Vintage! Celebs Do It & So Can You - A Crash Course in Wearing Vintage!

Generally I am the last person in the world who would tell anyone to take life cues from celebrities. I mean, it's not as if they're often the most stable group of people in the world, is it?  However, when it comes to fashion, unlimited financial resources and armies of professional stylists definitely give them a leg up over us every day fashionista wanna-be's! Some of them, like me, have been wearing vintage since they were teens. Some of them style themselves and some are told what to wear by stylists. Regardless, there's something to learn from they way celebrities incorporate vintage into their wardrobes.

Nicole Richie is known for wearing vintage, she wears it frequently and she wears it well. Here she's paired a fabulous 70's dress with a modern , complementing pattern clutch and neutral shoes.  The headband, while vintage, doesn't compete
 with the dress for attention. her hair and make-up are both low key.  Perfect accessorizing, she looks modern and fashionable, not like she's trying too hard.

Celebrities have a lot more money than most of the rest of us, they get free stuff from designers and have people making sure everything they wear looks good. Right? So why do so many of them choose to wear vintage? Same reason the rest of us do, vintage is cool. Being able to wear history, the superior quality, the uniqueness, appeals to everyone and can help you stand out from the crowd in a positive way.  

 
                                                                                             Halle Berry in Vintage jeans & sunglasses.

I use Vintage in everything, because I love it. I collect it, I have it all over my home, I live it, I sell it and rarely does a day go by without my wearing at least something vintage. My daughter has inherited this vintage obsession (really, she didn't have much of a choice, did she?) and also incorporates vintage style into her own. Vintage is fabulous, it's hip and it's cool. If you don't believe me, check out the fashion movers & shakers - they wear it all time!

The Olsen twins, in vintage.

So, for those of you who want to incorporate vintage into your everyday style but are feeling apprehensive, cautious or unsure of how to do it, here's a quickie crash course! I'm sticking with fashion for this blog, I'll probably do another one later on featuring household stuff, but I may bring a guest artist in for that one - stay tuned!

Here's the Vintage Life & Design Everyday Guide for Wearing Vintage Do's & Dont's:

Zooey Deschanel is wearing something vintage almost every time she's photographed. She does a great job choosing clothes that flatter her figure and reflect her personality. She has short legs, so the black tights and black shoes add length. the cute handbag adds some color without competing with the black and white 60's dress. She's kept her accessories to a minimum, perfect with this look.  Her latest TV show, New Girl, features a character with a personal style that is a lot like Zooeys.

1.  Do use common sense. Normal fashion guidelines still apply (my own guidelines are below). You DO NOT want to look like you wandered away from your street corner or like someone who actually thinks they are living in 1945. You do want to make sure what you are wearing is body and event appropriate. It doesn't matter how cool that vintage mink stole is, you'll look ridiculous wearing it with a bathing suit.

Krystin in a great outfit incorporating vintage, 
that flatters her curves. She put it together for
school. Blazer & Earrings from
www.shelleysvintagelife.etsy.com

Jennifer Lopez, sweats, no make-up. So?

Now I admit, I don't always follow my own rules. I inherited a great fashion sense, which has been honed by working in fashion and theatre most of my life, but there are days I just don't care. Personally, I think we're all entitled to days like that, even celebrities. How many times have I run to Costco in sweats and a t-shirt, hair in a pony tail and hoping I don't run into anyone I know? Lots. I don't have paparazzi following me around, thank goodness, so cut them a break.

Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen are known for wearing vintage often. Here, Ashley has the proportions down, wearing a big, vintage (designer, but still vintage) sweater, with a mid-thigh a-line skirt, black tights, pointy toe pumps and a large, tailored black bag. A cute, body and occasion appropriate outfit incorporating vintage.
 

Following are my personal style guidelines. They are also pretty common across the fashion world, and no, just because someone is famous does NOT mean they have good taste. Examples abound. If a celebrity looks ridiculous, it won't look any better on you, I promise.

• Proportion is Key! If you're wearing something skimpy on top, don't wear it with a mini-skirt or short shorts. Unless you are a skinny 12 year old or built like a skinny 12 year old, you'll just look like a skank.  
• Along the same lines, wear clothing that fits! Just because you are usually a size 8 does not mean every size 8 is going to fit you! Sometimes it might be a 6, sometimes it might be a 10. Manufacturer's cut differently. Don't worry about the size, worry about the fit. It if pulls, tugs, bunches or exposes body parts it is not supposed to, try another size. 
• If you're wearing something big and blousy on top, go slim and small (this does not necessarily mean short) on the bottom, and the reverse. If you wear big and loose both top and bottom, you just look like a bag lady. It's not flattering, really, even on celebrities. Also remember that in general, it's short with long, long with short. A crop top and a mini skirt do not a good look make.
  

  

  Rhianna in vintage boots, shirt & fannypack.

•  If you are going bare, highlight one body part. Make your legs, arms and shoulders, back, decollete, whatever you consider your best asset the focal point (keep it decent though, please!). In spite of what some think, the vast majority do not enjoy being forced to view almost all of your skin at one time. Why? Because too much skin is tacky and cheap, not sexy. If you're wearing a short skirt, wear a more covered top so you look classy and sexy, not tacky.While I'm not advocating a return to mid-century decency standards, if you really want to see sexy, watch a movie with Mae West, Gina Lollobrigida, Lauren Bacall, Ava Gardner and even Marilyn Monroe kept the right side of the line. They didn't overexpose and wow, did they get results. Classy is sexy, trashy is not. It's just trashy.

• Remember the Coco Chanel rule for accessories. Put on whatever accessories you think you want, then look in the mirror and take one off. Too much is too much. This, too, can get tricky though. If you want to layer loads of bracelets, that's ok. Same with necklaces or a cluster of brooches. Just don't wear it all at the same time, ok?
• Be very careful mixing prints. It can be done and it can look terrific, but you need to know what you're doing so you don't come across as color blind and fashion challenged, rather than fashion forward (we'll talk about this later too). If you're not confident of your own ability to do this, have a friend who is help you out, or just steer clear.
• Major attention getting pieces are better on their own or paired with more classic or subdued pieces, unless you are Lady Gaga or Adam Lambert. Again, often more of a good thing is just too much. 

Even Lady Gaga tones it down when she's not performing. Seen here in a Vintage lime green dress from the 70's, she's paired it with vintage yellow earrings from the same decade and 60's style sunglasses. The dress is simple enough that adding the extra accessories is not too much, it looks great. 

When you are 5, glitter is cute.

My apologies to whoever this is, but, please do yourself and everyone else a favor. Do not go out in public looking like this! This outfit is a disaster on so many levels, too shiny, too short, too bare and what is with the scarf around her head? The 70's scarf around the head can look good, here, it's just kind of sad. The whole outfit just looks tacky and cheap. A Definite Don't!

Natalie Portman - Vintage Do!

I don't care how rich and famous you are, this dress is the epitome of cheap and trashy looking. Huge Don't! 

Nicole Kidman, A Vintage Sequin Do.

• Don't go overboard with glitz and glitter. Seriously, unless you're a fairy (yes, I mean a real fairy, the kind with wings and stuff) or six years old, keep the glitter and sparkle to a minimum. When you're covered in glitter and sequins you look not only tacky, but dated. It's not a good look, trust me. Even if people aren't saying it to your face, they're saying it in their heads or behind your back. Don't be that person. Even at times when some glitz is appropriate, don't go overboard.  A too tight sequined tank top, sparkly earrings, sparkly bracelet, and sparkly high heel shoes with a mini skirt is not cute or appealing, at all (yes, I saw someone wearing this not too long ago, the image is burned into my brain, unfortunately. It was like a car wreck, when you just can't stop looking.). All I could think was "good heavens girl, do you not own a mirror?" If you must have glitz in your clothes, keep it under control (ONE sequined item of clothing is PLENTY in any outfit and should not be paired with glittery accessories!), and remember, a little bit of glitter goes a long way. A sequined dress can look fantastic done right for a formal occasion, but not paired with sequined shoes and accessories. A short, tight, bare sequined dress never looks good. Sorry, but it doesn't.

Drew Barrymore wears a lot of vintage. This fabulous 1980's dress is a major statement piece. She paired it with modern, neutral pumps, a sleek hairstyle and great earrings. The perfect way to wear this dress! Also, note that although the dress is tight, it's long. Bare shoulders are the focal point, classy, sexy and dramatic. A Definite Do!

2.  Don't go vintage from head to toe, unless you are confident you can really rock the retro look.

Gwen Stefani can carry off the total Retro look.

 Now, some people can rock the totally retro look, so it's not a never, just a not usually. Gwen Stefani does it all the time and she rocks it. If you are totally confident in your style and know you can carry it off, go for it! The key is, you need to feel confident and it never hurts to get a second opinion from someone who knows you and whose fashion sense and honesty you trust. You want to turn heads with your fabulous uniqueness, not because you look like you're going to a Halloween party in January.

Chloe Sevigny is another actress who almost always incorporate vintage into her look. She's probably recognized more for her fashion sense than for her acting. Here, she wears an 80's leopard print mini skirt with a black, long sleeve tee, black tights and vintage 80's boots. Note how she has steered clear of other accessories.

2.  Do pick one fabulous item to build your outfit around (there are times you can do more, we'll get into that later). If you find a fantastic 1960's leopard print mini skirt, wear it, by all means! However, if you wear it with a black turtleneck, black tights, a great necklace and boots you're going to get compliments. If you wear it with a sequined tank top and strappy stilettos, well, just say the the type of comments and attention you get are probably not the type you're looking for.

Sienna Miller in aVintage Gown, modern accessories.

3.  Wear vintage that fits. Pay absolutely no attention to the sizes of vintage items. Seriously. Vintage sellers who know what they are doing will post measurements for any item they are selling. Use them. Sizing has changed tremendously over the past 75 years. As an example, measurements for a size 6 today are approximately equivalent to a size 12 in 1957. Even sizes as recent as the 1980's are different from sizes today.

This fantastic 1980's ivory lace bodysuit looks great and very modern with jeans, heels and a chunky chain necklace. Bodysuit will be available at www.shelleysvintagelife.etsy.com, soon.

Vintage brooch cinching in a sweater, www.shelleysvintagelife.etsy.com

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Nicole Richie, everyday vintage.

3.  Don't feel like just because something is vintage, you have to wear it in the same old way. There are some amazing vintage brooches out there and they are one of the easiest ways to incorporate vintage into everyday. A brooch can be, of course, a brooch. It can also be a necklace, go on a headband, be used to fasten a sweater, shirt or any other item of clothing. Use a vintage brooch to fasten a vintage scarf into a really cool skirt. A brooch can go on a purse, belt, shoes, or a bracelet. Experiment, make it your own!

4. Do mix and match decades! This is one of the best ways to wear vintage. Taking a classic piece from the 1940's and wearing it with a more flamboyant piece from the 1980's can look terrific!  Again, you just want to follow the basic fashion guidelines for terrific style.

5. Do use hair and make-up as accessories! If you are going full retro hair and make-up, unless you're in costume, keep your outfit more modern, incorporating maybe one or two (one major, one minor) items from that decade is plenty.

Guys can do vintage too! It's hot!

 6. Don't be afraid to separate vintage suits and ensembles! The jacket from a classic 1950's Pendleton suit looks terrific with jeans, or a light sheer maxi skirt and a tank top. The skirt, meanwhile, can look great for work with a blouse, wide belt and pumps. Or wear it with a tank top and a loose light sweater, mix it up!

Sometimes a scarf is just a scarf.

7. Use Vintage items in unexpected ways. A vintage scarf can be a scarf, a headband or a belt. If it's big enough, it can be a skirt or swimsuit coverup. Try a 1970's blouse with a big bow under a sweater with jeans. Use a vintage belt as a necklace, think outside the box! One of my favorite looks is a vintage slip with a belt and a long cardigan. Pair it with some cute booties or heels. For winter, add a long sleeve tee under the slip and some fun tights.

8. Do be occasion appropriate. Please. Wearing a short, skintight dress is probably not the best look when you're going to church with your boyfriends' family (yes, I saw someone do that, too. It wasn't pretty at all and his family never quite got over that first impression. Yes, first impressions do matter, fair or not.).If you're at a school or business function, dress appropriately. Wearing a low-cut tank top to work, not a good idea in most businesses. Neither are mini-skirts, shorts, or strappy heels. If you're in the arts, you have some more leeway, but keep it classy at work.

Zooey Deschanel in 500 Days of Summer.

9. Do care for your vintage clothing properly. Just about anything pre-1975, will need to be hand washed very carefully, or dry cleaned. If you're not sure how to care for something, consult a good dry cleaner or someone who knows their way around textiles. It's the worst to find something you are totally in love with and then destroy it by not cleaning it properly. I did that more than once in high school and in college. It's tragic, so learn from my experience, you don't want to ruin your treasures!

Making vintage everyday. Pairing a long 70's jacket with a tunic and layering both over a crew neck t-shirt works well with modern jeans and boots! Photo from the "I adore Vintage" website.

Chloe Sevigny, just hangin' out.

Incorporating some 50's styling, 70's shirt, vintage boots!

10.  Do make vintage part of your everyday look.You can absolutely incorporate vintage into a work wardrobe, even if you work at a bank, just use common sense and good judgement. A vintage sundress worn to work with sandals, probably not a good idea. A vintage sundress, worn under a blazer, with hose, pumps and the right accessories, well, that will just look awesome. Incorporating vintage can be wearing a pair of earrings, a pair of shoes, a skirt, whatever.

This is such a cute summery outfit! Vintage jean jacket - 80's, vintage skirt - 60's and vintage platform sandals 70's, with a regular every day t-shirt. Photo from "I adore vintage" site.

11. Do coordinate when mixing patterns. If you do want to mix your patterns, look for patterns that have complimentary colors. That doesn't mean they have to match, but the colors should complement each other. Generally, if you have one big, bright pattern, your other one should probably be softer and more subtle. Another way to mix is to keep your different patterns separated, i.e., shoes and a sweater, a jacket and tights, etc. Don't be afraid to experiment, just check it out in the mirror before you go outside, and if you have doubts, get a second opinion!

This is a great example of mixing patterns and decades. The 60's cardigan, 80's shirt, 70's skirt and modern tights look great. I would have gone with solid black shoes, personally, but everyone has their own taste, it's still a great outfit!
This photo also from the "I adore Vintage" website.

12.  Don't be afraid to wear more than one vintage item in an outfit! A pair of 1950's vintage pumps, while perhaps too much if paired with a 50's vintage dress, can look great with jeans and a 1970's jacket, or an entirely new outfit with great big 80's earrings. Again, don't be afraid to experiment!

Here, a pair of 1970's Vintage boots, worn with a pleated skirt from the 80's, funky tights from Marshall's, a Calvin Klein tank top and a Juicy wrap cardigan from the late 1990's come together for a super cute and flattering outfit that could go just about anywhere. Vintage 80's silver hoops & silver heart necklace. Boots and skirt will both be available soon at www.shelleysvintagelife.etsy.com

13.  Don't feel that you can't wear vintage because you're a guy! Guys can totally rock vintage and there are just as many different ways to wear it for guys as their are for girls. Go for it!

Guys on the street.

Vintage fashion rocks. It is perfect for expressing your individuality and it's a way to tie into the glories of the past. It is a way to make your look really your own and it makes today's fashions look even better when you incorporate both!

So consider yourself encouraged to incorporate some vintage into your life! I hope you're inspired and I hope this helps if you were wondering how to do it!  If so, please let me know and if anyone has questions I will do my best to answer them. I would love to get photos of how you incorporate vintage into your everyday style, too, so please, don't be shy!

My latest goal - I am going to be more consistent at updating this blog! Weekly, there will be new posts - some shorter than others, but I am determined to get it done! 





*All photos where source isn't noted are from Google Images.