Mary Jane's Blog

I recently had a fantastic trip to Bath. I'd forgotten just how beautiful it is. 

If you head there, do go to Bath's Fashion Museum. They've got a great exhibition on at the moment of 50 'favourite dresses' which is well worth a look. However, I was really struck by the exhibits at the end, where they cleverly show you how to mix and match your vintage pieces with high street buys to bring you bang up to date for S/S 2013.

I loved the combination above of the 80's jacket worn with gorgeous Edwardian blouse.

..or how about a retro 50's petticoat for a skirt?

My personal favourite? This wonderful 50's/60's bedjacket given a new lease of life with a smart black skirt - displaying this season's nod to volume.

OK - not so easy to find such fabulous vintage pieces - but lots of great inspiration for mixing vintage and modern to create up-to-date outfits. I'm going to go through my own wardrobe right now!

My lovely friend Melissa's beatiful girls - with their new copy of...

A MODERN GIRL'S GUIDE TO HATMAKING!

The milliners of the future?

I hope so!

x

When a girl is tired of life what does she do? She heads to Margate of course.This once fashionable and elegant seaside resort has all but fallen into a hole over the last few decades. Serious counselling and an injection of imagination (as well as cash) is helping it forge a new future. Margate, it's rumoured, is becoming a hot new vintage destination. But is it true?

Pass the distinctly depressing closed-down pub and the concrete tower block at the railway station and head instead for the wonderful boutique B&B The Reading Rooms. Situated in a restored Grade II listed Georgian townhouse, the bedroom spans an entire floor, and the breakfast is delicious - mine included a bowl of fresh fruit, a banana smoothie, a very tasty full-English, plus delicious toast and FOUR different types of homemade jam! Vintage-style living at it's best. It doesn't come cheap - but it's worth every penny.

Shop-wise there's plenty to see (and believe me, on a dreary rainy day in Margate you need diversion). Jo at Margate Retro brought a massive smile to my face. Known affectionately as 'the showman' he delights with his old-fashioned manners and iodosyncratic banter. I purchased a lovely set of metal filing trays with a well-worn patina which was carefully wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string. Very Sound of Music!

Across the road in the old post office his partner is building a new vintage business. The hope is it will become a retro general store. Another warm welcome and a lovely latte await.

There are lots of new vintage clothing outlets springing up. I particularly liked Breuer & Dawson. Run by lovely DFL's (Down From Londoners) it's got a particularly good selection for men with a real emphasis on quality and classic design.

If I were a boy - I'd definitely shop here! 

I checked out the Turner Contemporary Gallery. A haunting sculpture in the main hall - but I'd love to see some of Turner's paintings in their natural setting. And of course, there's the strange Shell Grotto....nobody knows who made it or why.

Next time I go to Margate I'll make sure the sun is shining. In the mist, the place has a lonely, abondoned beauty, but there's definitely something exciting happening here.

Our seaside towns need to feel loved again. Let's help them recover.

There's so much more to Margate than meets the eye...I'll certainly be going back for seconds...oh...and did I mention all the fab food places?!