British Vogue 1984

We may already have experienced the best of the summer weather (in England anyway!), but one can always rely on a vintage fashion glossie to remind ourselves that somewhere on this planet, warmer climes and mid summer escapes await. Here’s a pretty photo shoot taken from British Vogue July 1984, with images by Paul Lange in Haiti. Hair by Bob Fink. Enjoy!

Long pale linens for the long hot holiday abroad, garlanded with short pearl strings, wide faded straws, the prettiest scarves. Wear them with slippers or summer brogues for exploring the coast, the mountains, the mysteries of Haiti. Here, airy spaces, faded fretted wood, shades of the past, at the Grand Hotel Oloffson in Port au Prince, where Graham Green wrote The Comedians, and Vogue, some eighteen years later, stayed.

Soft green linen collarless shirt, £69, cream linen breeches, by Perry Ellis £150. Cashmere cardigan, £82.50. Lilac and cream chiffon scarf, £3, from a selection at Cornucopia.

White lace and linen shirt, beige linen trousers, brown leather belt, pearl beads, from a selection at Ralph Lauren.

White linen suit, short sleeved shirt, about £189 (with skirt and jacket, not shown). Trousers with turn-ups, about £46. Both by Max Mara.

Short-sleeved white linen shirt, £69, Striped linen trousers, £81.60, both by Paul Costello. Natural straw hat swathed in white chiffon, £35. Marvella fake pearls, from £8.95. Silk chiffon scarf, £26, at Kenzo. Brown and white leather co-respondent shoes, £85, at Flli Rossetti.

Short-sleeved pleated linen dress by Max Mara, £147. Leather brogues, £59.50, from a selection at Mulberry.

Visit my website today! FREE UK delivery!

Woman magazine pullout knitting patterns

Eight super 1960’s ladies sweaters and cardigans to knit, the orange design is my favourite.  The magazine pullout has 8 different designs.

http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/s-woman-magazine-pullout-knitting-patterns-71237907.htm#

This One’s For The Fellas

Can you believe that it is already August?  Fall will be upon us before we know it, which means that it’s time for Noble Savage Vintage to get busy restocking our menswear.  I cannot wait to photograph all of the new tuxedos, morning coats, frock coats and wool work shirts.  The pieces below are new to the shop and represent  a sneak preview of what is coming.  Gentlemen, it’s time to start putting your formal wear evening kit together.  I hope these pieces inspire.

This is a phenomenal 3 piece men’s formal evening dress set with tailcoat, waist coat, and buckle back trousers.  This cut was popular around the turn of the century and will fulfill your Late Victorian and Early Edwardian needs.  You will be very pleased with the condition and quality as well as the many fabulous little details.

Turn of the Century 3-piece tux

Whether you are looking for stiff front, soft front, french cuffs or regular, I am working on a nice selection of men’s formal shirts. This formal Piqué bib shirt buttons up the back for a nice smooth look and has a large 16 1/2 neck.

Men’s Piqué stiff front full dress shirt, 16 1/2

I also have a nice collection of winged collars on the way, most 16-1/2. This is the first on the site.

Winged collar

You don’t see these every day. I have been adding formal and informal neckwear to both the Etsy and the Ruby Lane shops. This Silk cravat is late Victorian and is also one of my current favorites.

Victorian Black Silk Day Cravat/ Ascot

Care to see more?
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @NobleSavageVint
Check out out Website: www.NobleSavageVintage.com
Shop on RubyLane: NobleSavageVintage.RubyLane.com
Shop on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NobleSavageVintage

 

 

Colorful Vintage Party Dresses and The Little Black Dress

As the end of summer nears I am starting to think about what I will be wearing this season to all of the party’s I hope to be attending, should I wear a Little Black Dress or something with color to show off my tan that I was lucky enough to find the time to achieve this summer while juggling running a flooring store and maintaining my vintage clothing biz , the one thing I do know for sure is that it will definitely be vintage!

Visit our store Bombshell Frocks Vintage

Like us on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Click on each picture to go directly to the listing!

1940’s  Sheer Pink Pinstriped Party Dress

1950’s Mink Trimmed Sharkskin Taffeta Party Dress

Vintage 1950s Little Black Cocktail Party Dress

Vintage 1950’s Little Black Bow Back Cocktail Party Dress

INCREDIBLE 1970’s Rhinestone Trimmed Knit Evening Gown 

Click on the below picture to shop now……………

1940’s Butterick fashion designs

Below a selection of sewing patterns from the 1940 Summer edition of the Butterick Fashion magazine.

Miriam Haskell – Beauty and Quality in Fashion Jewelry

“Miriam Haskell (July 1, 1899-July 14, 1981) was an American designer of costume jewelry. Like Hattie Carnegie, Haskell founded her own company, one that still bears her name. With her creative partner Frank Hess, she invented affordable pieces of stunning originality from 1920 through the 1950s. Vintage examples and samples of Miriam Haskell designs are now much sought, held in both private collections and museums internationally.”

I recently acquired four pins, numerous earrings and one killer necklace recently at an auction! I’ve been pining for Haskell for a long time, but have never had the opportunity to fulfill my dream until recently.

The beauty of these pieces have not lost their essence as the years have gone by. The attention to details and hand crafted items bear witness to better times when workmanship was appreciated and valued.

Miriam Haskell jewelry was worn for publicity shots, films, and personal use by movies stars Joan Crawford and Lucille Ball, as well as by Gloria Vanderbilt and the Duchess of Windsor. Crawford owned a set of almost every Haskell ever produced, from the 1920s through the 1960s.

Today Miriam Haskell jewellery is highly sought after by costume jewellery enthusiasts, her vintage pieces command high prices and are prized by collectors. Interestingly, her jewellery was very seldom signed before 1950, it was her brother Joseph Haskell who introduced the first regularly signed Miriam Haskell jewellery. For a very short time during the 1940s, a shop in New England did request all pieces they received be signed by Miriam, this signature was a horseshoe-shaped plaque with Miriam Haskell embossed on it. A piece with this signature would indeed be a rare find. However, the signed pieces of this period constituted less than 1% of the early jewellery. Pieces by Robert Clark who designed for her, are exceptionally collectable also.

The Hula Hut & More Store is very proud to present these pieces that are currently being offered in our Ebay store.  The top two pieces sold within hours of their listing providing a testament to the quest to acquire her pieces and designs.

The Hula Hut & More Store will be adding more Haskell pieces soon.  Check back and view the wonderful and gorgeous necklace along with several pairs of earrings.

Newly Discovered Fashion Illustrations of the 1940s

It’s not often that one can lay claim to discovering a lost talent. And even now, this exquisite illustrator only came to my attention through an acquaintance of my sister, Alice. The artist and topic of my conversation is Betty Wilkins and I’m honoured and delighted to have been given the opportunity to feature some of her outstanding art work. I would first of all like to offer my sincerest thanks to Betty’s daughter, Yvonne, for allowing me to share these wonderful images with my readers. I would also like to stress the importance of copyright and state that under no circumstances are these images to be copied or reproduced in any other form or publication. They remain the sole property of Yvonne and have been watermarked appropriately. Thank you.

I’ve written the following article as a testament to Betty and her incredible talent. I would dearly love to have known her. This post is intended to provide a very brief insight into Betty’s life, but most importantly to give inspiration to budding fashion illustrators and to those of you with a love for the history of fashion. Enjoy!

This beach scene illustrates 1940s fashion so beautifully. It has never been published and was part of Betty’s personal collection of paintings. It’s exquisitely executed, from the background image of the sea and steam boat to the detailed fabrics and accessories.

Sadly Betty passed away in 2004, leaving her incredible legacy of illustrations and paintings to her beloved daughter. In brief, Betty’s personal story began in Finchley, North London. She was born Elizabeth Wilkins in 1920 and a short while later, her family moved to Mill Hill, North London.

Willesden College of Technology opened in 1934.

Her artistic potential must have shone through at an early age. Betty left school at fourteen to attended Willesden College of Technology (formerly Willesden Polytechnic and now known as the College of North West London.) The original building in Denzil Road was built in 1903 (see photograph left), but unfortunately no longer stands. It was opened as a College of Technology in 1934 and ran the technical courses originally provided by the polytechnic. Betty enrolled at the college in 1934 so would have been one of the first students to attend the schools of art department. Interestingly, one of her fellow classmates at Willesden was one of the twin brothers who’s father, Montague Burton, founded Burton, Britain’s largest chain of clothes shops. It is unclear which brother, Arnold or Raymond, was the classmate of Betty. I do know that Raymond Burton passed away quite recently in February 2012, at the age of 93.

Some time after leaving art college, and just before the onset of World War II, Betty was interviewed by Marjorie Proops. Marjorie is probably best known for her role as the Daily Mirror’s “Agony Aunt”, although she was a prolific social commentator and writer, and had become a journalist in 1939. Marjorie’s first job was fashion correspondent for the Daily Mirror so this ties in nicely with my story.

Surprisingly, Betty didn’t get the job that Marjorie Proops had interviewed her for . . . . . . exactly why not, I cannot say. Certainly Betty’s talent as a fashion illustrator is as brilliant as anything I have ever seen in Vogue or similar fashion editorials of the same period. In my eyes, Betty Wilkins was an outstanding draughtswoman with a real eye for fashion, and had a true understanding of the human form. You only need look at the hands of these elegant ladies to see what a wonderful artist she was.

So without further ado, I’ll let you decide for yourself and give you the opportunity to see exactly what the Daily Mirror missed out on all those years ago . . . . .

More about Betty’s life story below.

These intricate fashion illustrations show what an incredible draughtswoman Betty was. Each stroke was done with a paint brush. Time consuming I believe . . . but truly, truly awesome!

The black and white images were produced for fashion publications or for dressmaking patterns. Unfortunately, Yvonne doesn’t know which publications they were from, so if anyone reading this recognises any of the following images, or can shed any further light on where they were published, please contact me. Thank you so much.

Do you recognise where this image was published? If so, please contact me (see ‘Contact’ page.)

If you’ve ever wondered how to paint or sketch the netting found on a hat, here’s an exquisite example! And what a hat!

So what happened to Betty? Well, as with most stories from this era, WWII brought change to many families. Betty’s father had been a Captain in the British Army and had served during the Great War of 1914-18. By the time WWII came along he was too old for active service, so the Army gave him an administrative role and sent him to Burscough in the North West of England. His family subsequently followed him and they began a new life in the lovely seaside town of Southport.

Betty’s father must have been very proud of his talented daughter. Although he was a strict character (remember he was an Army Captain), I believe he accompanied her to Liverpool in order to help her find work as an illustrator. However, as the War took hold, Betty’s fate was decided. She took work in a local factory in order to help the War effort and there she stayed throughout WWII. It was during this time that she met her future husband. They married in 1947 and went on to have a family of their own. Betty’s husband was a farmer although Betty didn’t work on the farm herself. Whether she carried on with her art work as a hobby, I am unsure. What I do know from Yvonne is that her mother often recalled her days as a fashion illustrator as the happiest of her life.

Here are some further examples of Betty’s creative talent which again, include the most exquisite, fine detail.

Wedding dress and veil complete with contrasting bridesmaid dress in blue. I love the heart-shaped bodice with matching handbag. It’s so adorable!

Betty Wilkins illustration 8

Betty Wilkins illustration 9

Betty Wilkins illustration 10

Betty Wilkins illustration 11

Betty Wilkins illustration 12

The detail on this mohair sweater was executed with a paint brush! More awesomeness!

Betty Wilkins illustration 14

There are more examples of 1930s and 1940s fashion illustrations on the V&A website. I think Betty Wilkins deserves a place there, don’t you? Betty you rock!

Thank you again to Yvonne for sharing her mother’s story and these beautiful images. If you have any knowledge of where the black and white images were published, please contact me. Thank you.

Marshall Cavendish knitting patterns

Are you like me and think that the 1980’s sweaters and cardigans were more comfortable to wear? Of course if you are of a certain age the answer will almost certainly be yes.

Here are a few from the Marshall Cavendish range which you can purchase from Henrietta’s at

Marshall Cavendish at ebid – 1980’s knitwear – only at  Henrietta’s aka purplestevie

Summer Frocks From Catwalk Creative Vintage

A selection of vintage summer frocks currently available from Catwalk Creative Vintage. And don’t forget, if you’re UK based, delivery is free!

Blue Roses Dress c.1950s

KIVA CREATIONS Pink Brocade Suit c.early 1950s

EMCAR Blue Button Front Suit c.1970s

Visit my website today! FREE UK delivery!

Summer Ball Gown

LOVE this 80s Laura Ashley dress, I’ve had 3 or 4 over the past few years in different prints and always
buy them when I can.

Polonaise Ballgown by Laura Ashley c1985.

Made of crisp cotton, this dress can be machine washed, scrunched up in a suitcase or stuffed in a carrier bag and
comes out looking like the bees knees with very little ACTUAL ironing needed, just the hem and the bodice frill really.
This print has tropical stargazer liliies and multicoloured carnations on a background covered in spots and dashes.
The sweep is a massive 368 inches, it can be worn with or without petticoats.
On ebay now

A Certain Style: British Vogue July 1984

The following images are scanned from British Vogue, July 1984. The article, by Ingrid Bleichroeder, suggests that Mr Lagerfeld is age 46 years at the time of publication, although his date of birth is noted elsewhere as 1933, making him a little bit older. Ho hum! That’s nothing new in the world of fashion and celebrity I guess!

Also interesting to note that at the age of four, Mr Lagerfeld was asking his parents for a painting of King Frederick II of Prussia whilst at the same age, I was happy with a box of toffee cigarettes! Oh the lives we lead!

This feature is from ‘A Certain Style‘, by Ingrid Bleichroeder.

Karl Lagerfeld photographed for British Vogue, July 1984.

I was interested in fashion before I knew the word. My memories are made of clothes. When I was four I saw a painting in a German art gallery – it was of King Frederick II of Prussia with Voltaire – and I knew that that was what I wanted. At first my parents thought it was too expensive and bought me another picture. I was so disappointed that at Christmas they bought me the one I wanted. Style and luxury are the essence of life . . .

Karl Lagerfeld, forty-six, designed for Chloé for twenty years and has now just started his own line, Fan Club. He continues to design furs for Fendi and five collections a year for Chanel. He has apartments in Paris, Monte Carlo, Rome, Vienna (where he teaches at the university) and New York. They are all decorated differently: Louise-Quinze, Italian contemporary, art deco, hi-tech . . . “To mix different styles and centuries is depassé . . .”

“I feel safest in Monte Carlo – protected. It is like a spaceship floating in mid-air.” The décor in his twenty-first floor Monaco apartment reflects this impression with its futuristic constructions by the Milan-based Memphis group. “I live quite happily with things which are genuinely from this era; and Memphis creations are the most genuinely contemporary designs there are.”

The Paris apartment recalls the painting which first alerted him to the possibilities fo style: Louise-Quinze décor, furniture arranged as in the works of Watteau and Boucher, great puffy silk curtains, candelabra everywhere. For Lagerfeld this is the “closed circle of enchantment – the eighteenth century is a fantastic period of culture and perfection.”

But his office, designed by Andrée Putman, is functional: metal furniture, a resilient carpet, plain white walls with some Deborah Turbeville photographs; and eighteen shades of grey, his favourite colour, “the functional spirit of the working place today”.

The lack of distraction is useful. “I see myself as a lazy, unprofessional person. I’m all improvised. But I’m always trying to work better, more seriously . . . When I was a child, my governess told me I would never get anything done because I stayed in bed. Now I get up at 4 am, work until 9 am, go back to bed for two hours and then get dressed. I love the early hours, when the day is coming . . .

Karl Lagerfeld photographed for British Vogue, July 1984.

“I change constantly, but I never change my mind. I would wish to be like Virginia Woolf’s Orlando: never being the same but remembering who you are . . . “

His views on style are equally rigorous. “Beauty is not style: ugly monsters can have style. Mick Jagger made ugliness beautiful: the way he moves is so elegant. The Princess of Wales has a wonderful physical attitude. Ines de la Fresange, who models for Chanel, has the most aristocratic physical style – a timeless, perfect beauty which is always modern. And Tina Chow is the same: nothing ever dates on her. But style is individual. Paloma Picasso is not to be imitated, and Anna Piaggi’s style is hers and doesn’t work on anyone else. A woman can be inspirational only by her attitude. There is no style without attitude . . .

“What I like best in life are changes – new fashions, new trends, the next venture. I hate routine, which is why I like to do different collections. But I believe only in discipline, physical and mental. What I hate most in life is laissez-aller – I think that’s just revolting . . . “

Karl Lagerfeld photographed for Vogue by David Bailey.

Visit my website today! FREE UK delivery!

Brights at Bette Be Good Vintage Clothing.

If you are looking to add some bright color to your wardrobe, stop by Bette Be Good Vintage.

I have added fresh vintage clothing and accessories in yellow and more colors.

Perfect for summer or any time of year.

Click on any photo.

The Vintage Box Purse

I had recently added quite a few box purses to my Noble Savage Vintage shop on  Etsy.  I hadn’t realized how many I have picked up over the past year and have really come to appreciate the diversity in materials and aesthetic.  Here are a few selections.  I hope you enjoy.

This purse features a pierced brass plated metal body with an opaque marbled grey plastic top and base and a clear lucite handle.

1950s Box Purse with Lucite Handle

This beauty is punched dull silver toned metal by MW Handbags. The lid handle and bottom are all a marbled grey lucite.

Cute and casual.  Brighten up you summer ensemble with this brightly colored woven box purse. Vegan Friendly.

1950s Bright Woven Vinyl Box Purse

This is certainly one of the more unique purses I have come across. Made entirely of stained glass, in the Gothic Revival style, this purse doubles as wearable art.

1960s Stained Glass Box Purse

Care to see more?
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @NobleSavageVint
Check out out Website: www.NobleSavageVintage.com
Shop on RubyLane: NobleSavageVintage.RubyLane.com
Shop on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NobleSavageVintage

What would Princess Diana do

Who can forget this image?

Diana in the Mediterranean staring out to sea. Her golden

hair and tanned skin set off beautifully by a swim suit

that matched the sea in Azure Blue. They are making a movie

of the last 2 years of this remarkable womens life.

It stars Naomi Watts

and recently they reshot that imfamous scene.

  Here is the movies interpretation of that picture

Aww, sadly they have missed the mark.

  Diana was so careful about choosing items that

masked her figure flaws and accented her strong points.

This suit has a high back creating a tank (athletic) look.

 Diana chose to soften her waist and create a curve with a low back

And the color.

Well Diana was memorable ,the color she chose radiated.

  Here is a suit that would have been a far better choice.

I propose a redo.

Pinehaven2 on a vintage hunt

visit my Ecrater store for super values everyday

My 1940’s Knitting Patterns are going fast

New in and selling fast a selection of 1940’s knitting patterns

 All these  items  have been  SOLD

Fair Isle Beret & Bag – bestway-knitting-pattern-ladies-fair-isle-beret-and-bag 

Willow Pattern Jumper – bestway-knitting-pattern-ladies-willow-pattern-jumper-

Fair Isle Cardigan (not jumper) – bestway-knitting-pattern-ladies-fair-isle-cardigan

Fair Isle Jumper – weldons-knitting-pattern-ladies fair-isle-jumper

Fair Isle Cap & Gloves – -weldons-knitting-pattern-ladies-cap-and-gloves-in-gay-fair-isle

Vintage Ladies Mary-jane Shoes

Mary-jane shoes are one of the oldest styles of shoes. Here is a selection of examples for mary-jane shoes by decade over the past 100 years.

 

PRE 20’s

size 2 C kids girls vintage pre-20’s brown leather button mary-janes shoes

20’s

sz 6-6.5 ladies vtg 20s black two strap mary-jane shoes

30’s

size 6 vintage 30’s black leather HUG-TITE square-toe mary-jane pumps shoes NOS

40’s

sz 6.5 vtg 40s gray & navy babydoll mary-jane shoes NOS

50’s

6-6.5 vtg 40s/50s tan leather SCHOLL mary janes shoes nos

60’s

sz 5.5-6 vtg 60s green slingback mary-jane pumps shoes

70’s

9 M vtg 70s red & white cap-toe mary-jane pumps shoes

80’s

5.5 M vintage 80s white & tan spectator wing-tip mary-jane heels pumps shoes

90’s

ladies size 7 US vintage 90’s brown leather DR MARTENS mary-jane shoes UK 5

2000’s

size 8.5 M pink NINE WEST mary-jane ballet flats shoes

What to Wear for the 4th of July

July 4th is just around the corner, and this year falls on a Wednesday.  What will you wear?  Many of us will be heading out after work to catch the fireworks and may be looking for a few practical yet stylish ideas.  Whether you are planning an evening  picnic or are booking a boat for your firework viewing,  nothing could be more perfect than Vintage attire.  Here are a few comfy and classic suggestions available from Noble Savage Vintage on Ruby Lane or Etsy.

One of my favorite Forties dresses and a nice wearable size to boot.  This Classic blue rayon dress is trimmed in a white contrasted print.  All you will need to complete your look are a few fun, red accessories.  

1940’s Navy Rayon with Contrast Print

This classic 1960’s Shift dress in an attention grabbing red knit is both chic and comfortable. Just add a few blue and white bangles and a pair of flip flops and run.

1960’s Red Knit Dress Set

The White knit 1960’s dress features a row of rainbow colored zippers, including red and blue.  It’s a great size and silhouette and will be a  favorite choice all Summer long.

1960’s Sacony Rainbow Zipper Dress

One of the most practical purses I have ever seen, this smart Mod beauty features a matching umbrella/ parasol. Whether you need to shade yourself from the sun or protect yourself from those sudden Summer showers, you will treasure this purse for years to come.

1960’s Red Patent Vinyl Purse with Matching Umbrella/ Parasol

Care to see more?
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @NobleSavageVint
Check out out Website: www.NobleSavageVintage.com
Shop on RubyLane: NobleSavageVintage.RubyLane.com
Shop on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NobleSavageVintage

New Additions at Catwalk Creative Vintage

I’m currently listing some fabulous stock on my newly updated website. There’s never a dull moment around here! I wanted to show off a few items now, but there’s so much more to share in the next few weeks . .

There are silk scarves, leather handbags and some fabulous dresses, which I’ve yet to photograph and measure. I’m keen to get on with things before the start of the school summer holidays. Yikes! Is it that time already?! So for now, I hope you enjoy this small selection of vintage treasures.

Velvet Ruffle Evening Gown by Bernshaw c.1960s

Brown Leather and Patent Moc Croc Shoulder Bag c.1970s

Israeli unmarked Sterling Eilat Stone Earrings c.1950s/60s

Bohemian Floral Paisley Shawl by Franco Laurenti

Oyster Grey Metallic Clutch Bag with Detachable Shoulder Strap c.1980s/90s

The quality speaks for itself . . . Hardy Amies Silk Scarf

Cotton Floral Day Dress c.1950s

Visit my website today! FREE UK delivery!

Proudly Wearing Grandma’s Frumpy Old Vintage House Dress

If you’ve ever thumbed through old family photos of our grandmothers and great grandmothers looking at what they were wearing you might be thinking that you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a frumpy old house dress, but the way our bodies and fashion styles have evolved what may have looked frumpy back then on our grandmothers suddenly doesn’t look so frumpy now……

Pairing these cute little frocks up with a wide belt, a sweater thrown over the shoulders and some casual summer wedges and your sure to be a head turner!

Below picture is of my family in Belmar, New Jersey in 1949

And the beautiful woman standing second from the right with her arms crossed is my grandmother Nicolina, the woman standing in the back by the door is my great-grandmother Giovanna, and as you can see most of the women are wearing house-dresses, boy would I love to raid those closets now if they were all still alive, you do know that old school Italians never throw anything away, never!

Visit our store at www.bombshellfrocks.com

Visit me on facebook

Click on each picture to go directly to the listing!

A 1940’s advertisement for day dresses

Deadstock Vintage 40’s Day House Dress XXL

Vintage 40s Pink/White Striped House Dress

Vintage 40’s 50’s Pastel Striped Housedress

Click on the below picture to shop now……………

Swagger Style 1984

There aren’t many looks from the 80s that I look back at with great fondness. However, one style I really did think was cool was the ‘swagger’ look of the mid-1980s. I was a teenager then and heavily into the rockabilly scene. I favoured baggy trousers, Doc Martens and a rather severe flat-top hair style. So, although this masculine look was a little too soft around the edges for me, it did make a refreshing change from all the glitzy, wide-shouldered power suits and massive hair. I’ll let you decide.

These images are scanned from British Vogue, July 1984 with photographs by the great Terence Donovan. Hair by Bob Fink of New York.

Silk and tartan lounge suit. Abstract-patterned silk side-fastening dressing gown by Georgina von Etzdorf, £275; tartan wool trousers, £55 by Paul Smith. Zebra-patterned slippers at Manolo Blahnik, £95.

Dressing up, dressing gown suit. Double-breasted tartan wool cotton mix suit, £230 at Crolla. Paisley cotton dressing-gown, £18 from a selection at Hackett Clothiers. Long-sleeved cotton shirt, £55 at Kenzo. Silver and enamel paste military badge brooch, £55 at Massada Antiques.

Newly classic double-breasted dark brown herringbone tweed. Jacket, £197; trousers £85; both at Harvey Nichols. Long-sleeved cotton shirt, £86 at Harvey Nicols. Zebra-patterned slippers as noted in first image above. Ruby and rose diamond enamel brooch, £1,385 at Massada Antiques.

Subtly Mismatched Suit. Dark charcoal linen herringbone jacket, £175, with matching trousers, £82; single-breasted cotton mackintosh with quilted satin lining, £110; short-sleeved cotton Aertex shirt, £21; all at Paul Smith. Leather lace-up men’s shoes, £18, from a selection at Blax.

Chequered City Suit. Man’s single-breasted pink and black check wool mix suit, £59.95 at Johnson’s. Long-sleeved cream silk shirt with detachable black silk tie, £185, at Chanel. Plaited leather belt, £15, at Browns. Mock astrakhan slippers, £95, at Manolo Blahnik.

Gamine’s Wrap and Flow Suit – in iridescent python greys, silky synthetic jacket; woven synthetic trousers with back pockets; silky synthetic shirt with knitted jersey collar, long sarong-tied shirt tails; silky synthetic mackintosh; military-style earring; all by Jean Paul Gaultier.

Hot pink drape and shape suit. Man’s fine gabardine single-breasted drape jacket with black satin lapels, by Stephen Sprouse, £440. Cotton/lycra stirrup-foot leggings, £12.99, at Stirling Cooper. Velvet slippers with embroidered fox masks, £52, at New and Lingwood.

Big and easy coat suit. Voluminous rubberised cotton raincoat with lapels, £325; baggy rubberised cotton trousers with tie waist, £150; long-sleeved rayon knit shirt, £120; all at Yohji Yamamoto Pour Homme. Leather school sandals, £79, at Kenzo.

. . . . and yours truly in 1984 – on my way to the Hacienda night club (Manchester)

Visit my website today! FREE UK delivery!