dress: by escada, from vintage martini // shoes: lulu’s //
vintage handbag: etsy (similar here)
Vintage shopping is my favorite. Not only because you can be sure that no one else will be coppin’ your style; I also adore and appreciate how a vintage fit celebrates a woman’s body. These pieces have a past– they’ve got soul. And, bonus, it is an eco-friendly way to shop!
Some rules of thumb: There is a fine line between little flaws in a vintage piece that add character, and a garment that looks just plain ratty. Use discretion. Also, I make sure that my retro pieces are nipped in at the waist, and when it comes to dresses and skirts I typically go for a “midi” length (tends to be flattering on women of any height). Invest in timeless jewelry that you can see handing down to your children one day; you can’t put a price on that kind of item, so if you’re going to splurge: now is the time. I don’t necessarily recommend always (or even super-often) dressing in vintage; to me it reads as trying a bit too hard to be different and can seem “costume-y.” If you are wearing a dress from the 60s with your grandma’s handbag, make sure that your shoes and hairstyle look “current.” In a nutshell: think of your modern day wardrobe as a main meal, and your vintage pieces are the herbs and spices you rotate in for flavor and variety.
My favorite places to shop vintage online:
Farfetch (great for rare designer pieces)
Nastygal (their vintage section has everything from old band tees to chanel pins)
Spanish Moss (think: “festival chic”)
Peekaboo Vintage (Asos’ vintage counterpart; mostly 80s & 90s pieces)
Vintage Martini (I’ve scored sheer nightgowns from the 20s and Mad Men-esque dresses from the 40s here)