Floaty Chiffon Meets Bold Shifts
Walking into the shop this month, you’ll be met with rails of petal-soft silks in blushing hues, pristine antique lingerie waiting to be layered, and the bright block colours of mid century mini dresses.
Along with the bold silhouettes of the sixties, summer’s warm breezes inspire us to revel in the floaty florals and chiffons of the thirties and forties.
If you want to let your hair down and shimmy the night away, why not consider looking to our mid century pieces. The shifts and A-line dresses of the 1960s give a distinct, smart silhouette, while giving ample room for laughter-filled conversation or an evening on the dance floor.
This heavy Irish linen shift dress features a striking stripe of espresso brown with floral patterns of fresh green and citrus orange, suitable for any occasion. The 1960s Horrockses cotton playsuit stands out with its floral basket motif, highlighted by bold piping, while this Biba dress gives cheerful polkadots to this cherry red cotton.
Precious, subtle, and deliciously delicate, our airy dresses of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s can be styled up or down for bright mornings and hazy evenings. The specialist hand-crafted techniques of the last century elevate these pieces. Ruffles and colourful prints remain understated when crafted in chiffon, letting you waft around in gorgeous pieces effortlessly. from liquid-like bias cut skirts.
Take this floral chiffon, given an edge by the black elements that cut through the rest of the print’s primary blues, yellows, and reds. Styled here with dark accessories, this piece is evidence that antique chiffons are versatile beyond belief.
Intimate lace-lined silk pieces from this period, originally worn in a perfumed boudoir, can be shown off on Italian beaches or cosmopolitan restaurants. Versatile and hardy, an Edwardian crisp linen petticoat can be worn with raw leather Western boots, or delicate silk slips can be styled with sparkling dancing heels. With its delicate floral motifs and prim collar, this lime green lace robe gives a welcome tang – and a fabulous puff sleeve – to the elegance of a silk and lace slip.
