Unique Vintage Style Society | ‘Vivien’ floral midi skirt

Vintage floral skirt outfit 

A few years ago I was on holiday in L.A., and I was in a Cheesecake Factory of all places when, flipping through the menu, I came across an advert for Unique Vintage.

Now, I was aware of the Unique Vintage website, which is an Alladin’s cave of retro-inspired loveliness, but until that moment, I’d had no idea there was also a brick-and-mortar store to go with it. There was, though – and it was right there in L.A. just a few short miles from where I was sitting. Well, OK, more than a FEW short miles. And, you know: TRAFFIC. I was not to be put-off, though, so after a short amount of begging and pleading, my long-suffering family members agreed that we would add the store to our “places to visit” list, and a couple of days later, we pulled up outside the Burbank store.

As soon as I stepped inside, I knew I was at home. (Er, partly because I was wearing this outfit at the time, and until I got to Unique Vintage, I’d been sticking out like a sore thumb: not that that’s ever stopped me…) There were Stop Staring dresses. Bettie Page skirts. Esther Williams swimsuits. All of my favourite, retro-inspired brands, under one roof. I was in heaven. I bought two of my all-time favourite dresses on that visit (This one and this one, in case you’re wondering…), and left with a promise to come back one day – much to Terry and my bank account’s dismay.

As it happens, I’ll be back in L.A. later this year, and will definitely be visiting Unique Vintage. That trip, however, is still a long way away, so when an email dropped into my inbox a few weeks ago, asking me if I’d like to be part of the brand’s Style Society, I couldn’t quite believe it. Literally, I mean: I had to pinch myself, and then look over my shoulder, just to make sure it wasn’t some other ‘Forever Amber’ they were asking. But no, it was me, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this campaign. You can read a bit more about the Style Society here, but basically it’s a group of bloggers (I’m in some really amazing company, too!) chosen to demonstrate that style comes in all shapes and sizes, and to celebrate all of the things that make us unique.

For my first Style Society pick, I’ve chosen the gorgeous Unique Vintage floral skirt skirt, from the brand’s own line. I don’t really think you can go wrong with a skirt like this – as evidenced by the fact that I more or less live in floral midi skirts during the spring/summer! I’m wearing a full petticoat under this one, to give it a little more volume, plus the ubiquitous Hell Bunny cardigan, which is another spring (And summer, and autumn, and winter…) staple for me.

I’ll have some more Unique Vintage picks to show you soon: until then, you can join the campaign (and appear on the Unique Vintage gallery) by using the hashtag #iamunique on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!

[This is a sponsored post.]