Step back to 1940's Yorkshire.

I found some old photos from around about 1945 the other day and I thought you might like to see them. I believe this is the Wensleydale Railway back in the day.
And look at these lovely ladies entertaining the troops while they wait on the station platform.

This is a picture of my granny looking a lot plumper than I thought she was back then!
Ok... I'm sure you've rumbled me by now...

Yes it's me.

All dressed up ready for a 1940's weekend. LOL. Wonderful man and I have been to the 40's weekend for the last 3 years and every time I've wanted to get dressed up. The first year we just happened to be in a cafe having some lunch when we noticed groups of people passing the cafe window dressed in 1940s fashions and had to ask what was going on. The second year I was far too unorganised and hadn't found anything to wear. Last year I had been scouting around but couldn't find anything suitable, so this year I was determined to take part.

It wasn't easy though. Previously I've made myself a Victorian costume, collecting bits and bobs from charity shops and altering and making bits right down to the corset. I've also made myself a 'pride and prejudice' style dress from an old pair of curtains found at the charity shop again with a corset to get the right shape.

So you would think coming forward in time would be easier. Nope! It's been the most difficult costume of them all. I couldn't find the right kind of shoes (I always think that if you start at the bottom and get the footwear right the rest falls into place.) I really wanted a floral cotton dress but couldn't find one the right style that would fit over my ample boobage.

So, I ended up with a modern 'New Look' red satin blouse from the charity shop which I had to stitch up the front as it kept popping open. The black skirt was also a charity shop find which was a gorgeous 'Gerry Webber' lined evening skirt, almost ankle length and had to be shortened by about 10 inches. The stockings are an old pair of mine with a fancy line up the back that I've had since the 80's when fancy hosiery was all the rage and I was a teenager with legs up to my armpits.

All in all I wasn't wholly confident that I'd got it quite right. When I looked in the mirror I though I looked like a cross between Yvette from 'Allo Allo' and a fat Amy Winehouse, so you could image my surprise when.... We arrived in the market square and immediately these two photographers approached me and asked to take my photograph! They positioned me in front of this old army lorry and started snapping away. Wonderful man took this one as they were giving me their business cards so that I could request a free copy of the photos they'd taken.Thought you might like a little peek inside my basket Everything modern is hidden under a lovely vintage hanky that says 'A present from Sidmouth'. I have a vintage needlepoint purse and of course some khaki knitting wool as I'm knitting for our boys on the front line.
There were loads of people dressed up, they all looked absolutely fantastic. Plenty of forces personnel and vintage vehicles. Everyone entered into the spirit. Forget the pooch look at those fabulous shoes!
There was an old style shooting range.
My favourites, swing boats.
Here are the Blitz Sisters singing there hearts out on the platform at Leyburn railway station where there were steam trains travelling up and down the line all day. We rode on the steam train there and back. Taking in the beautiful scenery. It was a wonderful day, the weather behaved beautifully, in fact it was too warm at times. My shoes gave me blisters and my clip earrings were agony but it was all worth it. I must admit... By the end of the day I was glad to unpin my Victory rolls and slip into something more comfortable.
But if I'm honest, I kinda liked the false eyelashes and the red lippy!

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.P.S. We need to get Wonderful Man kitted out next. It'll be lovely to have a 40's escort next time!