Rockabilly Daily Essentials

Always a trend setter, never a follower. Joan Crawford remains a timeless icon in Rockabilly fashion and style. With an all time favourite fashion quote from the lady herself :-

"1.Find your own style and have the courage to stick to it. 2. Choose your clothes for your way of life. 3. Make your wardrobe as versatile as an actress. It should be able to play many roles. 4. Find your happiest colours - the ones that make you feel good. 5. Care for your clothes, like the good friends they are!” Joan Crawford

When wearing Rockabilly fashions its not all about taking hours and hours of dressing up to achieve pinup perfection on a daily basis. Rockabilly girls can easily maintain their sexy style with everyday outfits and a few basic essentials.

1. Hair and Make-Up
Bandanas, Roses and Hair Rolls are a simple way to keep within the Rockabilly theme. Slap on some red lippy and black eyeliner to create effortless flicks. Plus if you wear glasses then add a pair of retro- statement specs.

2. Jewellery
Rockabilly or Tattoo inspired jewellery usually involves a statement necklace or brooch, and earrings which are usually very budget friendly, and is something we all hunt for!

3. Rockabilly Prints and Patterns
Polka dots, leopard print, nautical prints, tattoo prints in red, black, blue and white are all timeless Rockabilly colours that can be mixed and matched easily with wardrobe staples. For summer gingham, floral and fruity prints work really well too.

4. Wardrobe Essentials
Pencil or swing skirts are an absolute must have and jeans can be cropped, tight fitting or high-waisted to flatter and give the shape you want to but still let you rock and roll!

5. Handbags
Finally make sure you pick out the perfect vintage style handbag to complete your 1950's look.

Visit www.rockabillypinup.co.uk for more

Rockabilly Rolls- All you need to know on Rockabilly hair!

There are a few things that anyone has to keep in mind when getting their Rockabilly hair just right. Here is a quick guide on the main elements of doing just that.

The Haircut: Having the right hair style is an essential aspect of the Rockabilly look. You need to keep to the 'era', which would be mostly the 1940's and 50's, and your cut must be simple as well as practical. It should be able to be styled in many different ways. For this style your hair will be cut to approximately four inches throughout. This is apart from the sections in front of the ears which will be a little shorter. This length allows for a good 'curling' of hair all over the head. Platinum blonde is a great style but dyed-black hair is a 'classic' Rockabilly look. 

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   Bettie Page: The Bettie Page style is the essential hairstyle of the Rockabilly Pin Up look. Named after the (in)famous 1950's pin-up model and actress, the fringe is short and straight across the forehead to show off strongly shaped eyebrows, whilst the rest of the hair is longer, preferably up to shoulder length. This long hair is often pulled back into a high pony tail, or it can also be curled and left hanging over the shoulders.
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   Victory Rolls: This is a style straight from the 1940's. Sections of hair are rolled up and pinned to the head to create tube-like structures of hair. It is so popular with this neo-vintage trend as it is not a style that is static. This look also has the shorter strands of hair at the front of the ears too. Victory rolls can also be stacked one on top of the other should you need a little extra height.
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   Pin Curls: Pin curls are made by rolling up sections of damp hair around a finger, then sliding them off and pinning the curls to the head using pins - hence the name. They work in the same way as Victory rolls do, except they're smaller. Once the hair is dry you can brush out the hair to create waves if you wish. This makes for a really great relaxed and free, loose hair styled look. Pink does an amazing updated version of pin curls, albeit with one side of her head shaved.
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   Bouffant: One of the more classic Rockabilly hairstyles that women can have is the bouffant, also known as a 'beehive'. The hair on top of the head is sprayed, teased and combed into position so that it gives the hair a raised structure. This look can have several variations. For instance, you may want to have a short 'Bettie Page' fringe at the front for a more modern look.
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   Hair Scarves: There is nothing more Rockabilly than a patterned hair scarf! Pull up your hair from the back, support it with the scarf and tie a bit knot at the front of the band. And the choice of patterns available is ample. Paisley, floral, anchors, skulls, and tattoos to name but a few. There is a super selection of Rockabilly scarves at Rockabilly Pin Up too!

Brighten Up your Rockabilly Wardrobe

As grey winter skies seem to be lingering on it doesn't mean you can't brighten up your Rockabilly wardrobe. Vivid, bright colours are the latest trend, so adding a few inspiring dresses will  liven up your usual style.

Keep it fresh and modern with the Blue Atomic City Frock, this dress by Limb Vanity Project has a fitted bodice with a flattering crossover sweetheart neckline plus a detachable fabric covered belt at the waist.

This White & Red rose print dress which features black ribbon lacing at the waist  is seriously eye catching, as vintage-inspired frocks never lose their appeal and work whatever the weather.

While the Purple Gingham Summer dress will lift your spirits, this simple style is the easiest way to add a splash of colour to your look.

Utterly delicious, this strapless Strawberry retro dress is great  for parties, just team with your favourite heels to mix and match for any occasion.

Boost your confidence and feel like you just stepped off the catwalk with the gorgeous Camilia Summer Flower dress an absolute bargain as it is on sale too!

For more inspiration looks visit www.rockabillypinup.co.uk

How to wear Polkadots

Polkadots are feminine and playful and a wardrobe favourite for every Rockabilly Girl, this vintage inspired print can be worn anywhere and for any occasion. These delightful spots are simply everywhere; in store, on celebrities, in magazines and at Rockabilly Pinup!

Add a hint of  colour by mixing in spots on solid colour with this Suzy Parker vintage style dress by Hell Bunny with a clever detachable bow to dress up or down.

Bold white spots on black equals love at first sight with this Black Party Dress. Break it up with a dashing red belt and heels.

You can’t go wrong with a Polkadot Cardigan paired with this season's ultimate wardrobe essential, denim, for effortless style and a great transition into Spring.

If you are not feeling as adventurous when it comes to prints, adding a smaller dotted print may liven up your wardrobe like a simple print headband or hair accessory.

For more inspiring polkadot looks visit www.rockabillypinup.co.uk

Rockabilly Shoes

Getting your glam Rockabilly dress or one piece sorted for that special day out is all well and good but what about accessorising? 

For example your shoes, what you wear on your feet is just as important as anything else. In fact some Rockabilly princesses will tell you that their shoes are the most important part of their outfit. Not sure what to look for when picking out your own perfect pair? Here are just some main features that go into making those Rockabilly shoes great!  

Peek-a-boo tootsies: This isn't essential for your Rockabilly footwear to have this but it sure is cool! Just a cheeky glimpse of that neatly painted big toe nail can make all the difference and make a brilliant retro look. It's very 1950's and ultra chic at the same time, peep toe gaps will add a quirky twist to your footwear.  

Pretty prints: This is such a hot key element to add to your retro vintage look. Rockabilly prints give you the chance to really stand out from the crowds-whether you opt for big bright pink flamingo's or those cute leopard spot prints, anything goes. This is even more so when it comes to your shoes. Colour and print clashing is also allowed so wear your animal prints with your skull and roses if you like.

Heels: Whether it's those skinny itty bitty long heels, or the more chunkier square shaped ones. Heels in whatever shape or size are a big part of your Rockabilly shoes. Not only do they give you height but you get a great feminine posture through wearing them. They tense up your calf and thigh muscles and give you a great posture almost instantly. Can't wear sky scraper heels? Well even the mid length heels can be just as effective, so long as you actually have some height on your feet. Mary Jane's and flat ballerina pumps can look cute too, but heels really do add some ladylike class to your ensemble.

Bows: Printed or plain ribbons are cute on any part of your Rockabilly outfit. Whether on a hair fascinator style piece right down to the shoes. Over sized bows look are just the ticket for that 'Disney' effect. The celebrities love the sugary sweet effect from Lady Gaga to Katy Perry. Bright pink bows on your shoes are uber cool!

Customising your shoes: Have you searched high and low and not been able to find exactly what you are looking for? Feeling a bit creative? Well get out your beads and sequins, using your needle and thread make those plain heels really sparkle. You can sew on those tiny skull and cross bone decals too. If you are more of a girls girl then something as simple as pearl beads could do the trick. You could try attaching novelty patches of ghouls too, you can't go wrong with an eclectic look.  

There is no right or wrong look for Rockabilly shoes only that they are feminine, so you can rock that funky footwear with any Rockabilly outfit! 

Cherrie Mae Models for Rockabilly Pinup

We were delighted when gorgeous model Cherrie Mae visited our local photographer Nils Bratby of Immortaleye Photography a few weeks ago.  During her photoshoot she modelled some of our newer items including the Hearts & Roses Hibiscus Summer Dresses and the Hell Bunny Hula Top, Candy Skirt and red polkadot Pauline Dress.  She also wore some of the cute wired headbands including the sripes, poppies and vintage birds prints.

Style File: Shirt and Tea Dresses for Rockabilly

With warmer days heading our way,  it's worth embracing a more feminine look if you’ve been buried under boring winter woolies over the past few months. A fashion week favourite was the shirt / tea dress inspired looks which for rockabilly is a great way to indulge in our ladylike obsession.

Don't shy away from bold prints this season, anyone can look amazing in prints but just don't overdo the accessories and get the styling just right. We love this 1940's inspired crossover sweetheart Frida Khalo Print Tea Dress.

Showcasing a monochrome blue polka dot print this Vintage Cotton shirt dress is dainty yet still makes a statement and will fast become a spring staple in your wardrobe. Dress up with a petticoat and party shoes for any occasion.

While we are dreaming of  spring the weather isn't quite playing ball just yet.  We have chosen this Peacock Tea Dress by Vanity Project Limb  - colourful enough to brighten up a dreary day, but stylish, too.  Layer up for chilly days and team with sandals and sunnies come summer.

This Valerie Dress by Limb with its retro herons & fans print, its calming teal hue and pencil skirt, is a wardrobe winner on a hot day.

Or go for something slightly more sophisticated like the Red Shirt Dress by Glamour Bunny,  popular with Dita Von Teese and similar to Nigella's red-hot wiggle dress for classic eye catching style.

Take a look at www.rockabillypinup.co.uk for more.