Accessories Aplenty

If you're accessorising with one item this season, it has to be jewellery. I think in terms of fashion, 2013 has definitely been a breakthrough year for costume jewellery with it appearing in almost every store on the high-street. But why risk someone else sporting the same necklace or bracelet as you? Wearing vintage can cut out that worry altogether and at vintage store Studs and Lace, there is plenty of original pieces available.

Black lace bow necklace £8.00 at Studs and
Lace at ASOS Marketplace

It's common knowledge that the chunky necklace has pretty much dominated the costume jewellery scene this season, with collars and heavily decorated pieces cropping up everywhere. Studs and Lace have many handmade and vintage inspired pieces to chose from in their new collection including a personal favourite of mine, the handmade black lace bow necklace. Perfect for the upcoming party season, it will complement well any art deco style outfit or be the ultimate statement for any look.

With the dark nights drawing in and the invitations mounting up, it's that time of the year again to throw on your glad-rags and high heels (and find perfect statement accessories to match!)

                                    By Julia Catherine Ward

Tea Anyone?

1980's Tea Dress £35.00 at studsandlace.co.uk

The tea dress has always been and always will be a must have staple item in the wardrobe of any fashionista. They've been a huge part of many decades: coming up big in the 40's and reappearing in the 70's and 80's mainly, in my opinion because of their versatility.








Coming in all shapes and sizes, the tea dress is the perfect everyday pick me up piece. It's a breath of fresh air from the common pairing of pants and a top, adding a very feminine element to your wardrobe. Albeit in the Winter, you won't usually find me in a tea dress but come Spring, I jump at the opportunity to finally embrace the weather and get my pins out.

1980's Animal Leopard Print Dress £25.00 at studsandlace.co.uk

So although the Winter months are looming, why can't we be looking ahead to when our friend Mr Soleil will show his face again? Studs and Lace's range of vintage tea dresses cater to all occasions. Whether you're after a 1980's style floral piece to brighten up your days and help give you that ray of hope for the return of Spring, or if you want to go for an on trend animal print version of this modern classic, head on over to the main sight to see what kind of tea you might fancy.

By Julia Catherine Ward

The Return of Autumn

With the arrival of September comes the return of the cold weather, the falling leaves and of course, the Autumn/Winter wardrobe. Yes, I'm afraid it's time to put away the bikinis for another year and start dragging out those jumpers and jackets. It doesn't seem like two minutes ago we were cosying up in our knits and seeing that slow transition on the high street from summer beach window displays to arrangements of wooly scarves and fluffy boots.

full length 80s fur coat and scarf £68.00, studsandlace.co.uk

statement outerwear

This season we're seeing the return of statement outerwear. Rounded oversized shoulder pads at Carven, boucle and embellishments at Chanel and black and white fur at Altuzarra. When the weather requires a coat and your outfit becomes hidden underneath, a statement outer piece is essential. 

Keeping you warm this season and adding an element of vintage to your winter wardrobe, Studs and Lace's fur jackets and coats are a perfect option. 

70s snake-skin jacket £40.00, studsandlace.co.uk

classic patterns

Alongside the statement outerwear trend comes the return of the classic pattern. Designers have gone back to basics and brought back the pinstripes, the leopard prints and the plaids to the runway. Old trends and designs are always re-emerging which is why shopping for vintage is the way to go. Studs and Lace currently stock a gorgeous faux snake-skin jacket circa 1970 which nails two of this seasons top trends right on the head. 

By Julia Catherine Ward

Battle of the Sexes

photo from etsy.com

The phrase 'power dressing' derives from the move in fashion that saw women being empowered through the art of fashion. We can see from the 1920's onwards, the decrease of corsets and heavy decoration, with couturiers such as Gabrielle Chanel changing the way in which women dressed. The introduction of trousers and high neck blouses was a controversial move in the world of fashion, but one which any modern woman would follow.
These changes in fashion linked arms with the movements in history, as women were becoming more and more recognised and respected in society. We could now vote and it was becoming more common for a woman to work.


enter the 80's...

photo from eonline.com

Enter the power dressing of the 80's. Pant-suits and the androgynous style of this era were the proof that women could do it all, just like men, but better. We could attend a meeting as a corporate lawyer and still make it in time for picking up the baby from day-care and have lunch with our girlfriends at noon. And the pant suit allowed us to do this. Take Sex and the City's Miranda as the perfect example of this powerful New York City woman who manages it all in her dominating power suit.

The ever popular shoulder pads of the 1980's were like a symbol of growing dominance for women in the workplace to prove to men that they were equals. Today, power dressing is still going strong and women of the world are still fighting for equality. Studs and Lace have featured their very own vintage power blazer on their website. With its shoulder pads, the royal blue colour and sharp tailoring, you can nod to our older generations and be far from the usual in an original 1980's blazer.    

           

power blazer £20 at studsandlace.co.uk

                                                                                                           

by Julia Catherine Ward

Decade Delving

photo from dressedherdaysvintage.com

Vintage clothing is on the uprise, there is no doubt about it. We are slowly realising that by the word 'vintage' we don't mean that old musty cardigan, knitted for your grandma from the 19 somethings, we mean revival. Revival of the clothes that were the originals of trends that still show their faces today, in 2013.

Think about it. Most of the current trends that have cropped up in the past years have all had some element influenced by past decades. Tea dresses and day dresses? Originating in the 1940's and seen again in the 80's. Statement blazers, acknowledging the 80's power blazers with oversized shoulder pads. And not to mention the return of the shift dress, helping us relive the days of some of our favourite 60's icons.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
why vintage?                                  

photo from www.chicous.com

But why vintage when there are perfectly good replications in our favourite high street stores? The answer is as much as I adore the high street, sometimes we all want something that bit more original. Something we can guarantee no one will be wearing at the same time as us.

Vintage clothing has the ability to transport us into the eras we never got to experience. Donning a 40's style dress and red lip can instantly make you feel like the ultimate pin up girl of the decade.

So next time you're going out or even wanting something more casual, why not experience the 'vintage feeling' for yourself and delve into the decades

                                                                        

by Julia Catherine Ward

Stars and Stripes

American Flag leggings, Vintage crop jacket - ASOS marketplace, T-Shirt- Blonde & Blonde, Restyled T-Shirt Dress - Studs & Lace

There is no better excuse to don a pair of American flagged leggings than to make a sartorial nod towards our US cousins on this day, July 4^th.

Push the boat out and don some red, white and blue, sprinkle it with a few stars and stripes, and you will be U.S.A fabulous.

For the more understated look, salute to the cruise collection style that wouldn’t look out of place in the Hamptons and try the restyled T-Shirt dress from Studs & Lace.

So as those across the Atlantic spend their day throwing some steaks on the barbecue, enjoying a picnic in the sun, or watching some hugely overstated firework display, check out some of the events in London, and delve into your own Stateside celebrations…

Time Out's guide to 4th July London

By Laura Feasey

Riverside Style

Photos courtesy of Britishrowing.org. Filigree necklace, lace earrings and bow tie necklace all from studsandlace.co.uk

Riverside Style

The determined bad summer weather did not hinder the masses at this weekend’s Royal Henley Regatta. A somewhat more understated event amongst a busy social calendar that has been recently invaded by brash celebrities and their hangers on, Henley remains a pleasant and elegant affair.

If you missed this weekend’s frolics by the river, save an outfit for a summers day and accessorise your sunny attire with some vintage finds from studsandlace.com.

By Laura Feasey