be vintage stalls, charity shops or making them herself! ‘Good Old Fashion’ offered affordable classic must haves that can also be found on ASOS Boutique.
‘Guitars and Gladrags’, Loughborough’s very own vintage store, were out in force at the fair. Selling a great selection of dresses, blouses and bags for men and women! Visit the store, which is opposite the Moon and Bell Wetherspoons pub in town for locally sourced vintage all year round.
Each item displayed was unique with an individual characteristic, so you had to grab that ‘one-off’ piece whilst you could, before someone else did.
There is a regular Vintage night hosted by ‘Dolly Anna Does’ at The Orange Tree every second Tuesday of the month from 7-11pm.
You can find all the stores on Facebook and Twitter, and check out where the Vintage Fair will be heading next on www.thevintagefair.com
