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Vintage Clothing
How to Wear Vintage
Fashion Successfully
By Iyabo Smith
We have amassed collections over the
years, accumulating items and pieces we
barely use. Items such as a 50 year old
brooch with a few missing gemstones,
vintage hat boxes, a musical trinket
box, with a musical malfunction, or a
pair of oversized rhinestone ear clips.
We must remember that all these items
were crafted with style and
functionality in mind, and so we must
try to find productive ways to bring
them back and incorporate them into our
lives and wardrobes.
I call this 'indulging in amassing', and
I have no apologies about it either,
because the aim of this indulgence is to
transform all collectibles into stylish
couture items.
This is what you need to do, to wear
vintage fashion, and make a successful
fashion statement with your ensemble.
* Your great-grandmother's seemingly
dowdy 1930's dress really has great
potential. OK so its too large in the
bust (result of the bullet bra!), but it
fits perfectly at the waist. What to do?
Alter it! Forget about modifications or
alterations decreasing a vintage
clothing's value. It's useless to you if
you cant wear it. So, how valuable can
it be if you cant wear it. After all,
this is not a piece of furniture. Take
it to a dressmaker. Have it altered and
flaunt it.
* Its too small and its difficult to zip
without it ripping at the seams. What to
do? Get a corset! It will faithfully
fashion your figure into the famous
hourglass shape, and you get a perfect
fit into your tiny vintage dress. We are
aware that the modern woman in us is not
so committed to having a cookie-cutter
perfect shape. However, you need to stun
and dazzle in this absolutely beautiful
1950's dress. The corset makes it a
reality. You will find them in vintage
lingerie stores online and offline.
* You lack the self-confidence to wear
vintage fashion. Muster the courage to
wear it, and you will discover that you
find more joy in wearing vintage pieces,
than forgetting them in your closet.
Plus the admiration and comments you
receive may swell your head with pride.
* You are afraid to wear it for the fear
of damage, or tear. You own a clear
Lucite box handbag from the 60's, an
exquisitly beaded cardigan hangs on a
rack, in the back corner of your
wardrobe. Both handed down to you by
someone who felt you will cherish them.
You know they can be used on special
occasions, or to special events.
Don't be afraid that you may scratch
them. Integrate them into your special
fashion style wardrobe. They have lasted
someone else's lifetime. They will
surely last through this evening's
special outing.
* Wondering how to pull it off? Its
really easy if you make sure you
modernize it. Don't wear head-to-toe
vintage, don't re-live it. A vintage
tie-neck blouse looks great over a pair
of skinny jeans, or you can enhance a
new 2009 dress with vintage or antique
jewelry. Wear Italian designer shoes
with a vintage evening gown to that prom
ball.
So, as I do, mix and match the old with
the new to create your own personal and
therefore unique style.
Now that you have a good idea of how to
approach
wearing vintage fashion
successfully, that is; you have
1)tailored great-grandma's dress to fit,
2) fixed that damaged brooch, by filling
the missing stones with look alike faux
gemstones, and wearing it with pride, 3)
had those pair of white laced gloves
cleaned professionally, (you have even
turned your vintage luggage into an
avant-garde coffee table in your living
room), step out there with the
confidence that you possess what many
will give an arm and a leg for.
If however, you have too many of these
items stored away, and can't find any
use for some of them, well, there are
experts who can find new owners who will
appreciate, and purchase these items
just as much as you once did. You can
seek expert opinion to see how much they
may be worth. You may make a little tidy
sum from your discarded vintage fashion
pieces.
If you do not possess any vintage
fashion items, then just go for
vintage inspired creations They
abound in the stores, online and offline
boutiques, or in your local malls.
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