This Old Thing: Fall in Love with Vintage Clothes

by Dawn O'Porter (Contributor)

Tying-in to her new prime-time six-part Channel 4 show of the same name, journalist Dawn O'Porter is a woman on a mission - to ignite Britain's passion for vintage fashion! We're a nation obsessed with cheap, disposable clothing - but Dawn and her team of vintage style experts are here to show you why hunting for one-of-a-kind fashion gems is more exciting, better value for money, and a lot more fun. Are you fed up of the same old high street shops? Are you bored of your wardrobe? Do you fear arriving at a party and seeing someone wearing the same thing as you? Yes? Then it sounds like you're in need of a modern vintage makeover! This Old Thing is here to show you that vintage shopping doesn't have to mean rummaging through old cardigans at a car boot sale - instead, let Dawn introduce you to a world of beautiful and unique fashion treasures, and show you how to create a glamorous personal style that is all your own. Packed full of insider vintage fashion know-how, This Old Thing will take you through the history behind your fashion favourites (including the classic Little Black Dress...) advise you on how to find gorgeous vintage jewels of your own, and show you how a few simple tricks can turn an old item of clothing into a fabulous prized possession. Whether you're a vintage virgin or a retro clothing addict, This Old Thing is an indispensable style handbook offering even more of the vintage hints, history and how-tos shared by Dawn in the new Channel 4 series.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion

144 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

DAWN O’PORTER lives in London with her husband Chris, her two boys Art and Valentine, and her cats Myrtle and Boo.

Dawn is the bestselling author of the novels The Cows and the Richard and Judy Book Club picks So Lucky and Cat Lady, and her non-fiction title Life in Pieces was also a Sunday Times bestseller.

Dawn started out in TV production but quickly landed in front of the camera, making numerous documentaries that included immersive investigations of Polygamy, Size Zero, Childbirth, Free Love, Breast Cancer and the movie Dirty Dancing.

Dawn’s journalism has appeared in multiple publications and she was the monthly columnist for Glamour magazine. She is now a full-time writer, designs dresses for Joanie Clothing, and has a large following on her Patreon blog.

Instagram: @hotpatooties

www.patreon.com/DawnOPorter

Reviews

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I caught an episode of Dawn's TV show and then sought out this book via the library. While I am not sure vintage clothes are for me (let's face it I'm old enough to have lived through some of those decades) this was a terrific guide to the subject. Vintage clothing is defined as that over 30 years old going back to the 1920s; items before that is classified as antique. She gives an overview of the decades from the 1920s through the early 1980s. She also provides a history of various iconic trends such as the LBD, flares, the Maxi and Mini, as well as a guide to having a clear-out of your existing wardrobe.

Dawn obviously has a lot of fun writing this guide and that was infectious. It is beautifully illustrated with many colour photographs from the various decades as well as Dawn modelling some of her finds. I admit to envy at some of these. At the end of the book is a guide to shopping for vintage clothing in the UK both in speciality shops and on-line and a section on DIY tailoring.

I'd recommend this to anyone interested in getting into vintage clothing. Despite my feeling that vintage might not be for me, within a few days of reading this book I found the confidence to purchase via Etsy a vintage 1970s maxi. and also gave my wardrobe a good clear-out.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting little read which appealed to the fashion enthusiast and the historian in me. All I want to do now is go vintage clothes shopping.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently spotted this at the library and decided to pick it up as I remember re-watching Dawn's documentary on this subject (this is the tie-in book). Fun to dip in and out of, she takes you through the decades and explains the trends of the time, plus there are lots of quirky interesting history bits on fashion and its impact on women.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a newbie to vintage clothing, but I still really enjoyed this book. Delightful and fun to read, Dawn writes in a comical style which makes the book even more enjoyable.

Full of good tips and lovely photos too.

[Kristien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love retro but would I dare to go vintage? Maybe after having read this book I might...

[Arietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it. Great tips on how to shop vintage. A summary of each decade and even sewing tips.

[Nicola Foulkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Full of ideas and excited to go shopping now

[Maddison Basso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a vintage gal but I love fashion! This book reignited and sparked a passion and appreciation inside me!

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book about purchasing vintage fashion. Inspired by the British TV show of the same name (which I have not seen) O'Porter writes with a fun, irreverent writing style about vintage fashion. The writing is straight-forward and approachable, with practical advice. Helpfully she profiles each decade of the twentieth century (from 20s - 80s) and outlines the prominent trends to be found within them. Perhaps most helpful of all she goes through figure types and which decade suits which figure shape the best. Some key fashion developments are outlined, and she also gives the history of how she acquired some her own favourite vintage fashion purchases. For those inexperienced in sewing there is a helpful guide included on basic sewing techniques for those who wish to do some basic repairs to their vintage purchases.
Although weighted toward the British perspective when is comes to vintage buying, this book is a useful and approachable guide for all those who love vintage fashion.

[Dong-Yeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A precious book that could be vintage fashion 101. I loved her show on TV - she really opens your eyes to vintage and the way you see your (and your granny's) wardrobe. She writes in the same tone as she speaks - delightful and fun to read with lots of relevant pictures.

[Karissa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic loved the fashion and info about the eras