What a gem: jewel tones are back

 What a gem: jewel tones are back

It's official, jewel tones are the way to go this autumn/winter so think emerald, sapphire, ruby and amethyst and don't be afraid to mix and match them up. This season the glitzier your garments are the better so get creative with your clothes, let no accessory be spared.

Sapphire

Dolce & Gabbana's glitzy sapphire dress

The catwalks were awash with statement dresses and this Dolce & Gabbana glitzy blue dress will see you right through autumn well up to the Christmas party season. Our sparkly sapphire wiggle dress needs a pair of heels and it's ready for a night out. Accentuate your curves with an embellished belt to give it a new look and don't forget to add a clashing bag a la D&G.

Sparkly wiggle dress, £85, Victory Vintage, size 10-12

Ruby

Roksanda Ilincic doing ruby on the catwalk

Ruby red is the hue of Hollywood glamour, and nothing says A-list quite like embellishment, that's why this showstopping frock from our collection is a jewel-toned must have. Don't be afraid to team your jewel tones with real jewels, less is more definitely does not apply with this trend. Roksanda Ilincic's mix of super glam dress with played-down tresses is one we'll be replicating, avoid looking too 'done' by teasing your hair into a relaxed down 'do with a statement matching red lips.

Ruby red embellished dress, £180, Victory Vintage, size 8-10

Magenta

Lanvin storm the catwalk with their magenta dress

Forget your LBD girls, this season is all about the BMD- the big magenta dress. Make it a statement shape, add tonnes of attitude, and jewel toned glamour is at your fingertips. Our magenta shift with bejewelled neckline is perfect for a party, just team it with matching black gloves and a fascinator a la Lanvin for an ultra Parisian look.

Magenta dress with bejewelled neckline, £95, Victory Vintage, size 8-10

Emerald

Marc Jacobs' emerald dress

Marc Jacobs' emerald dress was one of the highlights of the jewel tone catwalk looks, and the stand-out shade is great for all skin tones and hair colours. Redheads will love the colour clash of this emerald hue, think Mad Men's Joan and her jewel tone combinations. Play this bold colour down with tan accessories a la Marc Jacobs for a sophisticated day look.

Our emerald 50s style dress combines pleats and long billowing sleeves for extra interest and can be dressed up or down depending on what winter activities are on your calendar. Boots, heels, flats? This frock goes with them all.

Emerald dress, £65, Victory Vintage, size 10-12

As usual let us know what looks you're going for this autumn/winter and don't forget to tweet us @victoryvintage.

Love the VV girls XXX

How to do patterns and prints - the vintage way!

How to do patterns and prints- the vintage way!

Patterns and prints are a huge autumn/winter trend this year, with everyone from Stella McCartney to Givenchy sending spots, swirls and so much more down the runway. Here at Victory Vintage, we love a stand-out outfit and we think it's time everyone embraced fashion's latest 'wow' trend. Our guide will help you find perfect patterned pieces, that'll have you looking more ladylike, and less Lady Gaga.

The two-piece

A two piece is a great way to incorporate pattern and print into your wardrobe, because if you find the look a bit 'full on', you can mix and match the separates with more demure pieces from your wardrobe. A two piece should be striking but sophisticated, just like this amazing set from Marc Jacobs' catwalk collection.

A Marc Jacobs two piece that nails the print trend

A patterned two piece is so versatile, and you can go like Marc Jacobs and team yours with matchy-matchy tights in winter, and still wear it in the summer with bare legs. It's a true investment piece and will make the ordinary office day a little more special. This Ossie Clark two piece from our collection is a perfect example of a timeless set that will never go out of style. Give yours a contemporary twist by wearing it with boyish boots, or play up your feminine side with some sassy heels.

Ossie Clark, £400, Victory Vintage

 The maxi

Winter maxi dresses are huge right now, and that's great news for all you 70s lovers who don't want to let go of that festival/hippy look this autumn. It's all about psychadelic head-turning patterns right now, and florals are definitely not going anywhere. This fab autumnal maxi by Paul and Joe is a perfect example of a double duty dress that works for winter with a pair of killer boots.

Paul and Joe's gorgeous autumnal maxi

Our 70s Jean Varon maxi is a brilliant shape and pattern for winter, the colour palette will work with your winter boots just like Paul and Joe's look and the long sleeves will keep you snug until summer comes back around.

1970s Jean Varon maxi, £220, Victory Vintage

If Paul and Joe and Jean Varon's patterns are a little demure for your taste and you really want to up the fashion ante in a showstopping pattern, look no further than these two fantastic maxis.

This Giles maxi combines figure flattering shape with a striking pattern

This statement Giles maxi is fitted yet floaty, perfectly hugs your curves, and creates the illusion of longer legs, a body boost is definitely what we want on dark winter days, so this dress is a winner in our book. If you'd rather go original with your psychadelic print though, our Pucci-esque original 70s maxi might do the trick. Its stunning pop colours and pattern demand attention, so if you want all eyes on you for the right reasons this winter, go all out and adds heels for extra glamour.

1970s Pucci-esque dress, £90, Victory Vintage

The shift

For a fuss free winter staple, little can beat a statement patterned shift. Those cold winter mornings feel far more fab than drab when you can pull on a fash-forward shift over your leggings or tights, and go! Etro's gorgeous dress is sure to brighten up any dull day and teamed with a fur coat it oozes A-list glamour.

Etro's statement shift looks ultra luxe teamed with a fur coat

Our 1960s silky shift is a great choice for this look and can be luxed up Etro style with a sharp belt to cinch you in and show off your waist. Lose the belt for a more relaxed 60s style ensemble to keep your look fresh. Heels or boots will look equally amazing teamed with this citrus coloured shift and tights, and don't forget your fur. A clashing patterned or coloured fur is a must have to nail the trend head on, but if you want to tone it down a neutral or caramel coloured fur will do the trick too!

Orange silk shift, £85, Victory Vintage

Let us know what looks you try out by tweeting us @victoryvintage. Don't forget to tell us what you think too! To see Vogue's full trend forecast for pattern and print, click here.

The VV girls XXX

Get that Mad Men look, with ease!

Get that Mad Men look, with ease!

Here at VV we're big fans of fashion fabulous TV show Mad Men and lucky for us, 50s and 60s fashion is huge right now. With designers showcasing the 60s on the catwalk and Mad Men's own Janie Bryant teaming up with Banana Republic to make a Mad Men collection, we thought we'd let you in on a few styling tips to get you looking just like your favourite on screen character.

The Joan Look

The show is set in the late 1950s and the latest series ended in the mid 60s, so you can imagine the amazing eras of style it spans if you're not already a fan! Think fitted, figure flattering shapes, shifts, and sheaths and go from there. We love how Joan Holloway emphasises her curves in her jewel toned sheaths, here's our tips for emulating the famous Joan look.

Joan working a jewel toned shift in Mad Men

Joan's block colour pieces are great for a mix and match base and she always accessorises with brooches and pendants. Alternatively, if you prefer prints go geometric or floral with your sheath for a typical of-the-time look. 1950s and 60s textile patterns were abstract and eye catching, and this dress from our collection should give you an idea of the perfect shape and pattern you should look out for. Winter is well and truly on its way, so team your Joan shift with a 60s swing coat and black opaques to stay snug but stylish.

Jewel-toned, geometric print shift, £85, Victory Vintage

Jean Paul Gaultier has gone all 60s this autumn/winter and this gorgeous Joan-esque dress from his catwalk collection, complete with an amazing beehive, is on our must-have list.

Jean Paul Gaultier's autumn/winter catwalk is so Joan!

Speaking of snug but stylish, there's never been a better reason to get your hands on a super chic jumper dress. Add a belt to accentuate your waist and if you're afraid of feeling more frumpy than fabulous, team it with heels for an injection of office glam. Our gorgeous green jumper is so Joan, and we can imagine her adding a bold brooch like ours for extra interest.

1960s green knit dress, £70, Victory Vintage

The Betty Look

Betty Draper in a pleated circle skirt, a big 50/60s trend

Circle skirts were a huge 1950s trend and were worn with cutesy cardigans and heels for a really feminine look. No one is more feminine and doll-like than Mad Men's Betty Draper, whose outfits are always girly and ice cream coloured. We love this gorgeous printed skirt from our collection, it's impossible not to swish in a skirt this stunning and trust us, all eyes will be on you in a circle skirt. For a more modern twist, team yours with a vest or cropped shirt instead of our more prim option and tie at the waist. If you're a die-hard Betty fan, prim is the way to go for this look, don't forget oodles of pearls and signature curls.

Cream blouse, £35 and circle skirt £135, Victory Vintage

For the ultimate Betty look, it's all about a fitted and feminine dress, so find a frock that balances shape and style. Pretty patterns and pastel colours are the key features to look out for when choosing a 'Betty' dress. Take notes from this ultra girly dress from our collection that combines a figure flattering fit with feminine polka dots, a bow and the girliest hue ever- pink! Think prim, yet fun when searching for yours and add pearls as standard.

Polka dot wiggle dress, £90, Victory Vintage

This dress from the Mad Men collection at Banana Republic is a more flouncy frock with a fuller skirt, but the feminine style is perfect for the prim Betty look.

This Mad Men for Banana Republic dress is really Betty.

Add the finishing touch

Betty's earrings are always big and bold, so find the perfect vintage pair or you.

If you love Betty, but think the look is too fussy for you, invest in a great pair of Betty-esque earrings as a compromise. Even if the rest of your outfit is simple, a pair of glam studs will perk it up for an evening of cocktails. For ultimate prim power opt for earrings with large pearls, don't forget gold is always a classic too. Take your style notes from these amazing pearl studs from our collection.

Evening studs like this add glamour to laid back outfits, these are £12 from our collection.

Scarves are the perfect way to make any ensemble instantly vintage looking. Give a modern outfit a vintage Mad Men twist with a scarf tied at the neck which is very Sterling Cooper secretary chic. You can even incorporate a smart scarf into an updo just like VV girl Zoe.

VV girl Zoe models a Victory Vintage scarf

Look out for scarf baskets in a vintage shop like ours, and root for hues and patterns that will compliment your clothes. Choose a shade from a pattern you're wearing for a matching scarf or pick a patterned scarf that incorporates the colour you're wearing, the possibilites are endless.

A selection of scarves from our collection at Victory Vintage

Last but not least, Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant has famously said that vintage outfits always need a good base, and the Mad Men girls are never without the perfect undergarments. Hosiery is everywhere right now with designers like Henry Holland bringing suspender and seamed tights into the mainstream by collaborating with Pretty Polly. A true Mad Men look needs a good pair of tights, and where better to start than with our vintage collection?  Treat yourself to a vintage look suspender belt to team with these Flair stockings. The perfect starting point for your outfit.

Never-been-worn Flair stockings in original packaging, £6.50, Victory Vintage

Tweet us your Mad Men style ensembles @victoryvintage and let us know what tips you've tried. For more exciting 1950s and 60s stock you can visit us instore Monday-Saturday 11-8 and Sunday 12-6, come and say hi!

Love the VV girls XXX

A very fashionable affair: The VV Tea Party

A very fashionable affair: The VV Tea Party

Last night we held our second Victory Vintage party at our fabulous Bayswater store, which drew in many vintage loving fashionistas. Our tea party themed event was complete with cutesy crockery from Secret Teas and there were plenty of tasty treats, all the cupcakes, brownies and scones were baked lovingly by us VV girls. The party vibe didn't end there, the Pimm's was flowing all night and the tunes of yesteryear were playing.

VV girl and shop owner Becky enjoys some well-deserved tea

Lots of happy ladies went home with fabulous vintage finds, like this amazing polka dot dress from our collection.

A happy vintage lover left with a gorgeous polka dot dress

Bloggers Cecily and Laura were just some of the stylish party goers that came to join in the evening. We're loving their party looks and you can read even more about their style on their blogs at lauracogoni.blogspot.com and itsrudetostare.com.

Cecily and Laura up the style stakes at the VV tea party

Aswell as vintage shopping, tea drinking and treat eating, our vintage loving ladies could even enjoy a free makeover. The lovely Katie Campbell, or Katie Vintage, vintage hair and make up extroadinaire, gave the girls the retro looks they've always wanted. You can check out more about Katie Vintage on her lovely blog katiecampbellmakeup.tumblr.com.

Before a Brigitte Bardot-esque makeover from Kate

Voila! A great Bardot-esque look

 Vintage lover and blogger Nanna opted for a glam lip look with teased hair, we love! Nanna keeps all her inspiration on her photo lead blog at nannajoanna.tumblr.com.

Nanna before her vintage makeover by Kate

Nanna with a glam vintage party look

Thanks to everyone who came to make the party extra special, we hope you had as much fun as us and enjoyed your goodie bags!

Did you miss out on the party? Never fear, we're open 11-8 every day and 12-6 on Sundays in Whiteley's Shopping Centre Bayswater, W6. You can come along, browse our collection or just come and say hi. Keep on top of all the latest events going on at VV by following us on Twitter @victoryvintage or find us on Facebook.

Love the VV girls XXX