How do you style a vintage piece? Do you go for a total retro look or do you modernise it a bit?
It’s quite a conundrum, but one that fashion insiders have been grappling with since the 1920s. Up until recently, vintage pieces were considered a fashionista’s best friend. While it’s still true that a good match-up of vintage and modern can be glamorous and stylish, it’s also a bit of a chore to pull off. Ask any style icon and they’ll tell you the same- it’s just not as easy as it looks.
When it comes to style, there are so many rules and regulations that one has to follow. It can be incredibly frustrating to break all of them just to feel like you’re expressing yourself in a way that makes sense.
Vintage Is Timeless
This may be the key to styling a vintage piece – make it timeless. If you show up at a vintage fashion show with a vintage dress or a vintage-inspired outfit, you’ll be the star of the show. People will be talking about you, not the outfit.
Vintage is all about following the trends of the past, but also making them your own. If you find a gown that you absolutely love – even if it’s from the ‘80s – make sure that you try and find a way to work it into your wardrobe. You never know – you might just fit into the dress.
Retro Is Now
Another tip is to go for a retro look. There are so many styles to choose from when doing so, and you’ll be sure to find something that suits you perfectly. If you want to be unique, style a vintage piece of furniture or a vehicle from the ‘70s and make it fashionable. If you want extra attention, throw back some of the iconic clothing and accessories from the ‘20s and ‘30s. As long as you’re not trying to be too trendy or replicate what everyone else is doing, it’s a perfect way to go.
Treat It Like A Work Of Art
One of the best things about styling vintage pieces is that you can experiment with different ways of wearing them. Once you’ve found the right piece, it can be worn in so many different ways. For those looking for vintage inspiration, there’s no limit to the number of different outfits that you can create. It’s a good idea to buy vintage dresses in large sizes so that you can experiment with them. Some of the most stylish women in history have worn vintage dresses, so make sure that you don’t sleep on this gem of a style. The only limit is your creativity.
Don’t Forget The Fabric That Jewelry Is Made Out Of
Another important factor to consider when styling vintage pieces is the fabric that the clothing is made out of. It’s vital that you choose a fabric that’s both strong and lightweight at the same time. If you go for too light a fabric, the clothing will become practically see-through, which is quite the opposite of what you’re going for. Fabrics such as silk and satin are always a safe choice when it comes to vintage styles, as they are fairly strong materials. You can also consider using metallic threads to add a touch of sophistication to your jewellery.
Keep The Hardware Fresh
When styling vintage pieces, it’s important to keep the hardware as close to the original as possible. As the years pass, the metal will start to oxidise and turn rusty. Take care of this by storing the piece in a clean, dry environment free of any acids or oils. When you wear jewellery that’s been in this type of environment, it will add a touch of luxury to your style. You can also use this as an excuse to splurge on a new piece of hardware. It’s a great way to upgrade your look without having to invest in a full-blown wardrobe remake.
Work The Trends
There’s no point in making your own style if you don’t know how to work the trends. It’s quite easy to follow the stylings of today’s most fashionable people, but you have to know how to make them your own. If you have a clear picture in mind of how you want your wardrobe to look, it will be much easier to pull off. Make sure that your accessories match this picture – this is often where people go wrong, as they focus on the outfit and not the overall styling. For example, if you want to make your look more elegant, accessorise with jewels that compliment this image.
It can be very challenging to pull off a complete fashion remake, but it’s a piece of cake to work the trends and copy what is trendy at the moment. For those who want to try something new, this is the best way to go about it. It will be an experience and it will undoubtedly boost your self-confidence. Style is more about confidence than it is about following the fashion crowd – put this into practice and you’ll be able to pull off anything.