Hello and happy WEDNESDAY vintage & fashion lovers!!!
I say “vintage” and “fashion” lovers because more and more I’m learning about the art of fashion trends so that I can be inspired on just what to wear vintage NOW.
I believe that if your heart tells you so, that you should wear whatever it is that you feel like at the moment. I will always stand by this vintage fashion philosophy, because I believe that it is with experimentation and an open minded “dare to wear” attitude that we can explore ourselves and the world around us as we build our character and inspire others with this confidence.
Lately, my heart has been whispering the wonders of designer fashion trends. Perhaps it was after filming on-trend-vintage at Mafalda Boutique, or touching gorgeous designer vintage jewelry at FROCK NYC.
Whatever the motivation, my inspired inclination to understand the ins and outs of modern day trends continues to bubble and blossom. So in light of upcoming New York Fashion Week and tomorrow’s debut of a stylish September, I wanted to share with you 6 fall fashion trends that you can buy right now vintage.
I added up the cost to share what it takes to update your wardrobe with 6 simply stunning vintage pieces that look so good you’d think they were new — and the grand [but not so grandiose] total came out to be $233.25.
From pretty polka to luxurious lace to magical mustard [the color, not the condiment!] keep reading after the jump to see what vintage available to buy on Etsy I recommend, and for some of your own inspired motivation to shop fall trends the vintage way!
For those of you who haven’t entered yet, there’s a fall fashion trend up to win RIGHT NOW! until the giveaway closes tonight at midnight. CLICK HERE to enter for a chance to win a vintage fashion prize pack with a little bit of fall fashion trends inside.
Have a vintage question? Have a fashion question? Ask me! I plan on answering a slew of reader questions next week — and yours just might get answered!
Thanks for inspiring ME!
xx, SD
COLORFUL POLKA DOTS
THE TREND: Polka with a capital P! The polka dot trend hasn’t just ignited a revival in the white-dots-on-navy-blue-base trend … but a resurgence in bold, bright and brilliant dots colorful & creative enough to inspire us all to do the polka dance, which the pattern was originally named after in the UK during the late 1800s.
I’m loving the trend because designers are interpreting the pattern for their own style personalities. While we’ve seen the popularity of mixing polka dots with other patterns in multiple pieces [leopard print skirt and polka dot top, for example] — this season some designers combined the polka dot pattern with another directly into one piece.
I guess that means no assembly required, no?
DESIGNER SHOWN: Louise Gray Fall 2011
BUY IT VINTAGE: $42, Etsy.com
SEARCH IT VINTAGE: Colorful polka dots
GRANNY PLAIDS
THE TREND: Call your grandmother and ask to ransack her closet, because the “Granny plaid” is back and strangely beautiful.
Granny plaids are reminiscent of what you’d say Little Red Riding Hood sporting to visit her Grandma in the deep, dark woods — a muted color palette of medium to large plaid blocks (not diagonal lines) usually on a cape, coat or cloak.
Designers took the Granny plaid and put it on just about anything … including Granny plaid pants, if you dare to wear.
DESIGNER SHOWN: Chris Benz, Fall 2011
BUY IT VINTAGE: $68.25, Etsy.com
SEARCH IT VINTAGE: Plaid print coats [or capes, cloaks, etc.]
PAN AM BAGS
THE TREND: Mad Men started it all — a style obsession with ’60s American culture, character and classic style. Show critics are calling ABC’s new Pan Am show starring Christina Ricci the “Mad Men of the skies.”
Following in the footsteps of Mad Men, there’s no doubt the show will be popular — as will those oh-so-coveted Pan Am logo travel bags. Hold onto those hand straps, cause you’ll want to sport one whether it’s vintage or reproduced in what I predict will be a Pan Am fashion line coming to a mainstream store near you [Mad Men for Banana Republic, anyone?]
DESIGNER SHOWN: Christina Ricci on the show
BUY IT VINTAGE: $25, Etsy.com
SEARCH IT VINTAGE: “Pan Am Bags” on etsy.com
THE COLOR MUSTARD
THE TREND: I’m obsessed with ketchup. So when I learned that the color mustard was in for fall … well, let’s just say I hope I can make a baseball game and combine my two favorite condiment colors into one dare-to-wear vintage look!
In all seriousness, mustard yellow is here this season. Whether you like the flavor of mustard or the color or none of the above, I’m into incorporating the vintage look into my wardrobe with some animal print touches.
That way your look [or hot dog] won’t be drowning in mustard. Cause you know, too much of a good condiment — err, thing — isn’t always tasty!
DESIGNER SHOWN: Christian Dior Fall 2011
BUY IT VINTAGE: $24, Etsy.com
SEARCH IT VINTAGE: Mustard
LACE, LACE, LACE!
THE TREND: La la la la LACE! Yes, that is the name of my new hit single … and a style hit coming to a closet near you [or, just yours!]
I love the 100 percent lace look because it reminds me of early 20th century fashions. You don’t have to look like you’re from 1910 or looking quite luxurious for a funeral, however: Find a lace piece that speaks most to your personal style.
Me? I love sheer lace, like the vintage dress shown above. I have a tendency to dress half-naked whenever possible, and that piece means I can get away with biker shorts and a bandeau top below.
For let’s-get-real-here fashion, look to cropped lace cardigans or tight lace tops that you can tuck into this season’s other awesome trend: Midi skirts [see below!]
DESIGNER SHOWN: Christian Dior Fall 2011
BUY IT VINTAGE: $54, Etsy.com
SEARCH IT VINTAGE: Lace maxi skirt
PLEATED MIDI SKIRTS
THE TREND: Midi skirts were first popular in the ’40s along with the debut of broad shoulder blazers and all-around menswear tailoring.
Then, enter the ’70s: When Women’s Wear Daily editor declared 1970 the “year of the midi,” and women used to wearing shorter-than-short mini skirts revolted!!! Read more about the history of midi skirts here.
The same resistance doesn’t appear to be happening this season, however. Maybe it’s because midis are in with oh-so-pretty pleats that lay gracefully on the body for a polished look.
The midi skirt is complimentary on any frame if designed with high quality fabrics, like silk or a chiffon/rayon blend. Look for skirts that resemble ballerina skirts and you’re guaranteed to dance with delight over how great you look and feel.
DESIGNER SHOWN: Chloe Fall 2011
BUY IT VINTAGE: $20, Etsy.com
SEARCH IT VINTAGE: Pleated midi skirt
Yes, Sammy! I couldn’t agree more. When you look to current trends and then find them in secondhand or vintage clothing, you create a look which is not only on-trend – but truly unique.
I can’t believe I have almost everything in my closet except for the PAN AM bag – score!!! Thanks Sammy :)
:D
HEY NOW!!
Clearly it’s time for me to go on my seasonal ‘Etsy Shopping’
Great Post Missy! :-)
Great post! I am glad to be wearing TWO of the above in my latest outfit post.
this is a FUN & AWESOME site!! thank you, very flattered…. : )