Stay cool cat

I know that John Lennon circle glasses are the new big thing in eyewear - the perfect accessory for that Seventies revival look - but it's the cat eye craze that's still exciting me.

Image by Flickr user Uh ... Bob

1950s-style glasses hit the fashion headlines when Prada models strutted down the a/w '10/'11 catwalks in exaggerated winged eyewear, complimenting the beehives and full skirts that fuelled last season's Mad Men fever [check out Kris Atomic's brilliant illustrated interpretation below].

My Grandma rocked her spiky specs back in the post-war years. But as my face is a little too round to pull off the Prada and Tom Ford glasses favoured by the celebs, I opted for some subtler Miu Miu frames as my last eyewear upgrade. It's important to choose a style you're comfortable with if you need to wear your glasses every day like I do - damn you computer-based work...

Illustration by Kris Atomic

With sunglasses, however, you can have a little more fun creating different looks. And while tortoiseshell cat eye sunnies can set you back upto three figure sums, Accessorize have a lovely pair for just £14. The catwalk style has hit the high-street just in time to compliment summer's vintage-inspired looks. Purfect.

Accessorize sunglasses - £14

Brighton POD

Trawling vintage boutiques, charity shops and flea markets for original retro gems may be the perfect way to spend a weekend for many lovers of past styles, myself included. But you don’t have to spend your days hunting for that elusive perfect piece to get the look you want for your home.

Brighton POD, which stands for Promoting Original Design, does just what it says on the tin, acting as a shop window for a selection of Britain’s independent design talent.

As well as cute ceramics, contemporary lighting and unique jewellery, there are some fab vintage-inspired homewares on offer that add fun twists to classic designs.

Get the vintage look for less effort with our pick of some of the best pieces from the site.

Get the 1950s look


Clockwise from top: Three-tier cake stand, £32.95, I Love Retro; Decoupage seaside trinket box, £65.00, uoldbag; Pin up girl cushion – Maureen, £37.00, Crumpet & Skirt; Talulah A3 print, £10.00, Nicky Snow; Tin coasters, £8.00, Nicky Snow; Large vintage embroidery cushion 2, £35.00, random retail.

Get the 1960s look


Clockwise from top: Atomic coat rack, £15.95; Pink flowers wall sticker set, £17.95; Trimphone, £36.95; Set of three flying ducks, £16.95; Kitsch cuckoo clock, £17.95, all I Love Retro.