July 22, 2014

Every now and then...





Outfit details

Black felt beret: eBay 
Gun metal and clear rhinestone bow earrings: Payless
Sterling Silver Hearts Name Necklace: Onecklace
Red button front shirt: Smart Set
Black fitted vest: Reitmans
1940s style grey swing trousers: Heyday
Plastic angle bracelets: Assorted sources
Light pink cross body faux leather bag: eBay
Red socks: Walmart
1940s style black oxford shoes: Thrifted (Salvation Army)
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red


Photography by Tony Cangiano




















































As a lifelong self-professed girly-girl who (outside of the dog park and more rugged pursuits in the wilds of nature) rarely wears pants, in no small part because most styles look as disastrous on me as a train wreck along side a forest fire with a swarm of killer bees rushing out of it, it's certainly not everyday that my style veers in a distinctly menswear inspired direction.
 
Yet, much like my uber stylish friend Sara of Lilies and Remains recently talked about, I've suddenly been feeling drawn towards trousers a lot more in the last few weeks. Odd, perhaps, given that they don't suit the incredibly warm (case in point, we were sitting at a roasty toasty 42C a few days ago) weather here as of late, but yet also understandable because pants often have a casual air to them that suits the hot-as-an-over weather that comes part and parcel with the dog days of summer so strikingly well.
 
Over the years I've purchased my fair share of pants, including offerings sourced online from a few different repro and/or rockabilly brands. Most, despite buying the so-called right size, didn't end up doing my short, curvy figure the slightest hint of a favour and were either returned, sold, or given away. Though they're a touch too big for me (I am forever running into pants either being just a little too big or too small), I couldn't bring myself do part with some Heyday trousers I bought about 2.5 years ago, as I am quite fond of them.
 
One day I may splurge and bring them to a seamstress to have the waist taken in a touch and the hems increased (I'm barely 5'2" and without pining these in the back, the cuffs on them drag on the ground for me even when worn with heels), but for now, I just use a handy-dandy safety pin to help prevent unwanted gaping at the back and they're good to go.
 
The sizing issues pertain to my body shape and aren't a reflection on Heyday in the slightest. I sometimes wonder, if I ordered pants from them again, would I go down a size? Assuming my weight was about the same, I really don't know. They'd be perfect in the waist in all likelihood, but would they then be too tight for this style of trouser in the thighs or otherwise not look quite right? It's impossible to say for sure without trying a smaller size on, so I might just purchase the same size again but factor a trip to the seamstress into my budget if I did. Time will tell!

The three pairs of 1940s style swing trousers (grey, seen here, dark green, and a sandy beige hue) that I have from them are, along with my beloved Freddies jeans, my only vintage reproduction pants these days, so when the mood for trousers does strike, they're where I turn (and would you believe it, in more than five years of blogging, this is the first time I've worn trousers, not denim jeans or capris, on camera? It's true!).
 
I woke up one day recently in a distinctly menswear inspired state of mind. Perhaps it was the heat, maybe I just wanted a change of pace, or it could have had to do with the colour palette that I wanted to create to showcase this beautiful custom ordered sterling silver Onecklace that I recently received as a review gift from the company.
 
I get my fair share of emails from jewelry companies eager to partner with Chronically Vintage, however due to my nickel allergy, common in so many of the metals used by said companies, I almost always have to turn them down on the product review front, even if I adore their offerings. Not so, I'm delighted to say, with Onecklace, who offer many customizable monogram, name, initial, love, and mother necklace is sterling silver, 14K gold, 24K gold, and 14K white gold.
 
I knew instantly that I wanted a sterling silver name necklace, but that instead of opting for my first name, I thought it would be really cool to get the word "vintage" instead. I don vintage clothing all the time, but never before this beautiful necklace had I worn the actual word.
 
Onecklace was a sincere pleasure to work with. My ordered arrived all the way from Israel quite quickly, was excellently packaged, complete with a branded box and gift bag, and was just as I'd placed it. Though I do wish there was a wee bit more space between the first two letters (they end up looking a bit like a "W" to me), I truly have only the utmost of positive things to say about this necklace, very much including the fact that I can safely wear it without it troubling my sensitive skin.
 
If I was going to purchase the Sterling Silver Hearts Name Necklace, which is the style I opted for, it would cost $39.95, which I think is very reasonable price for a custom order piece like this. In fact, all of Onecklace's offerings - which have expanded further since I selected my review necklace - are well priced and attractive, plus many of them use timeless fonts that are a cinch to weave into vintage, repro, or vintage inspired ensembles such as the one I'm wearing in this photos.
 
I very much appreciate this beautiful necklace, which I've been sporting often since it arrived (it's light as a feather and goes with countless outfits), and also that Onecklace kindly provided my readers with a discount coupon code. If you'd like to purchase from Onecklace yourself, please use the coupon code FASHION at checkout to save 10% on all orders.
 
The glistening, almost bronze hued sun was beginning to set on the recent evening when Tony and I grabbed these quick photos in downtown Penticton (on Front Street to be exact), and as a result, we had to up the ISO quite a bit. I like the subtle grittiness that doing so added to these images, it completes this outfit well, don’t you think? As I was standing there, I suddenly wished I had a vintage newspaper or notebook to hold, as this borrowed from the boys look struck me as something a hard hitting female journalist might have sported back in the day.
 
I may not wear pants that often, and distinctly menswear inspired looks even less so, but that doesn't mean I don't love both, because I certainly do. Sometimes, as I'm particularly keen on saying, it's great to shake up your usual routine and step, in my case in Heyday trouser swaddled legs, out of your fashion comfort zone - which is precisely what I did here.
























45 comments:

  1. i had to laugh out loud as i read your describing of how you usually look in trousers :-D
    me the same but add a thunderstorm on the horizon.
    it must be in the air - i was lusting after a trouser outfit lately too. solved the wish by wearing a pilot overall with cut off sleeves and legs. it´s hot here too. no pics but a whole beer garden to witness...
    back to your fab outfit - it screamed newspaper to me like to you. you look really fab in that boyish style!!!!!
    i think you can order the heyday´s a size smaller - there is a lot of air between tight and fabric :-)
    but i can understand if one likes the pants airy, me too especially when i have to sit down a longer time.
    nickel free jewelry are always great to find - customized ones the bees knees! love that you ordered "vintage" - now that you are 30 ;-)
    (sorry - could´t resist)
    hugs&kisses
    beate

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    1. Oh, yes, the thunderstorm, how could I forget that important element of the atrociousness that is me in so many styles of pants. It's always comforting to know that, for better or worse, I'm not alone on this front.

      Love your revamping of a pair of overalls. What a great, totally 1940s make do and mend approved way to whip up a pair of pants.

      True, true, there is quite a lot of excess fabric there and another size down might look better. It will likely be a while before I have the budget for that (the Canadian dollar is worth about half the UK pound, then there's shipping, import and customs fees, so ordering from the UK is usually big event for me when it does happen), but if/when I do buy more trousers, I'll let you know. Airy, roomy pants do have their perks for sure, though, very much including when you travel. On our little trip to Vancouver last month, for example, I wore my green Heydays and was as comfy as could possibly be.

      Tee-hee, crack jokes away, my dear friend, I don't mind at all. I'm anything but a spring chicken, so to speak, at this point. By Etsy's standard, I've already been vintage for ten years (something has to be at least 20 years old there to be considered vintage).

      Big hugs & many thanks for your wonderful comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Go, girl, go! This is so chic and clever. You look smart and hip (which, of course, you are). I love the vest and how it enhances the pants. Beautiful outfit.

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  3. love this menswear look, jessica! i almost always wear pants/jeans more than dresses/skirts unless it's a denim skirt. and since i tend to veer more towards rockabilly and casual vintage, i may one day invest in a heyday trouser, if they look good on me. the more i try high rise pants, the more i'm frustrated!

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  4. I totally love this style on you! It suits you very well!

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet dear. It's hard to believe, even considering that I'm not a frequent pants wearer, that this is the first time I've ever done a shoot featuring (non-denim) trousers here before. My passion for pants is going strong this summer, so other posts featuring them may appear here this year (and surely beyond).

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. I love everything about your look. There is a song by Dan Hicks called My Old Timey Baby. It is on YouTube and you should check it out. It is an old song but very fitting for us vintage girls.
    Keep up the good work!

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  6. Those trousers look fabulous on you! No, no, that whole outfit looks fabulous on you! Factoring alterations into your clothing budget is a really smart move, and I think that if you really love something, then having a professional do alterations that will make it fit better and be more comfortable/wearable is a completely worthy expense. And you should definitely wear those pants more often, because like I said, they look amazing. :)

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    1. You're splendidly sweet, thank you very much. Absolutely, with a pair of Heyday's trousers already running into the three figure range for me (with the currency conversion, shipping, and import/customs fees factored), saving a bit more for a trip to the tailor's really does make a great deal of sense and is something I need to remember to do more often.

      Big hugs & many thanks again,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Ahh what a magnificent look! I don't usually wear pants either, but I love them still! Just today I wore my the most awesome cigarette pants ever to work :)

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  8. This is a great look on you. A little Katherine Hepburn, a little Annie Hall, a little gamine chic. Love it! I would like to find a pair of pants like this - high waisted, wide leg, all that - but it sounds like I'm in the same boat you are as far as fit goes. I've got wide hips and bigger butt, so if they fit in the waist, they're skin tight though the hips and thighs. I guess that's what tailors are for, though.

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    1. Thank you very much, my dear gal. Goodness, do I hear you there. I'm an hourglass with a touch of pear to my figure and its scary, downright scary, how few pants fit me even remotely well. Skinny jeans, jeggings, cigarette pants, a lot of styles of jeans, cropped trousers, most shorts, and extra wide (like palazzo pants) are usually all major no goes. Objectively bootcut, flared, and wide legged pants are my best bet and I suspect they'd work well for you, too. If you're looking for more modern style years, Levi and Old Navy both have some nice cuts that are designed especially for those of us with curvy hips and smaller waists. I've owned both over the years and recommend them highly.

      ♥ Jessica

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  9. You look great! I love and wear skirts and dresses often, but I also love pants. Wide legged trousers with oxfords/brouges or mary jane heels, pussy bow top or short sleeved sweater or cardigan is my go to work outfit in the late summer/fall. It feels comfortable and easy.

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    1. Thank you very much, my dear. Thank you, too, for reminding me about how great pussy bow blouses and wide legged trousers look together. I don't have many PB blouses, but I vowed to start wearing those that I do have more this year and have been doing so. I'll definitely have to partner at least one with pants soon.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. A great look overall but I love that purse! It's so cute and pink! I have a pastel purse craving currently, just in time for the upcoming fall :)

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  11. If anything, the trousers with a waistcoat elongate your figure making you look much, much taller than you are. I know you weren't going for it, but this has such a mid-70's vibe to it (I was surprised the shirt wasn't true vintage because it REALLY captures the look so well) in the best possible way. In all seriousness, if you can't stand wearing long trousers you could chop those down to culottes length and still have an interesting line to them. Just don't wear them with tall boots because that was a terrible look (did it, guilty).

    I'm sure someone will mention Annie Hall, but I don't get that from this as the overall effect is still feminine. An oversized men's shirt and tie could take it in that direction if you wanted. The 70's was channeling an earlier menswear era anyway (Katharine Hepburn, etc) so it works for both eras (vintage twofer!).
    I don't wear trousers much either, but you've inspired me to have another look through the wardrobe.


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    1. Wow, thank you very much. That's a good side effect, if you will, of this kind of ensemble that I hadn't really thought about, at least not recently. I don't mind my pint sized height in the slightest usually, but I won't knock looking taller anytime.

      Agreed completely, there is such an Annie Hall-esque vibe to this look and again, I rather love that, as the 70s are actually one of my favourite decades style wise (especially the menswear inspired and secretary-eseque looks).

      Thank you for the wonderful comment, dear Goody,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. You look AMAZING in those trousers, Jessica!! Your entire outfit is great, really. The color combo works very well.
    And I had the Newsies soundtrack playing in the background, so it tickled me when you mentioned wanting a newspaper to hold, haha!

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    1. What fabulously timing!!! Thank you very much, sweet dear. It's so encouraging to get positive feedback on my trouser ensemble here, as I think it will help me branch out further and further with the fashion risks I take in general.

      ♥ Jessica

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  13. This look definitely is reminiscent of a newsie! So cute! I love menswear inspired looks. I think they are so chic while still being very casual and comfortable. Especially when they include some great wide leg trousers! They are infinitely flattering! :-)
    -Melissa

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  14. You are such a babe! You look so fab in trousers! I love it!!! And the necklace too! Its nice to change things up once in a while-how fun!! xox

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  15. This really suits you Jessica! It's nice to do something a bit different from time to time, isn't it? And menswear inspired looks can be so fantastic on women - as you demonstrate so well here. I think it's the beret that just finishes it off to perfection for me. I also have a pair of Heyday trousers, but haven't worn them for a while, I'll have to dig them out and hope they still fit!

    P x

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    1. Majorly, especially during the summer, when at times it can feel like you have less styling options, because layers, tights, coats, etc are off the cards (especially if, like me, you don't wear shorts, mini skirts or crop tops) and pants are one way to help make up for that for sure.

      Yay! I'm happy to know that you like the beret here. I would have loved a 30s or 40s fedora, too, but alas, can you believe it, I don't own any. It's true - 40+ different vintage hats and not a single fedora. I'll certainly have to remedy that one of these days.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your terrific comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. I love menswear inspired looks from the past but like you I am too curvy to really carry them off regularly. I think you did a great job of combining styles as the waistcoat nips in your waist. It looks really good. I wear that type of shoe to walk my dogs most seasons except hardest winter, even with skirts - they are so comfy and look much nicer to my eyes than a trainer!

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    1. We're so often two peas in a pod, dear Philippa. I wear this exact pair for that very same purpose, too, for three of the four seasons. In winter, with the ice, snow and freezing temps of Canada, snow boots become a must, but at other times of the years, they or my trusty saddle shoes are my first choice for walking the dog in. It's cool to know I'm not the only vintage loving gal who does as much. :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  17. I often find myself inspired by menswear of old, but like you I don't particularly like wearing trousers mostly due to my waist and hips being so vastly different and I also find skirts much more comfortable. I like this outfit a lot, and I like that it's so different from your norm. I definitely get that old time journalist vibe from it!

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  18. I love menswear look! It looks great on you! I love the pants and your necklace rocks, Jessica! I love pants!
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  19. I love everything about this look! I am a person who has to push myself to wear skirts and dresses (although maternity is helping me do that!) so I love seeing trouser-based vintage outfits like this that still look elegant, classy and beautiful. The necklace is very cute too. I like your idea of getting something you love, rather than your own name, on it.

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet dear, that was my thought exactly, too. Sure, my name would be lovely as well, but I wanted something unexpected and that was a tribute to such an immensely important area of my life.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. I love this look! I have two pairs of hey day pants courderoy and white and I love them! Hey day pants are the best! Im even shorter then you, five feet, I did have to have mine altered as they beyond dragged on the floor, but I love them to bits anyway

    retro rover

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  21. You absolutely should buy the size that fits you in the hips and take those pants to be altered. Dry cleaners often have excellent tailoring services, and you will love, love, love a pair of pants that fit you correctly. Hemming a pair of pants should cost under twenty dollars. For the waist to be altered correctly, the tailor should take the waistband off, take in the side seams, and replace the waistband. This will be more expensive, but you can keep the cost down by choosing a style without pockets. I will sometimes pay almost as much as the pants cost to have them tailored, but it is so worth it! You look great and I now feel I, too, must have a beret!

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    1. Hi Piper, thank you very much for your helpful, terrific comment and insight into what's involved with having pants taken in. I've had them professionally hemmed before and sleeves (on coats and jackets) shortened, but don't believe I've had the waist on pants taken in before. I'm not a sewer myself, so I appreciate all the more that you shared the correct steps that a tailor/seamstress should take when reducing the waist size.

      You must get a beret! They're one of those styles of hats that are just so fabulously fun to wear. You slip on on, and boom, your whole mood changes and your outfit takes on the most delightful, decidedly French air.

      Thanks again & have a fantastic day,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. I absolutely love this look! I love wearing jeans. Haven't really tried trousers. I have always wanted to make myself a pair or two of corduroy trousers for the cold winters out here but I really dislike making muslims and am not that great at making too many alterations.

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    1. Thank you, honey! I want corduroy trousers soooo much, too. I tend to prefer stiffer fabrics like denim and corduroy for pants, as they're generally better at camouflaging figure flaws than thinner fabrics, so I could easily see a pair of cords being my next repro pants investment.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  23. Your vintage style is SUPER! You have so great sense of humor and fantastic knowledge of fashion.:)

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    1. Thank you very much, my dear. You're very sweet - thanks for complimenting both my sense of fashion and of humour, that means a lot to me.

      ♥ Jessica

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  24. This look does suit you so well my dear, menswear with your own feminine touches.The wide pants are wonderful on you, nothing at all wrong with a safety pin, well hidden. Definately good news story attire, garb that pad and pencil, you are good to go.

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  25. You are singing my song, soul sister! I love my dresses and skirts, and sometimes wonder if trousers are as awful as I remember.

    And by the way, you look adorable in this outfit! The fitted vest really balances out the easy fit of the trousers.

    I like this look so much, I may have to dig out a vintage pants pattern and try my luck with a pair!

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    1. Thank you sweetly, dear gal. So true - not all pants are atrociousness by any means (goodness, no!), and just because some styles aren't to my taste/don't work on my figure doesn't mean I have anything against the garment as a whole. Sometimes it's refreshingly lovely to be reminded that there is at least a style or two out there that we can turn to for a fun change of pace at least once in a while.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  26. I dearly wish I could be a trouser gal, but find that actual 'trousers' look atrocious on me! I'm curvy and plus sized, and find that anything which isn't fitted makes me look twice (if not three times) the size I am. Leggings, I can work with. Skinny jeans and pants, they look great. Anything with a straight leg/wider fit, and I look ridiculous - somewhere between a clown and MC Hammer (To be fair, not entirely seperate entities...) I just stick to slim fit pants now, and can just wear pants which widen out from the knee, but not too much. I grew up wearing 90s flares, can't stand them now haha!

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  27. I really really like this outfit, such a great way to style those lovely trousers. The whole look really suits you. I like the backdrop to the photos too, good colours and the light is lovely. If I can ever get a pair of trousers to fit I would take my inspiration from your outfit.

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  28. my dear, you look absolutely adorable! i love everything about this outfit ... especially the hat!

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  29. You look fabulous dahling! You look very cute in pants, don't be afraid to wear them more often. Actually, I wish I wore dresses more. But like Kate Hepburn, I'm simply comfortable in pants and wear them all the time. This fall I want to order a pair of 40s style wide leg trousers and Heyday seems to have great pieces! But I'm also considering Collectif and a seller on Etsy, Time Machine Vintage (whichever is more affordable). Are you familiar with either of those? I'd love to hear a comparison.

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely lady! Familiar in the sense of being aware of the brands, yes, but to date I haven't purchased trousers (or anything) from either of those lines, so I'm afraid that I can't really speak firsthand in regards to how they compare to Heyday's great offerings. I will say that I've heard really good things about Collectif's pants and remember the always stylish gal Nora from the blog Nora Finds reviewing hers quite favourably a while back. Here's the link to that post: http://www.norafinds.com/post/67742307399/whos-wearing-the-pants-now

      Wishing you the very best with whichever brand you opt for!
      ♥ Jessica

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  30. This outfit is fabulous. I have to say, as I was scrolling through your pictures, it was the necklace that JUMPED out at me and I had to scroll back up to see where you got it. Then I read the whole post and you reviewed it. Thank you, this will totally be going on my wish list. If I could afford to, it would be purchased all ready. I'm glad that you can choose different fonts, if/when I can place an order it would be nice to get one similar to yours and not exactly the same, thank you for your post.
    Knitting in Pearls

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