December 25, 2024
Chicago 12, Melborne City, USA
Dear Diary

The Chap Olympiad 2012

Ah, The Chap Olympiad.

That special time of year when guys and gals with a sense of humour and a penchant for booze and fancy attire descend on a small park in London to pose for photos, behave like idiots and get more than a little bit tipsy before dispersing into the night once more, bitching about how their feet hurt (that last bit might just be me).

This years Chap Olympiad was a 2 day affair, but in the end I only attended on the Saturday as I needed to get back home and get some sleep! The Saturday was amply stocked with lovely vintage ladies to party with though.

L-R : ME!, Charly of Landgirl 1980, Minna of Red Legs in Soho, Lena of The Style High Club, Charlotte of Tuppence Ha’Penny, Ellen of B Millinery, Margaret of Penny Dreadful, Naomi of Vintage Secret

Now, obviously the vitally important question here is what did I WEAR?

Refusing to let grey skies get the better of me I wore a Paul Costelloe bias cut dress that I found in a Charity Shop with a sporting print of tennis racquets, croquet mallets and other paraphernalia and a straw hat.

Being British, I also sensibly wore a cardigan.

ā¤ Hat - From a bootfair ā¤ Cardian & Belt - Primark ā¤ Bracelets - Charity ShopĀ ā¤
 ā¤ Dress - Paul Costelloe via a Charity Shop ā¤ Shoes - Unisa ā¤

At some point during the day it actually got warm enough to remove my cardigan. So I attempted to take another photograph, unfortunately this man had other ideas….

And then I got a bit silly, but you get the idea.

A delicious picnic was largely provided by the prodigious baking talents of Mat from Southern Retro, Lena of Style High Club and Charly of Landgirl 1980, the sandwich making talents of His Lordship of Perditas’s Pursuits fame and the shopping skills of Margaret from Penny Dreadful. Our contributionĀ  was a black pop up gazebo which saved us from untimely downpours and was bloomin’ heavy to carry.

Because I do not trust myself with posh cameras at all day events involving lots of booze, all my pictures are taken on my iPhone, so I’ll share a couple more, but otherwise I suggest you check out Margaret’s photos for the Vintage Guide to LondonĀ  and Penny Dreadful and the wonderful portraits taken by Hanson Leatherby

Eeeek! I nearly forgot! Tony Robinson was there! Yes, Baldrick and now he digs stuff up on Time Team, you know the guy! Charly had her photo taken with him!

14 Comments

  • Heeheehee, I love your face gaping in disbelief at the photo-bombing guy šŸ˜€

  • LandGirl1980 July 9, 2012

    Your facial expression in that shot is PRICELESS. It is still making me laugh!

    *I HAD MY PHOTO TAKEN WITH TONY ROBINSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!* <—- as you can see – the disbelief and excitement has yet to abate.

  • Kezzie July 9, 2012

    Hello! You looked delightful! Your outfit is so so pretty and your hat is delightful! I didn’t dare wear a hat as I thought it might disintegrate! Am so gutted that all those vintage bloggers went on the Saturday! I would have loved to see you all in person! I went on the Sunday and got totally rained on!!!!!

  • Old Fashioned Susie July 9, 2012

    Hahaa- love the pics with the photo lurker!! Sounds great! I’ll get down there for it some point in the future!

  • perdita July 9, 2012

    Well done on your gazebo plan. WIN! We were clearly the most exclusive and sophisticated of the Chaps ans Chappettes with our VIP area tent.

    Photobomb guy cracked me up.

  • Princess Pin Curls July 10, 2012

    LOVE that dress, great that you found it in a charity shop. Looks like you had a great day.

  • Annie July 10, 2012

    Oh the Chap Olympiad!!! I can’t believe I missed it this year but looks like they were prepared for the rain. Last year everyone was huddled under umbrellas!

  • Chrissie July 10, 2012

    Love your outfit and brilliant pose brought a smile to my face!

  • Straight Talking Mama July 16, 2012

    I love the print on your dress it’s fabulous, you know me I do love a good print!

    • Chrissie July 16, 2012

      Wonderful atmosphere created by all!

Comments are closed.