Rockabilly Essentials: Accessories

With my upcoming rockabilly tea party (The Mad Hepcat's Tea Party) I'm putting together a mini series of entries of everything rockabilly: Clothes, Accessories, Hair & Make Up, and Music.

So we got the clothes sorted in the last instalment, and now it's time for the accessories. Personally, I wear very few accessories, but I do always wear one. I'm a little bit famous for my bandannas, always in either red or blue - but mainly blue - as I frequently have one tied around my head. At work, I wear a few bangles, as I feel they add a little vintage tiki to any outfit, and sometimes a necklace, usually in a tattoo design. Although having my ears pierced I very rarely wear earrings; I'm not entirely sure why I don't decorate my aural lobes, but they're just something I never really think about. I make my own hair flowers (it's really very simple!) but there are numerous shops online to cater for these. There aren't really any restrictions for handbags, from wicker, to lucite, to leather satchels to vintage clutches.

Me vainly posing my bandanna wearing

Most online shops sell a mixture of the above so here is my selection of the very best:

Dolly Cool:

I own this! It's awesome! Swallows are a big theme in rockabilly jewellary

This comes ready folded so just tie and go! Like clothing, leopard print is popular with accessories

Bows & Crossbones

I group various colours and shapes altogether for variety

It's wicker, it's cherry-fied, it's tiki, it's everything in one bag.

Razorblade Mermaid:

Great little set (I own the earrings!)

Mexicana style skulls are also popular

Etsy is also great for finding little producers who make their own accessories for you to buy. Just searching 'hair flowers', or prefixing any accessory type with 'rockabilly' with through up numerous results to browse through.

Black anchor hair flower

Hawaiian flowers are a my favourites

What have we learned from this accessory lesson? Well, wear as much or as little as you like, and you can stick to one theme or mix and match!

Stay tuned for my next instalment: Hair & Make Up

Mahalo!

Well, haven't I been a busy bunny? Between balancing a mountain of uni work I have finally bagged myself a part-time job. Now, this isn't just any part-time job (nor is it an M&S job) this is a very exciting adventure. You may have read my little review on a vintage fair I went to a long time ago at Liverpool's only tiki bar, Aloha? Well, I only went and got myself a job there! You cannot understand my excitement when I got invited to an interview! Two chats later I got the call for me to jump aboard the crew, and three shifts in (with lots of training too) I am loving it. Apart from the obvious - the rum, the music, the people - one of the ultimate perks of the job is the uniform. This is the best excuse I've ever had to go a bit mad and buy a load of vintage-y tiki things! I have quite a bit in my wardrobe anyway but no time like the present to expand!

I probably won't wear dresses to work, but maybe one might creep it's way into my wardrobe for summer...

Red Sarong Dress - Collectif £55

Blue Tiki Sarong Dress - Collectif £25

I'm currently wearing my old, old, old pair of Freddies of Pinewood jeans but I am thinking this is the perfect time to invest in a new pair. Now, which to choose...?

Maybe a pair of pedal pushers? - £48

I think I prefer them in blue though - £45

Shirts can be picked up from most hightstreets, vintage stores and good ol' eBay for varying prices. I've found some for £5 (usually made of cheap nylon fabrics though, so I avoid them) and then I've also seen some for well over £100 - I've then put them down and walked away...quickly.

Shoes wise, heels are a definite no no. Being on your feet for ten hours and running the gauntlet between the bar and guests definitely requires some comfy shoes! For now I've got my biker boots and some cheapo Primarni pumps, and for summer I'll probably invest in deck shoes that will survive. But if I could wear any tiki shoes for work there is only one shop I would go to...

Ahhh I love them so much! 'Bluebird' Miss L Fire - £54.99

These look so comfy! - 'Capri' Miss L Fire - £54.99

'Monterrey' Miss L Fire - £59.99

These are from their S/S'11 collection but are still available in some sizes - 'Honolulu' Miss L Fire £59.99

Taking some inspiration from Miss Fleur de Guerre I have decided I need to invest in more bangles. I bought some from New Look and will keep my eye out on the high street for more, but these are definitely being added to my collection!

Bow & Crossbones - £3.50 (Also available in 2 packs - £6.50 - and 3 packs - £9)

I need these! Bow & Crossbones - £7.50

I can see where my first wage packet will be going...