A New Year for Vintage Cheer

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!!! 

Today is the last day of the year. 2011 is virtually O-V-E-R. You may have plans to spend the night out with your girlfriends or the ole ball and chain. My plan is to do both (wish me luck). Regardless, we all want to be fabulous. You don't have to sacrifice your money saving resolution or your new and improved fashion ideas. If you are still searching for an awesome look, go vintage!

Here are some New Years Eve looks to don tonight that are sure to make you the belle of the ball.

SEQUINS
The typical New Years staple. It wouldn't be the overrated party season if sequins were not on your radar. I can't live without this style throughout the year so of course it's one of my many options for tonight. It should be one of yours too. Try a vintage flapper dress with sequins or a simple vintage style sequin top to trigger some shimmer.

Phillip Lim, Thakoon, Derek Lam; Spring 2009

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BLACK AND WHITE
Thinking of vintage triggers images of black and white photographs and times when gray areas were a positive thing. Consider a classic look for your night out with a black and white style. Think of it as starting the year with a clean (black and white) slate. Instead of adding a pop of color consider keeping your look as classic as possible. Enter 2012 with simplicity and with fashion faux pas you may regret by the end of the year.

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METALLIC
You want to show off tonight, I know you do. So what better way to do so than to style yourself in shine tonight. Maybe a metallic colored dress is a little bold for you. Instead, try a vintage clutch or handbag covered in a metallic hue.

Proenza Schouler, Calvin Klein, and Derek Lam; Fall 2009

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Whiting and Davis Vintage Metallic Evening Clutch

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BLACK
Whether you chose a vintage little black dress or opt for a sexy all black ensemble, you can never go wrong. If you have a evening with your guy planned, consider a vintage wool skirt and a vintage blouse with a plunging neckline. Add touches of sequin or metallic as described above to send the world a bold statement as you embark on a new year. Since every vintage diva should have a LBD in her closet, this look is simple. Mix old and new for a more fabulous style.

Audrey Hepburn

Black Cat Vintage Fashion Show

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Now hurry on out to your nearest vintage shop to scour the racks for looks similar to these!

Comment below to let me know what look you were styled in to bring in the new year.

xoxo

Elan <3

Fabulous for Free

Who likes free stuff??? (*raises hand eagerly*) Me! Me! I do! I know all of you guys do too.

Since UMBC tuition has robbed me of any youthful luxuries, free or dirt cheap is the only way I get to participate in activities or go to events now-a-days. If you didn't know before, I am addicted to obsessions and I am just as obsessed with free event websites as I am to vintage. One of my favorite go-to bloggers is Free In Dc. This blog is full of free or almost free events in the DC area ranging from art to theater to nightlife. On Tuesday I planned an eventful evening with the boy and my partners in crime. We went to Tryst in Adams Morgan where they had a live jazz event from 8-10 and then went a few blocks away to the Source Theater on 14th street to an Improv show that started at 10.

Since I found such amazing FREE activities, I figured that it was only fitting to wear an expensive looking vintage outfit. Little did anyone know, I styled myself on a budget as usual. Here's what I wore to strut around the nighttime streets of DC. Who says having fun and being fly has to be expensive? Not ER Vintage!

Vintage Tweed Blazer & Sheer Leopard Button Shirt

Harem Pants from H&M

Red Turban (I was having a bad hair day)

Vintage Belt & Vintage Coach Shoulder Bag

Steve Madden Booties (stole them from sissy...shhhhh)

be fabulous vintage divas (and do it for cheap)

xoxo

Elan <3

Sometimes What You Hate is Fate

Since Christmas was only a few days ago, this week is most common for holiday gift returns. Maybe grandma got you another sweater this year 3 sizes too large. Or maybe, your uncle remembers you always colored with yellow crayons when you were younger and thought it was still your favorite color. Regardless of the imperfection of the gift...RETURNS are not the only option! I repeat, RETURNS ARE NOT THE ONLY OPTION!!! Here are some tips you can use to convince yourself that the horrid jewelry your cousin bought you can still accessorize any outfit to PERFECTION

Here's what to do if...

The color isn't your favorite...

Color Block It. Pair that terrible colored shirt with a contrasting colored vintage blazer or vintage wool pencil skirt that compliments the one you want to get rid of.

Gucci, Spring 2011 RTW

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Marc Jacobs, Spring 2011 RTW

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Diane von Furstenberg, Spring 2011 RTW

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You hate the jewelry...

Layer It. Cover your arm with all of your favorite bracelets & add the ones you don't care for as much. If its a necklace you hate, wrap it around your arm and transform it into a multi chain bracelet.

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Something doesn't fit...

Belt It. Who needs boring old safety pins when you have fabulous belts. Vintage style belts are perfect for cinching around your waist. If its a skirt or trousers that are a tad too baggy, belt it high on your waist to create the paper bag style waist.

ADAM, Fall 2010

Get It Here

Miu Miu, Spring 2012 RTW

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Roksanda Ilincic, Spring 2012 RTW

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Hope this helps guys! Now you can stay out of those crazy long return lines and find a way to unleash that fabulous vintage diva attitude no matter what you wear.

xoxo

Elan <3

A Little Style Makes the Holiday Right

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYONE!!!

I hope you scoured the malls and vintage shops using the gift ideas from my "Give a Little Vintage Cheer" post and found the perfect items for everyone on your holiday gift list. I too was one of the unlikely masses standing in 30 minute long lines hoping to put a smile on the faces of my loved ones. By 2 o'clock pm I finally unloaded my car and did my happy dance singing "I did it, I did it, I did it yay". (in my Dora the Explorer voice of course)

Since the boy bailed on me this year to hang with his family (yea I'm a little salty) our Wrapping and Wine tradition is a no-go. Instead I've resorted to pizza, holiday music, and blogging. I have so much time on my hands and holiday inspiration from the tunes blaring throughout the house that I've come up with some last minute holiday look essentials. Hope these vintage must haves make holiday styling much easier.

 RED LIPSTICK

Say Merry Christmas with pouty red lips. Instead of wiping your cheeks from the lipstick of grandmothers and aunts, mark them with your favorite shade of red. Don't be afraid to pair this bold lip color with other holiday inspired attire. No need to be matchy matchy. Holidays are for extra-ness!!! Take tips from Jennifer Hudson, Kourtney Kardashian, and Rosario Dawson for some holiday inspiration.

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BABY BLUE

Who woulda thought baby blue to be a holiday color? It didn't start with me. Take advice from Diana Ross The Diva. Accessorize your holiday look with baby blue jewelry. Style yourself in blue on blue in contrasting shades. or pair with red. Have a holiday blast.

Diana Ross, 1978

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LACE

How many holiday outfits do you remember wearing as a kid with lace? Well personally I can't remember a year I went without it. So why change the tradition. Wear your grown up lace dress with tights and a cardi to keep you warm. Try holiday colored lace to combine all holiday inspiration in one. If opting for winter white lace pair your look with bold accessories.

Twiggy

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Available at Asos

Get in the holiday spirit as you prepare for tomorrow!!! Happy Holiday's!!!

xoxo

Elan <3

Hippie's Get Cold Too

Guess What!!! I got a head start on my Christmas shopping!!! Aren't you guys proud of me? (*waits for applause*) Well I'm proud of me. Even though I only bought one gift and everything else is for the new and improved store. (*ducks and hides from tomato throwing*)

Ok so here's what I wore. Not really holiday inspired but definitely a fantastic winter weather look. Hope you like!!!

Vintage Coach Shoulder Bag

Vintage Necklaces

Vintage Coach & Floral Jeffry Campbell Litas

Turban Headband (DIY)

Turban Headband - DIY

Chain Necklace - Vintage

Heart Necklace - Vintage

Knit Sweater -Thrifted

Shoulder Bag - Vintage Coach

Jeans (super faded now) - H&M

Boots - Floral Jeffrey Campbell Litas

xoxo

Elan <3

Give a Little Vintage Cheer

Ok. I have a serious problem with procrastination. This semester I waited until the night before to write papers and study for finals. Even worse, sometimes I wouldn't start until the day everything was due. I know. HORRIBLE!!! Anyway, school is over for the semester (*disco dance*) but my procrastination has not improved. Although I've been planning for Christmas gifts since the beginning of November, I have a confession: I still have yet to get ANYONE a gift. I feel like a real jerk. But with working getting in the way of my holiday planning, I decided to come up with some plan B's while in the office. I have a solid plan for what items I need to search for to make everyone on my list. Another confession (*inhales deeply*): I probably won't tackle this list until Christmas Eve. (*waits for screams of holiday horror*) I know. I know!!!

Vintage Aprons

Gorgeous flirty vintage aprons are perfect for any chef on your list. Mom, Aunt, and Grandma will love unwrapping this gift on Christmas day. Even though Audrey Hepburn was obviously to fabulous to rock this style in the kitchen, wearing these magnificent aprons will trigger that infamous I Love Lucy style.

Audrey Hepburn

I Love Lucy

Available Here

Available Here

Vintage Luggage

Vintage luggage is perfect for any traveler on your list. Unlike the modern black luggage seen in traditional stores, vintage luggage has character. Depending on the size of luggage, it can be used for frequent travelers who need packing room for a few nights or for those who have extended stays.

colorful luggage is perfect for making bold statements. Bold individuals can rock this style the best.

vintage luggage sets are perfect

Available on ebay

Vintage Ties

The fabulous men and bold women on your list will be so excited to unwrap this gift they will be trying them on immediately. Try styling the men or women on your list based on their own personal style and don't be afraid to push them toward bold styles, they are vintage after all!!!

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Available Here

Vintage Handbags

Your sister or BFF will fall in love with this gift and might even find a new passion for vintage. Vintage handbags and purses are perfect for all occasions and every outfit.

Available Here

Available Here

Available Here

Hopefully these ideas will get your vintage imagination flowing.

Good luck and HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

xoxo

Elan <3