Vintage: It Doesn’t Have To Be Frou Frou

Look who’s talking, huh? I’m the woman who wears poofy crinolines under my floral violet dresses, and I know that it’s something that can put off a lot of people especially if they want an edgier look. There are some things that always work to accomplish this. And some of them just look better when they are older and even better when they are good vintage pieces.

Leather Jackets – There’s something amazing about aged leather, isn’t there? Whether you go for a tailored blazer or a biker jacket, leather has an edge to it. Wear a vintage leather jacket with anything and you’ll show that not only you know the value of good quality leather, but that you go for classic but still edgy items. Stick with black or tan to make sure you don’t scream a decade.

Necklaces – Pile them on and you’ve got the start of something good. Put lots on in different lengths to add an extra dimension to a simple outfit. Vintage necklaces are great because you can get unique pieces and not have to spend a huge amount of money.

Band T-shirts – Some can be very expensive (think rare or extremely popular bands), but they definitely look better the more worn and faded they are. For a easy fix get a small man’s size and cut off the sleeves. That way you can get both raw edges and the faded print.

Pictured:
Set of Five Thin Liquid Silver Chokers, 1980s $20
Vintage Michael Jackson Thriller T-shirt $30

—Angel Cutsforth

Why “Vintage” Isn’t Cool Anymore, But I’ll Keep Wearing It

This article is slightly different from my usual vintage shopping column, but one that I think real fashion lovers will appreciate. For a few years now everything it seems has been vintage, vintage inspired or retro. It’s gotten to the point where “oh yeah, it’s vintage” is the only acceptable reply to “I love your coat/dress/necklace.”

For instance, take a look at red carpet fashion. Every single run-down of what the women wore will include at least one mention of the word vintage, whether it’s the Golden Globes, the Oscars or the Emmy’s. There are actresses that you expect to see wearing vintage like Renee Zelweger, Maggie Gyllenhall and Sarah Jessica Parker, and they usually do it well. But when the Olsen twins showed up to the Met Costume Gala in two severely ugly dresses (Mary-Kate’s is a 1970′s Givenchy Haute Couture creation, and Ashley’s is a 1980′s Dior dress), the fact that they are vintage doesn’t save them.

Vintage has always been around. That’s the whole point of true vintage clothing; reusing and celebrating beautiful things from past eras. But as it became trendy and ever since clothing stores started to describe their clothes as vintage, the trend had erased what true vintage lovers knew as vintage. Put in its place are new dresses from Forever 21 or H&M, which are too short for a true retro look or some old clothes that someone has decided to call “vintage” rather than second-hand. The lines have become blurred.

Vintage became popular because women wanted to wear unique clothes that were well made and didn’t break the bank. Well, the price of vintage has skyrocketed and mass made, poorly tailored and sewn together apparel are being branded as vintage-inspired.

So “vintage” even if it’s not true vintage has become so popular that it’s lost it’s cool factor. Everyone is wearing it, so it’s lost its uniqueness, right? I believe it really hasn’t, and that’s why I’ll keep wearing the beautiful vintage clothes that hang in my wardrobe, because even if the whole concept has lost it’s originality, the clothes themselves are pretty much one-off, and I feel amazing in them.

—Angel Cutsforth

Photos: (left) Mary-Kate Olsen, Larry Busacca/Getty Images; (right) Ashley Olsen, Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Vintage Wedding Dresses For Would-Be Princesses

I know everyone has covered the Royal Wedding and the dress, and quite rightly the comparison between Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge’s dress and Princess Grace of Monaco’s. This comparison has led to a lot of women starting to look for vintage wedding dresses that bring a touch on old school glamour to your special day.

1920s Flapper Tambour Lace Dress, $349

While this 1920′s dress probably wasn’t a wedding dress originally, I can image this dress at a more laid back wedding with the bride having feathers in her hair and long beads circling her neck. It’s a beautiful way to gain the flapper look.

1930s Liquid Satin Wedding Gown with Peplum and Long Train, $148

This gorgeous dress even has a train! While it isn’t in perfect condition it’s price is hard to ignore. Imagine a long veil with this and the train flowing behind the bride as she walks down the aisle whether its held or not.

40s Lilli Ann Suit Dress Yellow Rayon, $425

Because of rationing either older dresses where reused or women got married in suits, nowadays this is perfect for a second marriage or even a small intimate affair. No veil, just a perfectly placed hair pin.

1950s Tea Length Lace Wedding Gown, $246

This is the perfect decade to look to for tea length dresses, which for a modern beach wedding (or the afterparty at a wild wedding) are a great choice, they don’t drag on the floor and you get to show off your shoes. This dress even has lace overlay and lace sleeves if you want to take inspiration from the royal wedding recently.

1960′s White Mini Wedding Dress Classic Go Go Sequins Mod Club Cabaret Party Mini Dress, $175

Mini, Mini, Mini! Show off lots of leg and dance the night away in a mod mini wedding dress. Would be perfect for a modern wedding if you where planning on going out on the town with your wedding party after the reception ends, the sequins will make sure all eyes are on the bride.

70s Ivory Chiffon Goddess Wedding Prom Dress with Huge Pleated Angel Sleeves and Rhinstone Lace Collar, $349

Definitely a look for the bohemian bride. A full length, flowy gown like this would be great especially if worn with flowers in the hair and the wedding was outdoors. I can imagine the flower girls in similar dresses and the bridesmaids in other maxi dresses.

—Angel Cutsforth

Be A Retro Goddess On The Beach This Summer

There is a really famous picture of Marilyn Monroe on the beach in a white one piece halter-neck swim suit. Bettie Page had lots of shoots in bikini’s on the beach, not to mention the daring one piece leopard print suit she wore in one of the photos. This summer don’t you want to exude the sexiness and confidence that those vintage icons did? It’s all well and good wearing teeny tiny string bikinis if you have the body to match, meaning if you’re a 15 year-old girl or a string bean, and for most of women who don’t look like that, a retro style swimsuit or bikini could be the answer.

How the bottoms should fit:

The first thing you need to know is that you need to make sure that the rise of the leg is low and definitely you don’t want to show too much of your butt cheeks either. Make sure that they are also high rise on the waist, just below the belly button is my preference.

Also important is that the fabric be thick so that it isn’t see through when you put it on. The elastic at the waistband and at the legs shouldn’t dig in. Think Bridget Jones’ underwear with a slightly lower rise.

How the top should fit:

There should definitely be a structure to the bra section with a thick material and some sort of underwiring/strong elastic to make sure that your bust is held in place. You can go for halterneck or straps depending on your preference. I also like some padding to ensure that when coming out of the water I won’t get any embarrassing nipple moments. The best bikinis and swim suits out there look like they have a proper support bra with nice styling and a pretty fabric.

My favorite retro style options on the internet at the moment are:

Swimsuits

1. Norma Kamali Bill Ruched Halterneck Swimsuit $350

2. J.Crew Drew Polka-dot Swimsuit $80

Bikinis

3. JETS by Jessika Allen Romance Gingham Halterneck Bikini Top $160, and Bikini Briefs $95

4. JETS by Jessika Allen Classique Polka-dot Halterneck Bikini Top $145, and Bikini Briefs $82

Shoes
And since I’ll use any excuse to look at shoes here are my favorite retro styled shoes that would be great for strutting next to the pool or on the beach! When walking on sand, wedges are the best and comfiest options, and not to mention these are so great for just bringing a touch of summer to any outfit, even if you’re not by the pool.

5. Lauren by Ralph Lauren “Cecilia” Espadrille Wedge Sandals $69

6. Franco Sarto Shoes, Salem Espadrilles $79

—Angel Cutsforth

Be A Retro Goddess On The Beach This Summer

Angel Cutsforth for Second City Style Magazine

There is a really famous picture of Marilyn Monroe on the beach in a white one piece halter-neck swim suit. Bettie Page had lots of shoots in bikini's on the beach, not to mention the daring one piece leopard print suit she wore in one of the photos. This summer don't you want to exude the sexiness and confidence that those vintage icons did? It's all well and good wearing teeny tiny string bikinis if you have the body to match, meaning if you're a 15 year-old girl or a string bean, and for most of women who don't look like that, a retro style swimsuit or bikini could be the answer.

How the bottoms should fit:

The first thing you need to know is that you need to make sure that the rise of the leg is low and definitely you don't want to show too much of your butt cheeks either. Make sure that they are also high rise on the waist, just below the belly button is my preference.

Also important is that the fabric be thick so that it isn't see through when you put it on. The elastic at the waistband and at the legs shouldn't dig in. Think Bridget Jones' underwear with a slightly lower rise.

Read more "Be A Retro Goddess On The Beach This Summer" here

Spring/Summer 2011 Trends The Vintage Way

Angel Cutsforth

From a look back at the trends for the 2011 spring/summer season, I saw some truly vintage inspired themes running through the shows. You can easily find a vintage substitute by searching on Ebay, etsy or other vintage shopping websites. Hopefully looking at these new trends and their vintage counterparts you’ll agree.

Neon
Bright colors are a huge trend this spring/summer. They were seen on a lot of the catwalks and done in different styles by various designers. Think 1960’s Mod versus Madonna’s Material Girl look. I personally love some of the Mad Men style wiggle dresses in fluorescent pinks.

Non Vintage - Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2011 RTW
Vintage - 60s Tangerine Dream Shift Dress by Bleeker Street $25

Lace
I’ve written about how on trend lace is before, and I’m about to do it again. All over the catwalks lace took many different shapes and guises; blouses, dresses, skirts, etc. But you can find a lot of the same style online. This trend is perfect for the wannabe flapper among you in the style of BCBG Max Azia.

Non Vintage - BCBG Max Azria Spring 2011 RTW
Vintage - Vintage 1920s Tiered Lace Flapper Wedding Dress With Glass And Pearl Beaded Belt $400

Midi Skirts
This is a trend that I am ecstatic about. Instead of being told my 1950’s dresses are a frumpy length by trend followers who loved maxi and mini skirts, they are now asking me where I got my dresses and skirts. You can easily find midi length clothing on the high street but for that perfect vintage item take a look at clothes from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.

Non Vintage - Chloe Spring 2011 RTW
Vintage - Vintage 1940s Hush Hush Crepe Dress $138

Prints
This year we’re seeing more of the florals that we had last year, but this time there’s a connection to the bright colors trend and instead of vintage rose prints we’re seeing abstract watercolour floral prints. The print trend, when it comes to vintage clothing, leaves for a huge amount of options. There are the novelty prints which where hugely popular through the 1930s through to the 1960’s and after that there are the psychedelic prints which where hugely popular through the late 1960’s and 1970’s.

Non Vintage - Isaac Mizrahi Spring 2011 RTW
Vintage - Under The Tuscan Sun Two Piece Cotton Shirtwaist Day Dress $78

WHITE
I wrote the word white in capital letters for a reason… it’s a huge trend! Think floaty summer dresses in white, or tailored shift dresses and you’re on the right track. This is a great way to use white gypsy skirts that are in your closet from the boho trend a few years back or even a great opportunity to look for Edwardian style dresses which seem to be everywhere.

Non Vintage - Cusnie et Ochs Spring 2011 RTW
Vintage - Vintage 1960s Lorrie Deb Designer Dress $140