Incorporating vintage into your wardrobe

Building a vintage wardrobe is an exciting prospect - but it can also be daunting. New fabrics, smaller sizes, tailored construction, and decades old fabrics and thread... where do you start? 

Maybe you're building your wardrobe from scratch or trying to shift to a more vintage style. Using authentic accessories is a great way to get your vintage style rolling. They're an easy way to show off your personality and plentifully found at low to moderate prices.

1. Add some sparkle to your day. One of the easiest ways to start incorporating vintage into your wardrobe is to wear vintage jewelry, either fine pieces or fabulous fakes (costume). Vintage jewelry puts an exclamation mark on your look, adds visual interest, and also makes for a great conversation starter. To look especially put together, search for vintage jewelry sold in either parure, a full set of the same design, or demi-parure, for a lovely cohesive look.

2. Trade your current bag for a vintage number. There's nothing like the high quality construction of a good vintage bag. Vintage handbags were built to last, often with resilient materials and substantial hardware, which often develops a lovely patina as the decades pass. The best part of switching to a vintage bag is that they are so easy to shop for online since there is no "try on" necessary. Just check the description for your preferred bag dimensions. 

3. Channel your inner diva with a scarf. Who hasn't seen those glamorous photos of old Hollywood actresses with their scarves tied to keep their curls in place? Use them as a hair wrap or headband, a neck tie (either a jaunty kerchief or an elegant pussybow), a shawl for date night, or draped over your outerwear for a burst of color and pattern.  

4. Try a pair of ladylike gloves. If you live in a colder climate, you most likely wear a pair of gloves at some point of the year. Pairing a beautifully luxurious pair of kid leather or cotton gloves with your winter coat will instantly give you an air of vintage elegance. You can also coordinate a pair of gloves with a light jacket or blazer - this way, it looks a bit less conspicuous to non-vintage enthusiasts. 

5. Be a flower girl. Hair flowers create such a feminine and flirty look no matter the length of your locks. Keep it classic with red roses or white camellias, abundant hydrangeas and lilacs in the spring, or island blooms like orchids and plumeria in the summer. You can wear fresh flowers of the season, purchase vintage millinery flowers online, or make your own by purchasing silk craft flowers, arranging them onto your preferred hair clips or combs, and securing with a small bit of glue.

6. Get pinned. Any outfit can be made more classic with a brooch or scatter pins, which can be found for next to nothing at thrift stores, charity shops, and online. Collect a few that appeal to you and you will soon have endless options to bejewel your outfits. Brooches are so much fun because they can be pinned in so many different ways - on your lapel, on a sweater, or even to highlight your neckline on an evening dress, just to name a few.

Due to their novelty and beauty in design, any of these accessories can add a small vintage element to your outfit without the feeling of being dressed in costume. Even on my most casual days when I dress in my highstreet clothing, I always add at least one or two of these small pieces to infuse my own personal style and love of vintage. Accessorizing is an accessible avenue for anyone considering making the jump to a more vintage sense of style.

— TYG