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Grace Kelly Elegance Returns: Discover Timeless 1950s Style Dresses
Grace Kelly Elegance Returns: Discover Timeless 1950s Style Dresses
There’s something truly unforgettable about beautifully made 1950s style dresses. The kind that moves effortlessly, flatters the waist perfectly, and brings timeless glamour to every occasion. At British Retro we... Read more...
What to Wear on a Cruise Ship in the Evening
What to Wear on a Cruise Ship in the Evening
One of the most exciting parts of a cruise holiday is the evenings. As the sun sets and the ship comes alive with dining, entertainment, and dancing, getting dressed for... Read more...
What to Wear at the Races: Vintage Glamour with British Retro
What to Wear at the Races: Vintage Glamour with British Retro
A day at the races isn’t just about the horses, it’s a celebration of style, sophistication, and the joy of dressing up. Whether you're heading to Royal Ascot, Ladies’ Day,... Read more...
The History of White Wedding Dresses
The History of White Wedding Dresses
These days the colour white is undoubtedly thought to be synonymous with white dresses, but believe it or not this has not always been the case. So, when did the... Read more...
The History of Wearing Black at Funerals
The History of Wearing Black at Funerals
For many years the decision on what to wear for a funeral has been quite straightforward; you just looked in your wardrobe for something black as that was considered to... Read more...
A History of Dresses at the Races
A History of Dresses at the Races
Over the last century a day at the races has provided ladies with the chance to put on their most stylish dresses and combine it with accessories such as elegant... Read more...
Top Ten Distinguishing Features of an Original 1950’s Dress
Top Ten Distinguishing Features of an Original 1950’s Dress
The 1950s was an iconic time for British fashion, in this blog post we are going to take a look at the makeup of the 1950's dresses, and what makes... Read more...
What to Wear to the Works Christmas Party
What to Wear to the Works Christmas Party
With the festive season fast approaching, the question on most people's lips is what should I wear to the work Christmas bash !!! Choosing which Christmas party dress comes with... Read more...
The History of Tartan
The History of Tartan
Say the word tartan, and the first thing that springs to mind is Scotland, kilts and checks . Whilst embedded in our national heritage, the history of tartan is not... Read more...
The History of the Tea Dress
The History of the Tea Dress
When we hear the words Tea Dress, it instantly brings to mind an image of the elegant 1950s woman, however the history of the tea dress in fact dates back... Read more...
History Of Swing Dresses in The 1950’s
History Of Swing Dresses in The 1950’s
It goes without saying that our customers love our comprehensive range of vintage style dresses, but do they really know about the origins of the dresses and the era during... Read more...
Keep that Wiggle Wriggly!
Keep that Wiggle Wriggly!
So, lockdown number 3 is doing its best to break our spirits. We’ve all become pretty adept at dressing for business from the waist up, whilst wearing brushed cotton jimjams... Read more...
Wholesome and Homespun
Wholesome and Homespun
May I be bold for just a moment? You’ve been wearing leggings and a sweatshirt since March 2020, haven’t you? You may even be wondering if you’ll ever wear anything... Read more...
True Story
True Story
True story. Glamourpuss is my secret alter-ego. Some people have superheroes, some people have spirit animals, I have a beautiful Elizabeth Taylor look-a-like. She is everything I am not, and... Read more...
Claire’s Story
Yesterday I found out, I’m in the 2.5% of fashion business owners who are black. Needless to say, this was a shocking revelation to me!I find now that in light of the appalling murder of George Floyd, many of my followers and customers expressed interest in hearing more about my company and who they are buying from, which I totally understand. Therefore, for the first and hopefully last time, (as I don’t want to be defined by colour or race) I felt it poignant to tell my story. My name... Read more...
Be naughty, look nice
Be naughty, look nice
When I say be naughty, I trust you understand that I am not encouraging anything truly bad. Oh no, my idea of naughty is the cheekiness of Babs Windsor, a... Read more...
Shaking the Blues Away
Shaking the Blues Away
We’re experiencing strange and stressful times. The world has gone crazy and everywhere I look I see examples of the worst and the best in human behaviour. It is difficult... Read more...
All the lovely handbags…
All the lovely handbags…
I tipped out my handbag, that train ticket was definitely in there, I was sure. I look at the inspector imploringly, but he isn't going to soften. Lipsticks, at least... Read more...
Just what kind of vintage babe are you, anyway?
Just what kind of vintage babe are you, anyway?
Apparently, the gift for the person who has everything is a genetic ancestry DNA kit. I kid you not. “Here, darling, swab the inside of your mouth for me please... Read more...
Are they real?
Are they real?
Elizabeth Taylor’s jewellery sold for $116 million dollars at auction. Say it fast and it doesn’t sound a lot. No, faster… a little faster still… No. However quickly you say... Read more...
Truman’s Swans
Truman’s Swans
I recently read a book called Swan Song by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott, a fictional account of Truman Capote and his darling swans, the ladies with whom he lunched, travelled, dined and... Read more...
Wonderland Warmth
Wonderland Warmth
We are all set for a long, bitterly cold winter (apparently), so, I’m stocking up on all the stuff that keeps me feeling cosy when the mercury drops (Brandy, dark... Read more...
Heavenly Hilda
Heavenly Hilda
Detox on sachets of dust to get rid of that cake baby. Beyonce lost the baby weight eating only raw rhubarb and acrylic nail glue. Gwyneth advises us to insert... Read more...
Ethical and Exquisite
Ethical and Exquisite
I loathe fast fashion and the general disposable nature of what we buy. Of course, I make sure my vintage dress habit stays true to manufacturers who share my values... Read more...
The Devil Wears British Retro
The Devil Wears British Retro
I've had a few of those Miranda Priestly moments recently, do you know what I mean? A beautiful polka dot dress catches my eye in a large department store, I... Read more...
Celebrating D-Day
Celebrating D-Day
It is sad fact that those who lit up the screen and blasted out of jukeboxes during the vintage years are slowly and steadily slipping from us, and we can't... Read more...
Halloween Horror Halternecks have arrived!
Halloween Horror Halternecks have arrived!
Zombie Jezebel Rockabilly Pencil DressThe Zombie Jezebel dress, an apocalyptic moment where glamour meets guts!This halterneck pencil dress is made from the finest quality cotton with a lined bodice. She... Read more...
Fashion Comes Full Circle
Fashion Comes Full Circle
Way back, when your Granny was a twinkle in your Great Grandpa’s eye, Britain was recovering from the second World War. Shops were slowly beginning to stock unrationed groceries and... Read more...
Bodycon Tricks
Bodycon Tricks
If every decade can be defined by a silhouette, then the bodycon dress certainly sums up a particular point in time. If you bought High Street fashion in the late... Read more...
Vintage Brides
Vintage Brides
I got married in my jeans. Seriously. At that point in my life I felt not the slightest inclination to buy a fancy dress that would live in the back... Read more...
“They don’t make ‘em like they used to…”
“They don’t make ‘em like they used to…”
How many times have you heard this said? It has been applied to cars, music, films and film stars, food, fashion… Things change, and not always for the better. Profits... Read more...
And the award for best picture goes to…
And the award for best picture goes to…
You didn’t come here for old Hollywood movies, you came for the adorable vintage styles that are the unique hallmark of British Retro. I know that, so why do I... Read more...
Dream Dinner Party
Dream Dinner Party
Do you ever imagine the ideal dinner party? One that includes a guest list of the best people? I do, and I always choose a selection of witty, smart and... Read more...
Sweetly Fragranced Firebrands
Sweetly Fragranced Firebrands
I wrote about sweet-faced girl-next-door Debbie Reynolds the other week, and now, like the contrary little soul I am, I find myself longing for the company of a brace of... Read more...
What a Sweetheart!
What a Sweetheart!
Sweetheart is such a darling little word, isn’t it? Adorable, innocent and wrapped in a bow. I bet it mews like a kitten and smells like candyfloss. I bet it... Read more...
A Vintage Glamour Queen Always Sparks Joy…
A Vintage Glamour Queen Always Sparks Joy…
Have you seen that tiny Japanese lady on TV, the one that wants us to clear out anything that fails to ‘spark joy’? I love the idea, it’s just, well,... Read more...
“If your husband's going to leave you for anyone, it might as well be Elizabeth Taylor...”
“If your husband's going to leave you for anyone, it might as well be Elizabeth Taylor...”
It’s the September 11th, 2001. You are all alone in a hotel room in New York and there’s only one TV station available and it is delivering rolling coverage of... Read more...
Have a Rockin’ Good Christmas
Have a Rockin’ Good Christmas
All set for Chrimbo? No?? You’re doing some last-minute shopping, too? Chill, honey, let me help…First, pour yourself a drink. May I recommend a White Christmas Martini? Two parts chocolate... Read more...
Icons of the Future
Icons of the Future
Beauty treatments. There seem to be two camps, those who seize the "science" and chase eternal youth (a serum made from the circumcised foreskin of babies, anyone??), and there are... Read more...
Walkin’ After Midnight
Walkin’ After Midnight
Sometimes you just need the kind of music that feels like being wrapped in a cosy blanket, sipping a hot toddy. The nights are cold and dark, the mornings are... Read more...
Stylish, poised and effortless…. Natalie Wood
Stylish, poised and effortless…. Natalie Wood
Is it too early to begin thinking about Christmas films? I guess it is, but I like to plan ahead and I was looking at the original Miracle on 34th... Read more...
Be the Queen of Halloween
Be the Queen of Halloween
I love Halloween! A bowl of sweets by the door, a carved pumpkin, a plastic skeleton dangling from the lights, the street full of teeny tiny witches buzzing on too... Read more...
A man walked into my bar last night and asked for a double entendre…
A man walked into my bar last night and asked for a double entendre…
Forgive me, I cannot repress the urge to share cheesy jokes, but I always have the very good manners to apologise afterwards. On this occasion I refuse to apologise. In... Read more...
Tartan Teaser
Tartan Teaser
Gene Kelly. Oh my, Gene Kelly. One handsome hunk of a man but with the grace, elegance and finely-honed physique that can only be achieved with hours of dance study.... Read more...
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Here at British Retro we love our patterned fabrics. Funny, arty, cute, kitsch - every dress will make you look twice… are those zombies on that dress? But in amongst... Read more...
La Lollo’s Guide to Living Your Best Life
La Lollo’s Guide to Living Your Best Life
I’ve known some rather louche musicians in my time, the worst of whom have always been the brass players. Heavy drinking, hard living beasts with the loudest, rudest instruments in... Read more...
The Perfect Retro Halterneck
The Perfect Retro Halterneck
One thing I truly adore about vintage style is that lethal combination of incredible sexiness with amazing elegance. Compare footage of award ceremonies from the 1950s with Instagram frenzy of... Read more...
It’s a nice day for a white wedding
It’s a nice day for a white wedding
As a child I collected pictures of Hollywood starlets, snipping fuzzy black and white or Technicolour photos from the Radio Times and pasting them into a scrapbook. It was a... Read more...
“It’s too darn hot,” sang the inimitable Ella Fitzgerald, and I agree
“It’s too darn hot,” sang the inimitable Ella Fitzgerald, and I agree
We all want to look hot, but damn, this weather is messing with my make-up – what to do? Maintaining a perfect set of Audrey Hepburn lashes and eyeliner flicks... Read more...
Bad Girls in Good Dresses
Bad Girls in Good Dresses
Ava Gardner swam naked in Ernest Hemingway’s pool in Havana; he later forbade anyone to empty the water…This perfectly sums up the allure of Ava. Whether you agree or not,... Read more...