We show you how to take a basic from your own wardrobe and work that
retro look with accessories from charity and vintage shops.

Clare Hawkin

Tucked away in Almshouse Arcade in Chichester is a treasure trove full of vintage clothing which is just the ticket if you're looking for an authentic Revival outfit.

I had no idea what look to go for, but I did have a good base: a modern,
1950s-style, ankle-length black dress, with an elegant cut similar to the swing dresses which were all the rage back then.

Owner Sue Turvil is well versed in all looks of yesteryear and with her
help I picked out a pretty velvet hat, vintage 1950s, the kind Julianne Moore wears in the film Far From Heaven.

It's more unusual than the pill box-type hats, and has something of the Tudor period about it, sitting just on the crown of the head.

A Revival girl always needs gloves, and for contrast with the black I
chose a mid-length pair in a champagne colour.

To match my linen dress we picked out a black frame-type bag. They are just lovely, and make a very satisfying 'click' as you close the catch.

Although not strictly in keeping with the look, but in still in tune with the era, Sue chose a red belt to break up the black which worked
well with the shape of the dress.

A pair of rather sassy stilettos, (which are rather tricky to walk in!)
plus a string of vintage beads and a fur stole for a touch of luxury topped the look.

Gazing in the mirror, I certainly felt like I'd stepped back in time, and I have to say, I felt a million dollars.

Sandra's, 9 Almshouse Arcade, 19 The Hornet, Chichester. 07951 835271. Open 10am-5pm.

Clare's accessories: Genuine 1950s hat (velvet and raffia) £15; 1950s stilettos, made by Merrywell of London £10; gloves: £3; pearls £10; stole £16; handbag £10; belt £5.


Clare Wallace

At last year's revival I dressed up but felt I could have made a bit more effort.

So, when I went along to St Wilfrid's dress agency to choose some
accessories to 'glam up' my staple midlength black dress, I was determined this time to have all the right pieces.

Manager Sue Painter helped me scour the rails for some inspiration. To start me off she found me a lovely headband from, I think, the late 40s/50s, which had a very sweet net with polka dots.

Amazingly, I found some long, suede black gloves, which although tiny
enough for a child, just about fitted my fairly small hands.

Equally, my feet were too small for the ever-so-slightly-too-big shoes I plumped for, but they were comfortable, and that's always important for walking around the Revival.

It was difficult to choose between the black satin handbag and the cream embroidered clutch, but the latter seemed more authentic as it
had a loop which I could slip my hand into, which, as well as giving it show, freed up my fingers.

It also contrasted well with the black items.

The piece de resistance though had to be the beautiful cream silk frock coat.

Seeing its Mayfair label re-enforced my belief that it was of the highest quality and yet a snip at just £15. The whole outfit totalled just £39.

The great thing about getting accessories from a charity shop is you can recycle them the next year, and effectively donate twice, or keep them which I will be doing, and stand out in style at the
next special occasion you go to.

Chanel chic ... cheap.

St Wilfrid's dress agency, St Martin's Street, Chichester. 01243 778840.

Clare's accessories: Headband with net £4; embroidered clutch bag £5; long suede gloves £3; shoes £12; silk frock coat £15.


Liane Oldham

Recently I had a monumental clear out of my wardrobe, so when I was asked to put together an outfit for this year's Revival there was some
degree of panic.

Fortunately help was at hand.

After unearthing a simple, V-necked cotton dress which I bought in
Chichester several years ago, I made for the Cancer Research UK charity shop in South Street.

Gladys Seeds and Lyn Day who work there both have a specialist interest in vintage fashion and spent time advising me on how to accessorize my dress into an outfit Grace Kelly would have been proud of.

I found myself feeling like I did as a child when we used to pull things out of the dressing-up box, and was almost stupidly excited when
Gladys and Lyn produced a vintage cape straight from the 1940s and an
elegant hat reminiscent of the ones Wallis Simpson wore, as well as some
authentic round-toed, T-bar shoes.

We added to this a beautiful pair of satin gloves with pearl buttons, a
vintage leather handbag and some wonderful pearl earrings and choker.

The revivalist look was complete. They even managed to find me a miniature Union Jack flag to wave.

Cancer Research UK introduced vintage products into its Chichester branch seven years ago and since then it has gone from strength to strength.

"Our busiest time for vintage is undoubtedly the weeks before the
Goodwood Revival, but people also come in looking for it all year round," says
Gladys.
"My dream," adds Lyn, "would be to have a whole week devoted to all things vintage just before the Revival. Our bestsellers are always handbags, especially small vanity ones and gloves, hats and jewellery. Even old suitcases and trunks are popular."

I just loved dressing up in a look that, just for one afternoon, made me feel as glamorous as Audrey Hepburn.

Cancer Research UK, South Street, Chichester. 01243 779732.

Liane's accessories: Vintage cape £25; T-bar shoes £15, satin gloves £9; leather handbag £15; pearl earrings and choker £15; hat £15.


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