Friday, May 29, 2009

Feelin' Kinda Vintage

I love these vintage net things, I don't know what the actual name for them is but they usually come attached to a pillbox hat, though this one is attached to a clip.  I adore the classy, lady-like, vintage polish it puts on any look.  I am very temped to buy this, but I have no idea where I would wear it!  Get it at Urban Outfitters.

This is a bustier by Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony.  I NEED IT.  But I can't have it.  Oh, the pain!!!  It's old, I found a picture of it on Polyvore.  Obviously the vintage part comes in with the print.  It looks like someone took a pair of vintage curtains or bed sheets or a vintage dress and fashioned it into a bustier--so cool!  I am constantly on the search for something similar to this.

I found this canteen bag on Ebay.  The long strap, round shape, and mesh material all give it a very vintage feel.  This little bag can instantly jazz up any outfit.  Perfect for an LBD, and it can look super trendy with very casual clothes too, like a pair of jeans and an oversized cardigan.
What an ethereal, perfect for spring dress from French Connection!  That button placket is perfection!  The buttons, lace, and powder blue color vintageify (JUST made up that word) this dress, while the criss-cross back makes it fashionable!  Very cute.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Bathing suits: Contrast Piping, Color Blocks, and Paneling






Get these bikini tops at http://www.figleaves.com





Michael Kors








American Apparel Bathing suits



Old Navy Bathing suit

Gap bathing suit







I have definitely noticed this swimsuit trend, and maybe it's just me but I am obsessed with it.  I just ordered the swimsuit in the second to last image.  Contrast piping, especially like in the American Apparel bathing suits, is getting huge.  I have noticed it in quite a few recent magazines, even though American Apparel has had these around for ages.  Piping in a different color can completely transform a piece...I love a different color peeking out!

Color blocking is just starting to transition from athletic apparel to other types of wear, and I hope it continues.  Why have one color when you can have more?

Paneling is super cool, because it gives it sort of a vintage feel-like you are wearing a corset/bustier, but it can be used to give something a very modern feel too.

Old Navy and Gap have cheaper versions of the trends, so definitely check their website and sale section out.  Besides swim suits, I really appreciate contrast piping/color blocking/paneling in clothing as well.  Let me know what you guys think!






Thursday, May 21, 2009

Delicateness: perfected by Emma Fletcher for Lyell








I've recently started to really appreciate intricacy and delicate/detailed clothing.  Lyell, designed by Emma Fletcher, is what made me start to appreciate this.  Look at her designs...that black dress with the lace scoop front and back?  Gorgeous!  It's not your ordinary lace that you can find at forever 21 these days...it is beautiful.  Even the backdrops she uses are just like her clothes...small details that pull it together.  I want to live in the houses the pictures are taken in so bad!  Anyway for more information and photographs, visit her website at:

Her boutique is located on 173 Elizabeth Street, New York, NY 10012

I know I'm definitely living the typical college student life, meaning I don't have the money to spend on Lyell clothes whenever I want :( but Emma Fletcher's inspiration is taken from vintage photographs, so definitely check out your local vintage stores for similar items!

Also, I found this top for much cheaper at Kohls that also uses a delicate design of lace, similar to some of the designs found in Lyell clothing.  I will probably get it.


Here is the link: 

Thanks for taking the time to read this!  I hope you are as inspired as I was by her designs! :)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Brooches: How to wear them

          

I always love to wear a little something sparkly to catch the eye--which is why brooches are PERFECT!  You can do the modern or modern/combined with vintage look, like in the picture to the left, or a totally vintage look with the brooch on the right.  So how do you wear one?

1) Use it to pin a bunch of necklaces/chains together
-you can pin it right in the middle, on the end, on the side, or even pin it to the necklace and your shirt at the same time if it's a really big brooch you don't want to wobble
-tip: buy a bunch of cheap chains from places like forever 21, h&m, street stands, kohls, target, and wherever else you can think of.  Don't buy all the same design/texture/material chains, definitely mix it up!  Vintage brooches and pearls go great together too.

2) Pin them to a blazer
-everybody these days are wearing blazers.  Blazers are fabulous, but make yours stand out with one AWESOME brooch, or multiple brooches!  Rhinestoned/gemstoned brooches go great against the plain backdrop of a blazer

3) Pin them to a scarf/shawl
-functionality combined with fashion, my favorite!  Use brooches to hold a scarf or shawl in place.  Whenever I want that "I ran out of the house with a scarf and just threw it over my shoulder look" it inevitably ends up falling off my shoulder and I have to keep adjusting it, making me look like I deliberately tried to go for that look (which I did, but shh).  Use a brooch to secure the shawl and put a signature on your look!
tip: use a small brooch or safety pin if you really want that "just ran out of the house" look

4) Pin them to hats or bags
-Fedoras and beanies are perfect for this.  Put one or multiple brooches on them to jazz them up.  Another way to wear it is on a big straw/floppy hat (the kind you wear to the beach in the Hamptons to keep the sun out of your face)--tie a big white sash around the hat and pin the brooch at the knot where the sash is tied.  For bags, you can pin brooches all over a small clutch or pin them on to the strap of a bag
tip: Please make sure your hat/bag isn't very sparkly or has a lot of hardware or some other focal point.  The brooch will clash pretty badly then.

5) Pin them to a headband or hair tie
-I have seen so many headbands and hair ties that have some sort of rhinestoned applique that cost a FORTUNE.  Pin your brooch to the headband or hair tie for the same exact effect.

6) Pin them on the point of the "V" on a V-neck shirt
-like they did in the old days!  Do this for a truly vintage feel.  Draws the eyes to the cleavage too, without the trashy feel.  After all, isn't that what part fashion is about anyways?  Attracting? ;)

WARNING: Please don't overdo it.  If you have a brooch in one of these places, lay off a brooch in another place.  If you are already wearing something very sparkly or if you are wearing costume jewelry, you may want to lay off the brooch.  Too many focal points may seem flashy/tacky.

Be creative guys!  There are some really good finds on ebay for brooches, and definitely visit your local thrift store/vintage shop/cheaper stores.  You would be surprised what you can find in places like etsy.com, TJ Maxx, Target, Kohls, Marshalls, etc.  Good Luck! :)






Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Alexander Wang Brenda Zip Bag

Oh the things I would do to get this $725 bag!!  The black leather looks buttery soft, and I ADORE Alexander Wang for using snake chains on this bag!  I have been looking for bags with slinky snake chains and the lack of them is astounding.

This is also like, every girl's perfect motorcycle chic bag.  I would definitely get it in black.  It's edgy, it's fun, it's attention-grabbing, and I want it!  I salute you, Mr. Wang.



Steve Madden "Seeri" patent leather sandal in blush

I love these sandals!  I came across these exact shoes made by Chanel in Vogue magazine.  They were worn by one of the models in a spread, and they were in black.  I remember thinking to myself, there have GOT to be a cheaper version of these.

Low and behold,  I found these Steve Madden "Seeri" patent leather sandals for $49.95, and needed them in "blush."  Perfect for spring/summer, don't you think?  They go with everything!  You can buy them here: http://www.stevemadden.com/item.aspx?id=47880

Also, for us short people out there (I'm 5'3), in order to make your legs look longer, don't wear sandals with multiple straps, wear sandals with one strap.  Flesh colored sandals will make your legs look longer.  For this more tips like this, visit: http://www.marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/trends/articles/look-better?click=main_sr