How to Wear Vintage Clothes
Friday, August 3, 2012 at 8:00AM One of my favorite style tips is what I call the "2-part Fashion Cocktail". The essence is this: simple cranberry juice is bland, straight vodka is intense, but a blending of the two creates something balanced & with just the right amount of kick. So too it is with our outfits. Balance is the key to looking more than Peggy Olsen on Mad Men, less than Katy Perry. This ensemble I styled for the Market Publique lookbook is a perfect example:
{Clothing: Amarcord Vintage, Art Direction: Pamela Costello for Market Publique, Photography: Kate Sims}
Picture the peacock skirt with a bow blouse, cardigan & ballet flats. Personally I'd feel indeed like I was going to work alongside Peggy Olsen. Now picture the bustiere, platform sandals & all that bright funky jewelry with hot pants ... I'd be able to pass for a Katy Perry double pretty quickly. The key is the Fashion Cocktail balance.
Now it's time for you to get creative! Tell me in the comments:
What's in your closet that's "peach" & what could you pump it up with to look more fashion forward? What' "prosecco" do you own that's felt too bold to wear & what more classic pieces can you pair it with?
P.S. And remember, all the clothes from this shoot are on sale for one more week over on Market Publique!
Reader Comments (9)
I have a bustier that has never been worn (for 2+ years) because I always feel like it's too much. Maybe I could pair it with something sweeter to achieve some kind of balance...
Jen, yes! I'd say something sweeter, softer, more ladylike, looser, longer could all do the trick. Maybe even something like the skirt above which COULD look frumpy if you paired it with something else too conservative, but the funkiness of the bustier will make both of them wearable while looking neither prostitute nor granny. ;)
The earrings are perfect. Actually wait...this whole look is!
You are a timeless beauty my friend!
I recently bought a peach button up blouse which has a little prosecco built in because it is sheer haha. It plays well alone, or I have been pairing it with a grey blazer for a few occasions where full on sheer shouldn't be happening! Love your bustier with the skirt!
Ooh I love that Stephanie! Wonder if it would also look cute unbuttoned & tied over a dress ...
I really struggle with balance. I'm beginning to get there with balancing the volume of my clothes but not the style.
Over the past year I have lost my style confidence so I'm going to try to keep the two part cocktail in mind to keep me on track!
Siobhan, please let me know how I can help! I pinky swear we can get your style confidence back on track, lovely! And I've got lots more Fashion Cocktail recipes coming up on the blog so I'll do my very best to give you some more balance lessons soon. :)
Oh, Hiliary, you just saved about three pieces in my closet that were destined for donation and now I have some looks that I LOVE! You are brilliant.
Ahh, Deirdre I looooove that! What fabulous feedback, thank you! So thrilled when I can help people make better use of what they already have & reset those grooves in our minds that continue to see things one way. :)