Another unforgettable Twinwood Festival has drawn to a close, leaving us with memories of swinging dance floors, timeless music and, of course, impeccable vintage style. Among the weekend's many highlights was the ever popular Mr Vintage UK competition, where style, charm, and character all came together in celebration.
This year's contest brought five outstanding gentlemen to the spotlight, each with their own take on vintage flair, and each representing the passion and dedication that keeps this scene so vibrant. They weren't just competitors, they were ambassadors of the lifestyle! They showcased how vintage is so much more than clothes - it’s community, creativity, and character.
Let's revisit those five finalists who captured the crowd's imagination at Twinwood 2025! We put five questions to the five finalists, to get to know the personalities behind the polished outfits and to dig a little deeper into their style and what vintage means to them.
Andrew Bradshaw
From Royston avid collector of vintage goods. I love to dance and am currently learning ballroom.. I need no excuse to enjoy the fashion of the past even when abroad on holiday. I try to find as much time for vintage festivals (Twinwood is a must). I currently work between my 2 jobs engineering and a on call firefighter which I love.
What first attracted you to vintage fashion?
I love the way the clothes fit and got in to the styles as a reenactor and dancing.
How would you describe your style?
totally outrageous and anything out of the ordinary.
Where do you get inspiration for your looks?
Any photos or literature I can find and explore.
What is it about vintage events that you enjoy the most?
The friendly environment and the love of seeing the styles people come up with.
Do you have any insider tips for anyone looking to enter the Mr Vintage competition next year?
Do your own style and not just the same things as years before also have evidence of your looks if possible.
Andrew Parsons
Having had such a great time in the last two Mr Vintage competitions, I thought I'd have a another crack at it! I was asked a couple of years ago whether I dress Vintage all of the time: my reply was that I only go Vintage occasionally. Moving forward two years and the situation has been reversed and Vintage elements can be found in just about everything I wear...! The photo I'm submitting is evidence that it is also possible to colour co-ordinate with an early 20th century hardware shop...
What first attracted you to vintage fashion?
I started wearing vintage to try to keep up with my wife! She'd been wearing 50s style repro dresses for a number of years and began buying 40s suits and dresses as we began attending more vintage events. As I gradually discovered good sellers of repro and genuine vintage pieces for myself, I expanded my vintage wardrobe.
How would you describe your style?
My preferred era is definitely mid-20th century (1930s to 1950s) and my preferred style is smart but not formal (think tweed jacket and tie) although I can now do a whole range from casual, to business formal to tuxedo or white tie (all vintage style of course!)
Where do you get inspiration for your looks?
I get my inspiration for my looks from a range of sources: classic 30s / 40s films, vintage fashion sourcebooks, other vintage dressed friends, and sellers of repro clothing..!
What is it about vintage events that you enjoy the most?
One of the biggest draws (other than a chance to throw on your best vintage) is the social scene. You meet so many old friends (and make quite a few new ones) that it becomes one of the main attractions about it. The social scene around vintage is fantastic as you all have at least one interest in common!
Do you have any insider tips for anyone looking to enter the Mr Vintage competition next year?
1. Pick a good photo with a striking look. Let your friends on Facebook know when voting is due go live on the first round and promote your entry when voting opens. Try to get as many likes as you can!
2. If you do get into the live final, you don't have to wear the same outfit, but make sure whatever you wear is striking (and ideally with a good vintage themed story behind your outfit).
3. Finally... have fun! I've made it to the last three finals and had an absolute blast. I'm still in touch with the other men's finalists (did I mention the social scene..? 🙂)
Malcolm Yale - Winner!
What first attracted you to vintage fashion?
My dad was my inspiration, he was ALWAYS very smart. He has his own business as a furniture remover but was very hands on. Him and my uncle would be dressed to death always in tweed shifting people's furniture. While my mates were growing up listening to T Rex, Slade and Sweet, I was listening to 78's of Al Bowlly, Glen Miller and Jack Hilton, and watching Sunday Matinees... James Stewart, James Cagney, Cary Grant. I even love the style of the Ubiquitous English Cad, Terry Thomas!
The clothes were fantastic and manners were impeccable... You can wear the best vintage clothes ever, but if your manners don't match, you're wasting your time. A phrase coined by the saying was the motto of William of Wykeham, a 14th-century bishop and popularised by the recent film, Kingsman, Manners Maketh Man.
How would you describe your style?
My style drifts around between 20s and late 40s. I've never really been into Rock 'n' Roll or 50s stuff but I have been known to occasionally wear a bowling shirt on holiday.
What is it about vintage events that you enjoy the most?
Much to my wife's consternation I am constantly seeking our vintage clothing and accoutrements and usually, at vintage events, we spend more time perusing the stalls than listening to the music. Both me and my wife do dance but don't wear dancewear. Our forebears didn't change into dance shoes to dance, they just danced.
We love vintage events, not for anything particular but for the general feeling of the event. The music, shopping but mainly, the whole look and feel of an event where everyone joins in and wears appropriate garb is very important to us. Switching off our phones is part of our way of immersing ourselves in an event. Paying with cash and whole process of opening up a wallet, vintage of course, not one of those dreadful affairs which folds the money and gets stuffed in a back pocket of jeans.
Do you have any insider tips for anyone looking to enter the Mr Vintage competition next year?
With regards to Mr Vintage UK, people has been suggesting I enter for a whole, with one particular friend, Ian giving me loads of encouragement over the last six months. Tips for contestants would be to do the research on the clothing you're going to wear. Most of the clothing that I own has a story. Not just what I wore on stage, 95% of my wardrobe. They ARE vintage and have a life before they come to me. I might check the dating on them, they may have a tailor's label. You will be asked by Lola and Dusty to go through your outfit. It's always easier to answer if you show a passion and commitment to what you're wearing.
Take several photos of several outfits and really think about the detail. Not just in the outfit, but in the whole framing of the photo, what's in the background etc. Be as natural as you can in the photo, don't just stare at the camera. The first round is a public vote on Facebook. If you don't have an account, get one and share your photo with your friends and ask them and their friends for support. Pick the best photo, even ask others for their opinion. Think about what you're writing in your bio. Your photo is to grab attention and your bio will hold the viewer. It IS a competition but ALWAYS be respectful to other chaps in the competition.
What might you spend your Revival gift voucher on?
I do like Revival Vintage spearpoint collar shirts so I may treat myself to a couple and put my vouchers to a couple of shirts.
We'd like to say a huge thank to all of the finalists for taking the time to answer our questions. The competition was the perfect celebration of timeless style, individuality, and the enduring love for vintage fashion that brings the Twinwood community together year after year. We're already looking forward to next year's contest and hope to share plenty of vintage outfit inspiration with you in the meantime!
