Miss Peelpants is recuperating from a wisdom tooth extraction yesterday afternoon. It was a general anaesthetic (although only day surgery) and her cheek has swollen up to chipmunk-esque proportions, so she is currently in hiding in the safety and privacy (trust me, you wouldn’t want to see this walking past you in the street!) of her parents’ house.

Yeah, I needed my mum…..awwwwww 😉

I wouldn’t normally inform all my customers of something like this, only I thought I ought to explain why I might not be able to mark items as sold from the site or dispatch out for a few days. At the moment, it only covers the Jeff Banks blouse but I will keep you all up to date on things via this blog until I am well enough to return home and correct things.

Much love from a very bruised and woozy Miss Peelpants xx

There are a few absolutes in vintage clothing, and the quality, fit and beauty of a Jeff Banks designed blouse is one of them. They’re my favourite vintage staple, beloved of anyone who loves clothes they can just sling on over some jeans and feel fabulous with minimal effort.

This blouse is made in a really stunning art-deco inspired printed fine cotton. Repeat printed with the head of a be-capped swimmer, it captures the fun and frivolous mood of Seventies clothing (which was so inspired by the novelty prints of the 30s and 40s). The fit is always beautiful with a Banks blouse, as are the delicious puffed sleeves and the enormous winged collar. If you don’t have one already, you need one. If you love Banks blouses, this is one of the best!

£45 over at Vintage-a-Peel……

Courtesy of the Sugababes and Girls Aloud (two supposedly ‘edgy’ girl groups in the UK for the blissfully uninitiated out there).

In terms of songs and general appeal, the Sugababes have always had the edge for me. Sure, not ALL of their songs are amazing but I’m not averse to the odd one on my MP3 player. I believe Girls Aloud are meant to have the same broad appeal, but unless I were to find myself slightly tipsy in a cheesy nightclub…I’m not sure I’d ever choose to listen to their music. In both cases, I think they’ve taken a long time and several stylists to get to a point where you could slightly respect their fashion sense too. But still the Sugababes have the edge for me. They’re far less cookie-cutter in appearance and I like their refusal to smile or dance much (coolness is as much in the eye of the beholder as beauty). Girls Aloud have more of a propensity to don those dreadful Kyri dresses so beloved of the Z-list celebrities and en masse they frequently resemble the hordes of hen parties I recall from my time living in Bournemouth.

The proof is in the two latest videos for the two tribes. Whereas the Sugababes have managed to pull off a stunning, Vogue-editorial-style promo for what is a slightly mediocre song*, Girls Aloud have produced the single most tacky visuals for the single worst song I think I’ve ever heard in my life.

I can kinda see where they were headed with the pseudo-Georgian corsets, feathers and big hair. And I admire big hair when people have the guts to do it. I even crimped in the name of Kate Bush for New Years, so I’m no slouch in the weird hair styling department. But something about the execution of the ideas, the lighting, the costume-y costumes….the sheer unconvincingness (it’s a word…..) of their attempts to be edgy in the face of such a dreadful song and the clear horror of having looked at themselves in the mirror prior to walking out on set and realising there’s no turning back…..(note to Girls Aloud…..this is the point where you stomp off and have a hissy diva fit and refuse to come back until they’ve replaced the stylist). Ohhhh the list is endless. It’s truly heinous.

I keep seeing the Sugababes video and cooing at Heidi’s pink hair. I have no idea why, although I did manage [I think] to pull off a blue wig once before in my life. At least I think I did. I have worn some weird stuff in my time. The hair and make-up styling is varied and beautiful. I also love the newspaper dress, the plastic bag(?) one, the playing card hats and pretty much just about everything in there. Hugely unwearable but genuinely, bafflingly brilliant. Heidi’s even wearing a Pierrot collar at one point (I can see I will not rest until I’ve gone out in one – it’s turning into a theme at the moment).

At times they both reminded me of the Army of Lovers Crucified video (see below if you’ve never seen it – high camp and highly rewarding!!).

Anyway, enough wittering. I thought it was an interesting compare and contrast example of getting it right vs. getting it horribly wrong.

*It’s still better than anything I’ve ever heard by Girls Aloud

Last night, on the tube up to to Kings Cross, I saw something which nearly made me whip out my mobile phone to take a pic…..but, I just couldn’t do it to the poor kid. I’m sure he was on his way to a gig or something, this teenage boy (at least I’m assuming so, and what a poor fashion-victim sod who should know better if he ISN’T a teenager) got on wearing what I believe is a pure Hoxton look. Y’know, the whole Russell Brand, Noel Fielding skinny black jeans and skinny leather jacket get up (and these were, officially the skinniest jeans I ever did see). The silver winklepickers were quite a sight to behold, so shiny I’m sure he could see his face in them. But what really tickled me, thankfully not literally, was his hair.

I’m sure he was going for the Noel Fielding bouffant shaggy backcombed coif…..comme ci

But somehow wound up looking more like Dusty from the Bay City Rollers…..comme ça

I’m sure it wasn’t the intention, but I thought he’d have actually looked more ‘individual’ and edgy if he’d gone for the cropped flares and platforms instead of the skinny jeans and winklepickers. Ridiculous, yes…..but he looked ridiculous anyway. At least he’d have been ridiculous in a way I could admire, because I certainly can’t laugh at people in platforms. You should see how many I have in my wardrobe…..

You may or may not have noticed a few other sellers have taken a heavy dose of inspiration from my photos and layouts, and while this is very flattering (as they say imitation should be) I would just like to reassure my customers that I am me. So if it isn’t Emmapeelpants or Vintage-a-Peel, it isn’t me.

And while I am here, I might as well let you all know of a few new goodies just added to the website…and some of the coming attractions! Just listed are a superb dress by Roxy Music stylist Antony Price, a sultry Horrockses print halter neck dress (which had me contemplating the removal of a few ribs so I could keep it for myself!), a summer of love mini dress by boutique favourites Miss Impact and an adorable pink empire line Sixties John Bates for Jean Varon dress.

Maximum glamour, maximum impracticality, maximum camp, maximum power! Servalan is possibly the most stylish villainess in the galaxy. It’s hard to imagine Blakes 7 without the divinely evil Ms. S, but her role was never originally conceived to be a long-running one and she doesn’t even appear in the first few episodes of the legendary Sci-Fi series. But the character endured, and her incredibly individual style has made her an icon ever since.

The first few series showed Servalan at her iciest. Exquisitely draped jerseys, furs, feathers, high collars, crystals … this überbitch was always in white. As the character established herself as an icon over the four series, the clothes became progressively campier and more consciously sexy. The plunging red sequined halter and net collar were possibly the most memorable, but the final series was also notable with her new identity of ‘Sleer’ and a new wardrobe filled with vampier creations than ever – this time in wholly more appropriate black. Whether it was running up and down sandbanks in silver platforms, torturing one of the heroes with no bra on or escaping from certain death in a skirt she could barely move her legs in, she always survived in style. Servalan, you’re evil but we still salute you!

“There is something you should realise. There are no women like me. I am unique. That makes me rather dangerous.” – Servalan

To get that Servalan style, why not try this stunning late 70s piece by Tiktiner just listed over at Vintage-a-Peel…

Someone posted a mini questionnaire over at the Vintage Fashion Guild forums about vintage and its popularity. For some reason best known only to my tired but inspired fingers, I actually came up with some answers. I often get bored with talking about it, sometimes the mere mention of the word ‘vintage’ can make me want to crash headfirst back into bed in the morning. Just the word, mind….not the frocks. I’m mainly interested in the clothes and the history – I’m not terribly inspired by ‘trends’ and I often get frustrated by the commercialization of vintage (Topshop vintage, anyone?). But I thought I’d type what came into my head and here are my answers.

Q:how do you define ‘vintage’?

A:The lines are so blurred now, with items just one season old often being referred to as vintage. I personally view something as vintage if it somehow encapsulates an era, or even a small aspect of an era. An old dress is an old dress, but what makes it vintage to me is that it should feel ‘of its time’ and have some meaning and/or history. Like the dictionary says, “the class of a dated object with reference to era of production or use”.

Q:why do you believe vintage fashion is increasing in popularity?

A:Because ‘fashion’ is pretty much dead these days. Wearability is rarely taken into consideration, and neither is the variety of shapes and looks of most people in the world. With vintage, you can find the era to which you are best suited and not fear the bi-annual ‘charcoal is the new black’ and size zero debates. You don’t have to be a slave to what the shops are stocking if you know you can find what you want from vintage.

Q:what motivates people to buy vintage clothes?

A:Freedom of choice, and wide range of choice. Quality construction and high end style, usually without the modern high end price tag. Nostalgia for an era you feel an affinity to. Many people also like the idea that it is also a financial investment, it may increase in value but you can enjoy wearing it in the meantime.

Hmmm….

Anyway, I’ve just listed a gorgeous Bus Stop frock over on eBay and there’ll be more goodies to come over this coming week. I’m also lining up some fabulous new pieces for the website, including the iconic Lamborghini trouser suit by Ossie Clark (yes, with a Celia print – hurrah!!) which was famously worn by Twiggy in the late Sixties.

Dear All,

Just a little note to say thank you to all my customers for making 2006 such a wonderful year. I hope you’re continuing to enjoy your vintage finery, and that you will make a return visit in 2007. Finally launching Vintage-a-Peel.co.uk was the culmination of several years ambition and hard work. Thank you SO much to everyone for their patience, support and such kind feedback on the ”finished” product!

I know I have been a little quiet of late (in terms of eBay at any rate, my life has been anything but quiet this past month) but rest assured that I will be returning full throttle very soon, and that I’ve been busily acquiring some even MORE amazing pieces for your viewing and, hopefully, wearing pleasure…

Lots of love,

Liz xxx

Herein lies previews of upcoming pieces for sale on ebay and on the Vintage-a-Peel website, highlights from my personal collection and musings upon the world of vintage clothing and other cultural curiosities.

Enjoy!