Spring’s In Bloom-ers

So It’s been a minute since I last updated my blog, I’m slowly surrendering to the flow of creativity and picking things up as and when it feels right, I’ve had lots of draft posts half finished these last few months but at last the inspiration has hit me!

Spring is here, the sun has finally returned and we’ve just celebrated Beltane, marking the beginning of Summer, Which means I’m officially getting my Summer wardrobe ready for fun and frolicking.

Each year I pack away my Summer clothes, as living in a tiny cottage there is never quite enough room for everything I’ve collected, but this makes it a really fun experience each Spring where I pull out the vacuum bags hidden in various nooks around the house and rediscover old forgotten about gems, this is a way of keeping my wardrobe feeling fresh, without the need to buy new each year.

A lot of pieces I own I’ve had for several years, but each time I take them out, I feel just as excited to wear them as the first time around. This is the joy of buying into what you truly love, rather than buying into passing trends, developing your own style and investing in well made garments which are built to last.

I don’t think I’ve ever been one to follow trends, and if I ever have it’s been very loosely and always giving my own spin on things.. I think once you know which styles work for you and which pieces you truly love, then the rest is easy! You don’t have to stick to one style and It’s all about building a curated collection of pieces which speak to you and tell your own personal story.

A modern take on a classic vintage lingerie design.

In saying that, one trend I have been inspired by in recent years is the Bloomers trend, now I’ve always adored bloomers… I remember 10 years ago, newly discovering the second hand market of Depop and buying a pair of 1980’s Deadstock Valentino bloomer knickers in a mint green colour with polka dots and stripes.. never quite brave enough to wear out and about but lounging around in them at home and feeling fabulous!

Free People 'Forever Young' Bloomers - £88

I’d always wanted to lean into this style a bit more, but not quite sure wether it was practical enough and never quite sure if I could pull them off, for a while I tried to find a true vintage pair with no luck but then I spotted Free People had released their beautiful Forever Young Bloomers a couple years back, which I have longingly coveted since.

However as I rarely buy new, I’d resisted and hoped I might find a pair second hand, but finding out they were polyester (from a friend who had visited the store) I hesitated to buy.. hoping I could find a more sustainable alternative with a natural fabric content.

Low and behold, as the trend of Bloomers has risen, the more sustainable alternatives I’m seeing. I’ve seen a couple of designers and makers selling their own handmade versions and one brand I follow on Instagram, Naked Generation posted that they had some in store last year, sadly I’d missed out but awaited a restock and recently managed to get my hands on them!

They are 100% Linen, sourced from Italy and with a price tag of £65 - a more sustainable alternative, for a better price than the Free People ones I had coveted.

Naked Generation Bloomers - £65.00

The bloomers are everything I hoped they’d be and more, I got them in black and in an off white, both with an elasticated waistband and ties at the bottom of each leg which makes them adjustable, being able to style and wear them how you like! The linen fabric is absolutely perfect for these warmer months and they just feel like magic to wear.. almost like you’re wearing nothing!

They are giving the ultimate pirate chic, a vibe I love so much and have definitely been leaning into more and more these past few months, I can’t wait to style them with a variety of different outfits over the coming months, from gauzey blouses to antique velvet jackets, layered under dresses with lace up heels, Mary Jane shoes or sandals, the styling opportunities are endless and I’m excited to make these a summer staple!

Stay tuned for inspiration on how to style bloomers, and more romantic vintage styles I’ve been loving on my next blog post.

“The arrival of the bloomer costume in the summer of 1851 stirred curiosity and controversy highlighting public resistance to change” - Bow Street Museum