Chillie Chats… Samantha Wears

Samantha was one of our MAJOR models in our latest ss23 campaign, starring in the photoshoot and taking part in our 2 day presentation to launch ss23 held at the Groucho Club during London Fashion Week. We scouted her as a customer at Chillie when we had our very first pop up shop at Pichi on Ladbroke Grove and we all became fast friends. Sam modelled back in the day but through her growing Instagram following is having another career as a model! She has most recently starred in something for Miu Miu and has been cast in shows over this season in London. She has some amazing stories to match her epic vintage collection which she has collected since she can remember. Thanks Sam for your continued and incredible support for Chillie London. Here's what she has to say!

C: Describe your style

Pre loved, into vintage sporty style, next day funky or classic ! Always different I would say.

C: Where do you look for fashion inspiration

On my local high street or when I’m walking doing errands… old movies, I don’t really follow a trend.

Recently went to Oslo Court in St John's Wood and time has stood still these colours and table settings haven't changed in over 20 years and are still inspiring to me!

C: Why do you buy vintage

Because the price point is often more affordable, I know not everyone else will have it, I always wonder who owned it before and it’s much more exciting than going to a store. Always I LOVE to say when people ask me where it’s from to say it’s vintage. Hahahaah

C: What’s the story behind Your favourite vintage piece (below)

Basically my friend was getting married and she was asking what I was going to wear to the wedding she said I could borrow from her as she had an incredible wardrobe!! I had always loved Thai cashmere Chanel blazer however I was taller than her and she had had the jacket shortened to fit but I was obsessed so I wore it! She let me borrow it once and then went to a party in it and someone poured beer over it!! She never knew had it dry cleaned but never borrowed anything again after that!! A year ago, at a vintage fair, I saw this exact same jacket tried it on and the arms were so short and knew it had to be the same one. I bought it and was so happy to have found it as would never have been able to have afforded it!! What are the chances!! Fate

C: Favourite brand

Money no object will probably be vintage Chanel/ viv and YSL

This Chanel sweatshirt I bought at the Chillie London pop up event, exclusively sold by stylist Sara Gilmour and since then I discovered Claudia Schiffer out in the same sweatshirt from back when it came out!

C: Do you prefer e books / audiobook or physical book

Love the smell of a good book. So a physical book.

C: Do you shop in store

Yeah sometimes ! I like talking and I always meet interesting people

C: Do you vote and if so what drives your vote?

Yes!!!!!!! Everyone should vote!

The hat above I made!! This picture was taken 28 years ago

C: Tips for shopping vintage

Don’t have something in mind, shop out put of season, and try stuff on!!!! You never know, it may fit.

C: Favourite item on the website

Those red leather Nike track pants! And the red Mosh jacket

C: What’s your daily uniform

Jeans jeans jeans

C: 3 things and the story behind them

The vintage chanel sweatshirt from Chillie!!!

The jacket I borrowed from a friend to find it after lockdown

Piece of furniture ( does this count??) that I put a note thro the door after lockdown and got

C: Vintage or rental?

Always vintage

C: How do you feel about social media

Has good and bad parts.

C: How do you prioritise mental health

I’m lucky to live in central london, near some parks…I literally walk everywhere I possibly can, I have to go outside everyday even in the rain, I love the rain actually! If I have time u can see me sitting in a bus stop just watching…. I love trees and weirdly know a lot of their names and I like to watch them ever changing. If only trees could talk………. Nature is so good for us, even 5 mins in the fresh air.

C: Which media outlets do you like to get your news from?

I read papers on line mainly. I try to watch the news in the evening if I can.

Georgina Graham…how to wear preloved clothes

We have been super lucky this week to have spent the day with the coolest and most fabulous make up artist Georgina Graham who has worked for numerous high end glossy titles Dazed Beauty, French Vogue and Self Sevice. She has helped launch make up and skincare lines accross the globe and not only has an incredible knowledge of beauty but in her early days also worked as a stylist so has a huge passion for fashion. She is very aware of the impact fashion is having on the planet and wants to do more to help. Georgina is a local West London gal which makes the collaboration even more suitable. Combining our knowledge around each or our careers and try and put sustainability first. Our first collaboration we wanted to bring the two worlds togther and inspire you into wearing vintage clothes in a modern way through styling and make up. Working for The Face back in the day and other emerging titles in the 90's, these memories got her picking out some of her favourite vintage pieces from our shop and she has written about them, adding her beauty take on it as well as her style tips for each piece. We loved this project so much it's something we hope you will find inspiring too even if you wouldn't wear the pieces you might find it helpful for your own wardrobe, giving you confidence to wear preloved clothes and carry on shopping second hand! 🌶️

We sell by colour on the website, we think this way of shopping makes it much easier to navigate buying preloved clothes. Find you go to colour on our website and hopefully add some of the ideas Georgina made above to give you a modern look to wearing vintage clothes. We want to make vintage accessible allowing you to wear clothes in a modern way without much effort and not be put off by a decade or style and feeling the need to dress like that head to toe. We want to teach you how to wear vintage and make it effortless and current. Love to hear your thoughts is this helpful?

More to come watch this space 🌶️

80's pink leather jacket

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How to: Wear the Classics

Sometimes the most daunting pieces to style are the most simple of all. The classics as we like to call them demand such precision when putting together an outfit to emulate that effortlessly chic look we're all so desperately chasing. At Chillie London when dealing with classic pieces like to approach things with the ethos of keeping it simple and letting the clothes speak for themselves. But if you need an extra bit of help we've put together a quick guide to how to wear the classics.

The Tuxedo Jacket

The most challenging part of the classic tuxedo jacket is finding one that fits perfectly. Once you've managed that then everything else just sort of falls into place. For the best chance of finding the right fit seek out a vintage seller who specialises in menswear, and be prepared to try on a lot of options.

When it comes to the Tuxedo jacket our biggest inspo will always be Helmut Newton's Le Smoking, photographed for Yves Saint Laurent in1966. Originally reserved only for men, YSL's adaptation of the tuxedo jacket for the female form has since inspired countless designers, and has remained stylish for over 70 years.

Pair your smoking hot tuxedo jacket with a feminine off-white shirt, figure-hugging denim and we personally think they look amazing with some black leather cowboy boots and Dark-red lipstick. Marlboro gold optional.

The LBD

The enduring classic made famous by Mademoiselle Coco Chanel who's never ending appeal is evident from it's over100 year history. A range of go-to LBD's is essential for any wardrobe.

But with such a simple concept comes a world of questions - what material? Style? length? But the beauty is with such a failsafe piece you can easily customise the other elements to suit your style and body.

And the beauty of the LBD is it's the perfect blank canvas for creating a knockout outfit - We love paring our LBD's with Knee-high boots, a classic pair of black opaque tights, gold jewellery and a neutral-toned trench coat.

The White Shirt

The classic men's shirt is one of those simple items that's so easy to get wrong - but when you get it right then you'll create an outfit which is pure chic,*chefs kiss*.

We always advise to go oversized, the more airy the better; which makes this piece a perfect summer staple or winter layering essential. Fit and cut are one of the main elements in classic men's tailoring so again be prepared to do a lot of trying on and to be disappointed, but we say don't give up! The perfect shirt is out there, we promise.

When it comes to the classic mens shirt we always remember it a-la Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffanys (above), where she famously wore a mens shirt and nothing else. But if you're not quite ready to brave the bare leg then pair it with some retro sporty cycling shorts, statement jewellery, 90's supermodel makeup and some killer heels.