Who Said Plaid Isn't the Fad?

Spring Semester 2012 has officially begun for me! This is the last semester of my undergraduate career and am super EXCITED about graduation which is only 122 days away (yes, I've started a countdown already). Since I'm starting some of my graduate level classes this week I decided to show my professors the fabulous style I have. I spent so much time staring at my closet trying to decide what to wear and I finally stopped with this ensemble. What other items say geek chic more than plaid ANYTHING (don't worry, I'll wait).

About the Look:

I found the skirt on one of my vintage hunting adventures and fell in love with the mixed print. I ended up reconstructing it and creating this high-low hem version of the original high waist skirt. I paired the skirt with a simple denim button up (my new winter staple). The 10 to 15 mph winds made wearing my thick knit sweater tights necessary and my military inspired lace up booties made me a little taller as I strutted around campus. I topped my look off with my new favorite burgundy hat also shown in this post. As I stepped out the door this morning, I grabbed my gorgeous duster coat hoping that it would keep me warm, which it has (so far).

I love this outfit and it made starting another semester of school less draining.

Comment below and tell me about your favorite first day of school outfit ever...

xoxo

Elan <3

Austrian Vintage

What do you get when you put music, red lipstick, and beautiful vintage inspired patterns in one room? A fabulous collection designed by Lena Hoschek. I am officially obsessed with this Austrian designer. Her love of the 40s and 50s translates timelessly into her wonderful silhouettes and hand crafted designs. Her clothes evolve the antique pin up look to the modern day styles true fashionistas vie for. Every vintage obsessed diva should know about this fabulous designer and keep an eye out for her collections as vintage styles become more loved by the fashion industry.

Lena Hoschek sells her vintage collections in stores. But unfortunately for me, they are all located across European regions :( Yes I have to admit, I actually shed a tear when I didn't see the US listed in the store finder section of her website. Since its so far away, this is the closest I'll get to seeing the inside of a Lena Hoschek store and being able to peruse racks of gorgeous vintage gems. Instead of shedding a tear like me, check out her store located in Vienna below.

Lena Hoschek Vienna Store

Lena Hoschek Vienna Store

After getting a sneak peak of the sick duds displayed in these images of her store I had to check out her collections and I found her most recent A/W 2012 collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Check out some of my favorite looks below. Comment below and let me know which of these looks you might actually die for.

Photos Source can be found Here and Here and Here

xoxo

Elan <3

Lady Sings the 'Vintage' Blues

Lately at work, my days have gone by quickly because of the new trick I learned. MUSIC! Who would have thought that soothing tunes blaring through my headphones would do the trick. So now-a-days, as soon as I plop down in my standard desk chair, my high tech ear buds are strategically placed for the majority of the day.

As you would expect, my love of vintage extends well beyond fashion & resides in the world of music too. My faithful go-to station is "Billie Holiday Radio" Some of my favorite artists that frequent this station are Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Eartha Kitt, Doris Day, and Sarah Vaughan. But obviously, Billie Holiday is hands down one of my favorites.

Not only does she hold this #1 spot because of her angelic musical talents, but also because of her glorious fashion sense. Below are some gorgeous images only fit for a vintage diva. See if you can handle it.

Fabulous Off the Shoulder Gown

Divine Sweetheart Cut Strapless Dress with Flower Detail

Young Billie Holiday Styled in a LBD

Simplistic Collared Blouse and High Waist Skirt

Gorgeous Fur and Beaded Cap

Whoever says floral hairpieces are a modern look has overlooked Billie Holiday's infamous signature style. A flower pinned to the side of her flawless updo. Doesn't it make you want to start up a DIY project right now?

Get some inspiration from the wonderful looks below.

photo source can be found here

Trying to digest all of Billie Holiday's sexy vintage style reminded me that I haven't seen one of my favorite movies in months. "Lady Sings the Blues" was released in 1972 starring one of my other favorites Diana Ross and I can't get enough of it. This film is now on my wish list for the boy so hopefully this post nudges him a little more and reminds him of the hints I left in his email inbox.

Diana Ross in the 1972 film "Lady Sings the Blues"

If your not on vintage overload yet, take some time to listen to some of Billie Holiday's classic tracks.

xoxo

Elan <3

Va-Va-Vogue

For the last few months I have been SEARCHING like a maniac for fabulous vintage posters to decorate my simplistic bedroom and my newly renovated work space. I've had my eye on a few Vogue posters from the 50's and 60's. But lets face it, with school starting again in a few weeks, gorgeous vintage decorations should be the last expenditure on my mind. Instead, I opted to downloading a gorgeous Vogue image from a 1950 magazine cover to my phone.

This little measly photo obviously has not satisfied my vintage vogue desires so I was ELATED when I found a blog that highlights vintage vogue magazines from around the world. I immediately followed the blog and after spending a large portion of my day perusing the entries I came across a copy of US Vogue from August of 1974. The cover girl of this magazine was none other than the infamous diva BEVERLY JOHNSON! After seeing the post highlighting this issue of the magazine I immediately got silent and nearly blinded myself trying to peer as deeply into the images as humanly possible. I think I was trying to teleport myself back in time. Or maybe it was more like a blues clues scene where I thought if I got close enough I could just jump right into the FABULOSITY displayed before me.

To my eventual dismay, I went nowhere, so here I sit, on the couch, blogging. Luckily for you though, in my boredom, I have some wonderful high fashion vogue images for you my readers to gaze at. Check them out below.

Editorial highlighting effective methods for styling looks for evening events

Model: Charyl Stember

Casual Chic: editorial spread displaying two-piece outfit styling using skirts as a key must-have piece.

Models: Renee Russo and Susan Bottomly

Casual Chic: Additional two-piece styling

Editorial with fabulous vintage coat styling tips

Models: Karen Bjornson and Chris Royer

I know you must be gushing right now. Now you understand my obsession. Remember that these still fashion tips still apply. Vogue knew what they were doing even back in the day

xoxo

Elan <3

A Vintage Legacy "At Last"

"This is a huge loss. Etta James was one of the greatest vocalists of our time...Her musical contributions will last a lifetime."

Beyonce said it best as she gives a statement after hearing of the death of Etta James. As you all have probably heard, the great soul singer Etta James passed away yesterday January 20th. She died from a chronic battle with leukemia. She also suffered from dementia and hepatitis C. Before her passing, she was awarded six Grammys and was voted into the rock and roll hall of fame. She is such a fabulous diva and her legacy will live FOREVER.  Since the 50's and 60s were such epic fashion periods it's fitting that we commemorate the vintage fashion legacy of Etta James.

Even as she aged, Etta James had such a spicy fashion sense. She and Beyonce Knowles were pictured at the premiere of Cadillac Records each donning gorgeous LBD's. Beyonce portrayed Etta James in the film Cadillac Records. The fabulous vintage costume styling of the movie is more than to die for. Check out some of my favorite looks from the movie.

Etta James and Beyonce Knowles at the Cadillac Records Premiere

c/o Sony Pictures

c/o Sony Pictures

c/o Sony Pictures

Be inspired by the great style of Etta James and style yourself in a va-va-voom 50s inspired look!

xoxo

Elan <3