All posts tagged: Mod

LOOKBOOK: Margot’s Vintage Closet

Published by

I’m really excited about a new project launching in The Mod Closet: The ‘Icons & Influencers’ series aims to celebrate women in the Mod and Scooter (and related) scenes. Over the next twelve months I will be talking to twelve wonderful women, who have agreed to share their stories and experiences with us. We all have the capacity to influence and inspire others, and be positive role models in our everyday lives.  I’m really excited to be able to introduce you to some of the people who have made it an absolute pleasure for me to be a part of the scene. The always-stylish Margot McClane is the subject of our first ‘Icons and Influencers’ series – you can read Margot’s interview here – As an accompanying piece to the interview, Margot agreed to open up her Mod closet and give us a peak at her favourite outfit for our Lookbook… I will never get rid of my teal blue Welsh wool tapestry cape, and matching skirt. They can be worn together, or mixed and matched with …

Icons & Influencers: Margot McClane

Published by

Connecting with people who share a common interest is a joyful and enriching experience. By far one of my favourite things, about being part of the Mod and Scooter scenes, are the people I have met and the friends I have made. The Mod Closet’s Icons & Influencers series aims to celebrate women in the Mod and Scooter (and related) scenes. Over the next twelve months I will be talking to twelve wonderful women, who have agreed to share their stories and experiences with us. These are the real people, like you and I, who shape the scene by being active in it. They are The Scene! I am delighted to be able to kick off the Mod Closet’s Icons & Influencers series by introducing you to the stunning Margo McClane… …Margot and I met on Facebook. George bought a number of items from Margot’s online store, The Psychedelic Lounge; we exchanged friend requests and, were finally able to meet in person at the MODA Mod event in Wolverhampton last year. Margot always looks fabulous! This is a conversation …

Ibiza: Our Spiritual Holiday Home?

Published by

Are mid-life Mods & Scooterists channelling their inner Peter Pan or whatever the female equivalent is? For those of us returning to the scene, are we embracing our mid-life transition? I would never use the term mid-life crisis that puts far too negative a spin on it.  My personal definition of the mid-life transition is the point in life where you were expecting to feel settled and satisfied only to find, when you get there, that you are neither settled nor satisfied… Getting older means never having to play it cool about how much you like something. …Maybe, you have been living your life according to external expectations, rather than your internal values and, you have discovered they are not the same.  However, (and here’s the wonderful part) you have had enough experience to be clear about what makes you happy and enough time left to enjoy it. My lovely friend (and talented hairdresser) Karen, has a more succinct term for it: “second-life” or “second-lifers”. Personally, I think we’re all just geeks. Simon Pegg is quoted as saying: …

Ibiza Views

Published by

Disclaimer: George and I stayed in an All Inclusive hotel for seven nights in June 2015 and, bearing in mind this was our first visit to Ibiza, our view is probably quite limited. However, we did get out and about during our stay so, I’ll do my best to give you our Ibiza low down… San Antonio George and I stayed in Cala Gracio, which is about 2km north of San Antonio. Our hotel was on the Cala Gracio beach; a short five/ten minute walk along the beach road to the big name cafes in San Antonio: Mint Lounge, Cafe del Mar, Cafe Mambo, Savannah Beach Club etc. A bit pricey; we paid €38 for a jug of Cava Sangria in Cafe del Mar, although you’ll find food and drink to suit most budgets. However, along the beach path between Cala Gracio and San Antonio there are many other beach-front cafes and bars offering cheaper alternatives and two-for-one deals. A further five/ten minutes walk along the beach path you’ll arrive in San Antonio proper. There is a lively strip of clubs, …

Celebrate Everything

Published by

Reward and recognition are important values but, how often do we celebrate our own successes?  ‘Celebrate Everything’ has been an important motto of mine for some time now.  I forget what triggered it, maybe when I was in the midst of my Coaching & Mentoring Post Grad at Oxford Brookes: “How are you going to celebrate that?” sounds like a typical coaching question.  Whilst the moment itself isn’t memorable it was hugely significant because, the moment you decide to celebrate your own success you change the game.  It is transformational. In my real-world job (not Coaching & Mentoring, that’s an extra-curricular activity) I work very closely with colleagues based in the US.  In fact my boss and team are based there and the global nature of my role means I have first-hand experience of how diverse the two cultures are and, how they influence each other – for those of you witnessing the American invasion into our language and culture I assure you it works both ways!  One of the ways in which we differ …

Too Far South: Mods Adrift on the Isle of Wight

Published by

We’re suffering from Bank Holiday Blues in the Mod Closet this week.  Having planned, talked about and counted down the months, weeks, days and sleeps to the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally – and, by planned I mean bought me a scooter; customised two scooters and endured nine motorcycle tests between us (one of us had to take the Mod1 twice) – we’re feeling a little deflated now that it’s all over. You may be questioning why a couple of Mods didn’t attend the Brighton Mod weekender. Brighton was our original plan but when we struggled to find a hotel with suitable parking we decided on the Isle of Wight instead.  In the weeks leading up to the Mod-milestone weekend we began to wonder if we’d made a terrible mistake. I appreciate that this may not sound like the biggest decision in one’s life but I do struggle with simple decisions.  Major decisions like, the sale of my house (yes), where to live (back in Oxford), where to get married (New York); should we invoke …

Overdressed and Out West: Weston Super Mare Scooter Rally 2014

Published by

QUESTION: What’s the difference between a Scooter Rally and a Mod Weekender?  Answer: At a Mod Weekender no one looks you up and down and asks “What the bloody hell have you come for, a wedding?” You might be able to tell that this was my first, full-blown Scooter Rally and, while I was expecting a certain amount of casual (it’s largely a camping venue and temperatures soared to the high twenties) I wasn’t expecting a sea of three-quarter length camouflage and band t-shirts.  Boy those scooterists are a sensible bunch!  And, boy was I naïve.  They are sensible, it seems until it comes to throwing themselves around town on their scooters in shorts and t-shirts!  I’m also a newly qualified scooter girl (if that isn’t obvious) who is still reeling from hanging on to a 600cc machine around the streets of Banbury for my motorcycle license and, as such I’m reluctant to let go of the armour plating.  I did try a lighter look for my four-mile mini-ride to Sturdy’s Castle in June and …

The Mod Closet Menswear Sale Edit (and EXCLUSIVE discount)

Published by

Following last week’s post dedicated to women’s blazers and jackets it seems only fair and balanced to dedicate this, my next post to the Gentlemen Mods. In this edition of The Mod Closet Style Edit you’ll find our pictorial edit of the best of the current end of season sales PLUS another EXCLUSIVE MOD CLOSET DISCOUNT available until July 14th.  I’ve also pulled together some outfit ideas to get your inspiration juices flowing. I’ve been scouring the best of what’s currently available online this week to pull together a seasonally appropriate edit from the best of the Mod market.  The usual suspects have been included; Mod friendly brands like Gabicci, Merc, Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Original Penguin and Dr Martens have all announced end of season sales. But, by far the biggest challenge was pulling an edit from the vast array of stock available from online retailer Atom Retro and one of London’s top destination stores Stuarts London.  I’ve even thrown in couple of curve-balls from London brand Albam & French boutique brand The Kooples.  Enjoy … NOTE: …

The Mod Closet Style Edit: Women’s Blazers & Jackets

Published by

THIS WEEK IN THE MOD CLOSET we’ve been coming out of the closet and discussing what makes us Mod.  To join in the discussion or, to just read others comments please go to the current pinned post in the Mod Closet Facebook Group (tip: if you’re using the Facebook app on a mobile device you may need to click on the View Pinned Post bar underneath the cover photo).  There’s also a link on The Mod Closet Facebook Page. As always I have been scanning the market for interesting Mod styles, great sellers and deals and I’m really excited to bring you The Mod Closet’s FIRST exclusive reader discount (more on that later!). WOMEN’S  BOATING BLAZERS seem to be a big talking point at the moment: Where to buy them?  How to wear them?  Does the three button rule still apply?  The problem with the three button rule for women’s blazers is placement.  A good Mod will tell you that it’s not just the number of buttons but the button placement that’s important (along with lapel width …

The Mod Closet Mash Up: WHERE TO SHOP RIGHT NOW!

Published by

Here’s your Mod Closet Mash Up and where to shop this week.  And, remember if you’re out and about hop on over to The Mod Closet Facebook Group (search groups for ‘The Mod Closet Group’ or follow the link in the Mod Closet Facebook page) to peacock your photos and give a shout out to the venue/event. Mod girls if you’re looking for vintage/retro mod shoes, accessories and shift dresses then head over to Facebook sellers Bouffant Betty and The Psychedelic Lounge. Boys should also  check out the Psychedelic Lounge for some really smart Gabicci, Ben Sherman & Fred Perry polo shirts. Tattybojangles has a range of dresses, size 8-14 for £23.50 each, including some great Mod style collared dresses.  Lynda Turner Brown at Tattybojangles  also offers a search service and viewings by appointment.  See the Tattybojangles Facebook  page for more details. I feel I should give Tattybojangles a special mention after my husband tried to strip Mr Tattybojangles of his green polo shirt at the Paul Weller concert in Sherwood Pines on Saturday 14th.  It …