At the moment we have very few 1930’s dresses.  It is a difficult era for most girls to adopt – bias cut, backless dresses leave NOTHING to the imagination – every bump shows and you need to be ‘self supporting’…..  If you’re going to an occasion that calls for this style, give us a ring and if we have nothing to suit off the peg, we may be able to make you a dress.

The forties were completely overshadowed by World War Two.  Uniforms, rationing and blackouts affected everyone’s way of life.  Cinema was a popular means of escape (Hollywood was not being bombed) and famous films of the era include Casablanca; Forever Amber; Citizen Kane and Rebecca.

We have a large selection of men’s uniforms – (hint – there is more choice if you are under a 46” chest….) also suits;  some ladies uniforms, plus day dresses, evening wear and the ‘New Look’ full skirts that came into fashion in 1946. Some of the dresses and suits are originals, which mean that, by today’s standards, they are very small in the waist.  We have reproductions for the more 21^st century figure!!

The early 50’s were still blighted by rationing after the war, but gradually the influence of America was felt through films and music.  Icons such as James Dean and Elvis Presley became universally famous.  This was the decade that saw the advent of ‘the teenager’.  Suddenly, young people were seen as separate from children or adults, with their own culture and fashion.  By the end of the decade, Rock n’ Roll was taking over the world:  Jiving wearing full skirts with net petticoats while the boys wore drape jackets and drainpipe trousers.  Crepe soled shoes carried boys through to the 60’s.

We have a large range of dresses (some original – see notes in 1940’s!) skirts, petticoats, shoes, hats and men’s wear (suits, ‘leather’ jackets and drape coats)

This decade saw the biggest change in fashion, from the full skirts of Rock n’ Roll, through the mini skirt to flower power and hippies.  Anything went in the 60’s.  It was a time for the post war generation to suddenly break free from the restrictions that had been in place since the turn of the century.  Television was becoming more and more popular (although still only black and white) and this spread the word for fashion and the pop culture.

We have the full range of 60’s fashion, both original and ‘fancy dress’. Plus icons of the era.

We will rock you! Pop music and its culture ruled this decade. Flower power gave way to psychedelic patterns. Men and women no longer wore totally separate fashions, Uni-sex became a new phrase. Suddenly men were allowed to have long, styled hair, wear perfume, have colourful, flamboyant clothes.

The 70’s is probably our biggest section of costumes. We have many original items, and even more ‘fancy dress’ outfits which are hugely popular nowadays, but would probably have raised a few eyebrows in the 70’s! Icons like Abba, Elvis (white suit), John Travolta (a different white suit) and Twiggy remain firm favourites.

This decade saw over the top fashion, big hairstyles and the commercialisation of music and film. There were different trends from different eras - ancient Egypt; early 20^th Century British Royalty; Edwardian era buccaneers; punk from the 70’s. Think Cyndi Lauper; Madonna; Flash dance; Dallas; Dynasty; Miami Vice; Michael Jackson; New-Wave; Heavy Metal; Prince; Hard Core Punk.

American Superhero comics became popular again e.g. Batman. Star Trek the Next Generation; The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of The Jedi films were all released. There was a boom in horror films such as Nightmare on Elm Street.

We have 80’s dresses and costumes to cover all the major icons of the period, plus accessories to buy such as wigs and punk items to complete the look.