I’ve been entering lots of competitions lately, trying to
cram in a few each morning or evening on my commute in the hope that the volume
means that I might start winning some. Earlier this month I was lucky enough to
win tickets to last weekend’s Britain Does Vintage event at Scampston Hall,
from Travel Jem’s blog.
You’ve probably gathered by now that I’m quite appreciative
of vintage in general, and so an event like this is right up my street,
especially when it’s not that far from home. You’ve also, more than likely,
gathered that I’m not a devotee of any one era either; nonetheless, usually
when I go to events such as these I have a tendency to be in 1940s or 1950s
dress. Last week though, I had taken my summer wardrobe out of storage, and
decided that a vintage festival in the manicured gardens of a stately home
would be the perfect opportunity for me to flirt with 1920s style. I selected a
gorgeous Ralph Lauren 1920s reproduction dress, and dug a beaded head-dress out
of my hat box.
Alas, when we got up on Sunday morning to go to Scampston,
the nice weather had broken and we were facing something that looked decidedly
like we might get wet before the day was out. I was determined though that I
would still wear my pre-selected 1920s ensemble, so I just threw my trusty
vintage faux fur over the top of it, grabbed a vintage parasol and got ready to
brave British summertime.
We were quite early arriving at the festival, and it was a
bit confusing as there didn’t seem to be any signage directing us in. Eventually
we found the entrance though, and perused some of the beautiful classic cars
which were on show. I love the passion that classic car owners show in looking
after these beauties. If I ever win the lottery (might help if I ever started
doing it) I would definitely spend out on a classic car, anyway, back to the
main event.
Once inside the grounds I was surprised at how few people
were in vintage dress, I guess I’d expected something of a vintage garden
party, but it was more of a general family event with some people dressed in
vintage. As the sun started to come out, I started to regret my faux fur
jacket. While I perused the vintage tent, which had a nice selection of vendors,
the Mr. kindly took our coats back out to the car.
He returned some 10 minutes
later to find me clutching a vintage Japanese kimono as if my life depended on
it. I had found a vintage dealer with a whole rail of them that she had
imported, and having spent much of the evening before coveting 1920s kimono
coats on Pinterest, there was no way I could move away without one. The Mr.
offered to buy it for me, to put away for my birthday in October. I snapped his
hand off, and he even allowed me to wear it for the rest of the day because it
complimented my 1920s look so well.
Shoes - Clarks, Dress - Ralph Lauren, Kimono, parasol, bag - Vintage |
Not only did it compliment it, but it completely took it to
the next level, in my humble opinion. This resulted in me (and the Mr. actually) cavorting merrily
around the Capability Brown designed gardens of Scampston Hall as if we were a
1920s Lord and Lady of the manor (it also means that you have to endure endless photos
of me cavorting around the gardens in such a manor, so feel free to skip if you
get bored)
Having had tea and cake in the tea tent, we set off to find
the food outlets for some lunch. There weren’t a great many of them, and given
it was lunchtime they were certainly the most popular show in town. We queued
for what seemed like an age to get 2 grilled Halloumi buns, the sun was out and
it was blazing hot… it was a minor moan I guess, I just think a few more
vendors would have been great. There was also an amazing bus bar, but we didn’t
get a chance to visit that like we had hoped to.
On our way back into the grounds, we were invited to enter
the best dressed couple competition, but unfortunately didn’t win. It didn’t
matter, I was wearing a 1920s beaded head-dress and a bright green silk vintage
Kimono, for me, it doesn’t get any better than that!
Visitors waiting for the best dressed competition |
We finished off the day by admiring the cars again, and
taking a walk around the walled garden.
There was a lot to commend the Britain Does Vintage even at
Scampston; the venue was fantastic, I liked the vintage tent and the cocktail
tent by the lake was lovely. I think having the entertainment more central and
prominent, with more seating to enjoy it whilst you picnic would have been great,
maybe some vintage hairstylists and makeup artists, a vintage catwalk show as
would promoting it to attract a bigger vintage crowd. Unlike the South of the
country, there aren’t a great deal of these big ticket type vintage events in
North Yorkshire. There’s the one at York Racecourse, and a myriad of 1940s
weekends across the various towns and villages of the dales and moors, but
aside from that we don’t have the Goodwoods, Tweed Runs, the Hemsby
weekenders and events of that ilk. With this event, now in its fourth year, I
think that Britain Does Vintage has the opportunity to make it into a real
contender on the annual vintage calendar, and whilst it was a lovely day out
for us, it just needs a little bit more development and a little bit more attention
to make it into the fabulous vintage day out it could be.
Both your outfit are great, looks like a good day was had. That kimono is gorgeous, fab find indeed. I bought one at VLV for round the house but I just got some fab material where I'm going to try and make a shorter one going out.
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing and you are so right, that kimono was definitely needed and suits perfectly! Good find! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great day out. Scampston is somewhere I have yet to visit.
Caroline.x
www.carolineelgeywhite.com
You look absolutely stunning, that kimono is perfect with what you're already wearing. xxx
ReplyDeleteDon't you both look fantastic! And the cars! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWe entered a best dressed competition at a car show, I was a bit bewildered when I saw the winners as I never even guessed they were dressed up. Another, I missed the judging! I never even knew it was happening till it was over xx
Oh my! How beautiful is that kimono?
ReplyDeleteI'm always disapointed be how few people make the effort at vintage events. We have a 1940s day near us and every year there are people who turn up in trainers!
Such a breathtaking ensemble! Your Kimono and headpiece are both things of immense beauty and elegance.
ReplyDeletexoxo ♥ Jessica