I’ve been a fan of vintage for as long as I can remember. It’s not just the incredible style, craftsmanship, quality materials and attention to detail, but also the hidden histories of lived-in items that appeals. Imagine the stories that might be told if only these pieces could talk.

As a kid I loved rummaging through my nan’s costume jewellery and trying on tiny lace and leather gloves. She had such an impressive collection of vintage clothes, shoes, bags, and belts, that she had wardrobes overspilling in nearly every room of her west London home. At 93, Cookie- as she is known to the family- still rocks a leopard print fake fur coat, and totally kills it!

In fact it was my nan who found some of my favourite vintage pieces, including several coats with matching fake fur collars and cuffs unearthed in charity shops in the early 90s, when it seemed that only art students and hippies bought second hand.

Mum was an absolute style queen too and, luckily for me, a bit of a hoarder. As a teenager I raided her wardrobe for vintage pieces, whilst listening to her tales of the swinging 60s, and visiting Biba. She introduced me to the vintage markets of London and we spent many a happy weekend trawling the stalls of Kensington and Portobello.

My love affair with vintage continued. This is embarrassing but true - it was actually the presence of a tiny little vintage store, and the owner who gave me the gift of a felt bowler hat, that swung my decision to go to Uni in Preston! Ridiculous I know, but such a friendly chap. I spent much of the next three years rummaging in that shop.

Studying Design History at Uni was the perfect excuse to immerse myself in piles of books on key design movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. I especially loved the natural motifs of the Arts and Crafts movements and Art Nouveau, the principles of Modernism, the glamour of the 20s and 30s, and the bohemian hippy styles of the late 60s and 70s. Whilst up north I discovered Manchester’s northern quarter. Affleck’s Palace and Cafe Pop only fed my addiction to vintage even more.

Now in my 40s, I would say over half my wardrobe is vintage (lots of pieces found in Frock and Roll - my new local vintage haunt - including the dress I’m wearing on the About page) My home is also chock full of vintage - crockery, vases, fabrics and items I’ve collected over the years for styling. I sell some of these on my Etsy shop Hedgerow Home, and will soon be adding a page to the Twiggy Thistle website of vintage props to hire.

Amongst the props available to hire are brown leather suitcases and picnic hampers which are great for gathering gift cards, storing confetti, or displaying table plans. We also have easels that can be strung with flowers and foliage and used for wedding signs, seating plans, and order of ceremonies, wooden ladders, picture frames and a whole collection of unusual vases and containers to add a little vintage style to your big day.

Looking for a bouquet or hair flowers that will complement a vintage wedding dress or accessories? Would you like to display flowers in vintage china, glassware or vases, or want to hire vintage props for styling the wedding venue? Twiggy Thistle can help you put together a stylish wedding with a nod to vintage or create a whole vintage- themed wedding.

I’ll be writing more posts about vintage style in the coming months. You can follow us on twitter @twiggythistle and like our Facebook page to get the latest news, tips and inspirations.

Photos all Twiggy Thistle’s own - taken courtesy of Frock and Roll

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A vintage love affair