Spring Fashion Weeks saw designers from each side of the pond continue to take inspiration from tried and tested vintage fashion trends. From geometric prints to draped 3D style frocks, see below for our take on making these trends work for you!

Firstly, Geometric prints can work for everyone if you adapt the print to your size (smaller women with smaller or more abstract prints, larger frames can carry off the really stand-out prints). Use a graphic print to inject some spice to your daytime dress or a bold printed scarf or bolero for special occasions. Click on our revamped bolero below which we feel is a fab alternative to going boldly printed all the way!

Models also sashayed the runway with show-it-all sheer outfits – notably the Vera Wang collection. The transparent trend can actually be quite wearable, when layered over other pieces with a nude lining or go for semi-sheer if you want the best of both worlds.

Illusion-top and peek-a-boo dresses are another alternative and our 80’s lace backed dress is a perfect example of this, sexy without being too showy.

Click on photo for more details:

* (Important rule girls about wearing sheer: either buy lingerie that is meant to be seen such as pretty camis or nude fitted slips – or keep it completely hidden!)

Designers also presented very girly prints ranging from watercolor floral patterns to butterflies. Florals and other pretty prints are perfect for Spring dresses and the look can be either ladylike –as seen at the Tracy Reiss show – or boho like like Diane von Furstenburgs designs. At Perk Up we have the best of both - a boho and girly option for you in this flapper style floral mod dress in the hottest ‘on trend’ Spring shades.

Click over image for the low-down!:

From origami folds to waist-levels poufs, 3D-effect fabrics were all on fire on the Spring runways. Ruching and draping are also the Goddess hallmarks recognised this season and are life-savers for camouflaging any problem areas. See our take on the ruching trend by clicking over the image below:

Finally, Boyfriend blazers and cardi’s, ties, baggy jeans and other menswear looks inspired many designers. The boyfriend look is at its best with crisply tailored classics with a feminine twist, like our own oversized blazer with built-in waistcoat shown below which looks amazing with skinny jeans and heels or belted over a simple shift.

Just click on for more info:

The answer to pulling off this look without coming across too androgynous is to balance mens-style pieces with something feminine like a tuxedo jacket or sharp waistcoat over a glam evening gown.

So whatever your style, whether it be laid-back, art-inspired or girly all the way – there is a trend for every kinda personality out there –all inspired from the vintage one-offs we have on offer. So check out the originals and skip into Spring-time with the real deal!

Until next time take care,

Lisa & Sharon x

Technorati Tags: fashion 2009, Fashion Spring 2009, floral vintage dress, Kedai Bundle, Perk Up Vintage, Revamp Clothing, revamped clothing, sheer dress, Spring 2009, Vintage Clothing, Vintage Clothing Ireland, vintage clothing uk, Vintage Dresses

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Perk Up! are proud to have a vintage piece on offer from the great Alfred Shaheen

Shaheen pieces are extremely rare and highly collectable- and as  always at Perk Up! we are selling this beautiful piece piece at a very reasonable price.

Alfred Shaheen is one of the best known of the Hawaiian garment and textile designers of the 20th Century. Shaheen was active from the 1950s into the 80s, but he is best known for his work in the 50s. His hand printed textiles were based on the flora and fauna of the Hawaiian Islands, along with Hawaiian traditions and authentic tapa cloth designs.

Shaheen revolutionized the garment industry in postwar Hawaii by designing, printing and producing aloha shirts and other ready-to-wear items under one roof. Elvis Presley wore a red aloha shirt in this Alfred Shaheen print on the album cover for the Blue Hawaii soundtrack in 1961.

Shaheen produced not only the fabric, but also manufactured clothing made from it. Shaheen was known for sexy sarong dresses and swim suits, Hawaiian shirts and halter dresses with full skirts.

Vintage Shaheen shirts can sell for $1,000 or more, confirmed by David Bailey of Bailey’s Antiques and Aloha Shirts in Honolulu, a well-known emporium that stocks about 15,000 aloha shirts.

As Arthur, the textile professor explained, a Shaheen garment “is like a piece of moving art.”

Check out Alfred Shaheen Hawaiian Print Vintage Dress Here!

Technorati Tags: 1970s Fashion, 1970s Vintage, 1970s vintage dress, 70s, Alfred Shaheen, Hawaiian Print Dress, Highly Collectable Vintage, Rare, Retro Clothing, Vintage Clothing Ireland, vintage clothing shop, vintage clothing uk, Vintage Dress

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Perk Up! Is proud to be taking part in Northern Irelands Premier Vintage Fair this Valentines weekend!

So if you are looking for a great day out come up and see us there!

‘Frock Around The Clock’

Northern Irelands Vintage Fashion Fair on February 15^th aims to provide visitors with a rewarding and enjoyable experience, bringing you the best of Northern Ireland’s vintage sellers, offering you a rich array of genuine vintage, time-travelled treasures from the late 1800s to the 1980s,  including:

• Vintage and antique clothing and accessories for ladies and gents
• Vintage and antique costume jewellery
• Vintage vinyl records and comics
• Vintage homewares and reclaimed furniture
• Vintage vanity items
• Vintage linens and lace
• Vintage toys and games

And, to support the recycling ethos of vintage, you will also find a gorgeous selection of clothing, accessories and jewellery, hand made from recycled vintage textiles.

The current venue for Frock Around The Clock is the Wellington Park Hotel, 21 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 6RU. The fair will be held in the large McWilliams Suite on the first floor of the hotel and the spacious foyer area adjacent to the main suite.

The hotel has excellent dining and lounging facilities. The Wellie Bar and Grill Restaurant is open each day from midday, and the Wellie Lounge, offering a lighter menu, is open daily from 8am. Once you have paid into the fair, you will be able to leave and re-enter as often as you wish, allowing you to take breaks for refreshments without having to leave the comfort of the hotel.

The hotel has wheelchair access to all areas.

TICKETS

Tickets are now on sale for our next vintage fair on Sunday 15th February 2009.

Adults £5.00

Students £3.50 (with ID)

Children under 16 go free

HOW TO PURCHASE:

ONLINE:

Tickets can be purchased online, from the organiser Becky Moore vintage expert and owner of Decadence Vintage

Please send an email to: info@northernirelandvintage.com stating the quantity of tickets required, your name, delivery address, and email address.

A paypal invoice will be emailed to you, allowing you to pay for your tickets with a debit or credit card (you don’t need to have a paypal account to allow you to do this).

Your tickets will be posted to you on completion of payment

(postage is free)

Tickets will also be available at the door

Technorati Tags: Vintage Clothing Belfast, Vintage Clothing Ireland, vintage clothing uk, Vintage Jewellery

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Hey ladies,
Love it or hate it Valentines Day is fast approaching and whether your celebrating the day with your other half, going out with your girlfriends or staying indoors with a bottle of wine and a DVD we have just the pieces for each occasion!

Some of our pieces are listed for a limited time only so be sure to check in and grab yourself a Fabulous Evening Dress while you can- remember vintage is one of a kind once it’s gone it’s gone for good

Whatever you end up doing enjoy!

Technorati Tags: 1950s Dresses, 1960s dresses, 1970s dresses, Baju Bundle, Evening Dresses, Kedai Bundle, Valentines Dresses, vintage clothing shop, vintage clothing uk, Vintage Dresses, Vintage Evening Dresses, Vintage Evening Wear, vintage shop, Vintage Valentines Evening Dresses

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