Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

Vintage Vantage. Get Spring Runway Looks The Vintage Way

Carol Calacci for Second City Style Magazine

There was plenty of vintage inspiration in many of the Fall 08 RTW lines, which gave me the idea to find the same runway looks at vintage shops. But it's spring right now, so I took a look back to what seems like so long ago - the Spring 08 RTW runway.sought out more practical vintage trends that are chic this spring. Let's face it, there is always inspiration from the past in fashion, which is why so many women love vintage clothing. I avoided showing you the jumpsuits and one shouldered looks, which are great fun, but instead  Go online, check the flea markets, garage sales, vintage shops or your mother's attic for these finds.

Yes, you will be able to buy these fashions new in the stores, but why not be authentic? Get the real deal, go green, recycle, start a collection, or just to be fashionable, shop vintage this spring! These great looks are back in again with the added bonus that you know they will never be out.

Emporio Armani Spring 08 RTW - 40s Shorts
These fuller legged and high waisted shorts are flattering and give a more dressed-up and pulled together look than most shorts. Bally Hoo Vintage has several selections on these not so easy to find shorts. To complete the look, you can find a thick belt and a 3/4 sleeve crochet knit cardigan at almost any resale shop.

1940s Play Shorts  $49

Andrew Gn Spring 08 RTW - 60s Shift
In addition to all of the floral patterns, bold graphics and stripes were all over the runways, and can be found all over vintage shops! Find a stripe or pattern that makes you happy. This colorful popsicle striped shift dress looks yummy.

Read more "Get Spring Runway Looks The Vintage Way" here

Vinatge Vantage. The Manhattan Vintage Show

For the past 14 years, the Metropolitan Pavilion has hosted the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show – a showcase that brings together over 75 of the country’s top vintage clothing dealers. The events take place about three times per year.

This is a great place to check out where fashion designers get their inspiration, and find some of your favorite vintage dealers all under one roof. Some of the exhibitors include such famed vintage shops as Katy Kane, Frock and What Comes Around Goes Around. So if you are in the area, hightail it over to the show!

APRIL 25TH & 26TH, 2008
MANHATTAN VINTAGE CLOTHING AND ANTIQUE TEXTILE SHOW AND SALE
Friday, April 25th - 1:00 PM TO 8:00 PM

Saturday, April 26th - 11:00 AM TO 6:00 PM

Metropolitan Pavilion 
125 West 18th Street 
(Between 6th & 7th Aves)
Admission $ 20.00

- Emily Huggins

Vinatge Vantage. Vintage Jewels for Valentine’s Day

Lauren Flemming for Second City Style Magazine

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time of year to give (or ask for) some jewelry. Sometimes jewelry can seem like a slightly clichéd gift, but vintage jewelry is another story altogether! My very sweet (and very tasteful) boyfriend bought me the prettiest 1920s necklace for Christmas. It is so special and one of a kind that I think every woman should have a vintage piece or two in her collection.

Hunting down the perfect piece can be quite a task, so Karen Frishman, of Rubylane.com offers Second City Style readers some pointers:

• First, look for style and wearabilty. Make sure you love it and it is comfortable to wear. Also, know some designers of the period you are interested in, and what types of stones, backs and pinbacks were used.

• For Valentine’s Day, look for hearts, pieces with a symbol or relic attached, or even a simple strand of pearls with a gemstone clasp. Jewelry with amethyst or garnet is always pretty too.

Read more "Vintage Vantage" here.

Vinatge Vantage. My New Favorite Site

While browsing on the web, I came across the prettiest jewelry on vintagefaerie.com. This website offers a beautiful selection of handcrafted jewelry, with sweet personal and unique touches.

Several years ago, the designer, Amanda Wynne Egan, was rummaging through her parent's farmhouse when she discovered old WWII postcards, vintage jewelry and letters. She had been passionate about jewelry making since she was a child, and decided to create a business that incorporated all of her serendipitous finds. VintageFaerie.com was born on February 14, 2004.

See below for a few of my favorite items from her site...

Swallow Necklace $78

Picture-Perfect ID Bracelet $74

Dance in Dreams charm $20
 

Sterling Cuff $64

- Emily Huggins

Vintage Vantage. Pretty Minis: Vanity Compacts

Emily Huggins for Second City Style Magazine

I’ve decided that my new vintage obsession of the moment are the powder compacts women carried during the early years of the 20th century, all the way up until the 1960s. Don’t think for a second that I’m talking about that MAC or Bobbi Brown compact you have rattling around in your ‘IT’ bag of the moment. These vanity compacts were the ‘IT’ bag! Young women wanted to carry around a mini purse that allowed them freedom of movement and the ability to powder their nose! Make-up was so taboo before this time that any respectable lady wouldn’t be caught dead fixing herself up in public.

The best part about these compacts was that they were not just a make-up container, but an all-in-one gorgeous style statement — make-up holder, as well as a handbag and fashion accessory. These beauts were meant to be shown off!

Read more Vintage Vantage. Pretty Minis here

Vintage Vantage. Put On Your Dancing Shoes.

Emily Huggins for Second City Style Magazine

It’s that time of year when one begins to wonder, “What on earth am I wearing to the New Year’s Eve party?!” I don’t know about you, but I usually wait until the last minute to decide, particularly when I’ve been so focused on holiday gift shopping.

A great way to jazz up an outfit without blowing the bank is to buy a pair of shoes  to go with that little black dress you already own. Then add some jewelry, a pretty handbag, and voila – you’re done!

Here are few pairs of fabulous vintage shoes I discovered on the web:

These gorgeous shoes by Charles Jourdan are purple suede, with peep-toes and a rhinestone covered ball on the front. Now you can have your very own disco ball on your dancing feet! Adorable and oh-so-unique.

Read more here...

Movies. Atonement's Beautiful Period Wardrobe.

So…I have been dying to see the movie Atonement ever since I saw the trailer months back. I went to see it Friday afternoon, the first day of its release in New York. What a rewarding treat! This gorgeous, breathtaking beauty of a film brought both my boyfriend and I to tears  (he’d probably kill me if he knew I wrote this. But yes, he is quite the romantic.)

Anyway, if you have not seen it, you must go at once. I promise – you will NOT be disappointed. But I’m digressing. Let me move on to what many of our readers are really wanting to know about – the beautiful period clothing featured in this film. Being the vintage clothing buff that I am, I adored that green dress Keira Knightley wore during the most pivotal moment of the movie. The dress was stunning to say the least.

According the New York Post, the film’s costume designer, Jacqueline Durran, designed the dress according to director Joe Wright’s wishes and after studying fashion photography from the 1930s. Durran sourced three different fabrics and the swatch was sent off to a dye specialist to recreate that exact shade of green. The dress has a bias-cut bodice, a wrap around the waist and a long, flowing skirt. The most amazing part is the open back!  See for yourself:

- Emily Huggins

Sources: SunTimes Blog and NYPost Blog

Vintage Vantage. Online Shopping – Expert Vintage Tips. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Emily Huggins for Second City Style Magazine

Rodellee Marie has been in business for about 3 years, selling her fantastic vintage finds on adorevintage.com. She offers some great tips for scouting out and purchasing vintage clothing and accessories online:

INFORMATION
While online shopping can be quick and easy, Rodellee mentions that the buyer has the disadvantage of not being able to feel the fabrics or try on the pieces. She says to look for the following:

• Photos from every angle
• Material content description. (Care and content labels are not found in pieces prior to the sixties, so a good description of the fabric feel is important here)
• Measurements
• Flaws (if any)
• Era (the older the piece, the more valuable it is – provided it is in good wearable condition)

Above all, if you are unsure about a piece, email the owner or seller for more information. It is always better to ask lots of questions before buying since many vintage shops have an “all sales final policy”.

Read more here...

Vinatge Vantage. Reel Life to Real Life. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Emily Huggins for Second City Style Magazine
Emily is our new Vintage vantage contributor.

Ever wished you could pull off those stylish looks seen on the silver screen? It might be pretty difficult to channel Liz Taylor in Cleopatra - dramatic headdresses and bold eye makeup probably won’t work at the office. However, it’s possible to bring a little movie magic to your life with a proper dash of vintage style. Using some of my favorite films as a starting point, let’s go shopping for the best vintage pieces around...

1920s
Pandora’s Box. Re-live the style of Louise Brooks as Lulu, the free-spirited vaudeville dancer in this 1920s silent film. Women during this era loved shocking their elders in short skirts and even shorter haircuts. They wore lots of Art Deco style clothing and accessories – items distinguished by geometric lines and trimmed with precious metals, feathers, wood and lacquer. The flapper girl is back this fall, so step out of the house feeling just like Louise Brooks with a gorgeous Art Deco purse.

1950s
Sabrina. Audrey Hepburn plays a chauffeur’s daughter named Sabrina, who falls madly in love with the playboy son of a wealthy Long Island family. Her father ships her off to a Paris cooking school, where it seems she learns more about the fine art of fashion than food. Sabrina returns sophisticated and beautiful, wearing gorgeous gowns, dresses, and suits designed by the Hubert de Givenchy. Channel Audrey as Sabrina in a stunning red Suzy Perette dress.

Read more here...

Vintage Vantage. Look To The Past for Fall's Accessories. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Lauren Dimet & Carol Calacci for Second City Style Magazine 

From our vintage vantage-point, many fall '07 fashions are retro inspired so, why not look to the past for your accessories?

HATS
Let's start with hats. They made a big appearance at Fall Fashion week. Marc Jacobs, Giambattista and Roberto Cavalli showed felt fedora and wide brim styles reminiscent of the 40's. Proenza Schouler and Tempereley London stepped back to the 20's for their flapper style cloches.

SHOES
High-heeled oxfords and spectators a la 20's and 40's were all the rage on the runway for fall. Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and Burberry Prorsum showed some amazing versions, but if you can't or don't want to spend that much, why not look for a pair in grandma's closet?

GLOVES
Here is a trend that screams 20's and 40's. Yes, there were plenty of bright funky colors and patent leather up to the elbow gloves at Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and Burberry Prorsum, but why not comb vintage stores and websites for the most unique gloves you can find. Look for snakeskins and suedes. They are not meant to be functional, just decorative. Read more here...