The point of vintage is to take the best of what each decade has to offer and make it work today. Mixing one focal vintage item with core pieces of your wardrobe like jeans, a simple blazer, or with a tee shirt will make your look modern instead of looking like you stepped out of a time machine.
Every closet needs certain fashion staples that, if taken care of, can last a lifetime. And if you buy the right fashion staples in timeless silhouettes, you can restyle them in endless ways and always be on trend. So the next time you go vintage shopping, look for these classic pieces to add to your wardrobe.
Evening Bag
It’s always good to have at least one nice evening bag or clutch on hand for a last-minute soiree. Vintage evening bags, from the 1960s, 1950s and even 1920s, are often reasonably priced and are embellished with glamorous sequins and beading.
Trench Coat
Select a classic trench in a solid, neutral color like beige, tan, gray or black. Most importantly, make sure it fits well and doesn’t overwhelm your figure. Find one in a length that hits you just below the knees and that’s slightly longer than most of your dresses. Vintage Burberry trench coats are always great investments.
Modern accessories. Pairing vintage clothing with decidedly modern shoes, bags and sunglasses is an easy way to dramatically ground an otherwise whimsical garment. It is easy to keep the overall look streamlined by picking a color that is present in the garment and wearing contemporary accessories in the same color. Of course, pops of vibrant color paired with all black accessories (or vice versa) is also a quick way to modernize a classic vintage garment.
Mixing eras. Even when wearing head-to-toe vintage, accessories included, it is possible to accessorize in ways that make your outfit seem more relevant. Mixing eras can, surprisingly, have the same effect as blending new and vintage pieces.
Vintage-Inspired Makeup
Using a medium-to-dark brown eyeshadow, create a deep crease and diffuse it with an eyeshadow brush. With an eyeliner pencil (we prefer liquid, but use whichever you feel most comfortable with), create your winged eyeliner look. Learn how to do winged eyeliner.
Frame and define your eyebrows using wax and fill them in as necessary. To make your eyes really stand out, use false eyelashes. Dont’ be afraid; the pinup girl look is about channeling your feminine energy and going all out! To finish your makeup look off, apply bold red lipstick. Tip: applying lip tint before the lipstick will help the color stay vibrant for a longer period of time.