Next Friday, I have been invited to go to Glyndebourne where I shall see Ariadne Auf Naxos. It's a Strauss opera from 1912 but the reason I've been asked along is that they have set it in the 1940s and they thought it would be right up my street. I love going to the opera anyway, so it's a match made in heaven for me,
If you don't know about Glyndebourne, it's an opera festival that takes place every summer at the big Sussex country house of the same name. It's been going since the 1930s (apart from during the war) and my grandparents used to have a season ticket. I never got to go, although I was always fascinated to hear the stories and the drop-dead glamorous outfits that used to be on show. I always imagined the ladies in gowns, dripping with diamonds and furs, the gents in black tie!
This year, Ariadne and also the production of Verdi's Falstaff which is running at the same time, have both been set in the 40s and Glyndebourne attendees are being encouraged to get into the spirit themselves. I will be taking my camera along and capturing my day and all the best outfits around me. But I was having a nosy at the images from the production and because some of the costumes are so cute, I thought I'd also use the opportunity to do a little V.I. Buys post!
How fun is this costume? A bustier and striped shorts with a skirt to put over the top and a pair of awesomely stripy wedges. Tara Starlet have some striped shorts in their new Mix and Match range that look very similar! Paired with a Halterneck Top from Vivien of Holloway with the strap tucked in (or removed) it would be a dead ringer! And I've been looking for an excuse to post about these amazing carved Miss L Fire sandals from their latest collection.
Top: Vivien of Holloway
Shorts: Tara Starlet
Wedges: Miss L Fire Woodie at Spartoo shoes
She also has a skirt cover-up on in other shots. If you wanted something like this, you could get the lovely Time Machine Vintage on Etsy to make you something custom. I have always coveted this little set!
While browsing on Etsy I also found this custom made dres/playsuit and this amazing pattern! Argh!
In other production shots, a different beautiful redhead is wearing a snazzy polka dot dressing gown.
Now, I can't reveal too much, but you may be able to get something sightly similar from the sumptuous Betty Blue's Loungerie next season. Have a read of Betty's blog to get the full scoop but here's a sneak peek of me from the photoshoot! Hint: I know this is peach but there's also going to be a spotty one!
The last outfit I was coveting is this glorious ensemble of gown with turban and leopard swing jacket.
Turbans aren't so hard to come by (albeit you need to search for 1970s ones as 40s ones are much more rare) and H&M currently has some sunglasses that are a dead ringer for these 1930s/40s ones. I have these myself, of course!
But the only way to find such a leopard-print treasure of a coat is to search diligently on eBay. My beautiful friend Lisa (whose blog is idle) has one - a vintage 1940s CC41 sheepskin jacket painted to look like leopard. Isn't she a doll?
Anyway, back to Glyndebourne - I can't wait for Friday, it is going to be magic. I have no idea what I shall wear myself yet, but you can bet your bottom it'll be a long gown. Please keep everything crossed for fine weather and check back to see my photos of the afternoon and evening!
Have you been to the opera lately? Did you use it as an excuse to dress up to the nines?
Fleur xx
DiaryofaVintageGirl.com
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