Tuesday 23 April 2013

Vintage Cravats

Here's something you don't see often whilst out and about searching for 'vintage', occassionally you'll see them at vintage fairs usually around the £10 mark, but rarely do you find them at charity shops.

Recently however I've had a run of luck and found quite a few at local charity shops, mostly they'll be Tootal, Sammy or Duggie but on occassion you can find real gems, here's a few of mine.




Tootal paisley made from 'Tricel' probably 1960's


Another Tootal again made from 'Tricel' but in a crepe like finish, most likely 1980's


A real quality find this one a 'Cravats of London' all silk cravat, beautifully made and finished probably quite recent.



Three finds off a local flea market all from same seller, two Tootals and a 'Celanese'


Late version Tootal made far more economically using simplified manufacturing processes with less pleats etc


Tootal probably 1970's but still nicely made and finished



A very nice British made Celanese made from acetate fabric according from the label most probably 1950's.




Now I am not going to pretend you'll wear them often but a gentlemans wardrobe really isn't complete without a couple, I tend to wear them when standing at vintage fairs especially in the summer when it's too warm for a tweed suit, shirt and tie, they work well with flannels, crisp white shirt, navy blazer and a complimentary but never matching silk pocket square....resale value's quite good too by the way!


Tuesday 9 April 2013

Whitby Vintage

We first discovered Raven Hall about 8 or so years ago after staying in Robin Hood's Bay at the excellent 'Victoria' hotel, whilst there we decided to walk the 6 or so miles from the Bay to Ravenscar along the old train track http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/route-numbering-system/route-1#453464,640144 .
The walk from Robin Hoods Bay to Ravenscar is very nice whether you follow Sustrans cycle route 1 along the old train track or choose the coastal path route which is lumpier but stunning in it's scenery.

On arriving in Ravenscar we found that the path exited right at the side of Raven Hall so in need of sustinence and to avail ourselves of the services we decided to pop in.
We were warmly welcomed in (less our muddy boots) to a very friendly hotel(they even allow dogs) and we decided to have the excellent afternoon tea and sandwiches and a few tasty pints(just for energy you understand) before trudging the 6 or so miles back to Robin Hood's Bay.

We were so happy with the reception that we got that day all those years ago at Raven Hall that we have returned many times since, staying both in the main hotel or in one of the excellent wooden lodges with what I consider to have some of the best views in the UK!
They often have mid week deals on and the food and service really is excellent, oh and at the right time of year you can see seals on the beach....take some binoculars and you can watch them from the medieval castle folly in the grounds or go to the cliff tops to watch, you can also see the boats and ships go by if that's your thing?


So this bank holiday Monday we travelled up to Ravenscar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravenscar,_North_Yorkshire
on the North Yorkshire coast, setting off from North Derbyshire just after morning 'rush hour' and decided to stop off at Filey http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filey  as we'd never visited there before, two hours and roughly 1oo miles later we arrived there.

We easily managed to park up for free and wandered around for an hour or so, whilst doing so we found three charity shops though sadly only one was open due to it being bank holiday.
Inside St Catherines Hospice shop on John Street we found some nice items  with quite a decent selection of 'vintage'  though non that fit or really drew our attention.

Feeling a little hungry we then popped into a small local deli just around the corner that sold excellent food and some truly bizarre pasta, the shop was run on the day by two very efficient young ladies but sadly I cannot remember the name but it was quite an up market affair and worth seeking out.

We then travelled a further seven and a half miles to Scarborough again for look around, this time parking in the multi-storey car park (reasonable charges) attached to the Brunswick shopping centre (half decent toilets according to the good lady) which afforded excellent access to town centre shopping, this time there were many more charity shops with some excellent items in them quite a few of which we purchased, after an hour or so shopping and a quick look around we travelled the final eleven miles and twenty five minutes to our final destination of Raven Hall. http://www.ravenhall.co.uk/

After arriving on Monday at the Hall we booked in rested, showered and then ate an excellent meal in the restaurant ready for our Tuesday leg stretcher to Robin Hoods Bay.
Tuesday morning dawned bright if a little chilly and we decided to walk from the Hall to Robin Hoods Bay choosing the flatter route of the old train track / Sustrans route 1.
The route takes roughly 2 hours of steady walking including photo stops for wildlife including many different birds, deer and lots of blooming wild flowers.

view looking back towards Raven Hall


view from Ravenscar cliff top towards Robin Hoods Bay 



                                wild flowers along the way




signpost along the way directing to Boggle Hole, Fyling Hall and Robin Hoods Bay

the end point The Bay Hotel in Robin Hoods Bay

At Robin Hoods Bay we went into the ever popular Bay Hotel pub/hotel and lunch consisting of some excellent fresh crab sandwiches with chips and salad a couple of excellent local beers before setting off back to Raven Hall.

The walk back was just as nice and had warmed up enough to remove jackets, on arriving back a good shower, quick rest and another excellent meal fortified us for our Wednesday trip to Whitby.

The following morning and with slightly aching legs we drove to Whitby http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitby  for some retail therapy mainly in Whitby's many charity shops finding quite a few decent items.
One area often missed by many tourists to Whitby is Skinner Street which has quite a few antique , bric a brac and a brand new vintage shop.

St Hilda's Terrace leading up to Skinner Street

Skinner Street

Stonehouse vintage/retro shop has some very nice vintage items both clothing and household quite an eclectic mix with decent pricing and friendly staff,

Bazaar vintage, curio, antique shop was closed on the day but has some great items in the window

Whitby Vintage a most excellent new shop with friendly staff and a great selection of vintage clothing both male and female at good prices, if you're into vintage you simply must visit this shop!.
The view over to Whitby Abbey with lifeboat


One of the interesting vessels in the harbour that day.

Friday 5 April 2013

Vintage Tweed Jackets

     
Tweed jackets are a timeless classic that never really go out of fashion, recent appearances on Doctor Who, several costume dramas and numerous fashion catwalks  across the landhave seen the already popular evergreen having a revival, not that they really need it.

Sadly this revival has seen some quite awful 'fashion' jackets being hastily thrown into the market place, being of the current, 'fashionable'  and frankly quite appaling 'skinny cut' made from thin inferior cloth not woven in the British Isles.

These often overpriced jackets to my mind are not worth bothering with, if you want the real deal then you need to get out and about around the charity shops and flea markets where good tweed jackets can be had from £5 upwards!

Here a one of my recent finds a single vented Harris cloth dogtooth check from the late 50's early 60's;



 
 
 
Next is another Harris tweed this time a 1970's jacket in the 1930's 'style' made from a lovely heavyweight herringbone cloth again with a single rear vent....
 

 
 


 
 a Donnegal cloth dogtooth check with nice multi coloured 'nubs' in the weave tailored by Magee.
 



 
 
A few notes on tweed jackets.
 
The basic tweed jacket has not really changed that much since the 1930's, it comes in 2 or 3 button front and generally is a boxy cut though nipped in waists were popular in the 30's and again in the 70's, lapels were wider in the 30's and 70's less so at other times and quite skinny in the 1960's.
Cloth on anything made prior to the 80's will generally be good and thick especially so if made from Harris, Donnegal or a Yorkshire cloth.
Regarding the fit of a jacket just make sure it fits on the shoulders, sleeves can be taken up and the chest/waist can be taken in a bit or let out if needed.
So what are you waiting for? go on get out there and get looking who knows what you'll find?