Thread: Help needed with retro / rockabilly look

OK - so this isn't technically a burlesque query but I hope that someone can help anyway.

I sing in a five-piece vocal group called The Flash Gordons and we do four-part harmonies to a massive range of things from Rocky Horror's Science Fiction/Double Feature to The Italian Job (Self Preservation Society) to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah by way of the Doctor Who theme tune, some sixties classics and even a couple of gospel tracks.

We are thinking about our image as printed t-shirts just aren't going to cut it. I felt really inspired having visited Vivien of Holloway's website and thought that a retro-cool look would probably suit us as we have someone in their teens as well as several people in their thirties so it would be age appropriate and suitable for several different body shapes. I thought that we could get the guys the half-panel shirts and perhaps trilbies if they felt the urge and the girls could have the fit and flare halterneck dresses with contrasting belts and optional boleros/flowers/petticoats. We'd have different variations on a set colour scheme so that we didn't look identical. The problem is that when I called the company they aren't stocking mens clothing at the moment as they are so busy with the girlie stuff and they don't make things to order. Also one of our girls doesn't want to wear a halterneck as she says she has small shoulders (although I can't see it) and I had hoped that the company might be able to do a dress with straps instead.

Does anyone have the contact of a similar supplier or any suggestions for what we might do? The group agreed that Vivien of Holloway's prices were reasonable but that we couldn't afford much more than that which kind of cancels out getting someone to make bespoke outfits. You are all so lovely and stylish that I'm sure you'll have a much better idea about these things than I do.

Help would be appreciated! :help:

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Get the girls stuff from VoH, and source men's looks elsewhere? Might I suggest black suits, black trillbies (I heartily recommend TheFedoraStora.com) and appropriately-coloured shirts/braces (with buttons, not clips)/ties/wingtip shoes? If they don't want to spend a fortune sourcing interesting vintage and vintage inspired stuff for guys (which, frankly, is a nightmare), that's your best bet.

Guy styling is really often about the accessories more than anything - add a good hat and it takes most looks back a few decades.

Originally Posted by Velvet Voix de Ville

OK - so this isn't technically a burlesque query but I hope that someone can help anyway.

I sing in a five-piece vocal group called The Flash Gordons and we do four-part harmonies to a massive range of things from Rocky Horror's Science Fiction/Double Feature to The Italian Job (Self Preservation Society) to Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah by way of the Doctor Who theme tune, some sixties classics and even a couple of gospel tracks.

We are thinking about our image as printed t-shirts just aren't going to cut it. I felt really inspired having visited Vivien of Holloway's website and thought that a retro-cool look would probably suit us as we have someone in their teens as well as several people in their thirties so it would be age appropriate and suitable for several different body shapes. I thought that we could get the guys the half-panel shirts and perhaps trilbies if they felt the urge and the girls could have the fit and flare halterneck dresses with contrasting belts and optional boleros/flowers/petticoats. We'd have different variations on a set colour scheme so that we didn't look identical. The problem is that when I called the company they aren't stocking mens clothing at the moment as they are so busy with the girlie stuff and they don't make things to order. Also one of our girls doesn't want to wear a halterneck as she says she has small shoulders (although I can't see it) and I had hoped that the company might be able to do a dress with straps instead.

Does anyone have the contact of a similar supplier or any suggestions for what we might do? The group agreed that Vivien of Holloway's prices were reasonable but that we couldn't afford much more than that which kind of cancels out getting someone to make bespoke outfits. You are all so lovely and stylish that I'm sure you'll have a much better idea about these things than I do.

Help would be appreciated! :help:

Ah, you sound very similar to the band I sing with apart from the fact that there are eight of us!!

We have a different look for each set we do - this is a photo of us doing our swing set

I made the men's high waisted trousers and will be selling them shortly on my website - I also make various styles of swing and pin-up dresses (only one style is on the website at present but more are being added soon!!!)

Let me know if there's anything in particular that you are after - I may be able to help!!

Miss Annie
Burlesque Or Bust - Burlesque & Retro Inspired Clothing & Lingerie

Men's high-waisted trousers you say? Hmmm... where do I sign?

They look pretty good too on the right person!!! I made my boys theirs about three years ago and have been meaning to make a load to sell from my website -it's the usual story though of too much to do and not enough time to do it in!!!!

If you want me to make you a pair to order PM with your waist and inside leg measurements and your fabric preference - I use standard suiting fabric which is available in most colours and in black/white pinstripe - the price/pair is £45.00 including postage (in the UK) I must warn you though they will take a few weeks as I'm in the process of costuming a show (ah ha, perfect time for a plug!!!) Happy As A Sandbag
Happy as a Sandbag | The Regent Centre - I'm also performing in it so as you can imagine the next two weeks are going to be very busy!!!!

Miss Annie
Burlesque Or Bust - Burlesque & Retro Inspired Clothing & Lingerie

Hey hon, The Lady Burns made me a dress recently like the ones you describe, (there's some pics on my website, its red ad white polkadot,) she does them with all different necklines. I'm not sure if she does mens shirts but you could ask I guess.

Sorry to take a while to reply to your posts - I've been trying to catch up on work and stay away from the addictive site for a while as I'm paid by the task and the MoB website is not really conducive to workplace productivity!

Mr Volatile Sir - I'll bounce your ideas off our guys because in the end they have to wear the clothes and feel good to sing in them so I'll see what they say. I think it's a plan as I'm not so impressed with the results of my Googling so thanks for that.

Miss Annie - I'll drop you a PM about dresses with different necklines and possibly the trousers too.

Miss Betty D - will drop an email to Lady Burns via the Bordello website.

All good stuff and cheers guys. Back to work again now. Boo. :thumbsdown: