Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Latest articles from Retro To Go

Latest articles from Retro To Go


Etienne Dress from Monsoon

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 12:22 PM PST

Etiennedress

The high street's retro trend du jour for this Winter is undoubtedly twenties and thirties influence. Thankfully eschewing the more obvious end of flapper style, many womenswear retailers are offering a more subtle take on the era's fashions with pieces like this Etienne Dress from Monsoon.

The heavily embellished design works well on a nude fabric shade, allowing for the embroidered overlay to look classic and subtle. The drop waist and sleeveless cut help to create that androgynous body shape that defined the era's femininity.

It's available from Monsoon now for £140.

Find out more from the website

Pink Spats-style Flats from ModCloth

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 12:18 PM PST

Spatsshoes

Spats style shoes and brogues may have been a mainstay of menswear in the early 20th century, but this decade has seen their impact on footwear for both genders. Skewing heavily towards a feminine interpretation, these Delightful Dress-Up Flats from ModCloth are a very cute version.

The pink and white contrasting colours create the spats effect, with brogue style punched holes in the uppers too. The final addition of a ribbon lace detail adds a girlish feel that's not at odds with a fifties chic.

Get yours from ModCloth for $37.99.

Find out more from the website

eBay watch: Midcentury-style teak armchair

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 08:00 AM PST

Chair

No maker attached to this, or at least, none attributed to it by the seller. But we still like the look of this midcentury-style teak armchair.

Mainly, we like the look of it because of the price. More on that in a moment. But let's look at the chair first, which has that midcentury/Scandinavian look, some nice curves and a sloping back, the frame said to be made from teak.

The seller says it is 'in very good condition', with the springs 'in good order' with 'a little reinforcement'. Right now, with those two brown cushions, it is at 99 pence.

Find out more at the eBay website

Terry De Havilland Leila Platform Mule from John Lewis

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 07:57 AM PST

TdH
Terry De Havilland's glittering snakeskin wedges have been turning heads for three decades. The Leila Platform Stilleto Mule is the result of his collaboration with John Lewis, to celebrate the launch of their re-vamped fashion floor.

Matte black suede contrasts with metallic snakeskin detailing across the front and over the heel of the shoe in the characteristic swirling designs that Terry is known for. A platform sole ensures comfort whilst the slender stiletto heel provides the leg lengthening vamp-factor.

The shoes cost £195 a pair and you can buy them online from John Lewis here.

 

Crosley Record Cleaning Kit

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 07:51 AM PST

Cross_Assort_l1
If you're looking for a Christmas gift for the vinyl connoisseur in your life then check out the Crosley Record Cleaning Kit from Urban Outfitters.

To maintain the condition of your LPs you really do need to keep those grooves clean and static-free to ensure you get the all the benefits of that lovely warm listening experience and this cleaning kit is just the job.

It consists of a velvet topped wooden buffer which opens to reveal a bottle of distilled water - the perfect equipment for maintaining a beloved recod collection.

The kit is available exclusively online and costs £25 from Urban Outfitters here.

Distilled_l5

 

Clare Illustrates retro artwork

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 05:00 AM PST

Clare phillips

Looking for some great original retro artwork? Take a look at the work of Clare Illustrates which has a fantastic retro feel. 

It's the work of Bristol-based illustrator Clare Phillips who graduated from her MA this year. Her work is inspired by retro travel posters, such as in the hand screen-pulled print, London Town, shown above. New York is also celebrated in her work which goes across ceramics and textiles as well as prints. 

The print shown costs £90 but you can grab a piece of her work for prices starting at £5 for a magnet set. 

See her work on Etsy

Telephone box lights from the London Transport Museum

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 03:30 AM PST

Telephone lights

They're billed as something to decorate a nursery or something to brighten your home, but I can't help feeling these telephone box lights from the London Transport Museum offer a great alternative to traditional Christmas lighting. 

The lights are encased in the instantly recognisable and cheerful shape of the red telephone box. Hand-made and painted, they stretch to 4.65m of lights. Routemaster lovers should take note that they are also available in the shape of that famous red bus. 

The lights cost £39.99. 

Buy them online

Eames: The Architect and The Painter - trailer now online

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 03:12 AM PST

Eames

Yes, there's a movie of Charles and Ray Eames, going by the name of Eames: The Architect and The Painter.

Made by First Run Features, this is the first movie dedicated to the work of the husband and wife team, arguably the most significant designers in the US in the 20th century. Narrated by James Franco, takes in all their disciplines, from their midcentury design to photography, interiors, multimedia work and exhibitions to name just a few examples.

It opens in the US this week, with a limited run around cinemas before a DVD release, complete with bonus material, in the US on 13th December. The UK? We don't know and the site doesn't say if the DVD is region-free. Perhaps drop the company an email.

You can, however, check out the trailer for free below.

 

Polaroid introduces the retro-styled Z340 camera

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 02:26 AM PST

Polaroid
Remember that Lady Gaga Polaroid camera that appeared at the start of the year? It was called the Polaroid GL30 and still hasn't hit the shelves. But a camera looking rather like it just has - the Polaroid Z340 camera.

It's a classic Polaroid in looks and functionality up to a point, but packing a 14-megapixel sensor and of course, a built-in printer, which uses modern-era Zink paper for images that are said to be water resistant, smudge and tear proof. You can also preview those snaps ahead of being printed on a  2.7-inch LCD screen and get closer to the action with 4x digital zoom on board.

As well as printing, you can store your snaps on SD card, which might save a bit on that paper. Look out for it instore soon, £229.99 is the expected asking price.

Polaroid website

Via Switched On Set

Red and Blue Roller Skates

Posted: 15 Nov 2011 02:01 AM PST

Rollerskates_m
As Christmas gifts go, they don't come much more retro than a pair of roller skates with most children of the 70s and 80s probably having requested a pair similar to these Red and Blue Roller Skates at some point.

The lace-up rollerskates are made from a bright red suede effect fabric with stitched blue vinyl stripes, blue wheels and stopper. They are available in three sizes (3 to 5), which Heal's describe as suitable for ages 8+, but would probably also be suitable for the smaller footed woman looking to relive her childhood.

Buy them online at the Heal's website.

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