Introducing our new columnist, Misty Monroe, our monthly go-to-girl for retro fun and vintage glamour!
Discussing this column with the editor, we questioned “what is ‘Retro’ or ‘Vintage’?”. With retro defined as ‘imitative of a style or fashion from the recent past’, and vintage ‘representing the high quality of a past time’, I think the two convey very different images.
A lifestyle or image choice replicating that of a certain era, Retro conjures images of bright colours and fun, while vintage is a bit more glamourous. My era of choice is post war 40s through to the early 60s; a combination of pin curls and waspies, diners and poodle skirts, Cadillacs and kissing in the back seat.
Pin Up girls brought the glamour; silk lingerie, satin dresses and kitten heels, with every day wear of the 50s bringing the ‘retro’ vibes with neckerchiefs and bomber jackets. This trend is particularly prevalent in Brighton, where we bring it up-to-date with Sailor Jerry tattoos from head to toe.
As well as the modern day pin-up girls roaming the streets every day, 50s fashion is a visible trend on the high street for this Summer as well, making the Sandra Dee look easier for everyone to try. Primark’s check skirts and cherry prints, H&Ms high-waisted bikinis and New Look’s gingham and tropical print shirts among the many ways to get a hint of the trend as the sun comes out.
Check out the column over the coming months for ways to get hair and make-up styles to suit the trend; how to wear hints of the fashion or go all out pin-up Goddess as well as events, nights out, menswear and even food and motors.
I write this opening column after returning from an event way up in Northampton. Called the Atomic Festival and run by the same people who run the Hotrod Hayride in Surrey, the weekend was an array of circle skirts, quiffs, Hot Rods and Jive Dancing, including a Poodle Parlour and Roller Rink.
Showcasing the largest selection of vintage stalls I have ever seen, the event, and even the British weather, was a huge success. Saturday saw competitors of the Quarter Finals of the UK Jive Championships take to the stage to twist and shake their way to the Semi’s.
With the Semi’s and Final’s held on the Sunday, a congratulations goes out to Brighton Jive’s Dylan and Tamsin for coming third overall. The teenagers were the youngest in the competition and put on some incredible performances. The weekend was brilliant and I’ve added a few pics for you to get a glimpse… Bring on the Hayride.
That leads me to my final point for my column debut. I apologise for the morbid closer but I’d like to dedicate this column to my Granny. One of those close to me who suggested Journalism as a career path, she passed away before I got the chance to tell her I was writing for Absolute, and just a day before I write this. But I know she’d have loved it.
For regular retro updates, feel free to visit my online blog, www.mistymonroe.blogspot.com, and follow me on Instagram, miss_mistymonroe, and Facebook.
Otherwise, I’ll be back next time!
Kisses,
Misty x