Twinwood was an RAF base during the Second World War and is now a museum which also holds this special festival dedicated to vintage every August. It's a fabulous mix of outdoor live music on several stages, dance floors home to jiving and jitterbugging, lots of vintage and retro shopping opportunities and a chance to dress the part and admire the many classic cars. I always love the two-tone ones, myself.
The Vintage Salon (usually based in The Custard Factory in Birmingham) had a pop-up hairdressing salon at Twinwood and as it's the area of my "look" with which I always struggle, I delightedly booked myself in for hair styling each day so that was my first port of call in the morning. Lyndsey and her team were delightful and skilfully worked their magic on lots of ladies.
The weather was not kind that weekend, it has to be said. This had a big effect on what I wore. In the main, I knew I couldn't wear any of my nice vintage shoes because it was wet and muddy underfoot, in fact I spent the weekend with pumps and ankle socks on my feet! I went for a '50's style on Saturday and more of a '40's look on Sunday (below). Oh if only I had this service every day! Definitely something to which I could get used.
The shopping was simply fantastic. There is a smattering of tacky repro stuff but there's an awful lot of really good vintage and quality retro, too. It's an event where you really do feel spoilt for choice and I defy anyone to leave with any pennies in their purse! I fell in love with this patchwork jacket but it was a teeny size and too expensive to justify buying just for the "collection".
Loved the fabric of this swimsuit, too and the stunning burgundy coat behind.
Some stalls also have some homeware and haberdashery items.
Oh, I wish I'd bought that unfinished honeycomb patchwork you see below. The one that got away. I have exactly the same hosiery pouch in which I keep my best silk CC41 stockings.
There are many top photo opportunities throughout the site. The Munchkin is always interested in the cars.
Mr HenHouse took opportunity of the poor weather and wore his RAF flying suit which, with its heavy woollen fabric, is not suited to warmer, sunnier days.
Back in the main arena, we had set up camp with our folding chairs and picnic table. There is a different musical act on every hour from about midday through to about 10pm. Here, members of the John Miller Orchestra are playing whilst strolling through the crowd.
The one bad thing about Twinwood is the food available which we have learned is pretty dire, so now we always go well prepared with our own picnic. It was a tad novel to have the umbrellas up at the same time!
The CC41 (utility) exhibition was on once again, I always love looking at this and stepping back into the past.
A spot of make do and mend was going on. So many covetable items!
There were beautiful CC41 clothes on display.
There were also glass cabinets housing all sorts of wartime goodies. Here you can see plastic bell wire and the jewellery skilfully made from it as there was no metal available to make frivolous jewellery, just for important items like wedding rings and interestingly, cufflinks.
Mr HenHouse popped to the authentically styled NAAFI for a cup of tea.
Meanwhile, the Munchkin and I enjoyed some rare sunshine and lusted after the little caravan.
Despite the truly British weather (pretty dire on Saturday, not too bad on Sunday), we saw and listened to some fabulous music, found some special vintage bits 'n' bobs for the collection and generally had a thoroughly marvellous time.
Always nice to have a reminder. Especially of the felty kind.
Enjoy the weekend. Xxx
(Please respect my copyright and do not copy photographs of individuals. Thank you.)
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