Thrifting isn't exactly a trend -- it's no secret that designers have been drawing inspiration from vintage styles for decades (can we say Marc Jacobs). It's kind of an art form. Sifting through dozens of grimy bins, full of grungy old clothes can be a daunting task...just thinking about it makes me exhausted. When you luck out and are rewarded with a truly amazing piece it makes an outfit, but you still need a tremendous amount of time, energy, and patience. I've heard many vintage horror stories too. My college roommate had the unfortunate experience of finding a pile of dog poop mixed in with the clothing at one of our favorite thrift haunts.
In keeping with the times, thrifting has becomes much more advanced. You can sit at your computer and point and click your way through numerous items, no digging or dog doo required. But even with the tremendous amount of resources available to you (ebay, online vintage retailers) it is hard to determine what an item really looks like, and how well it will fit. It's tough enough trying to figure out your size when dealing with a regular mass retailer, try dealing with clothes that were created decades ago when clothing was cut on an entirely different scale.
Some girls have mastered the art of thrifting, and for that I applaud them. But for the rest of us, I've prepared a nifty little cheat sheet full of vintage inspired items from mass retailers. These items are unique enough to convince everyone that you are a thrift store queen, but come complete with size charts, and easy returns.
Sometimes you just have step it up a notch, whether it's for a career making presentation or the all important third date. In moments like these the right outfit is key. While it won't ensure that you nail the presentation, or make your date a keeper; it will give you the extra boost of confidence you need to become your most phenomenal self. Catherine Malandrino's elegant vintage style top and Passionfruit's art deco inspired bag, are stylish in an understated way. They're items that make people remember the women; not just the clothes she wore. When paired with a conservative pencil skirt, and ivory kitten heels (the shoes do an excellent job of mimicking the style of the bag without making you seem too matchy) you're well on your way to conquering the world.
The girl who sits in the next cubicle over is one of the aforementioned thrift queens. She always has the best pieces, and whenever you ask her where they came from, she always says it's vintage. Though you can't mimic her wardrobe piece for piece (the beauty of vintage is it's almost always one of a kind), you can replicate her style. C. Label's pink pumps are the sort of thing that will maker her jaw drop. They look like something straight out the fifties, but they're brand spanking new (other people's old shoes still make me a tad squeamish). If she asks where you got your fabulous shoes, and you tell a little white lie about them being vintage, we promise to keep your secret.
With style that marches to the beat of its own drummer (well, you probably have your own band that includes a strings section) it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking funky always equals edgy. But sometimes all you need is a little sweet nothing, like a ruffled blouse, to add a new dimension to your look. You'd swear it came from your Grandmother's closet, but really it's only a point and click away, as opposed to over the river and through the woods. Pair it with your new old favorite beat up denim skirt, and Dirty Librarians Chains reworked vintage Ads earrings (the name alone is justification for buying these beauties, but the price isn't too shabby either) for a look that might just inspire that indie rocker you've been eyeing to write a song about you.
Khakis are kind of strange. They're a great alternative to black pants, so the possibilities should be endless, but somehow they always end up feeling stuffy and rather boring. However, Rebecca Taylor's camisole breathes new life into this bland basic. It looks like vintage lingerie, but won't leaving you wondering what exactly the original owner used it for. J.Crew's cashmere cardigan adds color and coverage, and a structured bag and round toe pumps complete a look that's a lot of things (stylish, polished, hot) but definitely not blah.
"You make me feel like dancing..." Sorry I couldn't resist. This dress totally looks like a vintage 70's disco dress, except it's not made out of icky polyester. Whenever the urge strikes (maybe next Saturday night you'll get the fever) don this dress, and some funky leather cut-out pumps. Accessorize with Alexis Bittar's fuchsia lucite hoops, and a lush Botkier bag, and you'll be a Dancing Queen, no Abba necessary.
A smidge of sexy and a dash of demure lace make for one great camisole, and it gets even better when you wear it an unexpected way like with shorts. But not bermudas -- opt for very short khaki shorts. (The three inch inseam is about as short as you can go without having them look unflattering.) Retro inspired open toe flats (because honestly, even if you looked high and low you wouldn't find a pair of vintage shoes this fab), and a supple leather bag are the perfect accessories. In keeping with the theme, add some eighties style jewelry like large hoops and layered kitschy charm necklaces to create a look that spans the ages.
