Vintage Vibes

“That’s so last year!”.  No, it’s vintage.  Vintage, a trend that will never go out of style and a fun way of interpreting new trends and adding your own flair to an outfit. Vintage style is something that everyone should experiment with though at times it could get tricky. With uncharted style comes great uncertainty, from “what is vintage?” to “is it vintage enough?”.

Vintage made easy:

What is vintage?

Ø  Vintage clothing is anything from 1990 and earlier. From clothes to shoes and accessories.

Where do I find vintage clothing?

Ø  The best store for vintage clothing? Your mom and grandmother’s closet!  Here you will find treasured items which they still deem “in style” and “with it”.

How to vintage shop:

Ø  Always try on the items in store as the size from that decade might not be the same measurement as today.

Ø  Before buying an item check for any holes or faults.

Ø  Before buying an item mentally scan your closet to double check that you have clothing which you can wear with your vintage piece and that it is not just an impulsive buy. 

Top tips to wearing vintage:

Do’s:

·         Mix old with new. Take your vintage piece and add your own style.

·         When wearing a dramatic vintage piece keep the rest of your outfit simple.

·         When wearing vintage clothing belts and tucks could be your close friend. If you are wearing a summer dress or skirt, belt it.

Don’t:

·         Dress head to toe in one decade. You need to interpret not re-live, remember those trends were left behind for a reason.  

·         Wear items just as you’ve bought them as this way you will look instantly outdated. If you bought a suit try pairing the trousers with a different jacket.

My Way:

 

Wrap Me Up

 With the change of season and crazy weather patterns nothing is more crazy than getting dressed in the morning and trying to keep various things in mind. 1) Dress warm but not that you overheat in your outfit. 2) Don’t wear too few layers because then you risk catching a cold. 3) Don’t wear a thick scarf otherwise carrying it will be too bulky. And the list truly could go on and on. Today I decided to wear a scarf and the weather decided to turn out sunny side up, instead of bulky luggage I turned it into an unexpected accessory. A head wrap.

 

1) Front Twist

 

 

-          Place the scarf over your hair, and wrap it around your head.

-           Once the scarf wraps in front, twist the fronts and tie.

-          Tuck in the ends to avoid  a bulky look.

2) Boho Chic

 



 

 

- Place the scarf over your hair and wrap around your head.

- Move the scarf slightly over your forehead and tie at the back.

 

3) Wrap Headband

-Place the scarf around your head and tie underneath your hair.

 

And Voila! Less luggage and more style within minutes.



 

Crop Cut

Bearing you midriff or any part of your tummy is a fashion no-no, where reasons vary from tacky looking to clothes being too small. However, a new trend has flipped this rule on its head, the crop jersey. The crop jersey could be very confusing at first, a high neckline short cut front over-sized knit could confuse anyone, but once you wrap your head around the idea you will soon realise that the crop jersey will be your very good friend soon enough. As someone isn’t a fan of short cut tops or high necklines it took me a while to give into this buy, but once I bought it I fell in love as the crop jersey is something that could be worn multiple ways and constantly reinterpreted.

Different ways to wear a crop jersey:

-Pair a patterned crop jersey with worn out shorts and pantyhose for a night out.

-Wear a shirt underneath and flip the collar over for a more hipster look.

-Wear a crop jersey over a tight dress for a more edgy look.

-Add chunky jewelry to make the look your own.

-Pair a crop jersey with jeans and sneakers for the ultimate chilled look.

My way:

 

 

 

 

 

Fancy Facework

With the change of season comes the change of skin conditions. Keep moisturized and prep for summer-lovin skin.

Cleansing Mask:
What you will need: Brown sugar

                                     Milk

-          Step 1:  Mix ¼ cup of brown sugar with 3 tablespoons of milk and mix until a thick paste is formed.

-          Step 2: Gently massage the paste onto your face and then rinse with warm water.

And voila! Cleansed Skin!

Jumbo Jersey

Style, comfort and walking around all day in what feels like a mini blanket wrapped around your shoulders. This is not how I would usually describe any item of clothing in my closet, but recently this is how I would describe a new found love, the oversized jersey. The oversized jersey is the perfect piece of clothing to wear when it’s cold and getting dressed in the early hours of the morning seems like torture and a pain. No matter how comfy, the oversized jersey could be a tricky wear as it could easily look bulging and unflattering, and this is something that is never in style. With a few simple tips the oversized jersey could become your new favourite.

Top Tips:

- Always wear with a pair of jeggings or skinny jeans as this will keep everything in proportion and is also a key tip to avoiding any unflattering looks.

- Jeans:

Ø Always remember, skinny, skinny, skinny.

Ø When wearing a pair of jeans keep the jeans simple and preferably a darker shade, black or dark navy blue would be ideal.

Ø Roughly tuck in your tee and add a funky or coloured belt to play things up a bit.

Ø Wear ankle boots or sneakers and avoid anything too detailed or bulky.

 

My Way:

 

Jeggings:

 

Ø Same rules apply: the darker the better.

 

 

Ø Wear a fitted longer length tee or shirt.

 

 

Ø If you don’t have a fitted loner length tee wear a belt over it to for a more flattering look.

 

 

Ø With jeggings you could wear ankle boots, sneakers or uggs for the ultimate comfy look.

My Way:

Monochrome Me

Trends in trends out, neon then pastels now. As trends change so does our perception of fashion and ultimately so does the contents in our closet. But as some trends come and go, others remain and no matter what the trend, the staples that have survived it all: black and white. A timeless classic which is constantly reinvented and dating back to Grease with black leather jackets and plain white tees to Coco Chanel  and her simple elegance. Today black and white could be found in any wardrobe whether it be as a “go-to” outfit when running late or worn when wanting to make a statement.

Black and White Tips:

-Always remember to balance out the colours, you don’t want to look like a panda gone wrong.

-If you aren’t comfortable with too much white, try black bottoms and jacket with a white top or shirt and then increase the white from there until you’re comfortable with your look.

-For something edgy add chunky bright jewelry, this will be an instant show stopper.

-Key Tip: Before leaving the house always check for transparency, no lines, stains or neon undies sticking through guys!

  My way:

 

5 Things I’ll Miss About Winter

1)      Wellingtons
The comeback queen of footwear. There’s nothing better than jumping in a puddle of water just because you can.

 

 

 

2)      Layering
The oversized jerseys and knit scarfs will be a sad image at the back of closets as they offered not only style but comfort.

3)      Headwear
A beanie a day keeps bad hair away.

 

4)      Winter Foods
Warm soups and a blanket. Hot puddings and horror movies.

 

5)      Med Lemon and Disprin
Blocked nose, puffy eyes, fever, headaches, how I will miss you my good friends. NOT!

Character Crazy

After a long day of craziness, stress and fashion let downs there is nothing better than relaxing and enjoying your favourite past time. For me it’s watching old episodes of Gossip Girl with marshmallows and choc’s of course.  You might be wondering why old episodes? Well, that was the height of outlandish drama, excessive catty attitude and couture outfits that broke our hearts with pleasure. While watching Gossip Girl it’s easy to get caught up in the fashion love affair and mentally plan your day-to-day outfits if you were part of the Upper East Side elite. As we are not all blessed with walk in closets lined with couture wear we are not all able to pull off the perfected Upper East Side look. However there is yet hope for us mere mortals. By compiling characters key items you could achieve their look and easily be mistaken for an Upper East Side girl next door.

How to: Serena Van der Woodsen

Skinny jeans: jeans are a staple item for any wardrobe and a practical piece that can go from formal to inform with the change of a top. Serena opts for skinny jeans as they are a great way to accentuate your legs. However skinny jeans are not a flattering cut for everyone and a good alternative option would be straight cut jeans.  

Jackets: fitted, tailored, oversized, asymmetrical, Serena flaunts them all. A well-structured jacket can take an outfit from average to amazing in seconds.
Jewelry: one word: STATEMENT.  The bigger the better.

Personal touch: Wavy beach hair.

My Way:

How to: Blair Waldorf

Stockings: Think: Bold.  Bright. Coloured, patterned, Blair rocks them all. This is how I will always remember Gossip Girl, bold stockings.

Not everyone is comfortable with stockings as they could be uncomfortable and exposing, a good alternative would be leggings.

Skirts: the number of times I remember Blair in pants could be counted on one hand. Here’s the part where you get creative, think, hi-waisted, pencil, tulip, pleated, everything is an option. And there will be no worries of over-exposure as the skirt and stockings combo is an instant Gossip Girl do!

Headband:  Two words: Bows. Jewels. The bigger the bow the better.

Personal touch: Attitude

My way:

                

Stay blogged-in for D. I. Y tips on how to make your own Blair inspired headwear.