How to Wear Vintage Clothing

How to Wear Vintage Clothing



If you pride yourself on being fashionable, you may already have figured out that one secret to staying current is actually identifying styles from the past and wearing them in fresh, new ways. In fact, vintage shops can be valuable source of inspiration. The trick is knowing how to wear vintage clothing right, so you will look modern and hip and never outdated.







Things You'll Need:





Vintage t-shirt



Skinny pants



Long-sleeve shirt



Long taffeta skirt



Gown



Pants suit



Vintage accessories



Three-way mirror









Step
1



Look in your own closet for retired items of clothing that you might be able to wear in new ways. For instance, a shrunken vintage sleeveless T-shirt can be modern when layered over a thin long-sleeve top and paired with skinny jeans, ballet flats and a long scarf wound around your neck




Step
2



Wear full, taffeta ball skirts with unexpected casual tops and shoes to give them a second life.




Step
3



Break up vintage pants suits and skirt sets by wearing the pieces separately with other, modern options.




Step
4



Remove out-dated shoulder pads and replace worn or tacky buttons with high-quality new ones for an instant makeover.




Step
5



Wear vintage pieces sparingly. Never wear vintage clothing head-to-toe, but use a great vintage item with other newer choices in your closet to achieve just the right balance.




Step
6



Turn to modern interpretations of vintage styles. New beaded cardigans, pleated skirts, pencil skirts, capris, oxfords and t-strap shoes are all the rage in the stores again now.




Step
7



Check your reflection in a three-way mirror to be sure that vintage and new clothing fits you correctly. Have any gaps or pulls fixed by a tailor so people will see you, not ill-fitting clothing, when you walk into a room.




Step
8



Find a vintage purse, shoes or briefcase in rich textures to add a layer of interest to an all-new outfit.







Tips & Warnings









Realize that some vintage items, such as purses, sweaters and skirts, may be worn in places. Sometimes this can be good to have a weathered look, other times it is just sloppy. Assess each vintage item separately to decide if it works or not.








Opt for vintage gowns and cocktail dresses for formal events. Some of the old-time glamor is hard to match in today's current selection of formal wear.








Steer clear of out-dated jean styles, over-sized blazers and tapered leg pants. These usually look frumpy, even when paired with new items.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2147524_wear-vintage-clothing.html

How to Wear Vintage Clothes and Look Modern

How to Wear Vintage Clothes and Look Modern



In this article, you'll learn how to incorporate vintage clothes and accessories into your wardrobe while still looking modern and fashionable.

As collectors, we all find ourselves accumulating items we don't use: the shabby-chic tissue box cover, vintage hatboxes, oversized rhinestone ear clips...sound familiar? Though these items were crafted with functions in mind, we still can't seem to find productive ways to incorporate them into our lives (I don't buy tissues/don't transport hats/ouch--those ear clips pinch!). Fear not, my clutter-phobic friends. I'll help you indulge in your obsession with amassment unapologetically, unabashedly and-most importantly-completely stylishly.







Things You'll Need:





an open mind



a bit of creativity



innovation









Step
1



Problem 1: You adore it, but it's too small.

Corsets enabled women to faithfully fashion their figures in hourglass form but since we modern women are far less committed (or is it that we're less masochistic?) to cookie-cutter perfection, we may find it difficult to zip our favorite dresses without ripping the seams. No need to worry-there are other ways to show off your tiny garment. Why not hang it on the wall or display it on a body form? I know what you may be thinking: "I don't want to look like I live in a boutique." And you won't, if you do it right. Don't make the dress the centerpiece of the room; let it serve as an accent. Choose a dress that matches the color scheme and overall aesthetic of the room and you'll be fielding compliments from guests before you've even set out the hors d'oeuvres.




Step
2



Problem 2: It's too big!

So it fits in the waist and the bust is too big? We can thank the bullet bra for this departure from reality. What to do? Alter it. Episode after episode of Antiques Roadshow may have ingrained in you the lesson that any modification results in a decrease in value. This may ring true for furniture but riddle me this: how valuable is an article of clothing you can't wear? Take that dowdy dress with potential to the seamstress, raise the hem, take in the sides, and flaunt it already!




Step
3



Problem 3: You're afraid to wear it.

I have a clear Lucite box purse I used to wear only on special occasions. Well, one to be exact: my cousin's wedding in Cannes. I was too afraid scratch it! When I finally mustered the courage to wear it out, I realized that it brought me far more joy in my hand than in my closet. This newfound confidence in my ability to not damage my precious goods had me scouring my closet for those "special occasion" items-intricately beaded cardigans, delicate satin clutches, white lace gloves--to integrate into my daily wardrobe, where they should have been all along. Remember, vintage items have lasted someone else a lifetime; they will surely last through your evening.




Step
4



Problem 4: It speaks to you. What is it saying?

That set of vintage luggage is beckoning your ownership, isn't it? You need it. You must take it home. But then what? The suitcases are too heavy to use and they don't have wheels. Remember? We're smart, efficiency-driven modern women. We can't lug these around for the sake of looking cute! Why not stack them to make an avant-garde coffee or side table? They can double as storage to hide magazines, blankets, and other living room goodies. Find innovative ways to display those less-than-practical treasures and show off your inner visionary.




Step
5



Problem 5: Pulling it off.

Pulling it off is easy if you follow some simple advice: Modernize it. Don't relive it. Tailor that dress to give it a contemporary fit. Pair a vintage tie-neck blouse with skinny jeans and flats. Wear a 50's shirt dress with new patent leather pumps. Accent a new dress with vintage jewelry. Mix and match new and old to create a style all your own.




Step
6



Problem 6: You used to love it.

So you've tailored it to fit you, you found the right accessories to match, and you wore it proudly. The Louis Vuitton trunk served you well as a coffee table but now a mid-century boomerang style table is looking rather enticing. The need for change is understandable. If you've tried to find these once-favored pieces a good home to no avail, don't head to the Goodwill just yet. There are experts who can find new owners who will appreciate these items just as much as you once did. Visit your local consignment store, appraiser, or auction house to get an expert's opinion before banishing your belongings and you may make a pretty profit in your pursuit of new property.







Tips & Warnings









Don't be afraid to mix period styles together.








Keep it simple.








If the vintage piece you're incorporating is loud or flashy, make it your accent piece and make sure the rest of your ensemble is understated.








Fun first. Fashion follows. I truly believe that if you feel good, it shows.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2192695_wear-vintage-clothes-look-modern.html

How to Wear Velvet

How to Wear Velvet



Velvet is back with vengeance. Velvet is a versatile fabric that adds pizazz in the daytime and sophistication in the evening. Choose velvet pants, jackets or dresses if you are bold and flashy. Or is making an understated fashion statement is more your style, accent any outfit with velvet belts, shoes and purses. There are so many possibilities. Read on to learn how to wear velvet.







Things You'll Need:





Velvet clothing



Velvet shoes



Velvet purse



Jewelry



Velvet belts or wraps









Step
1



Throw on a silky camisole or blouse, and pair it with a fitted cropped velvet jacket. Wear jeans and heels for a daytime look, or dress yourself up for the evening with a swank little skirt.




Step
2



Sport velvet trimmed jackets, pants and purses for easy day to night transformations. Alter your makeup and hair to suit your affair.




Step
3



Wear a long, slim velvet dress for a night on the town. Pair your clothing choice with strappy velvet sandals and bold nail polish.




Step
4



Choose velvet in bold colors. Pick deep blues and other gemstone hues for a stunning look.




Step
5



Make a fashion statement with your feet by pairing velvet platforms with a little black dress. Finish the ensemble with a matching velvet clutch.




Step
6



Select velvet belts and sashes when your fashion sense is conservative. Wrap a sash around your favorite cardigan. Wear a velvet belt with slim jeans, a silky blouse and velvet heels.




Step
7



Dress your velvet fashions up or down by choosing the right accessories. Choose gold or silver chains, bangles and earrings for day use. Go for the bling with rhinestones at night.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2189188_wear-velvet.html

How to Wear Velvet without Looking like a Fairy Princess

How to Wear Velvet without Looking like a Fairy Princess



Velvet---the fabric that instantly connotes wealth and elegance. As beautiful and soft as velvet is, it's easy to deck yourself all out in it, but that's also a common fashion error. There are right and wrong ways to wear it. Here's how to get it right:









Step
1



*Never wear velvet head-to-toe: The surest way to kill the glamour of velvet is by overdoing it. Keep your velvet to a minimum. If you wear a velvet jacket, for instance, that should be the only piece of velvet in your outfit. The only exception to this one-piece rule is with tracksuits, but even then you should mix in other fabrics. Wear a plain cotton tank under the tracksuit and simple sneakers.




Step
2



*Always mix velvet with a less girly fabric: Velvet is inherently a very feminine fabric, which is why wearing it from head-to-toe will make you look like a fairy princess (which really is only appropriate for Halloween). Balance out the femininity with more gender-neutral or masculine fabrics, like leather and denim. Try a leather bomber over a velvet peasant top and jeans with embroidery in the same color as the velvet for a foolproof outfit. You can also try, for example, a denim jacket with a rib tee and a velvet skirt.




Step
3



*Keep jewelry simple: Clean shapes and classic cuts are ideal companions for velvet. Plain silver hoops, gold chains, copper bands, and other timeless, non-trendy pieces look great with velvet anything. If you do go for something more ornate, limit yourself to one signature piece in the entire outfit, instead of several unusual pieces. For instance, if you decide to wear your great-grandmother's birdcage-shaped locket necklace, it should be the only piece of jewelry you wear with your velvet turtleneck or velvet lounge pants. Your ears, fingers, and wrists should be bare.




Step
4



*Avoid matronly velvet dresses: Velvet cocktail dresses are chic---long-sleeved, long-skirted velvet dresses are not unless they have a sexy back or slit somewhere in the skirt. Since velvet is such a formal fabric, be sure to show a little skin to avoid looking old-fashioned. You can then experiment with the neckline to find what's right for you: a V-neck, U-neck, scoop neck, square neck, turtleneck, or something else. Again, if you go for a long-sleeved velvet dress, then the skirt (or back) should be more revealing. The reverse is true, as well. If you go for a long-skirted velvet dress, then the sleeves/neckline should be more revealing.







Tips & Warnings









If you can't afford the price of velvet, go for convincing substitutes in polyester or rayon. Many people can't even distinguish between the two, anyway---why should you have to tell them it's not the real deal? Regardless of what fabric you actually choose, the luxurious look of velvet is one you won't want to miss out on!



http://www.ehow.com/how_2175332_velvet-looking-like-fairy-princess.html

How to Wear Velour

How to Wear Velour



Velour is a soft, plush fabric that has a look and feel similar to velvet. A versatile material, designers use velour with different clothes to add a rich yet casual look to your outfits. High-quality velour clothing can be cheaper than velvet and still look expensive.









Step
1



Exercise in a velour warmup suit. The material stretches and works well with any routine. Wear a tee shirt so you can remove the velour jacket if your body overheats during an intense workout.




Step
2



Match velour jeans or pants with almost any jacket, sweater or

blouse


in your closet. Wear a silk blouse to dress up the look or a spaghetti strap top to look casual and sexy.




Step
3



Bring a velour hoodie along for added warmth indoors or outdoors. Take it on a day trip with the kids, a
date
or an outing with friends.




Step
4



Buy a velour bathrobe to step into after a steaming shower. Velour bathrobes are perfect for that silent "come hither" message to your sweetheart.




Step
5



Wear a velour, scoop-necked dress to a day event to look casual and beautiful. Add a pair of high heels and a strand of pearls for an elegant look or a delicate gold chain for feminine appeal.




Step
6



Use a velour hat to keep your head warm on cold days. Its softness and elasticity will keep you comfortable and help keep the flu away.







Tips & Warnings









Velour is a fabric often used in clothing for
newborns
and
children
.








Unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer, launder velour in cold water.








Read the manufacturer's instructions when laundering velour to protect the nap of the fabric and the shape of the garment.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2190524_wear-velour.html

How to Wear Vegan Accessories

How to Wear Vegan Accessories



Have you always thought that vegan accessories and stylish choices are at 2 opposite ends of the spectrum? While this used to be the case, it's not true anymore. Today many mainstream brands are making vegan accessories available to people who care about the environment and want to look good at the same time. So wear these items proudly and know because of your efforts, the planet will benefit!







Things You'll Need:





Purse



Belt



Shoes



Wallet



Computer



Phone book









Step
1



Be prepared to research your options. Look online and in your local phone book for stores that sell vegan items. Track down accessories that are animal friendly, which means they avoid using leather and fur.




Step
2



Find purses, wallets, belts and shoes that are made from synthetic leather products and use vegetable-based coloring and glues.




Step
3



Choose accessories in faux patent leather to be "in style" and also a responsible consumer.




Step
4



Consider vinyl belts and bags in bright colors and metallic finishes to add some pop to your wardrobe.




Step
5



Remember that organic canvas bags and those made from recycled materials are always good choices.




Step
6



Invest in trendy vegan T-shirts with eco-friendly messages to look cute and also let people know you care about the environment, too.




Step
7



Look for high quality vegan accessories from well-known designers, as well as for inexpensive alternatives that won't cost you as much and will allow you to reimagine your existing clothes in new ways.




Step
8



Wear your vegan accessories with confidence and know you are a trend setter on many important levels.







Tips & Warnings









Search for faux leather finishes that have been stamped to create the
beauty
of animal skins without the damage, if you want to be fashion forward in an animal-friendly way.








Support eco-friendly companies that also give back to the environment by insisting on fair trade practices and acting responsibly in their day-to-day operations of running a business.








Realize that you can find vegan accessories at small, alternative shops and websites and also in some of the larger chain stores.








Beware of paying too much for vegan accessories that aren't well made and won't hold up when you wear them.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2213902_wear-vegan-accessories.html

How to Wear Uggs the Right Way

How to Wear Uggs the Right Way



We've all heard it before: Uggs are ugly---and, for the most part, that is true. But someone will always come to the boots' defense and say, "But they're warm!" or "But they're stylish!" Both of these are true statements, as well. However, as warm and stylish as Uggs may be, there are simply no excuses for the ways far too many women wear them. There are numerous wrong ways and very few right ways. Here's how to get it right---learn what to avoid:









Step
1



*Never wear Uggs in warm whether: Why? Because it looks ridiculous and your feet must be steaming. Uggs are lined with sheepskin. You don't see lambs frolicking around on 90 degree days, do you? Of course not. Because they're smarter than that and know that they'll overheat. You should realize that, too. And it should go without saying, but never wear Uggs to tropical beaches period, but especially not with bathing suits.




Step
2



*Never wear Uggs with barelegged or with nude pantyhose: If it's not obvious already, learn this: Uggs are for cold weather. They are designed to keep you cozy when it's chilly outside. That's why it makes no sense to pair them with mini skirts, shorts, tiny dresses, or Capri pants. If it's warm enough outside to run around barelegged, don't wear Uggs. Wear flats, sandals, or sneakers instead. In other words, wear warm-weather shoes.




Step
3



*Never wear Uggs with PJ pants: Not only does it look incredibly slouchy it also looks incredibly bad. Uggs do not match PJ pants. They match, sturdy, cold-weather pants, like jeans, cargos, and corduroy. And, sadly for numerous college students our there, this rule of never, ever mixing Uggs and PJ pants also includes sweatpants. Your sweats belong with you in the gym, where you should have on sneakers, or at home as lounge pants, where you should have slippers. Those are the only shoes you should ever wear with sweatpants. Notice that Uggs are not one of those two shoes.




Step
4



*Never wear Uggs with evening gowns: Believe it or not, I have seen this happen. Granted, it was in the Midwest, but there's still no excuse for it. Evening gowns warrant stilettos, embellished flats, strappy sandals---something formal and gorgeous. Uggs are not formal, nor are they gorgeous. Uggs are casual shoes. Wear them with casual outfits.




Step
5



*Never wear Uggs with Eskimo coats: Steer clear of any coats that are made out of the same sheepskin (or similar materials) as your Uggs. If you wear a sheepskin coat with sheepskin boots, you will look like an Inuit. Matchy-matchy (in any outfit!) is always a no-no. Find a coat in a different material, perhaps even in a totally different color from your boots.







Tips & Warnings









Here are some outfits you may want to try. Thankfully, they all work with Uggs. Notice certain trends so you can recreate similar ones:








An elongated sweater, jeans, a real or fake wooden/ivory necklace, and Uggs








A rib tee, a denim blazer, corduroys, matching scarf in hair, and Uggs








A winter dress, leggings, chandelier earrings, and Uggs








A turtle neck tunic, jeans, a stone ring, and Uggs








A slim-fitting hoodie, tank top, belt with ethnic-looking belt buckle worn around the waist, skinny jeans, and Uggs



http://www.ehow.com/how_2176451_wear-uggs-right-way.html