Ian Batten

What’s A Nice Girl Like You Doing In A Place Like This?

1970s, Adrian Mann, Anne Tyrrell, biba, Brave New World, che guevara, Derber, Gilles Ben Simon, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, irvine sellars, John Craig, Leicester Shoes, Martha Hill, mr freedom, Richard Green, Snob, stirling cooper, terry de havilland, Vintage Editorials
Flamboyant concertina-pleated Courtelle wrapover blouse with elasticated frilled waist £4, and skin-tight Lurex toreador pants £5 50, both by Martha Hill, 39 Marylebone High Street, W1, mail order 25p extra. Waist-cinching leather belt £4.70 and diamante bracelet £2 both from Biba , sheer seamed tights, Mary Quant 75p, diamante-studded snakeskin shoes, Leicester Shoes £13.99; egg-shaped choker, Baggage & General £1 50; plastic bobble earrings, 43p, carved plastic bangle 40p, both by Adrien Mann chiffon scarf 15p from Woolworths

Lurid Lurex, sexy satin and slinky leopard skin make the wildest look of all. Not to be confined to parties, dance halls or even billiard rooms—this is what you wear anywhere and everywhere.

Just one of the most deliciously styled and shot editorials. As so often happens with Terry de Havilland, his shoes are credited to Leicester Shoes in this editorial but they’re definitely his as they also feature in Vogue in 1972.

Photographed by Gilles Ben Simon.

Scanned from Honey, October 1972.

Jet black embossed satin wrapover blouse, John Craig, £4.50 from Miss Selfridge, Duke Street, W1. Luminous pink satin trousers, Mistermonte at Dolly Day, £4.25 from all branches of Werff ; Satisfaction, Ilford and Harrow; Habit, York. Cube-shaped choker, £1.50, carved plastic bangle, 40p, both by Adrien Mann; diamante studded earrings, Paul Stephens, £2.85; chiffon scarf, Woolworths, 15p.
Glittering ruched Lurex top with fluted sleeves, Ian Batten at Stirling Cooper, £5.95 from Peter Robinson, Oxford Circus, Slippery silver satin jeans, Seasons, £7 50 from Peter Robinson, Oxford Circus, W1 ; Pinnochio, Fulham Road, SW10 ; Brighton; Garbo, Edinburgh. Wide leather belt £4.75, oval plastic bracelet 50p, both from Biba; long pearl rope 85p, kaleidoscopic jewelled “shubsilk” bag, £1250, both by Paul Stephens; Lurex ankle socks, Mr Freedom 65p; metallic snakeskin shoes, Leicester Shoes, £12-99; flocked chiffon scarf, Woolworths, 25p; bobble earrings, Adrien Mann, 43p.
Startling yellow and black leopardskin printed dress with ruched bodice, Martha Hill, £4.50 from Martha Hill, 39 Marylebone High Street, W1, mail order 15p extra. Pearlised purple leather belt £4.70, plum plastic beads, £1.25, both by Biba; dangly jet earrings, Paul Stephens, £2.85.
Sparkling knitted Lurex halter-neck sweater, John Craig, £3 50 from Snob, 18 Golders Green Road, NW11, mail order 25p extra; also available from other branches of Snob. Pencil slim Lurex skirt, Brave New World, £5 50 from Che Guevara, Kensington High Street, W8. Fluorescent leather belt £4 75, pink plastic bracelet 50p, both from Biba; pearl rope wound round wrist 85p, diamante studded earrings 85p, both by Paul Stephens.
Black slash-neck Banton dress with tiered flounced skirt, Anne Tyrell for John Marks, £11-50 from Miss Selfridge, Duke Street, W1 ; Hobby, Cardiff ; Topaz, Oxon; Chez Monique, Brighton. Fishnet tights, Wolford 50p; jet drop earrings £2.85, large pearl bobble necklace 75p, both by Paul Stephens; diamante zig-zag bracelet, Biba £2; flocked pink chiffon scarf, Woolworths 21 p.
Slinky Tricel jersey vest with swirling handkerchief pointed hem, Martha Hill, £7.50 from Martha Hill, 39 Marylebone High Street, W1, mail order 1 5p extra. Dusty pink rose from a selection at Miss Selfridge; oval elasticated bracelet, Biba 50p; scarlet chiffon scarf, Woolworths 15p; sheer tights, Mary Quant 75p; patent wedge-heeled shoes, Derber £6.99.
Skimpy cold and black Lurex vest £3 50, silver and black zig-zag printed jacket £5.50, both from Martha Hill, 39 Marylebone High Street, W1, mail order 1 5p extra. Black satin trousers, Richard Green, £5.60 from main branches of Irvine Sellars; Peter Robinson, Croydon, Norwich and Cardiff ; Gillian Richard Shop, Kendal Milne, Manchester. Scarlet leather belt, £4.75, black plastic bangles, 45p each, both by Biba ; white poppet beads, Woolworths 25P; black drop earrings, Paul Stephens £2.85.

Smarter Than You Think

19 magazine, 1970s, biba, bus stop, chelsea cobbler, Deco Inspired, gillian richard, gordon king, Harri Peccinotti, Herbert Johnson, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, lee bender, manolo blahnik, nostalgia, Olaf Daughters of Sweden, stirling cooper, terry de havilland, Vintage Editorials, zapata
Maroon hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Navy crêpe de Chine suit, with ruched trim on cuffs and two-button fastening, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, £15.95. Grey tights, by Mary Quant, 40p. Navy leather shoes, from Chelsea Cobbler, £17.95. Black bag from a selection at Biba. Navy gloves from a selection at Nostalgia. Black crêpe de Chine suit, with pink floral pattern and black and white geometric buttons, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. £11.95. Grey tiohts, by Mary Quant, 40p. Navy patent shoes, from Chelsea Cobbler, £15.95. Black poche from a selection at Biba. Black gloves from a selection at Nostalgia.

That’s what you’ll be in the latest Fifties-style suits and dresses.

Photographed by Peccinotti.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, September 1973.

Black beret, by Kangol, £1.60. Grey crêpe dress, with ruched front, plain skirt and matching bolero, by Gillian Richard, £12-50 Grey tights, by Mary Quant, 40p Black leather bag from a selection at Biba. Gloves from a selection at Nostalgia. Onyx hatpin, from Chimera, £3. Black straw hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Grey crepe clingy dress, with V shaped collar at back and front and cross-over straps, by Ian Batten at Stirling Cooper, £11 95 Grey tights by Mary Quant, 40p Black leather court shoes, from Chelsea Cobbler, £17.95 Gloves from a selection at Nostalgia. Hatpin, from Chimera, £1
Brown hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Brown, cream and black check woollen suit, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, £16.95 Cream tights, from Biba, 30p. Brown leather court shoes, from Chelsea Cobbler, 17 95 Brown crocodile bag, from Chimera at Antiquarius, £8. Brown gloves from a selection at Nostalgia. Brown hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Rust, green and beige Argyll jacquard dress, by Gordon King, £15 Plain seamed tights, by Pretty Polly, 41p. Brown leather court shoes, from Zapata, E19. Brown crocodile bag from a selection at Essences at Antiquarius. Cotton scarves, from Herbert Jobnson, 32p each
Tomato, beige and brown jacquard turban. E1-25. Crêpe shirt, E7-95. Both by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. Orange gaberdine skirt, by Gordon King, £1050. Jacket, with open front and two-button lapel fastening. matches turban, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop. £8 95. Tights by Pretty Polly, 41p. Shoes from Zapata, £19. Bag from a selection at Biba. Gloves from a selection at Nostalgia. Black straw hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Gaberdine skirt, by Stirling Cooper. £8 50. Check woollen jacket (comes with matching trousers, not shown), by Gordon King. £28. Cream tights from Biba. 30p. Shoes from Chelsea Cobbler, £17.95.
Duck-egg blue hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Black suit, with blue and yellow floral trim on collar and cuffs, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, £13.95 Grey tights, by Mary Quant, 40p Black and white snakeskin and suede shoes, by Terry de Havilland, X16 Black bag from a selection at Biba Brown hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Brown and cream jacket with tightly belted waist and toning skirt, by Gordon King, £29 Cream tights, from Biba, 30p Brown and white leather court shoes, by Terry de Havilland, £14. Brown crocodile bag, from Chimera, £8 Gloves from a selection at Nostalgia. Scarf from a selection at Essences.
Blue hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Blue crêpe dress, with white trim on front and cuffs, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, 111.95 Grey tights. by Mary Quant, 40p. Blue leather court shoes, from Chelsea Cobbler, 117 95. Bag from a selection at Biba. Gloves from a selection at Nostalgia. Black hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Blue printed dress, with snail pattern and white trim, by Lee Bender at Bus Stop, 111 95 Grey tights, by Mary Quant, 40p. Blue leather shoes, with peep-toes, from Olaf Daughters of Sweden, 19.90 Black bag from a selection at Biba. Blue gloves from a selection at Nostalgia.
Maroon hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Grey jacquard below-the-knee dress, with maroon print. by Gordon King. £1450 Crocodile handbag from a selection at Essences. Maroon gloves from a selection at Harrods. Maroon and white spotted cotton scarf, from Herbert Johnson. 32p. Black hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Grey jacquard calf-length dress, with square neckline and collar trim, by Gordon King. £15. Black poche from a selection at Biba. Black gloves from a selection at Nostalgia. Onyx hat-pin, from Chimera, £3.

Well Dressed

19 magazine, 1970s, Adrian Mann, Antiquarius, barbara hulanicki, Barbara Hulanicki, biba, Chelsea Antiques Market, Essenses, gillian richard, Herbert Johnson, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, Michael Berkofsky, Ronald Keith, Sacha, Spectrum, stirling cooper, susan marsh, van der fransen, Vintage Editorials
Cream Trevira cotton dress by Gillian Richard. Black patent shoes from Sacha. Silk scarf from a selection at Essences at Antiquarius. Papier mache bangles by Fabrice for Zig Zag. / White cotton pull on hat from Herbert Johnson. Blue and white cotton dress from Spectrum. White peep toe shoes from Ronald Keith. White gloves by Cornelia James. Necklace and bangle from a selection at Zig Zag. Bag from Universal Witness.

Spring’s in the air – and with it the chance to wear all those elegant eye-catching dresses. If you’ve been feeling bundled up in woolies, here’s the chance to look feminine again.

All photographs taken at the Hyde Park Hotel, Knightsbridge, SW1.

Photographed by Mike Berkofsky.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, April 1973.

Green and white spotted scarf from a selection at Essences at Antiquarius. Soft green dress with flower print from Van Der Fransen. Belt inset with flowers and elephant clasp, and matching bangle, both from Biba. / Lilac and mauve ankle length dress with purple rosette trim from Van Der Fransen. Pink metallic platform shoes from Sacha.
Cotton mid calf dress from Biba. Gloves from Cornelia James. Beads from a selection at Susan Marsh at the Chelsea Antique Market. White bangles from Adrien Mann. / Pink cotton smock with floral print, yellow cotton skirt, both from Biba. Gloves by Cornelia James.
White cotton hat from Herbert Johnson. Blue and white dress from a selection of elegant old dresses at Van Der Fransen. Black patent shoes from Sacha. / Blue and white fan print dress from a selection at Van Der Fransen. White peep toes with flower trim from Ronald Keith.
White cotton hat from Herbert Johnson. Blue and white striped jersey dress by Ian Batten at Stirling Cooper. Shoes by Sacha. / Blue and white striped dress by Ian Batten at Stirling Cooper. Shoes from Ronald Keith.

The Main Attraction

19 magazine, 1970s, biba, Brosseau, bus stop, crowthers, edward mann, florrie carr, Fogg and Wakefield, Harri Peccinotti, harriet, Herbert Johnson, hollywood clothes shop, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, Jasper, Jean Charles Brosseau, Jolly and Marsh, kensington market, lee bender, Marielle, mary quant, ravel, Rosie Nice, Sacha, Sportaville, Titfers, universal witness, van der fransen, Vintage Editorials
Red spotty blouse in burnt out crepe, worn over black, red and white printed Dycella skirt by Ian Batten at Sportaville. Red tights by Lovely Lady. Scarf by Jasper. Black leather t-bar shoes from Sacha. Bag and bangles from a selection at Jolly and Marsh. Sweetheart brooch from Universal Witness. / Red cloche hat by Titfers. Dress in three different prints by Van der Fransen. Tights by Mary Quant. Shoes by Sacha. Red gloves from Van der Fransen. Necklace and bangles from Jolly and Marsh, Kensington Market. / Little pink bows on a white moss crepe dress by Florrie Carr. Artificial flowers in hair are by Fogg and Wakefield.

The main attraction of this summer’s printed dress is their little-girl, Sunday-best quality. The star fabric is floral crepe-de-Chine, now beautifully revived, featuring softly shaped skirts, Peter Pan collars and puff sleeves.

Another flawless example of early Seventies nostalgia for the Thirties and Forties, which might seem frivolous or twee if it wasn’t in the talented hands of Mr Peccinotti.

Photographed by Harri Peccinotti.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, March 1971.

Multi coloured rayon crepe dress from a nearly new selection at Van der Fransen. Blue suede shoes by Mary Quant. / Calf-length crepe de Chine dress by Marielle. Black leather high heeled shoes from The Hollywood Clothes Shop. / Yellow sisal hat by Jean-Charles Brosseau. Crepe de Chine dress by Mary Quant. Lilac suede shoes by Mary Quant.
Brown cotton voile dress and tights by Mary Quant. White strappy sandals by Ravel. / Brown rayon jersey dress by Ian Batten at Sportaville. Beige suede slingbacks by Mary Qant. Scarf from a selection at Rosie Nice, Kensington Market. / Navy felt hat from Herbert Johnson. Navy spotted rayon crepe dress from Van der Fransen. Brown suede shoes by Sacha. / Lilac cloche by Edward Mann. Rayon georgette blouse and purple velvet skirt both from Crowthers. Mauve patent sandals from Ravel.
Brown printed georgette suit from Bus Stop. Green leather wedge heeled shoes from The Hollywood Clothes Shop. / Burgundy felt hat from Herbert Johnson. Black georgette suit from Bus Stop. Black three bar shoes by Sacha. / Green straw hat from a selection at Van der Fransen. Rayon georgette dress by Mary Quant. Green leather shoes from The Hollywood Clothes Shop. / Yellow hat by Jean-Charles Brosseau. Red, white and bloue dress by Ian Batten at Sportaville. Patent wedge sandals by Ravel.
Pale mustard puff sleeved dress by Biba. Brown patent two-strap shoes by Sacha. Scarf by Jasper. / Cream sisal hat by Bermona. Black tea dance dress with delicate white flowery print by Biba. White leather sandals by Ravel. / Navy felt hat from Herbert Johnson. Navy cotton dress by Harriet. Black shoes from The Hollywood Clothes Shop.

In a Little Spanish Town

19 magazine, 1970s, Bermona, Brosseau, bus stop, Dolcis, Feathers, Foale and Tuffin, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, Jean Charles Brosseau, John Bishop, Jolly Boy, kensington market, lee bender, ravel, Rosie Nice, Sacha, Sujon, terry de havilland, Tony Berkeley, Tony Berkley, Vintage Editorials, Willy van Rooy
Long creamy cotton dress by Foale and Tuffin. Blue cotton paisley blouse and skirt by Foale and Tuffin. Embroidered woollen belt around head by Rosie Nice in Kensington Market.

Sunny Spain conjured up visions of hot summer days in picturesque surroundings, ideal settings for 19’s summer fashions. And we had a fantastic oppotunity when 4S Travel arranged a trip to Malaga and Torremolinos. We flew BUA Super Jet to stay at the Hotel Al Andalus, within easy reach of the mountains overlooking the Costa del Sol. Here we discovered quaint villages, sun-drenched and white-washed, their customs and dress crystallised in the past. No cars to be seen, only mules and donkeys. Our clothes echoed the feel of these places – colours stark black and white, brightened with touches of gayer hues, clean hot printed cottons, soft peasant blouses, sandals, light fishnet shawls, casual sun hats. The garments are easy to take care of, and enhance a tan – midi skirts that button to above the knee and give alluring glimpses of brown thigh, and large brightly printed squares of fabric which can be used as shawls, or skirts tied at the side.

Making me yearn for a proper holiday. The closest I’ll get is looking at this editorial whilst sitting on the balcony, trying to avoid all humans for the time being. I hope it brightens your day as well…

Blonde model is Willy van Rooy.

Photographed by John Bishop.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, July 1970.

Black velour towelling dress by Lee Bender for Bus Stop. Shawl by J. C. Brosseau from Feathers. Green and red snakeskin shoes by Terry de Havilland from Jolly Boy in Kensington Market. Belt bought locally.
Black and white cototn printed skirt and top by Tony Berkeley. Shawl from J. C. Brosseau. Shoes by Sacha.
White cotton skirt, blouse and bolero all by Annie for Rosie Nice in Kensington Market. Bright red and green dress by Foale and Tuffin. Black fishnet shawls by J. C. Brosseau from Feathers.
White towelling hat by Bermona. Dress by Sujon. Shoes from Ravel.
Dress by Tony Berkeley. White patent shoes by Sacha.
Dusty pink skirt and blouse by Ian Batten. Brown felt hat by J. C. Brosseau from Feathers.
Both outfits by Tony Berkeley. Both pairs of shoes by Ravel.
Dress by Foale and Tuffin. Snakeskin shoes by Terry de Havilland at Jolly Boy. Belt bought locally.
White midi skirt by Lee Bender for Bus Stop. Red and white silk rayon blouse by Annie for Rosie Nice. Mock snakeskin shoes by Dolcis.

Last Tango in Tijuana

1970s, antony price, che guevara, Dinah Adams, Dolcis, gillian richard, granny takes a trip, Herbert Johnson, Honey Magazine, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, jean junction, Martha Hill, miss mouse, polly peck, rae spencer cullen, Roy A. Giles, Russell & Bromley, Samm, Spectrum, stirling cooper, Vintage Editorials, wallis

If you can’t tango, simply steal into the spotlight in these flamboyant rumba dresses. The slipped shoulder strap, the bared midriff and the full-blown flouncy skirts all spell out the sexiest numbers for summer.

The main difference between the content of a magazine like Honey, as opposed to Vogue or Queen, is that the designers tend to be the more intriguing and less well-known of the period. If you want names like Miss Mouse, Granny Takes a Trip or Antony Price, these magazines should always be your first port of call. This shoot alone features one of my Holy Grail pieces by Granny Takes a Trip: the ruffled tie front top and skirt ensemble designed by Dinah Adams. Previously a designer for two other cult London boutiques, Mr Freedom and Paradise Garage, painfully little is known about Dinah Adams (misattributed as ‘Diana’ in the original credits). Which is why it’s always lovely to see her work represented anywhere.

Also shown here is a frothy, frilly delight of a frock by Miss Mouse, a.k.a Rae Spencer-Cullen. A personal favourite of mine, the Miss Mouse aesthetic is precisely why this early Seventies period is my favourite for fashion. Her work was heavily Fifties-inspired, quite ahead of the curve in the scheme of things, but always with a novel twist. Spencer-Cullen is yet another designer whose life remains something of a mystery, despite being a part of a hugely influential circle which included artists Duggie Fields and Andrew Logan. It seems that this anonymity was (at least initially) intentional, as an article from the Glasgow Herald in 1976 declared.

“At first, six years ago, when presenting her quirky designs on fashion, she seemed shy and utterly retiring. Miss Mouse could not be contacted easily by the press. She was elusive, hazed in shadows, a real mouse about publicity in fact. The only evidence of her entire existence was her clothes.”

In a world where we are so used to having information at our fingertips, there is something quite enchanting about this; tiny scraps must be stitched together to create a flimsy silhouette of a creative genius.

Photographed by Roy A Giles.

Scanned from Honey, July 1973.

(Please note – this blog originally appeared in 2016 on Shrimpton Couture’s ‘Curated’ blog project which has since been removed. It seemed a shame to let the posts disappear completely so I hope to eventually repost all my work here.)

Rose-strewn wrapover cotton bolero and long frilled skirt from Spectrum. Raffia and cotton tie belt by Herbert Johnson. Right: Tightly ruched off-the-shoulder top and long skirt with deeply riched waistband from Wallis.
Ritzy ruffled satin bolero top with frilled skirt by Dinah Adams for Granny Takes a Trip. Wavy leather sandals by Samm. Right: Slinky spotted Tricel dress by Ian Batten at Stirling Cooper. Crackly taffeta long flounced skirt by Antony Price for Che Guevara. Wooden and patent sandals by Russell & Bromley.
Flouncy black and white gingham off-the-shoulder dress printed with orange and lemon flowers by Gillian Richard. Canary yellow sandals by Samm. Embroidered cummerbund by Herbert Johnson.
Swirling striped cotton skirt by Jean Junction. Off-the-shoulder pleated blouse by Martha Hill. Polished leather boots from Dolcis.
Black cotton ruched and flared rumba dress printed with multi-coloured flowers and birds by Miss Mouse. Apple green shoes by Russell & Bromley.

Left: Crisp cotton gingham blouse and flounced skirt both by Martha Hill. Oval bead choker and bangles by Paul Stephens. Right: Ruffled cotton check blouse and tiered skirt by Polly Peck. Cummerbund by Herbert Johnson. Shoes by Russell & Bromley.

Get Shirty

1970s, Adrian Mann, alice pollock, alkasura, Butler & Wilson, cacharel, che guevara, Dick Polak, Honey Magazine, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, jeff banks, Joseph, marie france, quorum, Roger Nelson, stirling cooper, Susie Craker, universal witness, van der fransen, Vintage Editorials

get shirty 3

LEFT: Salmon pink crepe overblouse with short fluted sleeves, Marie France for Quorum £10 approx, from Quorum, 52 Radnor Wealk, SW3 and Heath Street, NW3 ; Quorum shops at all branches of Peter Robinson. Satin trousers, Alkasura £6.50, ,from Alkasura, 304 King’s Road, SW3. Apricot beads £5, amber bangles from 20p each, wide yellow bangle £2, all from Emeline. RIGHT: Crêpe shirred blouse. with tie neck, Alice Pollock at.Quorum £10 approx, from Quorum, 52 Radnor Walk, SW3 and Heath Street, NW3; Quorum shops at all branches of Peter Robinson. Green satin trousers, Jeff Banks £7.50, from Jeff Banks Shop at Peter Robinson, Oxford Circus, W1; City Stylish, Newcastle. Gilt dress clips, Universal Witness from 25p each.

The season of the shirt. Wild and waisted. Smart, sharp and snappy. Crisp, cuffed sleeves for the new tight and tailored look. Soft and slinky overblouses to revive the romantic 40s.

The first picture has got to be one of my favourite fashion shots of all time. Such joy in movement, perfect lighting, and harmonious colours from the most heavenly Quorum clothes.

Photographed by Dick Polak.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Honey Magazine, May 1973.

get shirty 1

LEFT: Crisp white crêpe pintucked overblouse £8.50, from all branches of Bus Stop (mail order 30p from 3 Kensington Church Street W8). Satin trousers, Alkasura £6.50, from Alkasura, 304 King’s Road, SW3, Thin patent belt, Gay Designs 69p; sea green waist-length bead necklace £4.50, short green necklace £3, and art-deco bangles £2 each, all from a selection at Butler & Wilson. RIGHT: Neat cotton sports shirt with patch pockets, Cacharel at Joseph £8.50, from Joseph, 33b King’s Road, SW3 (mail order 25p). White cotton trousers, Jeff Banks £7.50, from Che Guevara, Kensington High Street, W8 (mail order 25p) ; Jeff Banks shop at Peter Robinson, Oxford Circus, W1. Thin leather belt, Baggage Et General £1.10; plum plastic bangles, Adrien Mann 25p.

get shirty 2

LEFT: Finely striped cotton casual shirt, Ian Batten at Stirling Cooper £6.50, from Stirling Cooper, 94 New Bond Street, W1 ; Stirling Cooper shops at DH Evans, Oxford Street, W1 ; Peter Robinson, Oxford Circus, W1, Leeds, Norwich and Cardiff ; Escalade, Brompton Road, SW3; Kendal Milne, Manchester. Gaberdine Oxford bags, Alkasura £9.50, from Alkasura, 304 King’s Road, SW3. Long polka-dot scarf, Van der Fransen £1 ; wide amber bangle, Paul Stephens 25p; ebony clutch bangle, Adrien Mann £1 ; stretchy webbing belt, Gay Designs £4. RIGHT: Button-through striped cotton blouse with matching attached cravat and deep cuffed sleeves, Ian Batten at Stirling Cooper £7.50 (stockists as for shirt above). Cotton trousers, Jeff Banks £7.50, from Che Guevara, Kensington High Street, W8 (mail order 25p) ; Jeff Banks shop, Peter Robinson, Oxford Circus W1. Enamel dress clips, Universal Witness from 25p each; wavy webbing belt, Gay Designs £4; amder bangles, Emeline 20p each.

get shirty 4

LEFT Smartly striped square-necked. crepe-de-chine overblouse with set-in short sleeves, Suzy Craker at Roger Nelson £9.50, from Way In, Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1 (mail order 25p) Che Guevara, Kensington High Street, W8 ; Crocodile, Kensington High Street, W8 and .branches. Lilac Trevira trousers, Jakie Ross at Jon Elliott £6.70, from D H Evans, Oxford Street, W1 ; I Spy, Oxford Street, W1 ; Sidney. Smith, King’s Road, SW3; Hendersons, Liverpool. Elastic and leather belt from a selection at Escalade ; bangles, Emeline £2 each. RIGHT : Rainbow striped loose overblouse with sweetheart neckline and puff sleeves, Ian Batten at Siding Cooper 16.50, from Stirling Cooper, 94 New Bond Street, W1 ; Stirling Cooper shops at D H Evans, Oxford Street, W1 Escalade, Brompton Road, SW3; Peter Robinson, Oxford Circus, W1, Leeds, Norwich and Cardiff ; Kendal Milne, Manchester. Gaberdine Oxford bags. Alkasura £8, from Alkasura, 304 King’s Road, SW3. Lime green patent belt, Gay Designs 69p; long bobble beads, Paul Stephens, 85p.

Inspirational Images: Bright girl’s guide to open air dressing

1970s, Alan Rodin, annacat, biba, british boutique movement, Buckle Under, edward mann, elisabeth novick, Ian Batten, Inspirational Images, karl lagerfeld, Leslie Poole, Pierre Elegante, stirling cooper, Vintage Editorials, Vogue

Bird’s egg blue and white spotted shirt and striped trousers at Pierre Elegante. Hat by Edward Mann.

Photographed by Elisabeth Novick, from Vogue, April 1973.

If I could spend most of my springtime dressed like this, I would be happy. Sadly, I am currently living in thick black tights and long sleeves while the entire country shivers its way into May.

Curses!

Dungarees by Leslie Poole at Annacat. Hat from Liberty.

Left: Top by Alan Rodin, trousers by Ian Batten for Stirling Cooper. Umbrella from Biba — Right: Top by Karl Lagerfeld for Timwear, trousers same as left. Turban from Buckle Under.