When Curtise Came To Play

Look who I met yesterday, only Curtise, who was every bit as glamorous, fabulous and fun as she is on her blog. For once I managed to meet a blogging buddy and take more than one photograph (this was snapped by a friendly bar man) .

Typically the day Curtise came to visit the legendary chazzas of Walsall were distinctly lacking in good finds. These large ceramic Scottie dogs which would have advertised Black & White Whisky in the 1950s (£6.99) were one of the few items that caught our eye.

Even at the "unbeatable" price of £4.99 the wet-look and printed leggings on the market didn't do it for us.

After a bottle of vino and lunch in Wetherspoons, rudely interrupted by the amorous advances of Bob (just behind Curtise in the fetching 1980s flying jacket) and the elderly gent who wanted to know why I had a picture of the Queen around my neck (my Frida pendant) we hit Walsall's legendary period clothing emporium, Second To None.

This shop is unlike any other vintage shop you'll ever visit. It has a cult following here in the Midlands.

Run by June, a 1960s fashion model, it's been trading for 28 years and crammed to the rafters with everything from Victorian bloomers, flapper girl blouses to 1940s tea dresses and Sixties psychedelia. 

  

There's two floors of stuff and if you're extra lucky you'll get given the key to unlock the secret store room.

Forget about vintage clothes shops being prohibitively expensive, we spotted Mary Quant and Jean Varon for under a tenner and even the most pristine of 1950s frocks cost less than £35. 

You just have to be prepared to rummage,

..and rummage we did!

Clare will attest to what a cool place it is.

We were served refreshments and played dress up until well after closing time. 

 Just too fancy...

Boo! We couldn't get the zip up on this gorgeous California maxi.

Result! This photo doesn't do this classy 1960s wool mini with bracelet sleeves and braided hem justice. At £5 it would almost have been a crime not to buy it.

Curtise made me buy this 1960s Sportsville of London catsuit, not that I needed much persuading.

  I couldn't resist this lurex top by Barry Artist, a 1960s fashion designer from Walsall.

What a brilliant day!

Check out Curtise's version of events HERE.

Why don't you make a date with a blogger? You won't be disappointed.

See you soon.