If you’ve read my vintage series (see here if you haven’t), you know that layering is a great way to start bringing vintage into your wardrobe if you’re not ready for a head-to-toe vintage look! Here are some current summer looks that I combined with vintage layers for some inspiration…
Outfit 1 – The Dress Turned Duster
I found this amazing vintage dress and had to have it—the pink stripes, the collar and sleeve detailing—it’s all so good! Rather than wear it as you would and could, I took advantage of the full buttons to wear it as a duster instead. It adds a feminine edge to a standard summer look!
Tip: When wearing a dress that has buttons all the way down the front, extends it’s styling options but opening all the buttons! Here I wore it like a duster!
Sources: Vintage Dress, Goldie Bow Tank, Sezane shorts (similar), Charlotte Stone Bryn heels.
Outfit 2 – The Multi-Color Jacket
Rainbow (or multi-color) pieces can seem hard to wear without it coming across as too young. But I find that wearing multi-color pieces (and then also when mixing them), it’s all about contrast and giving the eyes a break. These 3 pieces work because they use the mix of colors differently, and there is enough negative space not to overwhelm the outfit.
Tip: If you’re not sure if you’re mixing too many things that could clash, look at the outfit as a whole and then squint. If you can see an item that stands out more, than that’s a good sign you have a focal piece and they use prints in different ways.
Sources: Vintage Jacket from LA Retro Girl, Goldie Bow Tank, Nuuly Knit Shorts, Charlotte Stone sandals.
Outfit 3 – The Floral Duster
This is one of my favorite vintage pieces that I wear with everything (see here and here). If you find a great duster, get it while you can because you will wear it a lot like I do!
Tip: Don’t be afraid to alter the length of a duster. It’s meant to be long, but you don’t want it to be so long that it gets caught when going up and down stairs. I had mine hemmed a few inches to be just the right length!
Sources: Vintage duster, Nuuly Jumpsuit (similar), Larroude floral sandals (past season, similar)
Outfit 4 – The Nightgown as a Cover Up
Every single time I wear this cover up, I get asked about it and prepare myself for the disappointment that follows from the asker when I say…”it’s vintage”. It’s truly such a great piece and my way of reminding you to look out for pieces like this! I suspect it’s a vintage night gown, but I have always worn it as a cover up.
Tip: When getting a vintage piece to wear for another use (like a pool or beach cover up), make sure the material is washable for that new use. For example, this piece can be washed in the machine at home which makes it much more practical than if it was a dry clean only piece.
Sources: Vintage Cover Up, Tabitha Brown for Target bathing suit, Bryr Clogs.
P.S. See these outfits in motion on Instagram here and here!
