Owning a piece of history, especially vintage garments from the 1940s, is like holding a precious artefact of culture and craftsmanship. Whether you’ve inherited a vintage dress, found a 1920s flapper gown, or sourced a rare jacket from a vintage shop, here’s some tips on caring for your vintage treasures.

World War 2 was a time of unparalleled global conflict that demanded vast resources, innovation, and bravery. Amid the chaos and uncertainty, a remarkable group of women soared to new heights, establishing themselves in a field once dominated by men. These were the ATA girls, affectionately known as “Attagirls!”

Explore the transformation of Japanese fashion during World War II, reflecting both the scarcity of resources and the promotion of traditional attire as a symbol of national identity. Through adaptation and resilience, wartime fashion in Japan exemplified a unique blend of necessity and cultural pride.

Her remarkable journey through the 20th century bore witness to transformative cultural shifts, from the glamorous heights of the fashion world to the harrowing depths of war-torn Europe.

From ancient civilisations to contemporary catwalks, hosiery has significantly shaped fashion and reflected societal norms. Join us on a fascinating journey through time as we unravel the rich history of hosiery, exploring its origins, and transformation in wartime restrictions.

At this time of year, there are vintage events and festivals dotted all around the country to celebrate bygone eras. The annual Goodwood Revival from the 8th to the 10th of September is a firm favourite vintage event with us here at The Seamstress of Bloomsbury, and we want to help you look as fabulous as possible!

150 years ago if you wanted to go to the beach as a woman you would be wearing several layers of cumbersome cotton or flannel just to dip your toes - thankfully things have changed a lot since then, and swimwear is much more liberating for women now than it was all that time ago. But how did we go from wearing a multi-layered swim ensemble to our modern bikinis where sometimes almost nothing is left to the imagination?

 

From protecting factory workers hair, to saving prisoners of war in WW2, silk was one of the most sought after and versatile fabrics of the time! But just how did silk keep so many at home and abroad safe?

The pin-up models of the 1940s/50s are iconic symbols of the time, with scantily clad ladies being painted on military vehicles, appearing in war propaganda, and being popular in general in America especially throughout the war and post-war period. Pin-ups were nothing new though, and the idea of ‘pinning up’ art and photos has been around since at least the 1800s, if not earlier!

The end of the war also brought about new revolutions, and the fashion industry was about to experience a wave of modernity thanks to one French man.

During the Second World War, almost all everyday provisions from food to clothing were rationed and in short supply around Britain. But that didn't stop women around the country from looking as lovely as possible!

This year Her Majesty The Queen of England will be the first-ever British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee with an impressive 70 years of service!

 

With over 70 years service, we’re taking a look back to the Second World War, when The Queen was simply  Princess Elizabeth, and how The Queen and her family supported the nation through bleak and uncertain times.