for those that have been reading my blog for a while…or following me on instagram…one thing that definitely stands out…is my love for vintage…while i have been told more than once…that i was born in the wrong era…i do tend to agree…but just that i gravitate to the fashion of the 50’s & 60’s…and didn’t have a chance to wear it then…first because i wasn’t born in the 50’s…and while i was born in the 60’s…i was still a wee bit small to even understand the decade i was in…all this to say…it doesn’t mean i can’t wear it now…
when i get complimented on my vintage outfits…one thing i seem to hear over and over…women stating that they wish they could wear vintage…or not understanding how to wear it…so i thought i would give some examples of how i incorporate vintage into my everyday wear…and hopefully some tips to help you get started…
let me start by saying…all vintage is not the same…just as you shop today for clothing…and not everything speaks to you…the same goes for vintage…look for items that you love…for me…it is first and foremost…the coats of the 50’s and 60’s…i love the style…i love the prints…and it fits well into the personal style that i wear…
so how do you wear vintage you may ask? the most important tip i could give you…is not to wear it as it was worn in the decade it came from…that then appears to costumey…and seriously…who wants to look like june cleaver when they walk into a room? (hmmm…did i just really date myself?) mix your vintage with your everyday modern pieces…your jeans, your cropped pants…over a favorite dress…get the idea?
here are some examples of how i wear my vintage coats…i’ve added this simple vintage 50’s top/coat with my black jeans…and made it modern with my suede black boots…keeping the accessories current instantly updates this vintage piece to look current…
and i do that…over and over again…as in this pic below…this time…i went with a bright color in my vintage 50’s coat…but my accessories remained modern…therefore making the complete outfit work…and of course…a little animal print doesn’t hurt…
are you seeing a pattern? as i said…the coats are my thing…and it is what you will usually find me in…
and once in a while…i will step out a little…and combine a few vintage pieces…but again…never allowing it to look like a costume…in the pic below…i am wearing a vintage 60’s jacket with mink trim…and i paired it with a mixture of vintage & modern brooches…and my vintage 50’s handbag…still keeping it modern with my jeans & boots…
and don’t be afraid to experiment with what you wear with your vintage…it doesn’t have to be “proper” or “serious”…as in this example…where i took my vintage 50’s coat and wore it over jeans and a tee…and i did a bit of pattern mixing by adding my vintage 50’s animal print handbag…
i do want to say…i have seen some women wear a vintage piece just as it was worn in that era…nothing wrong with that…and if that is your thing…by all means…go for it…i just happen to like touches of vintage…not the whole look…
and if you are looking at just adding a touch of vintage…baby steps…so to speak…start with an accessory…whether it be a handbag…add a vintage brooch to your modern blazer or sweater…or find a fun mink collar…and add that to any sweater you might have…
and don’t forget the fabulous jewelry…this vintage 70’s necklace is always in rotation to be worn with my outfits…
so do see how you can mix the old with the new…whether you go all out or just add in a few touches…the end result? a unique outfit…that no one else will be wearing…and truth be told…that is a big reason of why i love vintage…having those one of a kind pieces…
so whether you find your treasure in a thrift store, vintage store, vintage dealer or grandma’s closet…have fun with it…and most of all…make it your own!
so…do you have vintage in your closet? or are you thinking of starting to dabble in it? either way…i would love to hear about it…do share in the comments…
stay stylish…
elena
xo
