My Rules For Wearing Vintage, When You're a Bit Vintage

Note: Sally at Already Pretty chose this post as one of her Lovely Links this week, thank you, Sal! Please go to her fab site and check out all the Lovely Links.

I love vintage clothing! Love it. (My definition of vintage, and I realize it is fluid, includes clothing and accessories from the 1970's and earlier). For a couple of years I collected and sold vintage clothing on eBay, and became pretty knowledgeable about the defining styles of the 20th century. I have a real love affair with dresses and skirts from the 1940's and 50's. I adore that feminine silhouette, the emphasis on waist and hips, the graceful lengths and the drapey fabrics. I still shop at a few eBay stores that sell very nice quality vintage at good prices, including DexterDoggie, DeniseBrain, and Floozee's Vintage.

Today I still own a few of my former beauties, like this one:

A fab 1950's party dress that can be made to look very current

I just sold this gorgeous 1940's bias-cut velvet gown

And every now and then I will wear a favorite fitted sheath from the 50's, so long as I haven't gained six ounces. I still thrill to the fine construction, the wonderful old labels and the attention to detail. I find I stand and walk with extra attention to form when I am wearing these dresses.

I don't dress in head-to-toe vintage any more. It now feels too costume-y to me. If I wear my beloved black sheath dress, I wear modern jewelry and shoes, and I forgo a vintage style hat or gloves. That combination is a beautiful look, but at age 56, I feel like I am trying too hard. I will enjoy vintage jewelry any day of the week with my modern clothes, and a vintage leather handbag is a big yes, anytime.

Here are my not-too-hard-and-fast guidelines for wearing vintage over A Certain Age (your mileage may vary, and there are some 50+ bloggers who absolutely own head to toe vintage!):

• When wearing vintage dresses I wear my usual modern(ish) hairstyle and makeup. No 40's-style rag-curls or bright red lips.
• If wearing an extreme vintage piece, like a circle skirt, I pair it with a contemporary blouse, belt and shoes. I avoid a kitten-ish sweater (a good rule for me any day) or a vintage checked blouse, for example.
• Similarly, I'll wear a sheer nylon vintage blouse with a current pencil or A-line skirt, a modern belt, tights and boots or booties.
• Vintage accessories are cool any day of the week, especially necklaces and bracelets. I have a wonderful mini-collection of these and wear them often. See Debbi at She Accessorizes Well for some glorious vintage jewelry pieces.
• I'm not a big scarf person, but vintage scarves can be gorgeous, and a true bargain in the thrifting world. Look for real silk, and interesting old labels.
• Perfect for vintage scores: gloves, in leather, cotton or silk; and handbags of all sorts - leather, straw, velvet, embroidered, whatever strikes you. 
• Not too many vintage shoes fit my modern feet, so I often choose modern shoes with a vintage vibe, like these:

Great with a dress: Naturalizers, via Zappos, $89.00

So cute with a casual skirt or jeans: Dirty Laundry via Zappos, $39.99 on sale

Vintage clothing and accessories add so much fun to my wardrobe, and I love the sense of history they convey. So long as I am careful to avoid the costume look, I'll continue to enjoy hunting down and wearing vintage. What say you?







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