Go West...ern

...Sung The Pet Shop Boys in 1993, Dolly Parton had it right with this fab combo a decade later.   As if this wasn’t enough to make you want to run to the darkest depths of your wardrobe and flick the dust off your fringed suede, Dallas is back!  This is not all however; Tarantino and Jamie Fox are on board bringing out a new take on a spaghetti western with Django Unchained in December.  So, just because we deal in retro clothes, i.e. items that are now so out of fashion that they have made the complete circuit back again, never let it be said that Armstrongs is not ahead of the game!  Since the unleashing of The Great Gatsby in cinemas and hen parties around the world has now been postponed until summer 2013 and Anna Karenina is not perhaps the easiest of day to day style icons I have decided to concentrate my attention on the Western.

To prove my point further take a look at what (and who) I spotted in The Grassmarket Armstrongs this week.

 

 

Finally, I should just like to mention that the V & A’s Hollywood Costume exhibition will be opening in October.  I shall be attending it with shirt corners on!

 

Pickpocket Thursday!

It's been a while since we updated you on our pick pocket finds...but fret not, we are back with this little gem, found in the pocket of a Barbour. A fishing permit for the Aberchalder Estate in Scotland.

The handwriting is a little hard to decipher, but I think the date read 09/09/87! 

The Aberchalder Estate is nestled in the picturesque Invergarry in Inverness-shire. Aberchalder Estate is a traditional Scottish Highlands Sporting Estate. It encompasses some 30,000 acres of beautiful woodlands, mountains, lochs and rivers, along both sides of the Caledonian Canal in the heart of 'The Great Glen', a 65-mile long rift-valley that cuts across Scotland from Inverness to Fort William. The Great Glen shelters the waters of Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy, linked together by the Caledonian Canal. 

   Picture perfect...

I hope this guy remembered his Barbour...

The Barbour has a long standing reputation as the jacket of choice for outdoor sporting activities. In 1908 they specialised in coats for Yachting, Boating, Fishing, Shooting, Walking and even Driving! 

 

 

 

The Barbour fishing jackets often include authentic fishing details, from the detachable sheepskin patch and elastic rod holder to leather finishing on the cuffs for durability.

Let's hope the man who purchased this permit had a successful fishing trip, and managed to catch some fresh trout!!

Becca.xx

Mens Statement Knitwear

Statement jumpers don't all need to look like this...

It's suddenly become very Autumnal feeling in Edinburgh over the past few days, but we think we've found a fun way to stay on trend and keep warm during the colder weather. From Scandinavian inspired patterns, to Fair Isle and novelty jumpers, statement knitwear is going to be a huge trend this Autumn / Winter season. Many big menswear brands such as Gucci, Missoni, Burberry Prorsum and Marni showed a variety of different patterns. 

Wear these eye catching jumpers on their own as a statement piece or perhaps work a patterned jumper in to your wardrobe by teaming it with a tweed or wool jacket for that heritage feel.

All the above statement jumpers are available online in our Ebay shop. Many more styles can be found in our shops at the Grassmarket, Teviot Place & on Clerk Street.

Erina

Snapped This Week...

The petticoat was established in the 16^th century to give the voluminous dresses the required shape (also offering the illusion of a narrower midriff by increasing the hip to waist ratio).  Made to be seen by way of a cheeky flash of lace or tulle the petticoat is more than just a functional item, it is a fashion statement that has stood the test of time.  Below left one of our lovely Armstrongs customers in Teviot Place gave her recently purchased 1950s petticoat a makeover, pairing it with this retro turquoise bodice.  Enjoying the pastel shades, in a quiet moment I decided to put together another Dior inspired, petticoat based, candyfloss ensemble, below right.  

Here are a couple more lovely Armstrongs customers with great outfits spotted in Teviot Place and a selection of ways that you can channel their style with the help of just a few accessories.

Double Up!

We are delighted to hear that the days of mix and match are out the window, and instead it's on trend to get a bit matchy matchy with your clothes! From skirts and tops, to jackets and dresses - layering up on the same pattern and fabric has never been more chic! Elle Magazine this month claimed that it's "not a trend for the faint-hearted", and I guess we'd have to agree but they definitely wooed us with this statement, "Think of it as a great 2-for-1 deal. Why buy a printed dress when you could wear the print in myriad permutations and combinations". How could we possibly resist such a bargain in style?  

    Lucky for you vintage lovers, we have a brilliant selection of twin sets available online just now! Everything from dress and jacket combos, to an genuine vintage 1950s Chanel Couture two piece.  

We even came across a photo of Coco wearing a nearly identical suit! 

 

It was in 1923 that Coco Chanel first introduced the two piece suit into her collection, before reintroducing the idea to her line in the early 1950s. It was then that she returned from exile, to Paris after the Second World War. 

 

 

Where the catwalk calls for bright patterns and colours, we found a few options that are slightly more tame, for those who can't face piling on the brocade! So why not inject a little vintage elegance into the latest trend? We've teamed up our skirt and jacket combo's with a lace blouse, and some pearls to finish off the look. But if that's a little too old school for your taste, why not add a simple t-shirt, and stack on a few necklaces to bring it up to date! Ooh the possibilities are endless, but we know one thing for sure - the two piece suit is as timeless a classic today, as it was when Coco Chanel wore it in the 50s! An investment piece you'll return to year after year! 

Having your Cake and Eating It

Nowadays we can have it all.  Mod or punk chav or greebo, we can pick indiscriminately from different styles and eras safe in the knowledge that our clothes need not be tied up with our politics.  This stretches further than merely our wardrobes.  Take our homes, I love my 1950s curtains but I am not a vintage purist, I am not about to do away with my telly and my coffee machine any time soon.  I can categorise myself in other-words as being selectively nostalgic in my taste; I’ll have the 1950s frock without the 1950s sexism on the side!  This week I simultaneously happened upon these 1970s PVC pinnies at Armstrongs in The Grassmarket and this 1970s cookbook.

This combination required an unprecedented commitment to one era from me...this was the effect:

Not wanting to do away with 21^st century culture all together and as a homage to season 3 of The Great British Bake Off, I decided that it was perfectly acceptable to use an electric fan assisted oven!

For the Gents.

Well Gentlemen, it's time to put the tops back on, add a jumper and invest in a jacket for the chilly autumn ahead! And what better jacket than a timeless tweed? With Britain amidst an iconic year, it seems the Heritage trend is taking hold once again, and what better way to wrap up warm than with a brilliant tweed jacket?

Tweed has been on the radar for some time, with Dr. Who bringing it back over the past few years. But it's not just for time travel, oh no! The trusty tweed suits every occasion, from outdoor country pursuits, to a night on the town. 

 

The Harris Tweed is about quality and style, history and heritage. It is the fabric of choice for many of the world’s leading designers as well as their most discerning clients. When you buy Harris Tweed you are guaranteed the best, safe in the knowledge that the Orb secures a perfect cloth for years of use. 

We have a variety of vintage Harris Tweed jackets, along with plenty of other brands, so why not pop on over to our online store here and get yourself one! The perfect addition for the winter wardrobe for every dapper gentleman!

Here ye! Here ye! Read all about it...

Armstrong's have only gone and made it to the front cover of today's Edinburgh Evening News!!

Here's a sneak preview into the amazing shoot, using an array of Armstrong's vintage delights.

Styled by Lynne McCrossan.

 

Very in-keeping with the nations recurring patriotic theme!

Well, we will never doubt the infamous 'onsie' again!  Who knew it could look so stylish?!

Check out the full spread in tonight's copy of the Edinburgh Evening News! 

This 1930s original floral dress is just darling!  Remember a wide range of our stock is also available online at 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Armstrongs-Vintage-Emporium.

Like what you see? Come visit us in Edinburgh at one of our three stores.

83 The Grassmarket
Edinburgh
EH1 2HJ
0131 220 5557

64-66 Clerk Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9JB
0131 667 3056

14 Teviot Place
Edinburgh
EH1 2QZ
0131 226 4634

 And in case you missed it, we were also featured last week following Armstrong's latest venture onto Edinburgh's high street, in the form of a large concession based in Miss Selfridge
(http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/fashion/out-with-the-new-and-in-with-the-old-as-vintage-emporium-opens-miss-selfridge-concession-1-2475850)

 Be sure to check us out; located at

 Miss Selfridge
Hanover Street
 Edinburgh
 (Upstairs!)

How to Dress for the Edinburgh Festival

We are coming to the end of August, the month in which Edinburgh residents rent their flats out to Londoners for London prices so that they can finally get some sunshine.  Not so for all of us, some must stay and brave it out.  Every year I think I have it sussed, every year I have the same wardrobe malfunctions.  Here is the unwritten guide to dressing for the festival, take heed of these words of wisdom and you will avoid discomfort, to some extent at least.

Beware of:

Cobbled Streets.  I strongly disagree with those who swear by the ballet flat.  These are bad for your posture, the arches of your feet and your air of authority as you stride purposefully over the cobbles.  Edinburgh festival requires a short, stout, no nonsense 1940s style heel, nothing too high or you will be singled out as an impostor and ruthlessly attacked with flyers, which brings me onto my next point...

Flyering.  Every show gets at least fours stars, in fact if you can find one with less it might be worth taking the flyer for it as these are a rare commodity and a collectible item.  To avoid carrying the hopes and dreams of every wannabe comedian I suggest instead gripping tightly to a boxy handbag.  This can act both as an excuse for not taking said flyers and as a kind of battering ram to get you through the crowds.  See examples below.

Sudden Rain.  Obviously a Mac is a sensible solution – both lightweight and waterproof it is more effective than the humble brolly as rain in Edinburgh tends to come at you sideways and even, on occasions, bounce off those pesky cobbles back into your face.  Do carry the brolly as a precautionary measure however, just never actually put it up.  Instead use it rather like your handbag; for crowd control and navigation.  See below.

Sudden Sun (a somewhat rarer commodity): Do not laden yourself down with factor fifty and a deckchair.  All you need is a pair of retro glasses tucked in your bag.  I am also an advocate of the fan.  Yesterday I was squeezed into a container watching...I don’t know what as I spent the entire hour wondering why no one has launched a marketing campaign to re-brand the fan and bring it back into everyday use.

Finally beware of this:

Bloating.  Most of your meals will consist of something in a roll so make sure your clothes are forgiving!

Pickpocket Thursday

We found a ticket for the 'Motorcycle Action Group' rally held in 1995 in the pocket of this lovely Belstaff jacket this week.

 

There are around 200 million motorcycles being used worldwide these days. The first motorcycle was developed in 1885 in Germany but it was a while until these motorbikes resembled anything we would recognise these days as a bike!

It will have looked something like this...

What comes to mind when you think of motorbikes?

Is it this? 

Or this?

This perhaps?

Maybe even this?

This more like it?