cool threads to cut a rug in
vintage inspirationWhen we have a party it can be fun to get dressed up, but building up a vintage swing dance wardrobe can be an expensive and time consuming operation. Here are some ideas and links to get your creative inspiration flowing. A great way to get some initial ideas for your retro look is to spend a few lazy sunday afternoons watching old movies! Anything with Fred and Ginger is a sure treat on the fashion and dancing front.......but you could also try ones like Pearl Harbour, Queen of Sheba's Pearls, Charlotte Gray, Mrs Henderson Presents, or Swing Kids (a MUST for the dancing as well!!). For the guys, note that both Mask and Malcolm X also have some great Zoot Suit snippets. ladies - think Ginger Rogers, Greta Garbo, Kathryn Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Betty Grable......and whether you go for
- be sure to accessorize (hats, snoods, furs, boas, gloves, costume jewellery) gentlemen - think American GIs, Gary Cooper, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra... Also think.....wide, high waisted, pleated, baggy, pants with cuffs; open neck bowling shirts; suits (tuxedo, double breasted, pinstripe, waistcoats, or even a zoot suit!); two tone shoes; and of course cravates, braces and hats (a very easy way to get in theme)!! local shopping optionsAuckland doesn't have a huge number of options for vintage or swing clothing, but we are fortunate to have a few local designers and stores that do have clothes with a retro slant....so check 'em out and support them if you can!! polka dots & pleats - made to order retro creations by our very own angela - modelled by herself in class, or by our demo crew! speak to her about what she can do for you! strangely normal - 19 O'Connell St Auckland Central | ph 09 309 0600 - for a truly beautiful shopping experience check out this unique local mens designer store that has distinctive clothes, accessories and hats with a retro flavour. They also make to order if you are feeling particularly extravagant. Tell them you are with The Swing Station and they will be sure to look after you. illicit clothing - local store for men and women in K Rd which has a slightly retro slant rita sue - a local online retro store with vintage inspiration for the modern femme fatale (mostly 50's and 60's but truly gorgeous and with some great vintage style information) devel men and women - again more 50's and 60's, but these unique local creations by the gorgeous danielle are worth a peek nadia poole - if anyone is interested in hiring any vintage bits and bobs for a special occasion nadia has diverse collection of clothes and accessories (tuxedos, shirts, ties, cravates, hat, dresses, furs.....) so drop her a line and tell her what you are after!! pure dance - a retail dance shoe store at the bottom of Queen Street, they sell mostly ballroom and latin shoes, but they do have a limited range of dance sneakers or tap shoes (which make quite good swing shoes without the taps) jayar footwear - local shoemaker based in Pakuranga, for two toned black and white shoes made to order for pretty reasonable prices (fitting by appointment only - contact jrfootwear@slingshot.co.nz or phone 576 6023 / 021 045 5626) marie's discount dance shoes - based in Albany, this is the only place to get cheaper than retail bloch & capezio dance shoes locally love to dance - based in Pukekohe, this store is the NZ agent for Sansha shoes Finally, if you have a few hours to spare and want to ferrit around in some vintage op shops, then K Rd is the place to go, starting with Peachy Keen and This is not a Love Shop just near the overpass, and working your way along to the cluster of shops in St Kevins Arcade. Unfortunately, as time goes by, it is getting harder and harder to find genuine 1930's or 1940's gems and much of what these shops stock is from the later decades......but keep an open mind as some of it can be 'adapted' (and Angela would be the one to speak to about that!). peachy keen - 347 K Road - clothing and accessories from the 1920's - 80s i gotta have that - you may have noticed our very own Natasya modelling her gorgeous hair creations - and you will be pleased to know that these fascinators are available for purchase......so ask her about them in class this week! for swing chicksvintage style Dial a Decade in Shoes for the 1930s
and 1940s Swing Fashionista - a fashion blog for swing dancers interested in jazz and swing era fashion, accessories, hair and makeup. Contributors are Sharon Davis, Jo Hoffberg, Alice Mei. online shopping illicit clothing - local store in K Rd which has a slightly retro slant, or miss illicit next door with a gorgeous range of Illicit dresses, Stop Staring dresses, stockings, shoes & underwear do it yourself for swing catsstrangely normal - 19 O'Connell St Auckland Central | ph 09 309 0600 (see above) shoespure dance - a retail dance shoe store at the bottom of Queen Street, they sell mostly ballroom and latin shoes, but they do have a limited range of dance sneakers or tap shoes (which make quite good swing shoes without the taps) jayar footwear - local shoemaker based in Pakuranga, for two toned black and white shoes made to order for pretty reasonable prices (fitting by appointment only - contact jrfootwear@slingshot.co.nz or phone 576 6023 / 021 045 5626) marie's discount dance shoes - based in Albany, this is the only place to get cheaper than retail bloch & capezio dance shoes locally stepz dance shoes - local dance school that sells mens two tone shoes for $110 love to dance - based in Pukekohe, this store is the NZ agent for Sansha shoes, and are now also stocking various Aris Allen styles dance store nz - specialising in shoes for swing dancing, Dance Store is based in Christchurch and is the exclusive stockist of Aris Allen's popular flat-soled dance sneaker in New Zealand. All the shoes are very affordably priced and can be purchased on approval for up to 7 days. Contact Ben directly on (03) 980 9244 or 027 4528669 for more info. dance store - a great range of dance shoes
for men
and women gorgeous gear - an enormous range of bleyer, remix, alexi and other dance & retro shoes (prices in AUD - or check out their new NZD page) and finally, for the big names in dance shoes see |
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