...a school sports day where the children are very well dressed and rather drunk

 

These posts have become a bit out of chronological order, but I've gotten so far behind (sorry it's been almost a month since my last post) that I'm just going to write what springs to mind first!

 

I was looking back through my past posts and realised I've never actually written about the Chap Olympiad.  This year was the fifth time I had attended since 2008 and the third with The Vintage News.  I simply adore going to the Olympiad as it seems to be an excuse for all my favourite people from the vintage scene (many of whom I first met at previous olympiads) to get together, drink inordinate amounts of gin and lark about in ridiculous 'sporting' events.

Beach Volleybowler was awfully close to looking like a real sport

 In my official capacity, I was there to take photos and film but I spent most of my time catching up with old friends and eating (my gin and tonic cupcakes went down a treat!)  I spent a lot more time behind the camera than in front of it this year, but I did manage to get in a quick interview with Jeni and Fleur - it was ever so professional and there was much talk of lovely spreads and trinkets!

 

It was also the first year I've taken part in one of the events - Bread-Basketball.  No-one (including the umpires) knew what we were meant to be doing as it was one of the many new events, but it involved sitting at a dining table, trying to stop bread rolls being flung over our heads. Very Drones club, but with the waiters not the diners utilising the baked missiles.

My main thought when choosing my outfit was to pick something I wouldn't roast in (it was 30°C for much of the day).  I decided to go for a 1950s grey cotton dress with white embroidery which I teamed with a large straw hat that I had to decorate in the car because I ran out of time.  I also decorated a fan, which those of you that follow me on instagram may have seen.  If you would like to get your hands on your very own personalised fan, keep an eye on the blog (exciting news soon!) or email me at sadiedoherty@hotmail.co.uk.

 Two dear friends (Russell Nash and Zack Pinsent) were well-deserved winners of the gold and bronze cravats, respectively, although I think Sara should definitely won the best accessory!

  

I think you'd agree, there could be no accessory finer than this

 

If you want to see more wonderfully dressed people, some fairly vicious umbrella work and a bit of limbo (yes, really) there are many more photos on The Vintage News website.

For everyone's safety (apart from their own), Atters and
Young Laurie are matched together for the umbrella jousting 

 

* I was having some problems uploading some pictures, so more will be added when I have more time, thanks for looking at what's here!

Just Like a Chap

Hello, this is just a quick post as I am awfully tired after a rather wonderful Halloween (thanks to the Vintage Mafia girls for putting on a splendid party).

Mr B has just released his video for his new song Just Like a Chap and I thought you might like to take a peek.

Filmed in the dying days of the summer at the headquarters of the New Sheridan Club, it involved sitting in a pub for five hours with like-minded sorts (mostly members of the aforementioned club) and standing outside for approximately 10 minutes.  We were joined by such esteemed chaps as Gustav Temple (Editor of the Chap) Mr Bruce of the Correspondents, (who had very recently broken his foo).

Featuring lots of fabulous people including Clayton, Pandora, Auntie Maureen, as well as a certain Vintage News presenter...

Enjoy!

The truly fashionable are beyond fashion. Review of Style Me Vintage by Naomi Thompson

After spending the day with Naomi Thompson, the lady behind Vintage Secret, I was immediately compelled to read her new book ‘Style Me Vintage: Clothes’.  And this I did – cover-to-cover in an hour!  I was really impressed with the tone of the writing.  It wasn’t dumbed down, nor was it elitist as often vintage writing can be (e.g. ‘if you don’t already know, we’re not going to tell you’).

 

The day started off with Leslie and I driving down to Naomi’s lovely flat in Portsmouth.  With views of the sea, it was the perfect place to conduct our interview.  We chatted a while about Style Me Vintage, The Vintage Mafia and generally about vintage clothes.  But I’m not here to relay the entire conversation – that’s what we have our cameras for!  What I’d like to focus on today is her book.  As I said earlier, I couldn’t put it down and found it really engaging. 

The book is in two parts, firstly a decade-by-decade guide picking out the key looks, features and details of each period ranging from the ‘20s to the ‘80s.  The second half contains hints and tips for the general care and purchasing of vintage clothes.  It also has dedicated sections on foundation garments (or shapewear) and swimwear. 

The book features a few stock photos, but mainly contains photos taken just for the book, with models some of you may recognise, (did someone say the Vintage Mafia?)  The clothes shown are mostly original, including some absolutely stunning 1940s hats and 1920s frocks, but I was pleased with the inclusion of some reproduction clothing as well.  Clothes from companies such as Heydey! and a personal favourite, Puttin’ on the Ritz , are an informed addition.  The ease of care and more uniform sizing of reproduction clothing make them a viable alternative to buying purely vintage, but one that is occasionally frowned upon by some of the more diehard vintage wearers.

I also liked the way each decade was split into day and evening looks, as it is able to show, especially in the earlier decades, how social change could sometimes be slow but precursors to some key looks could be found decades earlier.

There were a fair few tidbits I found really interesting, particularly Laver’s Law and the changes in hemline.  The book is also peppered with famous quotes about style and fashion, my favourite being ‘The truly fashionable are beyond fashion’, Cecil Beaton.

For the uninitiated, there are some indispensable tips on dating, buying and trying on vintage, which are great as shopping for vintage can be rather daunting.  I will definitely be taking a tape measure out with me next time I go shopping, I can’t believe I’d not thought of it before!

At the back there is also a pick of the best vintage fashion blogs, the best sort of places to source your vintage goodies, important labels you may not know and some choice online boutiques.

Overall, (as you can probably tell) I’m really impressed with this book, and I think it will be a boon to those with previous vintage knowledge and those just getting into it.  It comes out on February 1^st and I’m sure it will be flying off the shelves (it’s currently sold out on Amazon).  Congratulations Naomi on a superb book.

Tally Ho! The Ralph Lauren Rugby Tweed Run

I’d heard of the Tweed Run before, but as yet had not attended.  That all changed when we (the Vintage News crew and myself) went to the inaugural autumnal Tweed Run in London.  The sponsors of this season’s “metropolitan bicycle ride with a bit of style” were Ralph Lauren Rugby and as such the hordes of be-tweeded ‘athletes’ gathered outside their first European shop in Covent Garden.

It was a very popular event, the initial 250 places were sold out within two hours of registration opening.  A further 50 places were then be won in the Rugby shop.  A call to a leisurely breakfast at 10am seemed to be taken up by the majority of the 300+ riders awaiting the off at 11.  We conducted a few interviews including Paul and Tina from Brooklands, along with some other splendidly dressed people. 

Although we didn’t have a chat with them this time, the Vintage Mafia ladies were looking lovely as always, kitted out for the most part by Ralph Lauren Rugby I believe.

After lots of milling about taking photos (which was made bizarrely difficult by being entirely surrounded at some points by a wall of other photographers) the official Ralph Lauren Rugby picture was to be taken.

All the cyclists, some astride their Pashley bicycles, gathered in front of the Rugby shop making for quite an impressive sight.  We were very kindly asked if we could be in the picture by the official photographer.  So there we were, right at the front next to the quite fantastic band, whose name I regret to say I never found out.  In between shots I kept turning round to try and take a few of my own!  Nb. they were called the Flats & Sharps - thanks Teresa Stokes). 

I was a little apprehensive when we decided we were going to cover the Tweed Run, mainly due to my lack of tweed.  All I had in my repertoire was a J G Hook jacket (which I have yet to decide whether it is a small ladies jacket – it has a nipped in waist, or a jacket for a young boy – the buttons are on the right?).  Anyway, it didn’t matter in the end as for many it was the overall look rather than an abundance of tweed.  By no means did this mean the event was in any way lacking in the “champagne of fabrics”. 

Along with my russet coloured jacket, I had a mid-grey calf length skirt, a deep pink and white striped shirt (courtesy of my Father, perhaps best not to tell him!) a brown tie (again, thanks Pater - I really should stop stealing his things) and a dark brown beret.  On paper this doesn’t seem like a particularly harmonious combination but it worked surprisingly well.  Teamed with the 1930s tortoiseshell sunglasses I have managed to purloin from Keiren, I rather had the look of a Weimar expressionist film maker.  Don’t you just hate it when that happens? 

Despite it being only a twelve mile amble through the metrop. (although I think it actually stretched to 13 by the end) it was deemed necessary in true chappist fashion that a break was needed half way through for tea and cakes.  I forget who supplied the comestibles, (I really should take more notes) but they were very lovely indeed. 

The tea party took place in a little square in the middle of Chelsea, where we were treated to two bands playing amongst the big dining room tables.

There were a few well known faces (including Erin O'Connor) among the cyclists, both those from the vintage scene and televisual personalities (Made in Chelsea anyone?).

On to the final destination, which was a mystery to those riding but we were given a nudge and a wink in the right direction as we needed to take our motor car.  

The finish line as it were, was the Caledonian club, just off Belgrave Square.  A beautifully decadent building, we knew we were in for a treat. 

We arrived there and hour and a half early, followed a few minutes later by all the cyclists.  After a few frantic minutes setting the rooms up, everyone was allowed in for more tea (of course!) and getting ready for the Best Moustache competition as judged by Murdocks.  As it took place in the month of Movember, there was quite an array of upper lip plumage to choose from.  Sadly we had to return to Brighton early so we missed the various accolades which were handed out which also included most Dashing Dame.

Well done to all the organisers (especially Teddy who we interviewed during the tea break) and marshalls for making such a successful and enjoyable event.

Similar events popped up in Florence and New York earlier this year which hopefully means Tweed clad bicycle rides may become more commonplace, if not the norm (ok, I may be being a touch optimistic there).  We’re very much looking forward to the next London event in April and hopefully at least one of us will be on two wheels!

For more information about the Tweed Run, these may be of interest...

http://tweedrun.com/

http://www.rugby.com/tweedrun/

Footage from the Tweed Run:

Part One: Pre-race and the starting line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfbCBbc5ZXo&feature=BFa&list=UUk62f_ZaVYhZiu3QeAFiC_g&If=plcp

Part Two: The half-time tea party and finish line at the Caledonian Club

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOygOHd3Avo&feature=BFa&list=UUk62f_ZaVYhZiu3QeAFiC_g&lf=plcp