retro clothing
Sunday, July 4th, 2010
The Frockery turned out on 3rd July along with some of Scotland’s finest vintage venturers for a vintage and retro related jamboree in Kirkcaldy, hosted by the Joint Regonal Development Trust to raise funds for the B-eat Charity which supports people with eating disorders.
Alongside stalls aplenty selling clothing, millinery, jewellery and home wares, the Green Cockatoo tea room served up welcome sustenance in truly traditional style, while music from down the decades complemented the atmosphere of the day.
The highlight for us was the afternoon catwalk show which featured pieces from some of the stallholders, including the Frockery. The young models showed the clothes off to great effect as they strutted their stuff across the stage, showcasing outfits from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s.
It was an exhausting day, but we thoroughly enjoyed it, met some lovely people and acquired a few new customers. Take a bow, Hazel Kelly, for putting together such a successful event for such a worthy cause.
Tags: 50s fashion, 60s fashion, 70s fashion, 80s fashion, frockery, retro clothing, vintage clothing
Posted in Fashion, retro clothing, Scotland, vintage clothing | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Whatever will we do on a Friday night now that Ashes to Ashes has ended? The finale was so good we had to watch it twice! Shame about the Quattro, but oh what a poignant episode as all the loose ends from Life on Mars and the previous two Ashes series were tied up (sort of).
These two popular BBC series have undoubtedly helped fuel a 70s and 80s retro revival as cast members flaunted the fashions of the decades that good taste forgot without a hint of embarrassment. We have some fab retro leather jacket in stock and a selection of 70s dresses for which sunglasses may be required! And while Alex Drake tottered about in high heels like these and donned highly impractical white leather gear and some distinctly dodgy off the shoulder numbers for work as a DI at Fenchurch East, Ray seemed almost surgically attached to his leather bomber jacket. Those were the days…
As a consolation, Gok’s Fashion Fix is back and got off to a flying start last night on Channel 4 with the “buy less, wear more” message. He is a savvy stylist who, we are pleased to say, recognises the potential of vintage pieces to personalise an ordinary high street outfit. Brix Smith-Start, the designer junkie he vies with every week to win over an audience with his high street chic, may have her work cut out this series as we are all having our belts forcibly tightened to reduce the domestic deficit and won’t have the budget for many (or even any) £800 dresses. The solution is to shop smart at stores like The Frockery – but we would say that, wouldn’t we?
Tags: 80s fashion, ashes to ashes, gene hunt, Gok Wan
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Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
We have just added a few more pieces to the catalogue, including a beautiful 1970s Marion Donaldson deep red velvet and lace dress and the cutest retro red pleated skirt from Clockhouse.
We also have quite number of Laura Ashley summer dresses in stock, mostly size 8/10, which will be making their way onto the website in the next week or so, as well as a selection of scarves, shoes and accessories to put some spring into your wardrobe.
And don’t forget that Ashes to Ashes is back for its third series starting Friday 2nd  April! We are all looking forward to revisiting the 80s and catching up with our favourite Gene Genie.
Tags: ashes to ashes, clock house, frockery, Marion Donaldson, update
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Friday, March 12th, 2010
We have been missing in action on the Frockery Talk front lately as it has been so busy here. We have, however, been enjoying modest success in matching items to customers’ requests, although some we are unfortunately unable to fulfil.
This week we have been sorting through lovely Laura Ashley dresses, cowboy shirts and a selection of trench coats, all of which should soon be making an appearance in the catalogue. We have also just taken delivery of a beautiful vintage 1970s dress by Marion Donaldson, one of our favourite designers. And just how cute are these 80s pink court shoes?
Our new website is still at the planning stage, but we are making progress. Thanks to all who have contributed suggestions for additions and improvements, either directly or via Twitter. We are hoping to launch a brand new site by the summer and it’s all very exciting!
Tags: frockery, retro shoes, update
Posted in Fashion, General, retro clothing, vintage clothing | No Comments »
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
We have been quiet on the frock talk front due to being so very busy over the past few weeks. While the recession is undoubtedly causing many people to rethink their spending habits, The Frockery remains an ever popular choice for eco friendly fashionistas on a budget who demand value for money without compromising on style.
We just love the uniqueness of vintage pieces but we also enjoy rehoming quality contemporary items, many of which have never been worn by their original owners. With most of our dresses under £20 and a full catalogue of vintage, retro and recycled fashion to choose from, you can’t go wrong!
Tags: credit crunch, frockery
Posted in budget fashion, ethical fashion, Fashion, General, green fashion, Online Shopping, retro clothing, vintage clothing | No Comments »
Monday, May 11th, 2009
At last the sun is breaking through in this corner of north east Scotland. Let’s hope it lasts so that we can give the woolly jumpers a bit of a rest.
It’s been a busy couple of weeks, with many of our recently added Clearance items having been quickly snapped up. We have also managed some successful sourcing of items for customers with specific requirements and have received some great feedback. We were especially delighted to hear that another bride-to-be will be wearing some of our frockery at her wedding next week.
The return of Ashes to Ashes seems to have fuelled a growing demand for 80s fashion, which – like Marmite – you either love or hate. As we have previously mentioned, what we all agree on here is that the gorgeous Philip Glenister (Gene Hunt) is unmissable!
Tags: 80s fashion, ashes to ashes, frockery, sourcing, update
Posted in Fashion, General, Nostalgia, Online Shopping, retro clothing, vintage clothing | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
The credit crunch is taking its toll on household budgets everywhere as the cost of living continues to soar, with upwardly mobile mortgage payments, escalating fuel prices and public transport fares making ever greater demands on all our disposable incomes.  Meanwhile, as the credit card bills continue to roll in as regular reminders of our buy now, pay later festive spending activities, it’s time to take firm financial action if we are to get back on budget.Â
In the depths of winter, however, we all need a few little indulgences to help us beat the cold weather blues and there is nothing like a new (or nearly new) fashion look to make us feel like the million dollars we don’t have! Fortunately for frugal fashionistas, The Frockery specialises in the sort of fashion which suits small budgets and, literally, doesn’t cost the earth. We endeavour to bring our customers the very best in pre-loved apparel, from vintage and retro fashion to top quality contemporary labels which have been worn only once or twice or sometimes not at all. Â
The Frockery motto is simple: why buy new when it is more fashionable, frugal and eco-friendly to go retro?  Â
As veteran collectors, buyers and sellers of pre-owned, vintage and retro clothing and accessories from eras gone by, mainly the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, The Frockery team are big fans of the ‘slow fashion’ genre which celebrates sustainability and ethical elegance as opposed to the disposable fast fashion clone culture which dominates today’s high streets. Â
London Fashion Week has once again demonstrated that designers are continuing to borrow from the past for inspiration and we can all take a leaf out of their style files. There is no need to spend a fortune on the latest fashion trends when these are so often derived from bygone eras and you can adapt, reinvent and accessorise items from the back of your own wardrobe for next to nothing. Failing that, come and have a browse through The Frockery virtual rails for some affordable vintage fashion – or else just some good old fashioned inspiration!
Tags: budget fashion, ethical fashion, fashion designers, living lightly, London Fashion Week, retro clothing, slow fashion, vintage clothing
Posted in budget fashion, eco-style, Environment, ethical fashion, Fashion, green fashion, Online Shopping, pre-owned fashion, retro clothing, vintage clothing | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
It has been a case of ‘frocks around the clock’ since the turn of the year as The Frockery has been coping with an increase in orders from customers new and not-so-new. Vintage and retro party dresses have been in particular demand throughout January and many of our own favourites have found new appreciative homes.
Meanwhile, there is evidence of some serious green resolutions being made and kept by a number of our customers who are moving house, downsizing or just having a good clear-out. This has resulted in The Frockery taking delivery of some fabulous pieces for our catalogue, so look out especially for the arrival of some glam 80s frockery which would have had Joan Collins and Victoria Principal tearing each other’s hair out over back in the good old days of Dynasty and Dallas!
The 80s look certainly seems to be enjoying something of a revival among the younger set, who are once more embracing shoulder pads and over-the-top statement outfits like we all used to (without even a hint of embarrassment!) Frank Usher dresses are endlessly appealing for posh parties and proms and the more colourful and dramatic the better!
Vintage and retro themed parties appear to be gaining in popularity and The Frockery has recently helped dress a newly 40 year old for her 1960s themed birthday party, as well as a newly 50 year old who wanted a memorable 1950s look for her half century celebration. Meanwhile, one of our younger fashionistas stuck to a 1980s theme for her 21st birthday party when she and her friends got fully into the spirit of the era, ably assisted by The Frockery team, a supply of sparkling wine, some retro fashion magazines and an original December 1986 copy of Vogue.
Still on the subject of vintage themed events, we have also just had notice of the dates for this year’s Culzean Autoclassica international heritage motoring event in Ayrshire which will be another great opportunity to dress up in period costume from the 40s, 50s, 60s or 70s to reflect a particular transport era. Billed as Scotland’s equivalent to the Goodwood Revival weekend, it promises to be a fantastic event for all the family and will take place at Culzean Castle, Maybole, Ayrshire from Thursday 21st to Monday 25th August 2008.
Tags: 60s fashion, 80s fashion, 80s style, auto heritage, autoheritage, dress agency, frank usher, pre-owned fashion, re-enactment, retro clothing, retro themes, themed events, vintage clothing
Posted in Fashion, green fashion, Nostalgia, Online Shopping, pre-owned fashion, re-enactment, recycled fashion, retro clothing, themed parties, Uncategorized, vintage clothing | No Comments »
Saturday, December 29th, 2007
The Frockery team are back to business after two days of turkey (and vegetarian alternative) consumption, but we are already planning to enter into the spirit of Hogmanay and a new year next week. In Scotland we celebrate for longer than those south of the border and so will be closed on New Year’s Day and 2nd January, but customers can of course still place orders at any time.
Christmas for us was a time to stop, relax and recharge the batteries after a busy year with scarcely any respite, especially as the festive season approached. Party frocks in particular were flying off the rails until the last possible posting date (and beyond), but the most sought after item this year was a cute retro reindeer sweater, of which we only had one and which very quickly found a loving new home.
Since we re-opened for business on 27th December, we have had an increase in visitors and our stats tell us that, even on Christmas Day, we had 58 intrepid fashionistas surfing through our frocks! Having braved Glasgow city centre the other day during the sales, we can happily say that online shopping remains our own preferred method of buying goods and services. It’s not only easier on the pocket and the planet – it also helps preserve one’s sanity!
As 2007 draws to a close, we would like to thank our customers for shopping with us. We have got to know some lovely people over this past year and really appreciate their feedback, which tells us that, despite postal strikes and occasional delayed or missing parcels, we have usually managed to get things right.
Our first Frockery fashion challenge proved a great success and we are hoping to repeat it in 2008. We also have a few surprises up our vintage and retro fashion sleeves, so keep dropping by for the latest Frockery news.
Tags: budget fashion, Christmas, retro clothing, vintage clothing
Posted in budget fashion, Christmas, Environment, Fashion, green fashion, Online Shopping, retro clothing, vintage clothing | No Comments »
Monday, October 29th, 2007
We have had lots of great customer feedback over the past few weeks (thank you all!) and are now working on a few new ideas to improve The Frockery shopping experience for the many vintage and retro clothing fans out there, as well as for those who are simply looking for pre-owned contemporary pieces that will neither break the bank nor cost the earth.
A ‘search by size’ function is planned, and we have also received requests for a wider selection of ladies clothes which are bigger than a size 14. Since retro and vintage clothes tend to be on the small, if not tiny, side (as we were all a lot smaller back then) it is often more difficult to source larger sizes from past decades, but we are certainly on the case! Meanwhile, we have a few larger size posh frocks in stock, such as this black and gold glitzy party dress, which is sure to turn heads over the festive season and beyond.
Tags: budget fashion, eco-style, plus size fashion, pre-owned clothing, recycled fashion, recycling, retro clothing, vintage clothing
Posted in budget fashion, Environment, Online Shopping, recycling, retro clothing, vintage clothing | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007
The Frockery has launched its first Fifty Quid Fashion Challenge in which its website visitors are being asked to put together a stylish look for a given occasion for £50 or less.
Challengers are being invited to submit an entry to one or both of the following categories: an outfit for a office based job interview; a festive party outfit. Entrants are also being asked to state in no more than 20 words why their chosen outfit deserves to win the Frockery Fifty Quid Challenge.
The closing date for completed challenges is 30 November 2007 and the winner of each category will receive goods of their choice from The Frockery website to the value of £50, with one runner up from each category receiving goods to the value of £25.
With the extra financial demands of the festive season now looming, dedicated fashionistas still want to look chic, but preferably without breaking the bank. We hope the Frockery Fifty Quid Fashion Challenge will help more people realise that you can dress for less, yet still stay stylish.
The Frockery offers an affordable and sustainable alternative for style conscious and environmentally aware consumers who neither want to max out their credit cards on expensive designer labels nor settle for same and soulless ‘fast’ fashion.
Recycling fashion makes perfect sense from the point of view of both the planet and the wallet. At The Frockery, we take great pleasure in finding new appreciative owners for pre-loved quality clothing and accessories and we want to remind people that looking stylish need not cost the earth.
Tags: budget fashion, Competitions, ethical fashion, fashion recycling, green fashion, pre-owned clothing, recycling, retro, retro clothing, vintage, vintage clothing
Posted in budget fashion, Competitions, eco-style, Environment, green fashion, Online Shopping, recycling, retro clothing, vintage clothing | 2 Comments »
