Vintage Moment: Summer Casual

I love looking at vintage online on Etsy or on Market Publique.  Sometimes, I just like to look at the beautiful impractical clothes; the details, the design, not things I could incorporate into my wardrobe. But there are plenty of pieces that I could see easily integrating in my wardrobe.  Vintage can seem a little intimidating and you might not be sure how you can work it into your wardrobe.  My hope with these posts is to demonstrate how vintage pieces can be worn in completely contemporary ways. Here is a casual summer look I created around a lovely vintage pink eyelet top, from DearGolden Vintage, mixed with new pieces.  One things to keep in mind vintage is to only choose one item to be the focus and to mix it with a current off the rack piece, to avoid looking like you are wearing a costume.

Cutout blouse, from DearGolden Vintage on Etsy, $34

More Qupid...

Denim Shirt Take 2

The title isn't exactly accurate since I have worn my denim Madewell shirt more than two times since buying it.  However this is the second outfit post (first one is here) I am doing featuring my new favorite piece. The weather was a little chilly at the start of the day so I chose to wear stockings instead of bare-legging it, that and I don't feel that the blogosphere is quite ready for post-winter pasty stems.  The skirt is the vintage Yves Saint Laurent number I wore to the IFB conference in February (here).  The bright belt was my way of adding a pop of color to some classic pieces. 

 

What I am saying I don't know. I think this would be my diva face, if I was a diva.

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: Madewell (current season)

Skirt: vintage

Stockings: Nordstrom (fall)

Belt: Ann Taylor (current season)

Shoes: Repetto

Necklace: LOFT

What I Wore to IFB 2012

Online Shopping 101: Vintage Shopping with Market Publique

I always love discovering new websites that are easy to use, have a great layout and well, have to do with shopping.  I attended the IFB conference in September where I met Pamela Castillo, Co-Founder and Creative director of Market Publique.  Market Publique is an online auction site solely dedicated to vintage clothing and accessories. Anyone who has tried vintage shopping online knows what a cavernous mess of a maze it can be.  Etsy and Ebay may have massive web sites filled to the brim with vintage goods, but let's be honest, they are so overwhelming and the sellers aren't always reliable.  Castillo explained that Market Publique is different because the site administrators select and approve the sellers before they are allowed to list items on the website.  The selection may be smaller than some of those "mega-sites", but the site has a higher end curated feel to it and the items look like they are a higher quality.  I am all for quality over quantity, if you are too and love a good vintage find swing by Market Publique.  Here is a snapshot of some of the gorgeous pieces currently up for auction.

60's Structured Kelly Green Purse, $35

70's Crochet Vest, $14.99

60's Wool Pencil Dress with Bow, $55

80's Polka Dot Crop Top, $7.99

80's Tribal Collar Necklace, $30

Remember the things pictured are only a sample of the offerings on Market Publique, because of they are one of a kind they may not be available.  I hope you enjoyed my website roundup for Market Publique, got a great online vintage source share it in the comments section below.  

Karen Elson For Nine West Vintage America

If you have been following me for a while you know that I am a sucker for all things vintage and retro looking.  I was intrigued when I heard that model, musician and muse, Karen Elson was partnering with Nine West's Vintage America line to create a limited edition capsule collection.  While Elson has made a living wearing designer duds, her own style is decidedly vintage with a hint of goth. What would this collection look like with Elson holding the design reigns?  Well here is the answer, a little victorian, a hint of rock and roll and a little glam.  The collection consists of shoes, bags and jewelry, evocative of the victorian era;  carpet bags with skeleton key adornments, granny boots in black leather with contrast glittery sparkle sides, gold chains with key and lock charms.  I was hoping that there would be more pieces in the collection, I think the designs could be more varied, but what is there covers the scope of Nine West's usual offerings. The most successful pieces design wise are the MIDNIGHTSUN knee high laceup boot (I already own something similar) and Sorrownwoe crossbody bag.  I personally think that the price is a little high for Nine West's target consumer, with prices ranging from $32 for the jewelry to $269 for the tall lace up boot.  The entire collection is available now.

MIDNIGHTSUN Knee High Boot, $269

SORROWNWOE Crossbody Bag, $69

So what do you think of the line? Do you have a favorite item in the collection? Are you tired of design collaborations between designers or models and mainstream retailers/lines or do you want more?

30 Things I have Learned about Fashion, Style and the Art of Dressing

I turned 30 over the weekend and had a few (just a few) realizations as I contemplated my life so far. I reflected back on how far I have come and thought about where I hope to be in the next few years.  I wonder what my 10-year-old, day dreamy, starry-eyed self would think of me.  Would she be shocked to find out that I don’t have my own place, I still live at home, I am not a fashion designer or a singer or an actor and I don’t know everything, sigh. Perhaps she would, hopefully though she would see how much I have learned.  So what have I learned? Well since this is a fashion blog and I am not that philosophical, I will keep my remarks to what I have learned about fashion, style and the art of dressing oneself.

The Heat Has Sapped My Chic!

I know the title is slightly cryptic, so let me explain.  It has been crazy hot and humid here in New York, the kind of heat you can't escape even in the shade.  The heat radiates from the ground, the plants, it's all around you.  There isn't any relief when the wind blows either, it feels like the wind is just pushing around air that's been in a sauna with a bunch of sweaty men, yuck.  I can withstand a couple days like that, but this has been going on all week and looks like it will be continuing into the weekend.  I have tried to put together heat resistant summer outfits to share with you, but after the first two days of sweat inducing swelter, I am just too hot to try to be chic.  So while I bake here, I have cooked up a main course of cute vintage summer styles for you to indulge in. Enjoy!

If you wanted to go for a dip in 1899, this is the suit you would have donned. April-Mo, Flickr.

A cute madras shirtdress looks completely current even though it's from Vogue Magazine,  1934.  Ms. Blue Sky Flickr.

While stripes are still en vogue today, perhaps this stripes on stripes look from 1951 BAZAAR is a bit much.  Silverbluestar Flickr.

Summer Dressing Circa 1960's, April-Mo, Flickr.

Model Veruschka dolled up like a flower child, wearing Arthur Willians, photographed by Rubartelli.
Vogue,April 1968.

French ELLE, July 1970. Models wearing Lanvin and Chanel.  Classics never go out of style.

And when all else fails just wear some appropraitely placed flowers to stay cool.  Vogue Magazine, March 1964.  Fashion Covers Magazines, Flickr.

I hope you enjoyed this tres chic look at fashions' past.  Let me know what you think in the comments section, I might make this a weekly post.  Do you have a favorite fashion decade?