Have You Got a Minute? Interview with Fletch from Classic Resto's

It is no secret I love vintage and classic cars so it will come as no surprise that I have spent many hours watching CLASSIC RESTO'S with Fletch as the host.

I have marvelled as he weaves his way through the myriad of cars and I love that he shows no bias. From heavy movers to panel vans and everything in-between. From the small car shows here in interesting outback towns to huge events based in the United States Fletch informs and educates and lets us get to know the people. You learn about the vehicle and more importantly the owners story which he highlights so well.

Recently I got to meet Fletch for the first time while appearing on Classic Resto's at the Showcars of Melbourne event. We discussed the Richard Zocchi fully customised 1960 Dodge Pioneer I get to love and drive with my partner. With its pink velour interior and exquisite lines highlighted by paint work by Art Himsel in two tone Malibu Pink with a gold pearl overlay the car really is remarkable.

Meeting Mark Fletcher was great although I am sure my nerves are evident in the footage.

A few weeks later I got to turn the tables on Mark Fletcher and interviewed him for my youtube show Have You Got a Minute? Where I interview people about their passions and interests. I hope you get to enjoy getting to know Fletch a little better and hear how he shaped his career carving into the show we have all come to know and love.



Fletch also runs tours which sound incredible I am told it gives you exclusive access to are and seldom seen areas - book me in! You can find details of the tours here. 

If you love cars I will be meeting the very lovely Cherie and Richard Zocchi later this month and interviewing them about their incredible contribution to the Custom Car Culture. Please subscribe and share my youtube Channel - you never know who you will meet. See you next time!

You can see the Dodge in motion here!

MAKING VINTAGE FASHION FIT

I love shopping vintage as many of you know, there is the thrill of the find the treasure aspect of it that makes it so exciting. Recently I came across a diamond in the rough this tiger print full length dress. I instantly responded to the print and the richness of the colour so I purchased it along with a few other things from Take 2 markets which always offer up some goodness.

The amount of the garish print was overwhelmingly costume like although I think Florence Welsh might rock it, for my every day or night out I would have to work on this. 

The side seams were crooked and I suspect the previous owner had closed long side slits.

I had a vision it could look more like this, more current and wearable with staying true to some aspects of the original design.

Here is a sketch of the work required to take the basic sack like design to something that would suit my figure type.

I need fitted and a certain length or I quadruple in size, I am tall with square shoulders and can look large if I don't wear a fitted garment, so these are the steps I took to retro fit it.

I would recommend the following guidelines as I have learned the hard way...

• Try the garment on with the heel height you intend to wear it with especially when deciding on the hem length.

• Align the darts - measure measure measure. 

• Always cut hems 6cm longer than required - if you cut it too short it is all over and you won't wear it. If you do happen to cut it too short you can use a facing but this becomes arduous and is no fun - I like immediate results.

• Make alterations less than you think then keep taking in as required, if you are too aggressive with the alterations and unpicking is needed this is never ideal and can damage the garment.

• Keep trying on and refining as you go.

• Use good scissors invest in a large pair of tailors shears one smooth cut is brilliant and once you get use to the weight and size you can use the tips for fine cutting - you will thank me trust me.

• Check your iron setting before you give the garment a final press - start with a cool iron, gone are the days of heavy pressing and be warned some synthetics melt onto the iron and this destroys your unique find and your iron - very ruining.

• Keep offcuts.

Once you have tried the garment on a number of times and refined the fit and given it a final press you can head out in your unique find.

I love this dress and have made a video on my youtube channel about this project - hop over here give it a watch and subscribe! I think I will wear it with my tan boots and a fitted black jacket or cardigan for  work and some really clashy heels and accesories when I head out perhaps magenta or cobalt blue shoes. See you on the Retro side and thanks for reading!

Lisa Loves Vintage

Travelling to the Tropics - TROPICAL PACK HACKS

So I am off to Thailand where it will be warm and beautiful. I look forward to diving, swimming, sight seeing and soaking up some of the sights, food and culture. I am looking forward to the pristine oceans and scenery, meeting locals, savoring the cuisine and fresh air. Adventure seeking and a fair share of unwinding ahhh I can see it now.

Problem is it will also be hot and humid...
I recently spent some time in Queensland Australia I am from Melbourne, lovely grey cool Melbourne. Sure we get hit with the odd humid hot day but while in Queensland it was the entire two weeks. Needless to say I my hair was very Leif Garrett or Barry Gibb and my vintage clothing did not quite translate. Crimploline in humidity is not so great. This may sound trite but while experiencing this holiday I still want to be true to me, not Barry or Leif in a practical frock and sandals.

 

 I am thrilled to say I am heading to Phuket to stay at The Phuket Pullman Arcadia Nathion Beach elegant luxury.

But this time I am planning for the humidity, the swimming, the Gabe Kotter hair I get post swimming. So what am I going to do to counter the not so great effects of heat of humidity?

With the aim of swanning around looking like a vintage siren I am going to do it differently this time I am going to…

TROPICAL PACK HACKS

Wardrobe - mostly cotton frocks, two large cotton scarfs one mesh swim sarong and one cardigan.

Shoes - ridiculous heels to wear to and around the pool with my 'cabana' wear - from the room to the pool perfect! I do have one pair of comfy spongy rubber shoes and a versatile sandal. Some people can wear thongs/flip flops and look very cool - I alas cannot.

A mix of contemporary and vintage poolwear ensemble packed!

Skin care - Sunscreen with a matte finish for the face, hands and decolletage I have found the Cancer Council of Australia has a great one that I use. A general one that smells great and leaves you feeling like you have used a moisturiser. Always carry a handkerchief - not tissues, great for blotting and to take care of unsightly perspiration. The Japanese are very open about this and there are actual items designed for this which I love.

Hair - After swimming I will use a headband and or a hair tie, if I get enough height a quick flick with a hair comb into a french roll perhaps a scarf and some bobby pins but that's not likely I am too impatient to spend time grooming whilst I can be exploring. I won't be using any products to tame my hair besides contaminating any water, beach or pool I enter I don't think they work. Hopefully I will end up looking like one of these lovelies!

Jane Manesfield wearing a headband with her barely restrained bust.

I will let you know how I go what worked and was fabulous! 

Look out here for the review and keep an eye on my new instagram account - yes a late comer. 

See you soon from Phuket - photos to follow!

Junior Fashion : Farewell the Tweenager

There once was a time in fashion where the Tweenager existed.

This followed the time of the 1950's and early 60's when babies were dressed in pretty much unisex infantile attire till age four - they were still babes.

During the late 50's the term Teenager was created, by now I am sure we know what a teenager from the 50's and early 60's looked like. Ah but what has become of the elusive Tweenager - or Junior Fashion as it was often called.

 This pattern is marked Junior yet clearly shows the 'tween' stage 13 - 17 years

 There were great roles for young 'tween' agers. The talented and exceptional Haley Mills

My all time favourite idol Angela Cartwright

Not a woman not a child a tweenager.

Mad Men's Sally Draper personifies the look here

It is now skipped over - that phase when perhaps one might have read a lot, considered taking on the world, competing and going toe to toe with your peers before the full onslaught of sexual pressure and maturity emerged a time of freedom and of simply being. A time when the world could truly be your oyster…a character defining pause between all expectation, a time to consider and think. Emerging from childhood and growing into a young woman we once allowed that time. These days it happens in the bat of an eye - sadly it has gone.

Melbourne Vintage Curated.

I have been shopping Vintage stores in Melbourne for over 25 years and some are a standout!

Looking for 80's and 90's retro?
A great mix of old school and cool to be found at American Vintage.
I am talking Kylie Minogue early neighbours and Molly from a Country Practice, Molly Ringwold and Shannen Doherty of 90210 fame.

Cute Kylie in cut offs riding nice and high.

Kylie - rockin' it in the oversize jacket and batwing sleeve leather jacket!

Molly - there are no words that can describe her look but I will say fuchsia was a definitive shade of pink at the time. 

                   Molly Ringwald 'Pretty in Pink' the 80's film is a fashion experience - a great blog has her entire wardrobe from the film here. 

Bad girl Shannen in here signature highwaist pants, lace bodysuit and choker. 

Cool Western boots and looks with attitude? 60's and 80's specifically.
Iconic footwear and looks at Vintage Soul.

This vintage steadfast specialises in Tex Mex think Uma Thurman in Even Cowgirls get the Blues.
A huge collection of Western style boots, from amazing snakeskin originals to some 80's hightop retro sneakers.

The very lovely Uma Thurman looking perfect here.

Wonderful lifestyle vintage?
60's, 70's, 80's and 90's.
A whole lot of goodness at Hunter Gatherer.

These ladies shop there for sure!

 I may have found some perfect 99 styles from my fave store Hunter Gatherer.

Everything from tea cups to canisters, a cross pollinated selection of brilliant vintage a something for everyone shop. This is possibly the best handpicked vintage stock you will find in Melbourne. I never leave here empty handed - ever!

Dapper Dan's, Ladies and Gentile Men?
1940's and refinement.
Suits and selected elegance at Circa Vintage.

A wonderful treasure trove of apparel awaits - you can thank me later and remember it doesn't have to look like a costume...How to get it right!

Unlikely Vintage Inspirations that are Completely Queer

I love a bit of vulgar culture. Fashion offers up a plethora of fodder especially during those most perplexing of decades of the 60's and 70's. Recently I was discussing the true hideousness of some of the television at that time. The recollections of truly questionable character portrayals and fabrics that were as confronting as the sideburns presented.

The worst offenders were the British - UK TV. 

Are You Being Served?

Now I do not mean to be unkind but what was the casting brief here?

Ever questionable physical comedy. 

Resulting in cringe worthy intimacy leaving you reeling and queasy not unlike car sickness. 

The Stoic and the Flamboyant counterbalance apparently resulting in hilarity.

Now I don't know what happened in my head as a small child taking this all in but somewhere amongst the mix of abrasive voices and the bad comedic premise I fell in love. I turned...

To this day I love this look above.

Something about her powdered look, his true degree of maturity and dapper refinement and most of all the fabrics and the past its use by date of early 1960's fashion being worn on and on. Perhaps that is the reason I collect nasty nylon night wear that I am sure that Mrs S could have swanned about in. Oh the harsh nylon goodness, the smell and look of the old 'Taft' hairspray, talcum powder and face compact heavily layered, lavender eyeshadow and pastel pink lips. 

Or as I like to call it...

Old lady Grunt.

This image is such a great exponent of what I am on about. Besides the almost Groucho like face on the dark haired man these folks are totally and completely rocking it. 

With an attitude adjustment these people could be positively sexy. 

The foxy redhead wins hands down to me...Go Mrs Slocombe!

Wikipedia...

During its run, the series attracted some mild criticism for its reliance on sexual stereotypes and double entendres, including jokes about Mrs. Slocombe's "pussy" (cat) e.g., Mrs Slocombe, "Animals are very psychic; the least sign of danger and my pussy's hair stands on end".

Come to think of it you could spell her name in an all together different way...upon reflection perhaps they weren't so clueless.

Vintage Shopping - How to Get it Right!

I have a lot of people say to me...

I love what you are wearing I wish I could get away with it.

So...after a dismiss the notion that the comment could be a dig I thank them.

I shop vintage often and watch people struggle with the entire concept of the vintage shopping experience so I thought I would offer some guidelines.

My top ten hints for getting it right! 

1: It must call you!

You have to be drawn to it either by the colour texture or fabric.  

                                                      
2: Will it fit? 

This is of most importance and I would say you can almost totally ignore size labels. All of the size standards have changed for both local and international manufacturing.

For instance I am roughly an Australian size 10 sometimes a size 8 fit in the current sizing standard but have found that with older garments a size 14 will just fit. Vintage UK sizing are usually pretty correct and are often gauged by the bust size so I can buy a vintage pattern or garment in a size 32" or 34" and it will fit. Waist for UK sizes are usually pretty accurate but are often are tailored with corsetry in mind so depending on the era the garments may have tiny waists and womanly hips within the design. On this point you can check seam allowances to allow for alterations. Measure your self before you go, write it down if need be.

3: DO NOT damage the garment.  

This garment has survived, if it doesn't fit don't force it. Be gentle ask for assistance if necessary. Don't ruin the garment for the next person.

4: Allow a lot more time for the shopping experience. 

We are not talking off the rack these are rare items, take your time you will find your fit.

5: Do not butcher the fit! 

If it is a beautiful A line 60's frock don't think it will transform into a fitted dress well. The entire pattern construction is engineered for it to fit a certain way - some tweaks are very do able but silhouette is usually much harder to redefine...sometimes it is better not to try it will only look wrong.

I took this in just under the arms at the side seams and complied with the original design lines as the garment was intended.

The alterations are invisible - see the side seam and the accesories teamed
with the dress are sympathetic to the era.

6: Many vintage garments are home made by individuals - like back in the day. 

Watch for height issues. I just had the experience of finding an ideal shirt that I almost purchased without trying on. When I did pop it on I found the darts were way to high and this threw the entire look out of whack - an awkward fit makes the entire vintage thing look wrong. The garment was made for a very short person and on me the fit was not at all convincing. It has to look like YOU own it.

7: Is it too costumey? 

I often find that I love the loudest most ridiculous items they attract me - see my first point above. 

Clearly I am too busy talking here but what I am trying to say is this original late 60's early 70's Maxi looked far too costume before I shortened the hemline - any shorter however and it would revert to costume again.

8: Re think it! 

Okay what if it is too costumey but you must have it? Play everything else down while you wear it. Tone down the shoes and other items while being sympathetic to the look. See above.

9: Ask the shop assistant / store owner for assistance. 

They are working in the niche because they love it and a passionate person will be more than happy to help out.

10: Launder it well - you have worked hard to own your gem now take care of it. 

Mend where and when required, pop some new buttons on if you need to. Take your belts and bags to be cared for by experts, jackets can be relined, repaired and renewed by dry cleaning care.

*More tips soon on where to find the best items very soon so you might want to subscribe - meanwhile...to thine garments be kind.

Lisa has spoken x.

Shhh a little more here...

Shopping Vintage ::: The Best of Bad Taste.

I have been shopping vintage since I was about 13 years of age (long long ago). During a high school camp I just had to duck into a thrift shop and buy a 1960's silver necklace...I was ridiculed mercilessly for it.

Morons.

They mocked I very quietly felt smug. I didn't care - they didn't get it and I had a unique piece. I was hooked.

Fabrics prints and cut - I don't care where its from how little or how much it cost if I love it I must have it. I am no designer snob. Sure I understand fine fabric and garment construction but impact for me wins every time!

Years spent trawling through peoples off casts gathering things I just simply adored, whether it was to worn or not has amassed me quite a collection. I may have to cull it soon with a sale but I doubt it, they are irreplaceable. Somethings I buy just because, I have a vulgar collection of hideous 70's kitchenware, a truly beautiful collection of mid century ceramics - not huge but every piece to me divine, fabulous hats mostly 1950's some I have worn but all of these things I am proud to own.

My advice for collecting is...If it makes you smile - get it. If it makes no sense at all but you love it - have it. Life is far too short to edit. Live it, make your heart sing!

Sometimes I get to pull out an item I've never worn but have harbored for years - they are the things that other people comment on and say they wish they could wear. I got this little number recently it was far too short and far too big till I took it in and thought of teaming it with Opaques.

What can I say...Who doesn't want to look like vintage wallpaper?

Another fascination lately has been boxy vans...don't start me. The flatness of the front, the side mirrors are industrial art not design, the trim...garhhhh drool.....

How cool is this ride and how much fun could a night out with the gang be in this machine? 

Get the music thumping...

Anyone interested in a vintage shopping tour? Hmmm...

Some advice before we begin.

I Love a Mature Gent ::: For the Love of Older Men

There is something about older men...

older dignified men. Men with a past men with a history. There is much to appreciate about an older man, a lived in face that wears an expression that tells of his life.

Fit men, tall men, short men, stout, fluffy, tanned or pale. Men who know who they are.

I do not suffer a Daddy complex and as someone who sees themselves as mature it's certainly not about me playing 'young' that would be ridiculous. Perhaps its because these men have some preconceived notion of how to treat a woman, they are gentlemen.

Give me the silver fox every time.

Smooth, sophisticated, refined.

A wardrobe dapper from another time.

A man who knows who he is. Interesting and bold and full of character and charm - in this way age has nothing to do with it, age to me is irrelevant.

I find confidence sexy...
along with fine cloth, good hats, traditional shaving sets, masculine old school glamour and of course great company.