Dear New York City dwellers and admirers of vintage,
Just a quick tip that the Manhattan Vintage Clothing show is running now. If you’re anything like me and enjoy the thrill of the search, rare Lanvin and Chanel, Vietnamese denim, and luxurious screen-printed silk scarves, this show is a must.
No need to thank me. See you there tomorrow!
Yours truly,
Chelsey
The Manhattan Vintage Show runs February 1-2 at the Metropolitan Pavillion at 125 West 18th Street
View high resolution
Trend Watch: Cap Toe Shoes
Vintage inspired shoe trends can be a little iffy (Marc Jacob’s pilgrim shoes?), but these are as chic as they were the day Coco Chanel came up with them in 1957. We are talking, of course, about cap toe shoes. We saw them this spring and were overjoyed to see designers continue to embrace the mixed material footwear for fall.
1. Louic Vuitton 2. Stuart Weitzman 3. Versace 4. Christian Louboutin 5. Kate Spade 6. Giuseppe Zanotti 7. Nicholas Kirkwood 8. Dieppa Restrepo 9. Kenzo 10. Marni
Accordion pleats are timeless. Often associated with Grecian style dresses, these soft flowing folds inspired the “skirt dance” of American choreographer and dancer Loie Fuller. Beautiful and talented, Fuller’s pioneering modern dance performances inspired many artist and made her one of the poster children of the late 1800s art movement, Art Nouveau.
Accordion pleated skirts and dresses enjoyed a resurgence this spring that has lasted into the fall. A pleated skirt with tights makes for the perfect layered fall outfit. We love this vintage Chanel skirt from Cara Mia Vintage.
View high resolution
Trend Watch: Sleek Silver
Shimmering golds and bronzes have been a huge trend this fall, but as temperatures dip below freezing and winter starts to set in, we find ourselves craving a cooler metal. Silver has become the “it” metal of the season, seen in the form of accessories at Derek Lam, shoes at Yves Saint Laurent, and all over at Chanel and Roberto Cavalli. Combine silver with white at your next holiday party for a look that is festive and winter-y, but not cliche, or wear with burgundy to brighten an otherwise dark ensemble.
1. Chanel 2. MuuBaa 3. J Brand 4. Marc Jacobs 5. Christina Elle 6. Topshop 7. 3.1 Phillip Lim
Handbags, like shoes, are one of those magical sartorial inventions that can make any woman feel good. Able to fit any body type, these ubiquitous accessories have become the ultimate status and style symbols, with women passionately seeking the latest on trend bag. Both useful and pleasing to eye, the right handbag can prove to be well worth the investment, with certain vintage designs carrying value matching a car. Here are some of our favorite purses, satchels, and totes from the last 100 years. Take a look and pick your favorite.
In 1926, when Vogue featured Coco Chanel’s little black dress in its pages, they called it “Chanel’s Ford”. This association with Ford’s Model T automobile would prove to be quite accurate as Chanel’s simple, chic, and comfortable dress would become one of the most ubiquitous style dresses in fashion. Popularized by such style icons as Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the sheath dress has withstood the test of time.
Today, the sheath dress may be found in any number of styles. With high and low necklines, with and without sleeves, and in solid colors and bold prints, this universally flattering dress can be made to reflect any personal aesthetic. We love this Marc by Marc Jacobs collared sheath dress as a wardrobe staple that is both on trend, yet classic enough to withstand the test of time.
What is your favorite way to wear the sheath dress?
Haute couture is where fashion and art combine to create one endlessly fascinating world with limitless possibilities. It is in haute couture that designers can let their imaginations run wild and create designs that are as at home on the runway as they would be in a gallery. Each piece showcases months of labor and future trends at their most potent, before they have been diluted into versions more palatable for consumer consumption. As a combination between art and fashion, haute couture also strongly reflects the times, from the decadence following World War I to the strong, yet feminine woman of Dior’s New Look. Here, we’ve compiled some of our favorite looks from fashion at its highest over the last century.
All images via The Cut.
Paris Fashion Week is wrapping up, meaning that Fashion Month is coming to a close. Each city on the roster offers its own unique perspective on fashion, from the effortless cool of New York and the fearless experimentalism of London to the unashamed luxury of Milan. Paris was no different with classic French fashion houses treating show goers to darkly romantic looks intensified by the distinctly Parisian brand of quirky sexiness. We couldn’t get enough of the collections at PFW, but there were five that really stood out.
View high resolution
Book Review: The Gospel According to Coco Chanel by Karen Karbo
In the eyes of many, women’s fashion as it is today would not exist were it not for Coco Chanel. Chanel gave us sportswear, cardigans, and the little black dress in a time when women wore corsets and cage skirts so severe that wearers had to be lifted into their carriages. She pioneered the use of jersey as a luxury textile and changed the way we thought about fashion. This book by Karen Karbo is a witty biography of this iconic designer’s life mixed in with some insightful words of wisdom. Readers will not only gain an intimate peak into Coco’s life, but also some of the keys to her success, such as being honest (even if it requires being mean), never doubting oneself, and the importance of knowing how to ride a horse. Mostly funny and a little bit inspirational, this book is well worth a read.
Much beloved by both women and men, the cardigan was adapted from the knitted wool waistcoats worn by British officers during the First World War. After the war, it gained popularity with those in outdoor professions, especially fishermen. It was Coco Chanel, however, that brought the cardigan into the realm of women’s wear as a comfortable yet chic alternative to the corseted fashions of the times.
Today, the cardigan has many faces, from the tailored Chanel-esque cardigan jacket to the preppy collegiate inspired versions. With as many styles to choose from as there are personal tastes, this omnipresent piece is sure to infiltrate your wardrobe. We love this A.P.C. cardi as a versatile wardrobe staple.
Wear with jeans and a t-shirt to amp up a casual look or with a jeweled collar button down for a quirkier version. What is your favorite way to wear a cardigan?
Recent comments