Fall / Winter Outfits Recap

So once a week or so I'll post an outfit on Facebook for my friends and family. It's kinda fun, because I love style bloggers but have a hard time doing the big "outfit post" thing. So I just overindulge in selfies. One thing it's great for, though, is to recap what my style was like this past fall/winter. I thought I'd do a little post here collecting all of my selfies from October to mid-March and maybe look back on it next fall.

I collect cardigans like they're going to disappear off the face of the planet. I tend to wear a lot of dresses with cardigans and tights - I think this turns them into immediate winter-wear. The dress on the left is from Target, the one in the middle is a fox print dress from Ebay, and the one on the right is a 1970s polka dot dress. The middle cardigan is for sale in my etsy shop. It's so warm and cute.

Looking back, I wore a lot of darker colors for the winter. Lots of navy blue, which I think looks good with my pale skin. In the photo on the left I wore a sweater over a fox print dress for a skirt-look. The right photo is a black dress I bought on Etsy. It's very nice and I think it looks rather classy. ;)

I wear my fair share of pants, especially when the wind chill is below 20 degrees (which is most of the time from January to the end of February). In the middle photo I'm wearing  my favorite vintage Etienne Aigner leather riding boots, and a vintage blazer I picked up at the Davis Flea. In the right photo I've got on a great vintage blouse that has a neck that looks kind of like a ...peter pan style cowl? It's neat, and I love it under sweaters.

This vintage skirt I had listed in the Etsy Shop but had to take it out... I just love it too much. The teal and brown combo goes with so many things. I found two matching Banana Republic wool cowl-neck sweaters at thrift stores this year and they are so warm and comfy (left and right photo).

This last set of photos includes a vintage wool L'aiglon dress I bought on Etsy this year and had to do a lot of repairs to (very loose woven wool that had developed a number of holes). The middle is a polka dot dress from Adriana Pappell (one of my favorite modern ready-to-wear designers) and the right is a vintage pointelle sweater and a gray dirndl skirt from the 1970s that is one of my new favorite things in the world.

Well that's it... for now!

Learning to Alter

I've neglected posting for a while - with good reason I suppose I've been really busy adding things to the shop and keeping up with orders! But now that things are calming down just the slightest (the calm before the holiday shopping storm) I want to take some time to work on altering some of the vintage items I've found.

Sometimes I love a print, a detail on a garment, or the general fit of something, but there is one element I don't like. On this dress - I like the print and the fit at the waist and bust, but strongly dislike the 1970s poofy long-sleeves (hence why they are hidden in a cardigan). They have a normal shoulder, but then taper down into this nipped cuff poof thing that just isn't my style. So I'm going to try altering it by cutting the sleeves above the elbow instead.

Aside from mending, this will be the first time I've tried to alter a garment before. I figure better to try on a 1970s piece I am partially in love with than a 1950s piece I am smitten over. If I mess something up, the repercussions are a lot less emotional!

Wish me luck!

From Pinterest to Realtiy #2 - An Outfit Post

Every now and then I like to cruise through my Dress Up, Not Down board on Pinterest and look for some inspiration for dressing for the day. For this outfit, I spotted a great (and in my opinion very versatile) pin from Polyvore that matches a cute dress, cardigan and riding boots. As soon as I looked at the pin I saw this outfit pop into my mind. I have a magic talent for remembering all of the clothing I have and putting pieces together without ever taking them out of my closet.

This vintage Avon bow necklace came from Etsy. Here's another one for just a few bucks. I saw this and just had to have it. I love how it rests just at the base of the neck. I think it would be perfect with a button up shirt so I'll have to try that soon!

I've been experimenting with what I am calling the "mini beehive". I noticed that when I push a headband back it gives me a tastefully small bump and adds some volume to the hair. I've been adding some hair spray for extra volume and this do held up all day long without any fly-aways. I like it.

Here's the original outfit I used for inspiration on Pinterest. I love the comfy look of that cardigan, but anything I have that is that heavy is most likely in storage for the summer. The thing I love most about this outfit is that it's so easily substitute-able. It would match perfectly with any number of vintage dress such as this high-collared polkadot 50s dress or this navy blue and white dress from Tori Richard.

It's been really rainy here, but I managed to snap a shot of my garden gnome in his natural habitat. I think he needs a name... Any suggestions? The pink plant is new this year - it's a perennial which is great because it means I have to buy fewer plants year after year.

Some exciting news coming up this week... stay tuned!

Polkadot Me

This is a lovely dress that friend and fellow Etsy seller Katie (Dose of Happy) pointed out to me when I was at a big vintage textile event a few weeks ago. We both loved it and I said right away "Well if you're not going to buy it, I am." I figured it would go into the shop - people adore polka dots (well... I adore polka dots and the general consensus is that the rest of the world seems to as well!) After a heavy overnight soak in oxyclean and a bit of scrubbing, I put it on to go do a photoshoot and decided that it wasn't going anywhere except my closet.

With vintage clothing, finding something that's perfectly fitted and flattering is not easy... and you don't give it up easily when you do find it!

Outfit Post: Underwear as Outerwear

Being on Etsy so much I come across a lot of vintage items. Some of them I decide that I can't live without. It's tricky, isn't it? Because until you see it, you never knew you needed it. But once you see it, now you know it's out there. And there's a very good chance it's the only one of its kind, or the only one still existing in your size...and you have to get it.

One of my favorite shops on Etsy is Minxouri Vintage. Maya's items are incredibly tasteful, her shop well curated, and everything always comes so nicely packaged. Plus, her prices are good. You really can't go wrong.

Today, my dress and belt both came from Maya's shop Minxouri Vintage.The dress is actually a 1950s/early 60s nightgown by Van Raalte. I loved the leaf pattern and the way it scattered across the skirt. The belt is stretchy and looks like copper scales. This was a popular belt style, but this one is particularly well made and sturdy. I have a similar one in black that is waiting to go to the shop.

Part of the way through the photoshoot, my husband showed up at the gate.

Dress (nightgown), Minxouri Vintage, similar here

Belt, Minxouri Vintage, same one here

Earrings, Vintage, similar here

Bracelet, Vintage, similar here

Necklace, (old) Forever 21

Cardigan, Jcrew

Shoes, Marco Tozzi

From Pinterest to Reality

I am a total fan of Pinterest, but one of the things I think we all struggle with is taking those inspirational things from Pinterest and turning them into a reality in our own lives. That's why when I saw this on Pinterest and repinned it to my Dress Up, Not Down board I knew I wanted to turn it into a reality!

I just picked up a coral blazer for the shop, and I saw an opportunity to wear my pretty lace blouse from Fleet Collection. This particular blouse is no longer available but there's a pretty lace blouse in the Foxburrow Vintage shop. And of course I had to break out my fun floral shoes that I bought from Delia*s a long time ago... I have such a hard time matching them with my clothes that I rarely wear them, but I love them and will hold onto them forever! I tied the red into my outfit by matching two red and brass vintage bangles along with the gold givenchy bangle from the shop.

I hope that when you pin outfits, recipes, craft ideas or whatever else on Pinterest you don't let those things get lost forever! Take a look back through your boards and see what you can find to inspire you this year. I've found some great recipes on Pinterest and it's a great place to "keep it all together" with beautiful visual bookmarks.

Do you have a Pinterest account? Let me know so I can follow you!

Casual Spring

 It's easy to find vintage that still feels chic and modern, because fashion is somewhat cyclical. Styles from the past re-gain popularity as the ages pass, and we're able to snap up beautiful clothes that are unique and fun. I love wearing pieces that I know no one else will have - for me, that's part of the allure of wearing vintage. This spring, lace and pastels are IN and so I've been actively hunting through the soft peaches and pinks and yellows for the best of the best.

Vintage Peach Stretchy Lace Top, buy it here

Spring Green JCREW Corduroys, thrifted

Vintage Woven Leather Mules, buy them here

Vintage Leather Accordion Handbag, buy it here

For this look I just wanted something casual, to go about the day doing work as needed. I love the peach and green color combination. I think it's fun and bright, and perfectly spring. 

For my hair, I wanted to try this pin that I found on Pinterest. Essentially you just pull your hair back into a ponytail and curl the hair in three or four big groups. The style lasted all day and gave lots of body. It was extremely easy and took about 5 minutes... I'll definitely do it again! I haven't had hair this long in ages, so even though I see lots of pretty things that people do with it on blogs and pinterest...I just feel lost when I go to do my own hair styles! I'm planning a hair cut soon, but in the mean time I want to keep my tresses styled!

All About the Accessories!

Sometimes it's all about how you wear the accessories. What you choose for accessories can really define your outfit. One moment you're a dainty gal, and you change up a few accessories and next thing you know you're bohemian, or rockabilly! Having a wardrobe full of vintage accessories is the perfect way to change up your look in a snap. I find that vintage accessories have a lot of flair and the right handbag or bracelet can change the whole appearance of whatever I'm wearing. 

Straw and Leather Hinge Purse

70s Givenchy Bangle

Mexican Panama Hat

80s Floral and Lace Dress

70s Woodworks Leather Wedges

70s Oversized Sunglasses

Here, I took this on-trend floral and lace dress and paired it up with different accessories to get two different looks. The look on the right is all about summer and delicate and sweet. The look on the left has a little more edge, with a music festival feel.

In the first look, I paired the dress with a sweet straw and leather hinge bag, delicate gold bangle and necklace, and pretty leather wedges. The overall look is a little sweet and petite.

In the second look, I wanted to go a little more rock, and a tiny bit country, so I paired the dress with a vintage mexican panama hat, a stack of wood, leather and enamel bangles, oversized 1970s sunnies, and some sweet Nine West shoes I begged my mom for in my teen-age-years (Hey, ma! Still got 'em!).

Recently I've been reading some great articles from 1950s magazines about ways to re-use your same garments over and over again through the different seasons. A lot of it was all about changing necklines and adding accessories. So there you go - the idea has been around for quite a while!

What's your favorite way to mix it up and change the look of an outfit?

Oh, also - I've added my blog and shop to this great link-up! If you have a vintage or handmade shop or blog, you should link-up too!

The Wardrobe Basics: Leather

For me, one of the wardrobe basics is leather. Leather is timeless. An investment in solid leather accessories is a no-brainer. They will never go out of style, and can be incorporated into so many looks! Check out how I use two vintage tan-leather accessories to accent a modern outfit below.

Necklace, Zachary Pryor Vintage-Handmade

Silk Tunic, Ann Taylor Petites
Belt, Vintage - similar here

Pants, Delias Morgan Skinnys Mayfield Wash

Shoes, Vintage deadstock - similar here

Maybe it's all in my head, but I feel like there's 2 reasons that people don't wear or won't wear vintage.


1) They think it's used and icky, or
2) They don't know how to mix it into their wardrobe and still get the look they're going for.

And yet, people buy "distressed" and "worn" jeans, leather, shirts, etc. If your problem is #1 - don't stress! Most vintage stuff hasn't been worn in over 40 years and can easily be washed. But if you still don't want to wear used, there's plenty of "deadstock" out there - which means vintage that has never been worn, but comes from a store closing or is the vintage version of buying those hot new shoes you saw in the shop window and forgetting about them in the back of your closet. A lot of deadstock items come with original shop tags. Just search "deadstock" on Etsy or any vintage site to find the never worn vintage.

If your problem is #2, it's all about stepping outside of the cookie cutter world of what's sold in the mall, and moving into making your own looks! Find your favorite fashion bloggers that mix in vintage, and check out what they're doing. Honestly, a lot of vintage doesn't look dated or "out there" - Half the time if I'm wearing vintage, no one can even tell. It's all about style! Follow my Dress Up, Not Down and Vintage Threads boards on Pinterest for daily inspiration. Most importantly, find some vintage you can relate to and experiment!

Mix together your modern clothing with some vintage additions. There's no book of rules that says you have to wear purely vintage.

OUTFIT: Ivory + Emerald

Click to Zoom

We all know that Black + White is trending this year for Spring, and of course Emerald is Pantone's 2013 Color of the Year. Emerald and Ivory are a naturally beautiful combination. Emerald is brought to life by the clean palette of ivory, and with just a splash of color, ivory is at its best.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to look at a vintage piece and think of how you would use it, and what you would pair it with. Where could you wear it? When could you wear it? What could you wear it with? Look out for outfit posts like this where you can see how I've matched up vintage clothes to create a cohesive look.

In this outfit, the simple and classic pencil skirt is accented by the big belt (modern) and sophistication of the beaded sweater. The sweater even has a lovely button-up keyhole back for further charm. The texture of the bag and the smoothness of the cream leather heels make for a lovely (and not overwhelming) overall visual appearance.

This outfit is perfect for work or a classy winter cocktail party.

Get the skirt here.
Get the sweater here.
Get the clutch here.
Get the shoes here.