By Lucy & Ron OrtizSetting oneself apart from the crowd is what "chic" is all about. Today's fashion conscious woman wants that "chic" look but questions how it can be achieved and still stay within her personal financial limits. The answer is "vintage chic," combining the fashions and accessories of yesteryear with new items of clothing bought at discount retailers or the bargain rack at the more upscale department or clothing stores.
Rebecca L'Ecuyer and Emily Ewing capture the 1970s geometric Pucci-look.Excess is no longer considered "chic" but getting a bargain is. It's not what it cost but how it looks that counts. Whether it's a skirt off the rack or a pair of stylish Capri pants at your favorite boutique, wearing it with a vintage garment or accessory and doing it on a budget, defines that "vintage chic" look.
Coats and jackets from the 1940s and 1950s are a sure bet to dress an outfit up or down. Take a 1940s swing coat to wear over that new fabulous flowered dress or how about a jean jacket over a T-shirt and a full skirt? Dress it up with an antique Bakelite pin or bracelet for that fashion-of-today look. Black suede pumps (nabbed at the Salvation Army) worn with a pair of black stylish Capri pants and a 1960s silk jacket are sure to catch the eye of any fashion maven.
So pack up those hip huggers and peasant blouses! They are passe. Instead, look to the fashion designers for what's hot this year. Marc Jacobs and other designers are showing the fabulous 50s' sexy look. Recent movies such as "Far From Heaven" and "The Hours" have re-emphasized feminine clothing, bringing us the retro look of the fifties with pencil skirts, cardigans, frilly dresses and skirted suits. Even Hollywood stars such as Rene Zellweger and Julia Roberts love that "vintage chic" look and rarely are seen wearing anything else. Recently, USA Today quoted Nicole Kidman as saying "I collect antique clothes. My mother dressed me in antique clothes from the flea market."
In the photographs accompanying this article, Amy LaBarge, Rebecca L'Ecuyer and Emily Ewing demonstrate how to dress with vintage attire combined with new articles of clothing. Amy wears several different suit tops from the 1940s and pairs them with new skirts or slacks. In one picture she wears a striking Lilli Ann jacket with a new creamy pleated skirt and then switches to an Irene checkered jacket worn with vintage jewelry and new suede skinny pants. Amy also dons a vintage English top hat to achieve that high fashion look recently featured on the cover of "W" magazine. Amy's vast collection of vintage headwear allows her to accent any outfit and she is rarely seen in public without wearing one of her treasures.
Rebecca looks back to the 1960s to accent her new Capri pants that are on every designer's hot list. Wearing a white silk jacket with black polka dots, Rebecca is casual but elegant as she displays her 1960s black and white vinyl handbag. Black vintage pumps completes her high fashion look.
This year the black and white look that first appeared in the 60s is back in style and Rebecca proves it can be either retro or today. Back in black but far more casual, Rebecca dons a pair of new jeans with a black turtleneck sweater. She completes her "vintage chic" look with a costume jeweled belt, necklace, earrings and a pair of fabulous spike-heeled black boots. Rebecca is less casual but comfortable in a 1970s Pucci geometric jacket paired with white slacks. "Jackie O" sunglasses, a light pink T-shirt and new open-heeled mules complement Rebecca's ensemble. Colorful plastic loop earrings to match her Pucci jacket create a completely stylish presentation. Rebecca successfully achieves her "vintage chic" look by shopping at vintage clothing stores and antique markets in the area, with side trips to nearby Somerset Mall.
Emily wears a new short sleeve burgundy blouse with a vintage floral full skirt that will make fashion statement at any summer outing! She dresses up her look by changing to a black long sleeve dress, with a 1970s Pucci-esque geometric patterned skirt. She accessorizes with a wide black patent leather belt and black tights and black patent leather high heeled shoes. Her attire is fit for the office or a party.
Emily achieves the 1960s "Jackie O" persona when she dons a black pillbox hat, a horizontal striped sheath dress with a bow at the collar and gray and black short boots. A silver metallic box purse completes Emily's black and white look that is stylish and trendy with today's fashion designers. Her 1960s era attire is totally vintage.
"Vintage chic" can be attained by every woman, large or small, short or tall. When the fashionable outfit you desire just doesn't seem right for you, don't despair! Be creative and accessorize. Wear your grandmother's earrings, use one of granddad's ties as a belt or bandana and wear an antique scarf or shawl with that sweater. A western cowboy belt found at the flea market would look great with those new jeans and boots. Belts are always a great accessory to dress up a plain pair of pants or a simple dress or skirt. And anything can be used as a belt: neckties, sashes, chain link, costume jewelry and even a piece of rope. The key is to be creative and try many different ideas to mix and match the old with the new. Fabulous fifties fashion is back in style but run away from the runway designer prices and seek out that "piece of art" that will accent your attire to give you that "vintage chic" look.
Amy LaBarge wears a 1940s jacket with new suede pants and doffs her vintage top hat.Photo Credit: Jeff Hargis, Skidmore, Inc.
