The 8 Steps To Success

As we today conclude our whistle stop tour of the dapper gent’s wardrobe, let us review what we have learned – the whys and wherefores, the pros and pitfalls, when less is more, when more is more, when more is less…

1. “Vintage” is a very generic term.

Technically curtains and shell suits are now vintage.  We recommend that you go aim to replicate an era which is not quite so flammable.

2. Chat up your mum or granny’s pals.

Ladies of a certain age love sewing. And they love talking about the “olden days”. Proposition one.  You may also benefit from baked goods during fittings and get referred to a lot as “young man” – great for every 20/30 something’s ego.

3. Get inspired!

Take heed of vintage poster-boys including silver screen legends and musicians. By all means experiment with their facial furniture and hair-dos to see if they put a skip in your step.

4. Have patience.

To carry off this look will require a certain amount of trawling of charity shops, ebay, websites and retro emporiums, after all, you’re relying on finding something you authentic that you like in the size you need!

5. Suits you, sir.

Remember that badly fitting gear will never make you look ridey and that just because something looks good on the hanger/someone else, it may make you look like a grade A twit.  We’re aiming for good fit.  Things can be made smaller or shorter but never bigger, or longer with the help of a reliable dressmaker. We’re aiming for quality – “second hand” does not mean “fit for the bin-man”.

6. A woman’s touch.

If in doubt take your wife/sister/girlfriend/girl-friend/mummy to the shops with you or perhaps hold a little fashion show for them in the lounge, featuring all your latest Ebay finds and providing some light martini-based refreshments.  They won’t let you leave the house looking like a tit – unless you’re really annoying and regularly say things like “Is that what you’re wearing?” ten minutes before they are due to leave the house.

7. Don’t be a snob.

Certain vintagistas will disagree with me on this but I think it’s really important.  You will not always be able to find every single piece of the outfit you so desperately require in a vintage store and you may have to resort to (deh deh DEH!) the high street.

Supplement your vintage finds with fresh white tshirts a la James Dean (avoids the pitfalls of inherited pit stains) and sharp well-fitting shirts, their colours unfaded by time and their collars un-sullied by years of sweaty necks. Many high street shops currently stock amongst their seasonal trends Mad Men influenced tailoring, Quadrophenia-inspired mod pieces and quiff-tastic rockabilly replicas, all cut for the modern silhouette.  Try the eras on for size and see what you like. If this makes me a traitor to the vintage cause do feel free to send me your complaints which I will file under party-pooper.

8. Make it work for you.

A head-to-toe period outfit lovingly put together, researched and tailored will not always be appropriate for every day situations or for every man’s shape.  It’s a great idea to start off, particularly if you are a little shy or new to old-fashioned style, with well-fitting vintage items you can work into your existing wardrobe – a really great period coat, a well-cut suit, a pair of swing trousers (with braces if you don’t have love handles) or a cute tank top (if you don’t have a beer gut), for example. Anyone who pulls you up on your ingenious amalgamation of eras is most likely an arse.  Do it your way.

So Kevin, if you’re still about our Facebook, and other men who were too shy to ask, we hope this helps you on your road to getting dolled up!

Signing off,

/Gok

Cause every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man!

Welcome back loyal readers. Let us continue on our path to enlightenment, tracking down those who are dressed up like a million-dollar trooper and tryin’ hard to look like Gary Cooper, in the hope that we can pin down exactly what it is that makes a man look really damn good in vintage gear.

Let us call to the pulpit of style our next subject.

It’s normally him introducing us but for one night only, ladies and gentlemen, it’s Tadhg Morgan! Burlesque promoter, purveyor of kink, and man about town in a cravat, Tadhg enjoys the finer things in life and is partial to ladies with wobbly thighs.

When did your interest in vintage fashion start?
As far back as I can remember! I’ve always loved old films and admired classic male style. My grandfather was quite an influence as he was a tailor and rather fussy with it. Still, I’d like to point out the difference between fashion and style. I don’t much care for fashion! For me my style has become more of a statement, a way of expressing my feelings on the rest of the world, therefore the liner notes on those Nation Of Ulysses records were fairly influential also.

What other styles have you worn over the years? Any fashion disasters?
Oh, I was a baggy-trousered skateboarding hardcore kid. The disaster would be the half-mast jeans…

What blokes do you think have really good style?
Very few. I like Tim Wonnacott, but he’s just sprung into my head. Correct neckwear is usually the best indicator.

Oh dear, at least Scott gave us something to perve on…

Which birds do you think are well turned out?
Laura Henderson in the Rusty Zip. I have NEVER seen her look bad. She’s got great style. I’m sure I can think of others, give me time…

(4 weeks pass)

May I add Gizzy Erskine to my stylish lady list? Am I too late?

(You may add Gizzy Erskine, my dear.  Even though I think she’s a dreadful wench who tries to ruin perfectly good chocolate cake by hiding vegetables in it.  One should always approach a woman who hides veg in funny places with caution.)

Where do you go to look for new threads?
I don’t go out looking for them. The best finds are always opportunistic. I’m very lucky that way.

What’s your favourite outfit?
My blue houndstooth sports jacket and blue-grey slacks. Sometimes with a scarlet pullover, always with a white shirt and either a necktie or cravat.

We ladies do a lot of preening to keep ourselves looking super. When it comes to male grooming, how much do you do to keep looking dapper?
All a gentleman needs is a good razor and a good barber. Anything below the collar is best left alone.

Fair dos Tadhg!

Research phase complete.  Mission Dapper Gent will reach its climax later this week as we reveal the 8 steps to dapperifcation.

Cause every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man!

Us Babies like to be helpful whenever we can and, in the manner of Jimmy Saville or Anneka Rice, really enjoy both fixing things and a facing a challenge. When a lovely man called Kevin posted on our Facebook a while back about hints for getting decked out in some thoroughly dapper gear, we decided to investigate how some of our favourite vintagmistas (is that the masculine of “vintagista”?) look so dang well turned out.

We sought them here, we sought them there and, finally, here is the inside track on our very favourite dedicated followers of fashion.

First off the block it’s Mr Scott McGowan, lindy hop extraordinaire, one half of dancin’ duo the Stompin’ Hepcatz (alongside his beautiful missus Naomi), and winner of 2nd place in this year’s UK-wide Mr Vintage Twinwood competition! Let’s pick his brains!

When did your interest in vintage fashion start?
It started in 2007 after i asked Noms (my wonderful follow) to marry me. We started ballroom for the first dance and then moved on to lindyhop. From watching the old movies with lindyhop sequences, listening to the music and going to vintage events it was a natural progression to vintage fashion.

What other styles have you worn over the years? Any fashion disasters?
The worse thing to be photographed in was a purple/lumo green shell suit…..shudder. Others would be 80 break-dance style, and the renowned ginger spidey curtains.

TBF Scott, many of us fell foul of the shell suit’s luminous horrors – don’t beat yourself up. Unless you still wear it. Or put pictures of it on Facebook like you did with your curtains…

What blokes do you think have really good style?
Earl Flynn, Clark Gable, Cary Grant…

Which birds do you think are well turned out?
Naomi Magowan, of course!

Where do you go to look for new threads?

Ebay & PremierClothing.com are a good starting point, but my best friend’s mum Carol has made me 2 pairs of trousers and everyone has commented on them.

What’s your favourite outfit?
At the moment it’s my plus fours, tank top and dickie bow which I’ll be wearing at the next performance at 8 to the Bar, but you cant beat a high waisted pair of swing trouser, braces and a waistcoat!

Feeling inspired? Motivated to update/backdate your wardrobe?  Stay tuned for more later this week.

The Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk

Come for a walk down memory lane with the Whistle Bait Babies & the Alzheimer’s Society at the Memory Walk!

The Alzheimer’s Society’s annual Memory Walk raises money to care for those in Northern Ireland suffering from Alzheimer’s and to offer support to their families.  We’re all about a good cause at Babies HQ so we’re getting involved and urge you to come along for a lovely day out!

This year this smashing event will not only include a sponsored walk (which you can register for here or by calling Fionnuala on 028 9066 4100) but will also have a smashing vintage-themed fun day, with games, face-painting and a carousel for the children.  Those requiring sustinence can enjoy a delicious strawberry cream tea whilst listening to a wonderful brass band, watching a fashion show and clapping along as the Babies perform some wonderful new routines!

Even if you’re a total lazy-bum there’s no excuse – the sponsored walk can be as little as 1.25 miles so everyone can get involved!

Lots of love,

We’re all going on a Summer Holiday…

If life’s a beach, then you’ll have the time of your life!

Join us on 20th August for one last trip to the seaside with the Babies and the Belle Hoppers before the darker nights draw in.  We can’t guarantee you sand between your toes or the sound of crashing waves but we can promise you a dance floor beneath your feet, jumpin’ tunes from the most swingin’ DJs and performances to transport you to the boardwalk!

The Belle Hoppers present…
The 8 To The Bar “Beach Ball”
Saturday 20th August
7.30pm to late
Black Box, Belfast
Admission £6

So grab your main squeeze, hoke out your sun hat, and come on down for a cold beer.

Outside it may be drizzlin’ but inside, it’s sizzlin’…