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Spring 09 Trends - The Vintage Way!

Spring 2009 – How to wear the best trends the vintage way!

Recent catwalks from Milan, London, New York and Paris, have brought us a whole host of distinct yet wearable trends for the months ahead. World economics have finally filtered through to the fashion industry as we see a more sustainable season with bags more staying power. And there's plenty of reason for you to consider these trends from a different angle. Whether you're feeling the pinch financially, wanting to challenge fast throwaway fashion or are simply striving to be individual yet bang on trend, we'll show you how to do it the vintage way.

Statement necklaces

Probably the most fun and accessible area of vintage is accessories. They don't carry any size, last for years and can easily change or enhance an entire look. And the biggest accessory trend for 2009 has got to be the big, bold, statement necklace. Look for metals, leather, large beads, oversize sequins and neons. But most of all, make sure it's larger than life and can be worn with at least two of your favourite outfits! What's more, vintage costume jewellery isn't just in vintage shops and boutiques, it can be found in attics, jumble sales, charity shops and car boot sales. Seek and ye shall find.

Bright colours

It may sound simple, but bold block colours have been making quite a name for themselves so far this year. Approach this trend with careful thought – use colours that suit your hair tone and complexion and don't even think about killer head to toe co-ordination. Mish mash colours and clashing are welcomed – just make sure you keep it clean and bright. Vintage wise, go for the canary yellows of the sixties and the electric blues of the eighties. Nothing is forbidden within reason, and the odd splash of black or white is still allowed. And we promise you, by Summer you'll thank us for banishing your grey to the back of the wardrobe!

Tailored blazer

If you haven't got one already then why not? The tailored blazer is now officially a fashionista staple. Completely versatile, whether it be with denim and heels or a fabulous one shoulder dress, this is the trend that can transform literally any outfit in an ultra classy way. Take a dive in the world of vintage and you will find both long and cropped styles in an array of materials and patterns from tweed to tartan and beyond. Feature metallics with traditional buttons in gold or silver and tickle the eighties vibe with power dressing shoulder pads!

The outrageous top

Full artistic licence is given with this one. Remember what you feel comfortable in is still the most important factor, but don't be shy! We're talking sixties flower power, seventies ruffles and eighties lace – but the general rule of thumb is the more decorative the better. Whether is be a blouse, singlet, t-shirt, jumper or cami – remember it's all about the detail and there are definitely no holes barred. Choose wisely, this could be the most important purchase you make all year.

Floral Dress

Swoon! We've welcomed this trend with open arms and a spring in our step. By far the prettiest and most romantic notion we've seen for some time, and the most perfect vintage treasure hunt there is. There are styles that will suit any shape or height – halterneck, micro mini, floaty, fitted, wrap, flared and floor length. Forties and fifties tea dresses are certainly a favourite but lest we forget the sixties brought us a funkier edge with a flair in colour and cut. The soft glamorous romance of the seventies is truly adorable and of course the eighties brought back rose prints and decoupage. It's worth remembering that all these dainty little numbers look just as good with opaque tights and a blazer as they do with bare legs and pumps.

So there we have it, our first vintage led fashion trend guide, of course we'll keep you updated with new ways to work the trends of the moment and ensure you turn heads for all the right reasons!

About the Author

My Vintage are a leading online vintage & retro clothing retailer. Visit www.myvintage.co.uk for a wide range of vintage & retro clothing for men & women.

Copyright 2009, My Vintage. May be reprinted in its entirety with full credit given to My Vintage and a link to www.myvintage.co.uk

What is the general consensus on metal clarinets?

I play clarinet, and I just bought a vintage metal one for cheap at an antique store. It seems like they're more obscure than the dreaded curved soprano, and I was just wondering, do people not like the tone? Is there some other issue with them?

My Grandmother has one of these- they're so cool!

Actually, the issue isn't the tone... it's the "fad" mentality, to be honest!

In the mid 1800's, the Russian and Austrian military bands began using metal clarinets because they could withstand the weather better than wood clarinets- but they were made of brass, like the sax... European manufacturers tried to market the same clarinets to America, but found that the tone was too harsh and nobody bought them.

Then, around the 1920's, Harry Bettoney (Boston, Mass.) decided to change the metal... he remade the clarinet out of German silver, but kept all yellow metals and brass out. The result was the "Silva-bet". This was an amazing metal clarinet that not only retained the sound of the wooden ones, but also had better clarity, resonance, and played the higher notes in tune! This became a VERY popular clarinet... schools, military bands, pro musicians- everybody wanted one. European clarinet makers- including giants like Buffet and Selmer- even began making metal clarinets, even to the exclusion of wooden ones for a few years!

Manufacturers found that unlike wood, they could manipulate the metal to exact specifications. Metal also was not subject to the harsh conditions of weather in terms of moisture and cracking. Jazz musicians loved them because of their clarity. Classical musicians loved them for the same reason... they were HUGE in the 30's and early 40's. Of course, there were still brands that were of a better quality than others, but the high end ones, made with more silver than anything, sounded beautiful and were in high demand. So what happened?...

ABS plastic was invented, and America went to war. The plastic clarinet was just as durable as the metal one- for a fraction of the cost. With the need to save on metals and money for the war effort, manufacturers switched to plastic and the metal ones fell out of favor. Later, the pros said "Hey... this plastic doesn't give us what we need" and went back to wood. The metal clarinet had been forgotten, or worse- turned into lamps in obscure studios across the globe.

Now, to be taken seriously as a clarinet player, you have to play a Buffet R13 or Selmer Signature. If you show up with one of those old metal guys, you will be laughed off the stage before you ever play a note... sad. "Grenadilla is the new German Silver."

ORSI is the only manufacturer that still makes metal clarinets, but they are not well known. I think the metal clarinet may have never made a comeback just because the recording equipment at their height of fame was fairly poor, and we associate bad tone with them. Think about Lester Young- he was a GREAT sax player, but in his recording of "Pagin' the Devil", he sounds like an 8 year old (talented 8 year old! lol)... and he's playing a metal clarinet. Also, some of the big name jazz clarinetists traded their metals in for wood around WWII, and I think we now see it as they were "upgrading". It's amazing how history becomes skewed, huh? Anyone who's actually TRIED to play a metal clarinet will tell you that it feels different, but its sound is very cool (most of the time anyways... there are still some lemons out there!).

Anyways, I hope you have a great time with your new horn! Hopefully someday you'll be able to play it in public again!

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