HOLIDAY SHOPPING

If you're reading this now I've probably just touched down in Las Vegas! The plan, like the past few years is a California/Nevada Road Trip, this year with my family! Starting in Vegas, heading into the Mojave Desert then onto Palm Springs, hitting L.A then finally ending this epic journey in Santa Monica, before flying back from LAX. I've managed to hit the high street and grab a few last minute pieces for my trip to America. This isn't a massive haul by any mean's, however, I just thought I'd show you what I've picked up myself and been very kindly given for my time away!

Here are a few items I wanted to show you, as, well basically, I couldn't resist! I'm going to feature all these pieces individually across on my blog when I get back, but for now, here's what my upcoming posts will feature. Plus you're pretty much certain to see these pieces across on Instagram over the next few weeks as my plan is to shoot these killer pieces out to the desert, which by the way I'm very excited about!

I picked up my denim jeans in town Saturday morning but also had a back-up pair delivered just in case I couldn't find any to my liking! Thankfully I did come across some awesome jeans from All Saints. I really struggle when it comes to finding jet black skinny jeans, I've tried everywhere believe me! All Saints however, never let you down, you get a quality, well fitting jean which always look very cool on. I am also keeping my back-up pair from a brand called Brooklyn Denim which turned out to pretty bloody good for £35, stay tuned to see what they look like.

The other pieces include a killer snake print shirt from Reiss, a standout leopard print number from the brand I work for in Manchester, Phix. It's actually a sample shirt which you'll be happy to hear, we are putting into production later on this month. Next up, the leather jacket to end all leather jackets (which I've featured on my blog before) from the Parisian brand, Mounir Ghazi Paris. Last but not least we have the sexiest pair of boots I've ever seen by From The First, which I chat about in detail in this weeks YouTube video.

I've been super lucky to have visited America quite a lot over the past few years and I can't wait to get back out there! It really is one of my favourite places to visit in the entire world! See what I get up to by following me on Instagram @theunidentifiedrocker. As you can see I have a few killer collaborations going on with brands I know you'll love - so keep an eye out for more!

I'll be taking the next two weeks off writing my blog but will be back the first Sunday in September to tell you all about my adventures while exploring California. Click the link below to view my YouTube featuring Mounir Ghazi Paris and From The First boots.

Catch you soon,

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ANOTHER VINTAGE SHIRT

"I really need to start buying more vintage", That's what I said in my latest blog post and as you can see, I've done just that. I'm now making a conscious effort to explore this new found world.

In today's post I'm sharing another shirt I found from COW Vintage, my local secondhand store in Manchester's Northern Quarter. This is the second killer shirt I've found in three weeks, which is pretty good odd's don't you think?

It's a black and white pattern that I originally thought was zebra print, which you guessed it, obviously first attracted my eye! When I got a little closer, it turned out to be more of a geometric design rather than animal print, which I still think is very cool and something I wanted to try out. The shirt has a long darted collar that screams the 70's, huge elongated cuffs which are longing to be turned inside out and folded up, which of course is exactly how I styled it.

The shape of this piece is so well fitted, it feels like it's been tailored to me. I'm also a huge fan of an unbuttoned shirt, and with this ones retro feel it's almost begging to be worn with a few top buttons missing. I finished off the look by wearing what could be vintage shades (stolen from the other half) to complete this 70's  rock 'n' roll outfit.

I'm heading across to America with my family next Sunday which is exciting, so I've started adding things to my packing list which I hope to share with you next week. 

Since I have plans to wear this shirt in America, I decided to wear it in Manchester, and style it ready for my holiday to see if it could be worn in a warmer climate. Admittedly I haven't shown you every detail this shirt has, I've toned it down to fit in with the windy surroundings of the Northern Quarter, with a black denim jacket and the shirt tucked in. But my plans to wear this shirt on holiday are a lot different, so watch this space. 

You can check out this weeks YouTube video below where this shirt and my last vintage shirt feature, along with a lot of catching up!

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MY ALTER EGO VINTAGE SHIRT

I've not bought any vintage in a long time, however, last weekend I found myself in one of Manchester's best known vintage shops, COW. I was browsing the packed rails full of vintage clothing, when low and behold I came across something I fell in love with. There was however, a downside. The shirt I'd found jammed in amongst the rails was an extra-large, not just any extra-large an American XL. This thing was HUGE! Reason number 1, I find vintage shopping annoying, you discover the most killer piece and what do you know, it doesn't fit you, ANNOYING!

I saw past the shirts huge size and was initially going to purchase it not to wear, but to frame as a piece of art! That was my thinking, if I couldn't physically wear it, I'd do the next best thing! 
I mean, just look at that print, it's unbelievable!

The bar alone shapes up to be my perfect night out, a few beers to start, a martini or two in the middle, then a good old whisky to end. The bar stools are also particularly cool, especially the chair with the leather biker jacket effortlessly thrown over it, next to the red electric guitar. You really do feel the cool oozing out of this shirt. The scene is finished off and lit up by the large suspended lights above the bar, it's just one incredibly cool print and incredibly cool shirt. How could I leave something this good behind?

Answer: I couldn't. I felt like I'd stumbled upon a shirt that summed up my alter ego of The Unidentified Rocker down to a T, I can imagine myself in this bar, nevermind wearing the print on a shirt. As I mentioned this shirt was an XL, so you're all probably thinking to yourselves, well, it doesn't look that big to me. That's correct, it doesn't. I loved this shirt so much I wanted to wear it, meaning the shirt and myself had to take a trip straight to the tailors.

As you can see the tailor did an excellent job cutting and shaping the shirt, as well as loosing a lot of length from the body and sleeves which I can tell you now, were both very long! That's the beauty of vintage, I have something no one else has and probably can never get, the shirt was £19 and I spent £26 getting it tailored to my exact measurements.

This shirt was made in Honolulu, Hawaii and has definitely been around for a few years, looking at the labels inside I get the impression its being around from the early 80's even late 70's as it states the brand has been around since 1956. The brands called Tori Richard and feel like it's a quality piece. I just love the mother of pearl buttons each with Tori Richard etched on to them, and this killer discovery has me hooked. I'll definitely be heading back and shopping vintage very soon to find my next diamond in the rough!

I'd love to know your best vintage finds and where you came across them! Comment in the box below.

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