Spirit Of The Age - Jazz Age Garden Party

" Heather and I would like to congratulate Jude and yourself and everyone who worked so hard to ensure that those who attended Sezincote enjoyed such a memorable day. The setting of the house and its grounds provided a perfect backdrop for the evocative spectacle of so much treasured machinery".

Written comments from guests
at our previous party

Finding the right outfit is such fun:

you can hire it, buy it new, buy it secondhand, or have something made.

Hiring

Hiring is the easiest way. It's simple for both men and women to hire authentic clothing from TV and theatrical hire companies, such as:
     www.angels.co.uk (in north London)
    www.baththeatrical.co.uk (located in Frome)
    www.4rfv.co.uk (put in a 4rvf search for 'costume' and find dozens of places all over the country)
    www.bristolcostumeservices.com. (in Bristol).

If you go to your local joke shop for an outfit, you have to expect people to laugh at you!

Buying new

By definition it's almost impossible to buy new period clothes, but you can certainly find new clothes that are exactly in the Spirit of the Age.

Men are lucky in being able to find great new hats: men's hat shops will have some period-style hats, or try mail order: if you want to see the best and most expensive available go to Lock Hatters (hatters to the Prince of Wales), or they can be bought new very easily and cheaply on-line from America, such as the Fedoras from Village Hatshop. Probably the most comprehensive range available is at .Hats in the Belfry. Another useful link is Felt Hats, and you can find the world's largest hats company at.Miller hats so there's really no excuse. If you want to try something on, Billy-Jean Clothes at 208 Gloucester Road, Bristol, has a great range of new period-style hats at very reasonable prices (hatters to the students of Bristol). A new suit or sports jacket and trousers can look exceelent, if roughly in the right period. These clothes will fit perfectly and feel great. The best new shirts available in an authentic period style come from the The Vintage Shirt Company, who also sell period collars and accessories...not cheap but excellent quality.

Ladies can find lovely new period-lookng straw hats in most hat shops and department stores, and can also visit www.hatsinthebelfry.com for mail order. A new light summer dress can look absolutely delightful.

Buying 'Vintage clothing' secondhand

It's harder buying authentic period clothes that also fit well, although it's great fun looking in antique centres, vintage clothing fairs, and on eBay. If you like surfing the internet, start by searching for 'Vintage Clothes'. Genuine clothes from the period are really beautifully made, and have a lovely quality feel. Once you start collecting you'll get hooked; you can make great finds whenever you're out, and build a collection. We like these dealers, but you'll soon find your own sources:

Bristol
Samaya Ling   0117 3308200 www.samayalingvintagecollections.com

Bath
Vintage to Vogue, Milsom Street  01225 337323

Birmingham
Jean Dubbery 07778643656  www.jeans-stuff.co.uk

Cheltenham
Malcolm Wagner  01242 255958

Stroud
Hannah Whyman  01453 757864
Venus Vintage Boutique 01453 872757
La Belle Epoque 01453 832 949

Sidmouth
Sue Wilde 01395 577 966  www.wildewear.co.uk
Vintage and Revival Company 07980 156947

Kent
Kay Dubry 01689 855000

London
Elaine Bernstein 0207 2811591 www.gorgeousclothes.co.uk

Wales
Sue Foot, Pussyfoot vintage 01656 655355

For men, there are lots of suits available in charity shops which can look very good and can be easily altered by a tailor; authentic period men's hats are almost impossible to find in the shops.

You'll be able to buy some really fine period clothes and accessories at the bazaar at this year's Jazz Age Garden Party.

Getting something made

Ladies are fortunate in being able to get something specially made up quite easily: the best start on the internet is probably www.vpll.org, with a great selection of authentic period patterns which can be put in the post. Then just find some suitable period-looking fabric and a nice dressmaker, and you'll have clothes that look really authentic and fit perfectly.

Men can ask their tailor to make something really wonderful, but make sure he gets the cut right, with wide lapels, wide shoulders, tight waist, and full trousers.

'Glamour Sunday'

At last there's a party where you can really go to town. Glamour Sunday is the day when everyone dresses up to the nines, it's the fashion day to see and been seen.

On Glamour Sunday, the only limit to your glamour is your imagination.

Now find out what else you need to bring.

BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE PARTY here