by Emma Dunn

Meet the vintage-loving dad who has spent £20,000 on his wardrobe and loves riding around on a penny-farthing.

Tom Carradine, 42, has always had an interest in vintage clothes, music and different eras such as the 1920s and 1940s.

But it was only 10 years ago that the dad-of-one from Tonbridge, decided to embrace it.

He grew a handle bar moustache and now wears three-piece suits, check shirts, and tweed jackets every day.

Tom has spent around £20,000 building up his wardrobe - buying clothes from charity shops and vintage shops - and has even learnt to ride a penny-farthing.

He says his wife, Fay, 45, a civil servant, occasionally wears vintage clothing too - and loves his unique style - but their son, Andrew, 12, rebels against it.

Tom hopes to encourage others to “be themselves” and says the older generation tell him “it's lovely to see someone dressed so smartly” - but claims he can sometimes get grief for his distinctive look.

Tom, a pianist entertainer, said: “I'm a true English eccentric.

“I'm living my unique life. It makes people smile.

"I love the style, the music of the era and I love dressing well.

"I've spent thousands of pounds - at least £20,000. Dressing well makes you feel good.”

Tom started becoming interested in different eras when he was a child.

He added: "I started doing Scout variety shows and learnt all the old musical songs and war time songs.

“I was interested in vintage clothes. I just never had the guts to wear it all.

“It took me 30 years to find me.”

Tom spent the first part of his career as a musical director in musical theatre and would wear black to work every day.

But 10 years ago he discovered the vintage scene and people who dressed up in the old clothing after going to a 1940s themed festival.

Gradually Tom had the courage to build up his own wardrobe - and he now hasn’t owned a pair of jeans for 15 years.

What's the point in living life as someone else?

He said: “I thought ‘this is what I want to do'. What's the point in living life as someone else?

“I started growing my handle bar moustache. It's my pride and joy.”

"I feel so much more comfortable in myself."

Tom says he usually gets a good reception to his look.

"People just appreciate it,” he added. "The older generation say ‘it's lovely to see someone dressed so smartly’.

“I occasionally get a bit of grief for it.”

As part of his new look Tom even learnt to ride a penny-farthing - and got his own for his 40th birthday.

He said: “It's so liberating riding a high wheeler.

“People are astonished to see it. It always raises a smile - it's so unusual.”

Although Tom loves the older eras for their music and style he said he doesn’t get swept up in the “nostalgia” of old views.

His love of vintage has also inspired Tom's career - and he now performs a one-man cabaret called Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-long.

The vintage enthusiast said: “The songs make you smile.

“If me wearing vintage clothing can encourage someone else to be themselves in whatever clothes they are wearing.”