Diana Dors: Portrait of a post war pin-up

Do blondes have more fun? Did 1950s bombshells have platinum curls, voluptuous curves, endless lashes and flirty dresses? Case closed! But while many of us now consider Marilyn Monroe the archetype of that very glamorous decade, all-American, windswept and pouty in that white dress, another blonde sex kitten was making waves on this side of the water. There’s a definite likeness, yes, but there’s a completely different story. And it deserves to be told. Step forward Diana Dors…Martha Hayes has the story.
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Kings of Vintage: The Zoot Suit Riots – fashion, rebellion and youth in Forties LA

During the Forties, American teens were at odds with the adults. They went to clubs that served oversized menus and soda and would listen to music by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong. They would go dancing in ballrooms, for walks with their sweethearts and took advantage of their time as youths. They danced the jitterbug, wore saddle shoes, oversized skirts, and Zoot Suits along with wide brimmed hats.  Our LA correspondent and Zoot Suit lover Vanessa Sandoval takes a look back in time.

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Study the Thirties way

The Thirties was an era of stylish, sophisticated clothes as the decadence of the Twenties flappers gave way to a more sombre era. Likewise, with interiors, the art deco flamboyance of Twenties design developed into a more elegant style. Nell Darby has a comprehensive guide to introducing some Thirties elegance to your study area.

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Queens meets vintage fashionista Natasha Bailie

Meet Natasha Bailie, the vintage fashion collector behind the Natasha Bailie Vintage Clothing Company. This online wardrobe is stocked full with beautiful hand-picked items, a real must for all vintage queens. Natasha chats to our Homes Editor Tara Gardner and offers all readers a 15% discount in her store.

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King of vintage bling: Kenneth Jay Lane

 ”Elegance, good taste and luxury never go out of style,” says Kenneth Jay Lane, the man who single-handedly made costume jewelry cool. Sara de Velasco reports on the king of vintage bling.
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