If you live in Melbourne and you've had your head down this winter then round one may have passed you by. But don't despair, it will be back. The good news is that this market travels and unless you live in the arse end of nowhere (sorry Perth) you will get a look in, perhaps more than once. Whatever you have planned for the weekend this market tours in your city, prepare to cancel, this is more important, trust me.
A slightly musty smells tantalises me as I enter Williamstown Town Hall and prepare myself for a luxuriously long day of vintage shopping, out of respect for Queen Elizabeth and her sixty years upon the throne, of course!
Two halls (separated by a café for the much needed half time) crammed full of fashion spanning two lifetimes awaits me. While some of the price tags reflect the exquisite antique quality of the clothing, jewellery and home wares and unfortunately aren't for me, rack upon rack of deliciously affordable and still really vintage clothing sit patiently. Time to breathe in…and shop.
This is not just your average day out op shopping folks. It's a wander back through time. Pictures of original fashion drawings adorn the walls. There are photographs of wonderfully suited men and women to pore through, gorgeous jewels and accessories to admire, French and Irish linen for sale and the opportunity to immerse yourself in history goes on.
Two dresses, a hat, jumper and a roll of beautifully printed textile later and I'm done. Well, for round one anyway.
For a really vintage experience, take your Mum. She will have even more pleasure than you wiling away the time by searching through old dress patterns and reminiscing about her party days in a boucle jacket and skirt suit. And as well as the ever good company, it will make your purchases even more exciting. After all, how good did she look!
TOUR DATES:
Sydney
Frock Up Sydney (Sat and Sun 4th& 5th August)
Marrickville Town Hall
www.frockupsydney.com
Brideswear Revisited (Sat and Sun 3rd & 4th November)Leichhardt Town Hall
Wollongong
Frock Up Wollongong (Date TBA)
Melbourne
Brideswear Revisited (Sat & Sun 1st/ 2nd September)
Brighton Town Hall
The Way We Wear (Sat & Sun 17th/18th November)
Williamstown Town Hall
Geelong
Frock Up Geelong (Sat 27th October)
Geelong West Town Hall, Packington Street
Canberra
Frock Up Canberra (Fri/Sat/Sun 23rd/24th/25th Nov)
Albert Hall
Adelaide
Frock Up Adelaide (Fri/Sat/Sun 12th/13th/14th Oct)
Burnside Ballroom
www.frockupadelaide.com
Brisbane
Frock Up Brizzi (Sun 12th August)
Mt Gravatt Showgrounds
www.frockupbrisbane.com
Hobart
Frock Up Tasmania (Fri/Sat/Sun 28th/29th/30th Sept)
Masonic Hall
www.frockuphobart.com
Gold Coast
Date still TBA
