My wearable vintage
I've been asked here and else where if I wear the vintage I own and my simple answer is...yes.While not all of the things are easily worn (I'm still looking for a reason to wear a ball gown), I do have a few things that I have thrown into my wardrobe.
If you are searching for vintage things to add into your closet, the best advice I can give is finding well made pieces and items that can be fixed easily. You also have to keep in mind that this is probably not something you can wear all the time.
As I mentioned in my last vintage post, I have worn the dress at the bottom (my mom's dress).
I scoured all of my pictures and found that apparently when I wear my vintage I don't take pictures. That's going to have to change. So for now, my lovelies, you will just have to deal with seeing the wearable items on Betty.
I'm starting to think that I am going to have to buy Betty a push-up bra, because man is she not fitting into the tops of these dresses.
Now keep in mind almost all of my vintage is wearable, but some of it is just too formal and I have yet to have a place to wear them.
This dress is just a great basic cotton dress from the late 40's, maybe early 50's. I need to fix to seams where the thread is coming undone, but that's such an easy fix for such a great dress that can be easily thrown on. I loved the color of this dress, because it comes off green but if you look closely you can see brown in it.
So basic, but I love the collar and sleeves which have a slit in them.
If you look closely right in the center bellow the belt, you can see where one of the seams is coming undone.
A close up of the collar to show the brown and green weaving of the fabric.
Simple, beautiful craftsmanship.
I got this two piece top and skirt during the winter and haven't been able to wear it yet. I probably will wear the skirt alone at some point, because the top need a lot of work. Whoever owned this before took out a lot of seaming on the top and it is HUGE compared to the skirt, so much so that I had to pin it back to take decent pictures of it. The zipper also need to be re-sewn into the back. What drew me to it is the hand silk screened flowers that adorn both the top and skirt. It's a heavy cotton, almost like a canvas in weight and feel.
Front.
Back, where you can see the zipper issues the top is having.
Flower detail on the top.
The tag sown into the top.
You can bet your tiny hips that when I lose my desired amount of weight that I will be sporting this rhinestone covered linen dress every chance that I get. With a slip of course. This wiggle dress is pure perfection in my book. It makes me want to throw on a hat and large sun glasses and have a cocktail or three.
Front.
Back
Shimmery rhinestone heaven!
The rhinestones are solidly attached to this dress.
This next dress was probably one of my first vintage purchases and at the time it fit me like it was made for me. It had a belt at some point and time, but really it doesn't need one. It's so Marilyn Monroe. I may have tried to find a steam grate to stand over when wearing this. I actually wore this to one of Nate's Academy dances. Except I don't think Nate was actually there. I went with some of my other Academy friends and Nate came late.
Front
Back
Yes, I have a thing for rhinestones. You just now noticed?
I put a crinoline under this dress and then I twirled and twirled and twirled and then felt queasy. It was worth it though. This was one of those dresses that I was like...yeah it's cute. Then I put it on and quickly felt the need to throw on an apron and spend the rest of my life in the kitchen feeding my man (a feeling which quickly goes away the second I take the dress off).
Front
Back
The adorable button detailing on the front.
The deeper v cut in the back and the wonderful rushing at the zipper.
Polka dots. Yet another weakness of mine. They are so fun and flirty. This dress is just that. I love the polka dots and the cute collar filled with tiny little lace daisies. Plus it's navy, which is probably the best neutral color ever. This dress actually still has its belt as well, which is rare.
Front
Back
Tiny lace daisies with rhinestone centers.
The next time I need to dress up a little you can count on my being in this amazing hand made navy raw silk dress. It's perfectly simple with a little added touch to make it perfect. I drool a little every time I look at this dress. The way the seaming is cut into this dress is pure amazingness. Not a detail was overlooked.
The beautiful front.
A deep v in the back to make it just as interesting as the front.
The slit detail on the front.
This was a random find that is really great to just throw on. It need a slip underneath, but other than that it is good to go. I usually dress this up with a little belt and a cute pair of flats.
Front
Back
The knife pleating and color of this dress really sold me. It has some flaws at the bottom, but the ruffles hide those imperfections well. It's light and flows so beautifully when worn. Again, it had a belt, but not when I bought this, but it's so easy to throw one of my own on.
Front
Back
Close up of the bust to show the pleating.
This two piece was either worn once or never worn at all. It's so 70's and I love everything about it. It can be worn so easily on it's own, but the little jacket adds so much to the look. The beading is not over the top. It makes me want to throw on a pair of pearls and call it good.
Front
Front with jacket.
Back
Back with jacket.
Beading on collar of jacket.
Beading on bow.
Well, there you have it. All of the dresses I have either worn, or am planning on wearing the next chance I get. Wearing vintage is great, not only because of the store, but because you know that no one else will be wearing anything close to what you have on.
So basic, but I love the collar and sleeves which have a slit in them.
If you look closely right in the center bellow the belt, you can see where one of the seams is coming undone.
A close up of the collar to show the brown and green weaving of the fabric.
Simple, beautiful craftsmanship.
I got this two piece top and skirt during the winter and haven't been able to wear it yet. I probably will wear the skirt alone at some point, because the top need a lot of work. Whoever owned this before took out a lot of seaming on the top and it is HUGE compared to the skirt, so much so that I had to pin it back to take decent pictures of it. The zipper also need to be re-sewn into the back. What drew me to it is the hand silk screened flowers that adorn both the top and skirt. It's a heavy cotton, almost like a canvas in weight and feel.
Front.
Back, where you can see the zipper issues the top is having.
Flower detail on the top.
The tag sown into the top.
You can bet your tiny hips that when I lose my desired amount of weight that I will be sporting this rhinestone covered linen dress every chance that I get. With a slip of course. This wiggle dress is pure perfection in my book. It makes me want to throw on a hat and large sun glasses and have a cocktail or three.
Front.
Back
Shimmery rhinestone heaven!
The rhinestones are solidly attached to this dress.
This next dress was probably one of my first vintage purchases and at the time it fit me like it was made for me. It had a belt at some point and time, but really it doesn't need one. It's so Marilyn Monroe. I may have tried to find a steam grate to stand over when wearing this. I actually wore this to one of Nate's Academy dances. Except I don't think Nate was actually there. I went with some of my other Academy friends and Nate came late.
Front
Back
Yes, I have a thing for rhinestones. You just now noticed?
I put a crinoline under this dress and then I twirled and twirled and twirled and then felt queasy. It was worth it though. This was one of those dresses that I was like...yeah it's cute. Then I put it on and quickly felt the need to throw on an apron and spend the rest of my life in the kitchen feeding my man (a feeling which quickly goes away the second I take the dress off).
Front
Back
The adorable button detailing on the front.
The deeper v cut in the back and the wonderful rushing at the zipper.
Polka dots. Yet another weakness of mine. They are so fun and flirty. This dress is just that. I love the polka dots and the cute collar filled with tiny little lace daisies. Plus it's navy, which is probably the best neutral color ever. This dress actually still has its belt as well, which is rare.
Front
Back
Tiny lace daisies with rhinestone centers.
The next time I need to dress up a little you can count on my being in this amazing hand made navy raw silk dress. It's perfectly simple with a little added touch to make it perfect. I drool a little every time I look at this dress. The way the seaming is cut into this dress is pure amazingness. Not a detail was overlooked.
The beautiful front.
A deep v in the back to make it just as interesting as the front.
The slit detail on the front.
This was a random find that is really great to just throw on. It need a slip underneath, but other than that it is good to go. I usually dress this up with a little belt and a cute pair of flats.
Front
Back
The knife pleating and color of this dress really sold me. It has some flaws at the bottom, but the ruffles hide those imperfections well. It's light and flows so beautifully when worn. Again, it had a belt, but not when I bought this, but it's so easy to throw one of my own on.
Front
Back
Close up of the bust to show the pleating.
This two piece was either worn once or never worn at all. It's so 70's and I love everything about it. It can be worn so easily on it's own, but the little jacket adds so much to the look. The beading is not over the top. It makes me want to throw on a pair of pearls and call it good.
Front
Front with jacket.
Back
Back with jacket.
Beading on collar of jacket.
Beading on bow.
Well, there you have it. All of the dresses I have either worn, or am planning on wearing the next chance I get. Wearing vintage is great, not only because of the store, but because you know that no one else will be wearing anything close to what you have on.
Is there something here that catches your eye? Do you have something vintage that you love adding to your wardrobe when you get the chance?
Drool, drool, drool. Seriously terrific stuff here! I love the beading on the collar of the blue jacket and the purple floral dress so much!
ReplyDeleteI have some vintage stuff from the 60-70's time period. One item is a fantastic coat that was passed to me by my mom, and was apparently worn by a Charlie's Angel at some point. I also bought when I was in high school these vintage 50's black and gold slippers with a wedge heel. I didn't wear them as slippers, but rather to high school graduation!
Deconstruction: That purple dress is so easy to wear. I'm so happy that it is warming up and that I can wear it again!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see your coat and slippers. I'm super jealous that you can wear shoes from that time period. My feet are way to large.
I LOVE the two floral dresses. So adorable! I am definitely going to have to shop vintage more often.
ReplyDeleteWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWZA!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThese are all so beautiful! The floral dresses are insane!!! The blue one in particular, how amazing.
I am dying over the navy blue slit dress too, these are just so beautiful. I love your vintage posts!
That fab polka dot dress is begging for some hot red heels and a pinup style hair do!!! Wow, I am seriously drooling if you couldn't tell.
Love, love, love the Monroe and the apron ones.
ReplyDeleteKelsey: As you can see I love vintage shopping. It's so fun, because you could potentially walk away with a treasure!
ReplyDeleteAndi: The first time I saw the navy slit dress I just couldn't believe someone hadn't snagged it. And you're right on target with how I want to wear that polka dot dress! Don't worry I have many many more dresses to blog about!
Laddie: The Monroe dress makes my heart dance. When I wore it to the dance it was around Halloween and someone was like...you're Marilyn Monroe, you look perfect! I was going to change into a Tin Man costume!
These are all beautiful! I really love them all. Thanks for introducing me to fashion :)
ReplyDelete