With what feels like months of cold, wet weather behind us (and who knows how many more ahead?), now's the time to start dreaming of spring and unleashing your spring/summer things from their winter storage hell.
For the vintage maven, there's no better feeling than the day you can put on a cotton frock without hypothermic side-effects.
And here's ten places you can look forward to wearing novelty print cotton or 1950s sarong dresses to this spring.
1. Hep Cats Holiday, Suffolk
Run by two long-term aficionados of the vintage swing scene (DANCE! Not the other type), Hep Cats Holiday is one of the friendliest of the many vintage weekenders that take place throughout the year. There are currently two per year - one in Weston-Super-Mare in July and one in Pakefield, Suffolk in March.
With free dance lessons throughout the day and meals included, plus shopping and amazing people/outfit/accessory/hair watching, you can almost forget you're in a Pontins chalet that's seen far better days.
2. Judy's vintage fair, everywhere
Always a dilemma when visiting vintage fairs - do you go wearing vintage, so the stallholders know you know your stuff, or go incognito in civvies and pretend ignorance? I always choose the former as, on the whole, people who sell antiques and vintage have a soft spot for those who really enjoy wearing it and might therefore be open to bargaining. Worth a try, anyway!
Judy's vintage fairs take place across the land with a huge number on from March-May, and are always a good spot for a bargain (if you're prepared to hunt... and are brave enough to haggle).
3. Bon Vivant, Edinburgh
Get gussied up and head for the Bon Vivant bar in beautiful Edinburgh for exquisitely crafted cocktails served in antique glassware. With drinks like The Fedora (with Beefeater Gin) and Fizz á la Violette (with Cremorne's divine Colonel Fox's Gin and creme de violet) and all sorts of other libations with both gin and non-gin bases, it would be rude not to dress like a 1940s starlet, quite frankly. You can, of course, do this all year round, not just in the spring.
4. A Most Curious Wedding Fair, London & Norwich
This is, obviously, primarily a wedding-themed affair, perfect for the newly betrothed among you.
The vintage and retro dresses, tweed suits, hair accessories and all sorts of old and quirky knick-knacks for sale means that even if you go as a companion or just fancy an afternoon immersed in aesthetically pleasing things, then a visit to the London fair in Hackney (April 4 - 5) or the one in Norwich (April 19) would be an afternoon well spent.
5. The London Burlesque Festival, London (obvs)
The burlesque revival, twenty years on and still going strong, shows no sign of waning in popularity. The annual London Burlesque Festival, now into its 8th year, takes place from May 15 - 25 and is the ideal places to put on your very fanciest and most glamorous gear and watch some of the best cabaret and striptease acts in the world.
If you do go and are wondering whether you've overdone the glitz, the answer is no, the motto 'more is more' and if in doubt, just think WWDD (What would Dita Do?).
6. Atomic Festival, Northamptonshire
The first Atomic Festival (from a new events super-team consisting of the guys behind Rhythm Riot and Rockabilly Rave festivals) happens this May at the Sywell Aerodrome in Northampton. Vintage dress is not compulsory for this festival (or any of the organisers' other events), but it is encouraged and, given the amazing outfits I've seen at similar events, you'd be mad not to.
As it's in May, we can only keep everything crossed for fine weather to enjoy the outdoor hot rod races, aircraft displays, open-air drive in and rocking live music. Oh and the shopping... lots and lots of shopping.
7. Betty's Tea Room, up North
Obviously Betty's is a lovely place to go at any time of year but in the spring the surroundings of the frozen North are starting to thaw.The Betty's in Ilkley is the one that comes with a personal recommendation - the town is absolutely beautiful and I can vouch that wearing retro clobber doesn't seem to attract any side-eye from locals. But if you can't overdress for afternoon tea, when can you?
8. Brasserie Zedel, London
Zedel is the vintage Londoner's top budget-friendly dining location. While the venue is Art Deco splendour, the prices on the menu are suitable for even the most cash-strapped (because you blew all your disposable income on that mint-condition 1940s whatever). Wear your most expensive items as you spend less than a tenner on two courses, and taking a selfie in the toilet mirror is obligatory.
9. Rye, Sussex
It sees an influx of vintage several times a year as thousands of perfectly dressed people descend upon the Sussex coast for various vintage and rock n roll weekenders, but Rye is lovely to visit in the spring. Packed with antique shops and old-fashioned delights, make sure you visit Marino's Fish Bar for amazing fresh fish and chips in a setting that's retro simply by the fact that it's never changed. Plus, all the locals are well used to seeing people dressed up in vintage!
10. The Lost and Found, Birmingham
This bar has quirky, Victorian inspired décor full of apothecary jars and taxidermy, home-cooked British food and an extensive cocktail menu comprising both revived classics and new concoctions. The Lost and Found is the number one destination for vintage aficionados (or dabblers) in Birmingham and is another that should, in fact, be visited all year round.
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