Millers & Wranglers

Picking up a pair of vintage Rollers reminded me of that other iconic fashion item of the 1970s, the nylon plaid western shirt with press-studs. It appears everything old is new again, as after an absence of a few decades, retro style western shirts are back in the 2000s. As for the originals, the top 70s brand in Australia was "Miller", followed by others like "Wrangler" and "Golden Breed". I haven't seen vintage Millers in op shops much these days, and they are fetching $60+ on eBay.au! Undaunted I managed to pick up a vintage Wrangler on eBay for around $25 delivered.

Left: 16yo me in a Miller (note "pilot" sunglasses & high-waist jeans), Right: My eBay Wrangler

Millers are remembered for the shiny metallic threads woven through the fabric and imitation mother of pearl press-studs. Wrangler's only gimmick was to make the pocket flaps in the shape of "W"s.

Rock'n Rollers

If you were an Aussie teen in the late 70s (guy or girl) you just HAD to have a pair of desert boots. When I saw this pair of DBs for $8 at the Sebas Salvos a year or so ago, they just HAD to come home with me. They are the one-and-only original "Rollers" brand too, and not one of the many knockoffs from the time. A very lucky find in such good condition :)

Footnote: I haven't seen Rollers like these in the shops for years and assumed the style went extinct in the 1980s, I found however there is still a company in Australia selling old school style DBs! advancefootwear.com.au carries new made versions of the classic high and low cut Rollers styles in their "M sprint" range (the "Custom" $69.99 and "Superlight" $79.99).

Manifest 2009 – Melbourne Anime Festival

Yes, the Manifest Anime Festival is on at the Melbourne Showgrounds this weekend (Aug 21-23)! Being a bit of a fanboy I've always wanted to check out a full on sci-fi or anime convention, the costumed fans, traders stalls, collectibles, special events etc, but alas I can't make it down to Melb this weekend. Oh well, there's always next year I suppose.



On the local front it's interesting to note that BAKA (Ballarat Awesome Klub for Anime) held their first cosplay event back in July. For more on that see Kirri-Joy's blog here & here.

A Day in Pompeii

After Sunday breakfast at the tiny and delightful Cafe Rosamond in Charles St Fitzroy (just off Smith St), went to "A Day in Pompeii" at the Melbourne Museum. A great exhibition, nothing brings history to life more than the actual physical artefacts of the time. Bronzes, jewellery, glassware, frescos and items of daily life. There are also the eerie body casts of the poor unfortunates that didn't escape. Too much to describe here, you just have to see it for yourself. Some good pictures of the artefacts on the museum website, some mobile phone pics below.

No Rest for the Wicked

Retro greeting card from a (now closed) boutique in Johnston St. Collingwood, so cute just had to buy it. Features "No rest for the Wicked" 1935, by William Barribal. Card published by Visoni UK

Vintage Time

Been interest in getting a vintage mechanical watch for some time. Found this one at the Williamstown Vintage Fashion Fair in June, Swiss made, still running, case and bracelet ok, but with badly scratched glass and in need of a service. At $10 thought I'd take a chance. A newbie to vintage watches, was a little surprised to find servicing started at $99, but as I've had my fair share of thrifting savings till now decided to go ahead with it. Now my 1950s timepiece has new glass and is keeping perfect time. It was fashionable for men’s wristwatches to be small and elegant up until the 1960s, the case on this one is only 31mm across, so I think it wouldn't look out of place with outfits from the 1930s on.


Late 1950s "Austral" men’s wristwatch, case by "Eloga", Swiss 17j movement.