The hostess with the mostest

I stand guard in the window or rail,
Casting an eye on proceedings, whatever prevails,
I am charming and witty,
Amazingly pretty,
Looking good in a suit, wedding dress, or veil.
 

A new outfit each day,

For party musical or play.
I stand silent in the corner, not in anyone’s way,
I won’t get upset if the clothing is wet,
I’ll just turn a darker shade of grey.

I’m hairless and careless,

Footloose and fearless.
I’m saucy, fun, crazy and often ridiculous.
Well balanced and bare,
Confident and self aware,
Not bothered by anything in particular.

I’m the ultimate hostess,

The woman with the mostest.
Cross Gladys if you dare!

 www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

 

Twitter  @gladyscostumier

Segway Experience

An opportunity to take a ride on the Segways at Experience The Country in Newton Longville , was not to be missed.

Riding a segway is easy to master and after a brief lesson in how to handle the new mode of transport,  we quickly became adept at stopping and turning, enabling us to set off cross country.

The offices at Experience The Country are set within acres of farmland with many tracks and bridleways, making it an ideal location for a segway cross country circuit.

The segways have been specially fitted with large tractor style tyres to easily cope with the rough terrain around the farm. We went up steep slopes, over fields, splashed through puddles and scared a few pheasants. The segways have a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour which is comfortable enough to handle but challenging enough to make it an exciting ride around the estate.

I would thoroughly recommend the segways for a family fun day trip or a party of friends wanting some outdoor fun.

For more information on the Segway experience, contact Helen at Experience the Country.

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane is a tomboy living in the backwater town of Deadwood.  The story is set in 1950’s Chicago, after a mix up in a talent competition in Deadwood's saloon theatre. Calamity heads to Chicago City to obtain the glamorous actress Adelaide Adams for Deadwood, but returns by mistake with her maid Katie Brown.

Katie and Calamity form a friendship and Katie falls for Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, which upsets Calamity. After a bust up at the ball, Calamity realises that she is in love with Wild Bill Hickock after all and they all live happily ever after with a double wedding.

Admiral Costumes hold a good selection of costumes suitable for this show, from fringed cowboy jackets and Stetsons for the men and Calamity, through to show girl dresses for the theatre scenes, glamorous 50’s ball gowns for the party and 50’s style wedding dresses.

Other characters in the musical include, Harry Miller, Francis Fryer, Susan Miller and Rattlesnake.

For more information on our range of costumes for this show, visit our website http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/?page_id=4849  and download our show flyer.

 

Stoke Bruerne Village at War weekend

Stoke Bruerne is going to war again, when the Friends of the Canal Museum present this year's Village at War, which will be held this year on 28^th – 30^th September 2012.

Visitors will have a chance to take part in an air raid, retire to a bomb shelter and meet the home guard. Members of the women’s land army will also be there together with a collection of military vehicles.

On the Friday there will be a 40’s music night with music and dancing from that era.

Admiral Costumes have an excellent selection of 40’s wear, both military and civilian.  Men can choose from RAF, Naval and army uniforms, double breasted suits and trilbys or flying jackets.

For the ladies there are a selection of floral print dresses, coats, suits, land army dungarees, tea lady pinnies and fur coats and stoles.

Give us a call on 01908 372504 and reserve your outfit.

http://www.admiralcostumes.co.uk/?page_id=828

 

Admiral Costumes in the Saddle

One of our Edwardian costumes was put to yet another amazing use this week by being worn by a rider at an historical dressage competition.

The talented rider came first in class and looked superb in a black skirt with frilled hem, high necked lace blouse and red jacket with black velvet collar and buttons and pleated back detail.

An extra ‘skirt’ was added to drape over the back of the horse.

The challenge of finding a suitable hat that would fit over the riding helmet was met with a soft black wide brimmed music hall style hat, covered in black and red feathers.

We love the fact that our costumes are used for such a variety of activities which have included a women’s Edwardian hockey match in south London, a visit to the London Olympics and the Woburn garden design competition.

We have a superb range of costumes from all eras so do give us a call on 01908 372504 or visit our website www.admiralcostumes.co.uk

The nuns have a habit

Our nuns habits, tabards, wimples and crosses have had an incredibly interesting and varied time of it recently.

The availability of the Rogers and Hammerstein script and score for amateur use has led to several talented groups bringing them to life with The Sound of Music.

Sister Act at Milton Keynes Theatre encouraged a renewed interest in ‘the habit’ with many feeling the urge to wear one and sing gospel.

Four of our habits are currently at Beaconsfield film school being used in a final year assessment film and next week they are out again ’climbing every mountain’ in another production of The Sound of Music.

The stately black robes seem reluctant to relinquish their freedom from our wardrobe which is becoming a bit of a habit.

For more information on our clergy wear and matching sets of choir robes, contact Admiral Costumes on 01908 372504

 

Take a walk on the wild side

Following on from my blog “Those boots were made for talkin’” back in March this year; I described the incredible variety of events and venues a pair of size 11 cowboy boots have enjoyed and how that particular pair seem to lead a highly exciting life of their own .

http://admiralcostumes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/those-boots-were-made-for-talkin.html

It is with mild anxiety that I have to report yet another incident that confirms my suspicion that those boots are shaping their own destiny.

The alarm was raised when a neighbour informed me that a lone boot was lurking with intent outside the back door of my shop. Just the one – on it’s own. It had been there for several days and was getting wet in the storms we were having at that time.

How could it possibly be mine? I asked myself, “why would one boot get outside on its own for no reason whatsoever?”

I denied ownership immediately. I keep strict control of my stock and the boots know their place.

The boot was presented to me, limp, rather damp and looking like a cat that had been locked out in the rain. I recognised it at once, it was that cowboy boot again and it’s partner in crime was standing alone where it should be, guarding the boot basket, behaving itself albeit looking rather sheepish.

Whilst the pair enjoyed my undeserved attention buffing them up and restoring them to their former glory, they were spotted by a customer and are booked out again for yet another stint treading the boards in a Northampton production of Oklahoma. They’ve even managed to secure walk on roles for several pairs of their buddies.

Whilst those cunning boots have engineered their own party in Northampton, Gladys and I will be back at the ranch preparing for Halloween……

 

If you’d like to meet the cowboy boots and their soul buddies at our store, then give us a call on 01908 372504

 

An Awesome August with Admiral Costumes

It was with great excitement that we saw the month in with our 70’s chic clothing featured in Vintage Life Magazine for the first time with a four page spread of delightful photographs produced by Sally Crane.

The new month was also heralded with a new window display by Ruby’s Vintage Moments who expertly arranged a fantastic collection of vintage items and props into a ‘costumes through the ages’ display in the window of our store in Newton Longville.

Having despatched a set of costumes up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to appear in Edward Allen Poe’s ‘The Flight of Icarus’, I headed up to London for an exclusive backstage tour of the London Palladium. I not only posed on the yellow brick road, but had a chance to try on some of the costumes from The Wizard of Oz’s Emerald City and visit the fascinating wig department.

As I mostly work alone in my store, I had the realisation that Gladys (my manikin) was probably my closest confidante and it was only fitting that a tribute should be made to her and I published ‘My Ode to Gladys’ in recognition of her service.

With the party season approaching, we had the opportunity to stage a photo shoot in the celebrity bar at The London Palladium and some fabulous pictures of our vintage ball gowns and 60’s wear were taken against the dramatic backdrop of the wrought iron spiral staircase and show posters, by Lewis Bridge recently graduated from Nottingham Trent University.

When three pairs of Lederhosen went up to the Olympic games, it made me reflect that our costumes not only go to some amazing places, get worn by celebrities and star on stage, they in fact lead a far more exciting life than I do. I decided to investigate one of our labelled vintage items and write about the Life and times of a Susan Small dress. The gorgeous little black number is currently hanging on a rail just begging to be taken out on the town.

The last week has been busy with over 100 of our 50’s outfits strutting their stuff at Milton Keynes Theatre in Guys and Dolls, produced by MK Stage Experience.

We look forward to providing costumes for some major vintage events this Autumn, with Goodwood Revival and the North Yorkshire 1940’s pageant, together with three productions of the Sound of Music set in 1940’s Austria.

For read full versions of our stories and view our pictures please visit our blog http://www.blogger.com/home

 

 

 

Tailcoats and Frock Coats for weddings

Smart grey wool/rayon wedding tailcoat suits are available to hire from Admiral Costumes from only £30.00 for the full outfit.

The suit includes a tailcoat with matching waistcoat and trousers, complete with choice of cravat or bow tie and a top hat.

The beautiful tailcoats are suitable for vintage weddings, chauffeurs, period dramas and plays.

Also in stock, an excellent choice of frock coats and tailcoats in navy, maroon and black for that turn of the century vintage look.

We have all sizes available so give us a call on 01908 372504 or e-mail your enquiry to info@admiralcostumes.co.uk

 

 

And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None is a play based on the tale by Agatha Christie where 10 guests are invited to stay on an island.

Each guest has a framed copy of the Nursery Rhyme ‘Ten Little Soldier Boy’s’ on the wall in their room and gradually the rhyme chillingly becomes true as each guest in turn is murdered.

The guests realise that they have been tricked in coming to the island and their means of escape cut off when the supplies boat fails to turn up.

Characters include, Mr and Mrs Rogers, Dr Armstrong, Vera, Anthony Marston, Blore, Lombard and Wargrave.

Costumes required for this play which is set in the 1930’s and has mostly male actors, include smart dinner jackets and lounge suits, wing collar shirts and bow ties which are suitable formal wear for wealthy gents of this period.

Admiral Costumes have an excellent stock of authentic 1930’s style dinner jackets and waistcoats in a variety of sizes to suit most figures. For the ladies, tweed suits, day dresses and elegant softly styled evening wear is also available in a range of sizes and styles.

For more information on our excellent range of 1930’s wear for plays of this period, please visit www.admiralcostumes.co.uk or give us a call on 01908 372504 to discuss your requirements

The currently published, not the original version, of the rhyme goes:

Ten little Soldier boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were nine.

Nine little Soldier Boys sat uo very late;
One overslept himself and then there were eight.

Eight little Soldier Boys travelling in Devon
One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.

Seven little Soldier Boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.

Six little Soldier Boys playing with a hive;
A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.

Five little Soldier Boys going in for law;
One got in Chancery and then there were four.

Four little Soldier Boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.

Three little Soldier Boys walking in the zoo;
A big bear hugged one and then there were two.

Two Little Soldier Boys sitting in the sun;
One got frizzled up and then there was one.

One little Soldier Boy left all alone;
He went out and hanged himself and then there were none

 

Phillips and Piper Motorcycle Pantaloons

A pair of original Phillips and Piper vintage motorcycle pantaloons are now available for hire from Admiral Costumes, adding to our excellent range of wartime clothing.

The khaki pantaloons have a brass button fly and braces with canvas inside leg reinforcements for protection whilst riding classic bikes.

For wartime costumes including army uniforms, RAF uniforms, naval uniforms, kit bags, trench coats and capes, give us a call on 01908 372504.

For the ladies we have a good selection of suits and daywear from floral prints to land army dungarees.

All our costumes are of excellent quality and are suitable for revival days, plays set during the 1940’s and vintage parties.

Visit our website on www.admiralcostumes.co.uk