With an affinity for 1940s and 1950s clothes that have an edge - think a mix of Mexican and Hawaiian influences with avant-garde styles of the period - Lori-Jade Barker's vintage wardrobe is full of body-hugging silhouettes and explosive prints.
Oh - and a seriously amazing collection of novelty cotton circle skirts, with patterns like Elvis song titles, the Moulin Rouge and Lady and the Tramp. The owner of Greyhound Vintage Clothing and founder of Ooh La La Vintage Swap and Sell Shop on Facebook, Lori-Jade's passion for vintage extends to her furnishings, beauty look (winged liner and red lips) and traditional-with-a-twist tattoos, like one of a dog in a Lilli Ann style suit.
Don't miss all of the gorgeous pics from her wardrobe below as well as Lori-Jade's top tips on how to find, style and score vintage...
What got you interested in vintage fashion?
My dad always collected 1950s cars when I was growing up, and got me hooked on films like American Graffiti and The Outsiders at a very young age. I have been through several style changes over the years, but found the 1950s at about 17 and it just sort of stuck! I'm fairly lucky (in a way!) that I have boobs and a bum, as I tend to be able to wear larger 1950s items off the peg.
I struggle to find modern items that fit in all the right places.
What do you need to watch out for when buying vintage? Top vintage-scouring tips?
Whilst a lot of shops and sellers are clued up on vintage clothing and how much it's worth, you do get those who are a little less well informed and will sometimes mistake much later items for authentic vintage.
Labels, fabric and the way things are made (overlocking, size of hem, buttons and zips used) are good indicators of how old things are. There are some great online resources for labels and designers that can help in your quest for vintage.
I always find a lot of more obscure items like jumpsuits in high-street vintage chains as the graders often see jumpsuits as being a more 1970s/1980s garment, when in fact they were popular even as far back as the 1920s.
Three top tips for styling vintage outfits?
1) Wear what you like. I tend to buck trends and wear what fits well and what makes me feel good. Vintage fashion tends to go through trend cycles like modern fashion. Just because everyone else is wearing it, doesn't mean you have to. Strive to be individual at all times!
2) Mix and match. Recreating a look to the tee is fabulous, but it's far more exciting to mix eras and even to mix vintage and modern to create a vintage look. For work I love to wear Vivien of Holloway 1940s style pants or Freddies of Pinewood Norma Jeans with a vintage top. I also love to clash 40s and 50s together.
3) Wear what works for you. As well as wearing what you like, it's always good to take your body shape into consideration! I love wearing slacks and pants, but find that original ones don't fit me very well as I'm quite tall. In fact, due to my long body, they can be quite unflattering!
I have a smallish waist and a big bum, so high-waisted, wide legged 1940s style trousers work better for me. I'd love to wear a minxy pair of tight 1950s capris, but they don't show me at my best. Showcase your best features!
If you've got a little waist, cinch it in; if you have a great bosom, find items that fit perfectly or spend a little money having them tailored so they hug you in all the right places.
What's your favourite vintage shopping memory?
My favourite vintage shopping memory was visiting Chiswick Boot Fair for the first time. I had to get up ridiculously early and schlep over to West London at about 6am. It was cold and I was not in the mood at all. The side streets were already RAMMED when we arrived, and I almost gave up and went home. I'm so glad I didn't; that day I had a HUGE haul of 1940s prints, 1950s handbags and, the pièce de résistance, a pair of 1940s wooden heels with leather laces that tie up the leg, and everything was under £10!
How did you start working in vintage?
It just sort of happened by accident. I basically have always bought and sold to keep myself in vintage clothing, but found I had a knack of finding bargains and turning a profit. I used to buy from a lady in Reading (my home town) for personal use, but one day she offered me her whole collection for a ludicrously small amount! I had to take her up on it, and that's where it began.
LOVE THIS WRITER? Follow her on Twitter @JenBNYC
MORE!
See inside the best vintage wardrobes here.
Find the best vintage shops, salons, bars and diners in your area with our shopping guide Find Me Vintage.