Vintage Christmas

Needing clothing inspiration for your upcoming holiday events? Look to your local consignment boutique, thrift store, or your parent’s closet!

Breathing fresh life and style into things that others have forgotten or discarded – this is why I love vintage and thrift stores so much.

IG lifestyle/fashionista I admire, fellow blogger @flavioapril (April Flavio) suggested a collaboration challenge for #holidays2018

I wondered, What could we cook up for Christmas for our readers?

A two-hour fashion shoot and one FB LIVE video later, here’s the reveal. 

April and I wondered what we’d be wearing for this year’s holiday parties and schemed together to find a few outfits. She really has her pulse on what’s current (she’s young and pretty, too!) while I’m often eyeing mid-century mod. Here’s what we came up with for you.

LOOK #1:

I chose this fantastic form-fitting vintage wool dress by Claralura Originals, California (from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s) for my first outfit. Comfortable and classy enough to sit through The Nutcracker Suite ballet or a socialize at the Symphony’s cocktail party, a few of the things I loved about it was the the amazing neckline, pointed sleeves, and shawl with ermine tails.

Though not your typical green for Christmas, it’s a festive, fun surprise that can transition into New Year’s and beyond. I found it in Jean’s closet when she invited me to go through things she was considering sending to the thrift store. (!)

The earrings are a super-current burgundy fringe that I fell in love with at a fashion show a few years ago.

When trying atypical colors like solid chartreuse or deep red, what color accessories do you choose? You can try black, but that would be so expected! Go for nudes or even a leopard print. I found the cream-colored owl bucket purse at a local mid-century store in mint condition. The glitterati shoes I wore are from Banana Republic (Bare High Block-Heel Glitter Sandal).

How To Replicate This Look: Go with non-traditional color scheme of greens and reds this Christmas season. Try nude accessories for a modern, updated look.

LOOK #2: 

I found this diamond-patterned gold dress by R&K Originals “For The Girls Who Knows Clothes” (from the 1950’s and 60’s) at a consignment/resale shop in St. Louis, MO. I accessorized with a fox fur collar thrown over my shoulder (it was cold the day we shot these photos!), wide belt, and pinkish-nude pointed heels, again from Banana Republic (Madison 12-Hour Suede Bow Pump). This has been such a multi-purpose outfit for me, from weddings to corporate cocktail parties, Christmas dinners to church.

April went with a beautiful red lace dress–she looks amazing in strong colors, doesn’t she? I really like her vintage gold disc belt and strappy black pointed heels. The purse was her grandmother’s! I love her straight hair with bobby pins.

I went with all neutrals on this outfit, but rocked a brilliant cherry red Kate Spade and a Cover Girl Outlast All Day Custom Red #840 lip color in Signature Scarlet. The red glass ring is from a trip to Venice, Italy and begged for me to put it on for this outfit.

How You Can Replicate This Look: Find a festive shiny neutral pattern overall, but ground your look with solid pumps and a strong color in strategic accessories, like a purse, ring, necklace, scarf, or tights.

LOOK #3:

Plaid is a huge trend this year, and April and I laughed when we saw we both chose it. #greatminds

She decided on a conservative black windowpane print (find some like this at Walmart!) and a gorgeous red, cold-shoulder top while I went with a more traditional grey and cream plaid cigarette leg pant (found at TJMaxx) with a complimentary sleeveless, high neck blouse with ruffles. For work, I’d top it with a basic black blazer (remove to transition to an after-work celebration).

I fell in love with these flesh-toned, Valentino-style studded gladiator kitten heels and have been wearing them with everything constantly this season. (Check on Amazon.com!) I matched the metallic Tiffany leather bag (find other lovely vintage bags at LGS) with taupe nails, and added the vintage emerald drop-earrings, AppleWatch, and a chunky ring to finish the look.

I know what you might be thinking and you’re right – this is not exactly all secondhand or vintage. But that’s okay, right?

How You Can Replicate This Look: Plaid is everywhere this season – GO FOR IT! I’m not a patterns kinda gal, so I was conservative here. You can go with a pant, blazer, plaid hat (seen on the runways this season!), or shirt and pair it with complimentary solids. Have fun with this trend.

Sleeveless may not be okay at your workplace, but it’s certainly a great option for afterwork parties and gatherings. Use a cardi or blazer during the day to stay within office dress code and throw on chandelier earrings with an updo, add a cat eye, bright lip, and a sequined or beaded bag for evening and go dance like it’s 1999…

That’s it. Are you INSPIRED?

Go see April’s side of the collaboration on her blog, “The Spices of Life” at www.flavioapril.com. For more posts like this, check out Glow, Oh. My. Dear., Downsize, Powerdressing Pastors and Good Tiger.