Afternoon Tea Week: The Tea Dress

The origins of the Tea Dress are linked to the fashion of Afternoon Tea - a tradition believed to have been started by Anna Maria Stanhope, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in 1841. It began with Stanhope's daily ritual of tea and a light snack to fill the gap between lunch and dinner. She would invite friends to join her, thus creating a new social event that became an important part of British society, still enjoyed today.

When Anna’s habit became public knowledge, the craze of taking Afternoon Tea spread like wildfire throughout the upper classes. Ladies across the land would dress up in their finery and visit each other’s houses to have a gossip over tea. Books at the time contained entire chapters devoted to the proper etiquette of Afternoon Tea. The Tea Dress started life as a garment made solely for informal entertaining within the home - not worn with corsets, they were a form of liberation for the women of the time, showing the beginnings of a slightly more relaxed style of women’s clothing.

Below are a few examples of dresses from June Victor at Vintage Modes that would look splendid at an Afternoon Tea event.

1970s Bellville Sassoon dress

Crepe navy print dress

Peter Robinson 1970s dress

1940s brown polka dot dress

1940s cotton dress

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

Introducing Geeta Handa of C-ATOMIC!

We are pleased to announce a new addition to the team at Vintage Modes! British designer Geeta Handa of C-ATOMIC has created a beautiful display of individually designed vintage inspired dresses and accessories. Her influence for this collection mainly comes from the 1970s but does add a touch of the retro 50s and stylish 60s. The designs feature timeless silhouettes with an added ethnic touch to create the perfect balance between bohemian fashion and effortless chic.

Geeta also offers a bespoke couture dress making service to make you stand out from the crowd. Additionally, clients receive a fashion portrait sketched out by Geeta herself, which makes a perfect gift along with any purchase.

Personal favourites from the collection are the white chiffon dresses with floaty sleeves. These can be worn dressed up or down, and when paired with gladiator sandals and a fringe bag, would be perfect to wear to this season's festivals.

We asked Geeta a few questions...

What first interested you in vintage fashion?
The idea of a timeless classic piece that never goes out of style was the reason I first started designing.

Do you have a favourite fashion icon? 
1970s icon, Brigitte Bardot, influences my designs, with a piece in my collection even being named after her. 

How do you gather inspiration for your beautiful designs?
I like to travel in order to gain inspiration and have just come back from a trip to Paris. Indian Textiles and the British Raj Era also inspire this collection.

Below are a few designs from her current collection:

Geeta modelling one of her own designs

Gigi Galore off shoulder, raw silk top with gold and black printed pleat skirt

Stunning White Chiffon Dress

Bohemian Vintage Inspired Dress

Classic Vintage Style Dress

Bohemian Style with an Ethnic twist

Follow on instagram @c_atomicgeeta

Contact via www.c-atomicgeeta.com

Gmail: geetahanda.c@gmail.com

Mobile: +44 7061506777

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London.  Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk.

Sixties Beaded Mini Dress

This stunning lace mini dress is from the 1960s and is embellished with tiny black beads, £200.

 

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

Summer Party Dress



This colourful summer party dress by Bellville Sassoon has a bright floral print and little sequins for added sparkle.  Perfect for a summer wedding or garden party.  £200.

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please call us on 020 7409 0400 or come and visit us in Gray Mews, 1-7 Davies Mews, W1K 5AB.

A Dress for Spring!

 

 All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

JAEGER LONG MAXI DRESS - 1970s-1980s

All items posted are for sale. If you have any queries please leave a comment or visit us at Grays in Mayfair, London Alternatively you can call us on 020 7409 0400 or email info@vintagemodes.co.uk

Recently acquired this very attractive long maxi dress by Jaeger in a vibrant paisley voile with metallic overtones.  No belt came with the dress but suggest a gold kid, or thin gold chain would look very fetching.  Probably late 1970s until early 1980s.  In excellent condition. Well priced at £110 Size 14.