Several weeks ago I went to The Candlelight Club with some fellow vintage lovers for our friend Gemma’s birthday. It was extraordinarily cold that night, so I rugged up as warm as I could in a vintage rabbit fur coat (which is available now in the store) and sheepskin hat. What is clever about this coat is that it is made out of ordinary grey rabbit fur, but it has been trimmed to imitate a more expensive fur. I know it is a touchy subject (and one I won’t get involved in right now), but I do wear vintage fur. It is extremely warm for someone who feels the cold as much as I do, and since I am happy to eat rabbit I don’t find anything wrong with also wearing it – particularly since a fur coat might get 80 years of practical use but a rabbit pie will only last one mealtime.
Anyway, as I said – that is an issue for another day! The dress I was wearing underneath is a 70s evening gown with a 30s appearance, which I thought would be suitable for what is a 20s/30s inspired club night. I am also wearing vintage leather gloves, 50s broderie anglaise kitten heel shoes, a 50s beaded bag, and 30s deco earrings.
- With Lena from Queens of Vintage and her beau. Photo courtesy of Fleur de Guerre.
As to The Candlelight Club, I shall be honest. It really wasn’t my thing. I love the 20s and 30s, but the night seemed to miss the mark a little, and felt like more of a fancy dress affair than a step back in time. It is difficult because I do think everyone should be able to enjoy vintage and it shouldn’t be snobby, but at the same time the atmosphere depends so much upon how people are dressed in these situations. And dress-ups such as feather boas, head bands, novelty cigarette holders etc often detract from the atmosphere rather than add to it, particularly when worn with a mini dress, high heels, and modern hair and make-up.
Another off note was the music, which started out very well with 30s dance records, then switched bizarrely to a 50s band doing Frank Sinatra et al. To put in context, that would be like going to a 60s party and being presented with Wham.
Taking off my persnickety ‘vintage nerd’ hat, I do think the club would be a great deal of fun if you are new to this sort of thing. It might have been far from historically accurate, but the venue was prettily decorated with candles, the bar had a good selection of cocktails, and there was a big happy crowd dancing away.
My final verdict on The Candlelight Club? A great night out for vintage beginners or those wanting to try something different, a night to be avoided for those who really love the 20s and 30s.
Moiself and Lena with The Vintage Mafia. Photo courtesy of Hanson Leatherby.
Margaret you look absolutely stunning in that dress! I do know what you mean about being a vintage nerd and I too would have been like that. If it’s an all eras night I know what to expect but if it’s a 20s/30s night I would expect it just to be that I love 50s Sinatra but even I wouldn’t want to listen to it on such a night!
However all that aside you look gorgeous!
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You look so glam! I’m with you on the vintage fur thing – I wear heaps of sheepskin to ward off the cold too, and yep, I eat meat. I’d love to go to a dress up thing like that, all socialising in London seems to be so dressed down these days.
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I love your dress. LOVE it. LOOOOOOOVE.
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Love that dress! I have no probs at all with vintage fur and will wear it happily. M x
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I do agree, it wasn’t an impressive night, felt more like fancy dress than anything! You looked fab though!x
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Still impressed that you guys have events anything like that at all!
You looked fabulous, and love the group shot at the end, too. The halter neckline on your dress is grand!
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You look gorgeous and that frock is heavenly! Sarah xxx
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You look sooooooo glam!
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Gorgeous dress. Who is it by? Really reminds me of one I’ve seen in a magazine… x
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Gorgeous! You look fab, love the dress. x
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You look gorgeous in rabbit fur, I don’t mind wearing real fur at all.
Your Vintage mafia biatchs look so elegant.
that art deco dress is heavely on you amor.
besonones
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