The reasons I and so many others love vintage are numerous: it connects us with the past, the construction is far superior to what’s commonly sold now, the details are amazing, pieces are challenging (read: fun) to find, as well as many other reasons. What many people don’t know is how versatile vintage pieces can be. Here are 5 tricks to making that new vintage find work in more ways than you may have thought.
5) Outerwear and Sleepwear are basically interchangeable.
It’s true! I look at the sleepwear section every time I go to a thrift store in search of something like this:
(This housecoat for sale here.)
or this,
(This housecoat for sale here.)
Housecoat becomes a lovely dress topper.
How cute!
because it not only can serve as beautiful loungewear, but can also be a coat in a pinch! I have a red velvet A-line coat from the sixties that I used to use as a housecoat on weekends. I thought it was one part crazy lady, one part vintage eccentric, and one part impossibly chic: my favourite combo!
4) A scarf can be for your hair, your neck, your purse, your waist, or your wrist.
Vintage scarves are not only beautiful in their delicate wispiness, but can serve many functions. It’s advisable to always have one with you in case you want to change up your look in a pinch. Here are some photo examples:
Tie on your head like this…
or like this.
Tied at the neck.
This scarf makes a plain black bag look special! And don’t worry about matching it to your outfit, the contrast can be interesting.
tie it simply like this…
or try a bow!
A vintage scarf makes for great wrist candy.
3) Bags are not only for going out, they make great storage when you’re not using them!
Because vintage bags tend be a little more interesting than your typical current purse, displaying them as storage for little bits and bobs (like letters, pictures, pencils, art supplies, napkins, personal items, etc) makes perfect sense. I just stick a little finishing nail in the wall and hang them on those, because it takes two seconds to put up, I can move them around without much work, and the purse takes center stage rather than a big hook. Check these out:
My room.
Look at this, right? They look beautiful!
2) Fancy dresses can be worn fancily or unfancily.
For some reason, vintage lace, taffets, silk and chiffon become perfectly acceptable to wear during the day because they have entered the land of kitch and even if they were once considered evening wear, they don’t have to be anymore. There’s nothing I enjoy more than seeing someone wearing a fancy vintage frock with flats and a jean jacket, or even sandals! It makes me happy because re-imagining clothes is what creative fashion is all about, and what makes looking at clothes interesting in the first place. Here are some images that make my heart sparkle:
Just a chill day dress.
This look is so quirky and fun, taken from fancyfine, ashleyording.com
This is a turn of the century child’s dress: beautiful! allthishappiness.blogspot.org
Another beauty from ashleyording.com
1) My new obsession: 60s sweater suits are incredibly versatile!
You don’t come across a ton of them, but when you do, hang on! These suits are stretchy, come in fun colours and you can mix and match the top and bottom for more options in wear. Calling them “sweater” suits is a bit misleading too, because the fabric is usually thin and not hot at all; they’re just knitted. Together you can wear them anywhere, including to work, and separate…well, the options are limitless! I love them because they’re less structured than traditional suits, making them uber comfortable, but at the same time totally ladylike and put-together. Let me show you what I mean:
My first foray into sweater suits, and it’s still available in my etsy shop! The mint green colour is perfection, and the little frills on the top make this suit extra special. Paired together or separately, the set is a total win!
trulie vintage on etsy.com
My latest find: navy double-breasted, and so gorgeous! The top acts as a basic cardigan and can be worn any way you’d wear one: over a dress, with pants, or with this skirt. The skirt is just a pencil skirt; a basic in any gal’s wardrobe. This is stretchy and comfy to the max, with a zipper and elastic waist. And I love the texture!!!! I will list this suit soon.
love the colour! I would wear this jacket with a white tank, skinny jeans and snakeskin flats. The skirt? Pair it with a semi-fitted grey sweatshirt and pearls!
wear this all together with flats and a neck scarf, or the skirt with a t-shirt and boots, the tops with jeans…endless possibilities!!!
So there you have it: 5 things to expand your wardrobe and use for vintage clothing and accessories, and to help you look like the amazing individual you are. I hope you have fun employing some of these techniques. Until next time, vintage lovers!
~Brianna
What would Audrey wear? 