How to Wear Vintage

Here are a few tips on how to wear vintage so that you don't look like you are going to a costume party.  Head to toe vintage is overkill, unless that just happens to be your trademark style or you are modeling for a magazine shoot, like the lovely gal below. 

Photographer: Lindsey Lissau

My Top Three Tips:

1.  If you have never worn vintage before, you may want to start with something small, like an accessory.  Belts, jewelry, and purses are great options.

Lightweight 50's Floral Screw-back Earrings
More comfortable then clip ons

50's Rhinestone Brooch
Pop it on your lapel

60's Vinyl Kelly Style Bag
Coordinates with all your warm tone garments

80's Woven Cord Belt with Medallion
Try this with a simple black dress

2.  Make your vintage item the focal point of your outfit by mixing it with simple, more classic or modern pieces from your wardrobe.



Striped 70's Knit Vest
Photographer:  Meagan Boston

3.  Your vintage piece needs to suit your personality and flatter your body.  Just because it is vintage doesn't mean it looks good on everyone.

80's Abstract Print Dress
Form fitting cut in a "notice me" print

Aqua 70's Dress with Lace and Pleats
For the Romantic Personality
Also great on those with a little extra "junk in the trunk"

All items shown are from my online vintage clothing boutique http://etsy.com/shop/hipfashionstylist
 

Photo Shoot: Early 60's Ladylike Dress

Here's another photo from my recent Spring fashion shoot.  I absolutely love this dress from Shabby Apple!  The fitted bodice and full skirt are so reminiscent of the ladylike dresses from the late 1950's and early 1960's.  The bright pink and orange print definitely add pizzaz to any Spring wardrobe.  Accessories include pearl and gold earrings, a vintage rhinestone and pearl brooch, and a gold and lilac vintage rhinestone bracelet.   

Photographer - Amie Vanderford, Styling - Lisa Byrd Thomas

Hair - Phee Phee Green, Makeup - Shelby Anne Willis, Photo Assistant - Jason Sheesley,

 Model - Renae Van Wyhe, Location - The Inn at Hunt Phelan, Memphis, TN,

Jewelry - vintage, Garden Isle Dress from Shabby Apple

Vintage Necklace

I love using vintage jewelry in my styling work.  The brown and gray crystal and stone multistrand necklace is from my private collection.  It really adds warmth and light to basic gray. I used it for the Shabby Apple fashion show and photo shoot and then again on one of the main characters, Debra Wright (Dawntoya Thomason) in the movie, The Grace Card.  (In the first photo, note the unusual design of the earrings.  They actually fit down into the outer ear.  Very uncomfortable!!)

This style of necklace would really make a statement with casual clothes as well.  Picture it with a crisp, oversized white/off white shirt (left untucked), skinny jeans or cropped pants and fats...a la Audrey Hepburn.     

The Grace Card will be released in early 2011.  It's a very moving drama that tackles the race issue, family relationships, and faith.  Check it out at http://www.gracecardmovie.com/    Shabby Apple photo by Dirk Olsen.  The Grace Card photo by Dorothy McCuskey.