tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post4677073021851991515..comments2024-03-12T13:57:38.337-07:00Comments on Chronically Vintage: The importance of knowing what styles do not work for youWitchcrafted Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-41330384476126193242014-09-03T10:50:26.928-07:002014-09-03T10:50:26.928-07:00Thank you very much for adding that very important...Thank you very much for adding that very important point, Theresa. You're spot on - just because you love the look of something doesn't mean your figure will adore it, too. You're more apt to look great in a dress you think is cute, but aren't crazy about, if it fits you well, than one that you adore but it looks like a hot mess on your body any day of the week.<br /><br />I appreciate you adding a longtime vintage seller's perspective to this topic. Thanks again!<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-1285630862057590872014-09-03T07:09:42.606-07:002014-09-03T07:09:42.606-07:00Great post Jessica. I can totally relate. Though ...Great post Jessica. I can totally relate. Though I absolutely adore the mod styles from the 60s, my small frame, shoulders and wider hips do not translate into a flattering look in those shift dresses I often wish I could wear. I have resigned myself to the fact that styles from the 40s and 50s work best for me as I do have a smaller waist. So the fitted bodice, fuller skirt looks best on me. <br />I would love to offer a word of advice as relates to knowing what looks good on you before shopping online. Since I have been selling vintage style clothing since 2002 I have to say a large percentage of our returns come from gals who bought a dress because they so loved a style that they "had to have it", yet never considered whether it was a style that would work with their body shape. This only results in buyers remorse and the price of shipping costs both ways because when they finally get the dress and try it on they email us that it doesn't flatter them at all and need to return it. So it is very important to know before hand what silhouettes work best for you, especially when ordering online. Once you know this you can concentrate only on looks that will flatter you, resulting in saving time and money. Those shipping costs do add up :)Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09961112235380563023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-62643199344351684452014-08-27T16:06:15.795-07:002014-08-27T16:06:15.795-07:00Same here - rugby or American football player all ...Same here - rugby or American football player all the way! Save, for if they're very small and in some types of structured garments, but even then, I'm much more apt to carefully remove them (my new Vivien of Holloway 40s style denim dress is a very notable exception there). <br /><br />Thank you very much, sweet lady! I thoroughly enjoyed writing on this subject. It's one of those topics that had been rattling around in my head for ages (years), but that I hadn't yet devoted an entire post to. With so many folks buying new pieces for fall and winter these days, now seemed like a great time to delve into it. <br /><br />Thank you very much for all of your fantastic blog comments today - huge hugs!<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-70218821218076306322014-08-27T12:41:27.740-07:002014-08-27T12:41:27.740-07:00You are so absolutely right, it is just as wise to...You are so absolutely right, it is just as wise to know what doesn't work for your body than what does. I know that e.g. shoulder pads are not for me since I have quite wide and square shoulders. I look like a rugby player if I wear shoulder pads. I didn't even wear them in the eighties where everybody did. What looks best on my body is very similar to you, the fifties New Look in short. What looks worst is the twenties. No dropped waist, oversized tunics and short skirts to me please. Really great post, dear. :)SANNEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12973437247117000140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-73342496342909745202014-08-27T04:28:02.997-07:002014-08-27T04:28:02.997-07:00Hello dear Seanna, first and foremost, thank you v...Hello dear Seanna, first and foremost, thank you very much for your absolutely wonderful bounty of comments on so many of my recent posts yesterday. I sincerely appreciate and enjoyed reading all of them.<br /><br />Agreed, it's an area that isn't covered enough. Sure, there are entertaining shows like "What Not To Wear", which can help one person or a small number of people at the same time, but generally they don't stop and encourage viewers to really try to understand and get to the root of what does, and equally importantly, doesn't work for their body type. That's what I was aiming for here and I'm happy to know that you enjoyed this post. <br /><br />Wiggle/pencil skirts are sensational on a lot of curvy ladies across the size spectrum. I adore, assuming their not ultra skin tight and that the fabric has a bit of support to it, what this style does for my own hourglass shape and probably wear pencil skirts more often than any other style.<br /><br />Have you tried a mid-rise pant/jean? They're often totted as being the most universally flattering (I only wear mid or high waisted pants myself these days). It's not a terribly vintage type of waist on pants/jeans per se, but if you went with a dark, classic colour, it would be easier to style in a vintage direction. <br /><br />Thank you again & have a really lovely day!<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-64718055754271389782014-08-26T05:54:19.534-07:002014-08-26T05:54:19.534-07:00I think this topic, more often than not, is overlo...I think this topic, more often than not, is overlooked again and again. As I plunge into the vintage/rockabilly world, though my options are endless, doesn't mean on my extremely curvy figure that everything will work. I know that a-line/full skirt works wonders and is so very comfy on me. And despite my reservations at first a wiggle skirt looks very nice on me as well. As for tops, I have broad shoulders and a busty chest, so v-necks do well on me more than high neck tops. As for pants, I'm leaning against high waist as it just emphasizes my worst features and I feel so uncomfortable in them. I was so upset about that. Now I'm wondering if my short curvy figure would do well with the skinny/slim fit jeans??seannaapprovedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09546047220109216505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-56694640704274264162014-08-25T02:45:12.159-07:002014-08-25T02:45:12.159-07:00Such a thoughtful, well written piece. I think you...Such a thoughtful, well written piece. I think you have inspired me to analyse my own wardrobe to pin down my style preferences and silhouettes that work the best with my figure. Thank you sweet gal! ♡<br /><br />xox,<br />bonita of <a href="http://www.lavenderandtwill.blogspot.com.au/" rel="nofollow">Lavender & Twill</a><br />Lavender and Twillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06331125027969557539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-37089337003315336872014-08-24T12:37:41.946-07:002014-08-24T12:37:41.946-07:00An excellent point to bring to attention and one t...An excellent point to bring to attention and one that I struggle with a lot. Many times even when people say "oh that looks so good on you!" I don't always feel good in it, so that's another dynamic to deal with. Finding things that fit well, flatter your figure, AND make you feel like a million bucks is not as easy as the fashion world would have it sound! Sometimes you just have to break all the rules and wear what ever the hell makes you feel good. Plain and simple! I think you do that really well, Jessica :)Rochelle Newhttp://luckylucille.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-29573833999147925462014-08-24T05:34:34.617-07:002014-08-24T05:34:34.617-07:00I usually wear flat shoes just because I suck at w...I usually wear flat shoes just because I suck at walking in heels, but sometimes i honestly think that heeled shoes actually make me seem less lanky and more elegant. That's if I am standing still, LOL. I am hoping to get my Besame violet brightening powder in the mail soon so I am wondering if that will make a difference when it comes to certain colours making me look bad...Natalie_vintage_girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089063496465996399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-80290932088567958042014-08-23T23:15:13.114-07:002014-08-23T23:15:13.114-07:00A wonderful and insightful post. There are many go...A wonderful and insightful post. There are many gorgeous pieces that I must steer away from because they just don't suit my body. Pleats -no can do! Knee length- no way! Such a shame, but knowing what works makes it easier to focus on what will flatter. XXXAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04167273551412476360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-41064377872749996362014-08-23T16:35:16.054-07:002014-08-23T16:35:16.054-07:00So very, very true! Sometimes it's not about ...So very, very true! Sometimes it's not about being critical of yourself, but rather being honest about what works and what doesn't. There are two colours that I've tried valiantly to introduce to my wardrobe for years: yellow and dusky pink. While I adore both of these shades, I've come to realise that they do nothing for me, and make me look washed-out and sickly. Now that I know this, I can save a lot of time when shopping.<br />It's also important to note that our bodies change over time. Sometimes looks that worked for us when we were younger no longer look so flash as we age. I've had to accept that some of my tried-and-true favourites aren't flattering on my body as I get older.Vanessahttp://www.nessbow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-72293567560388008662014-08-23T13:46:47.382-07:002014-08-23T13:46:47.382-07:00This is such a great post, packed full of useful t...This is such a great post, packed full of useful tips and advice and the benefit of your own experiences. I used to know exactly what did and didn't suit me but having gained weight I find it much harder to recognise what flatters the body that I have now rather than the one that I used to have. I still find myself drawn to the items that I would have loved to wear before. I may need the bite the bullet and do some serious looking in the mirror!Kate-Emhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15664293299445754159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-40273730112357304672014-08-23T06:00:37.431-07:002014-08-23T06:00:37.431-07:00this is a good thing about growing older. you kno...this is a good thing about growing older. you know better and better what cuts work on you and which styles you should avoid .... <br /><br />i love 20s and early 30s styles ... i think they are adorable! But i now that this kind of low waisted /no waist fashion wasn't made for. i look like a bridge pier, when i don't focus on my tiny waist!!!! wide /padded shoulders don't work on me either but i still often end up buying a short jacket with wide shoulder, if it comes to early 40s styles. i just sorted out a lovely jacket 10 minutes ago, because we're doing another flea market tomorrow ... hopefully the right person will take it home! :)Ms. Falconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02131781752240288828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-26373502421168331592014-08-23T02:25:21.093-07:002014-08-23T02:25:21.093-07:00Thank you very much, lovely lady! For a long time ...Thank you very much, lovely lady! For a long time I thought that I couldn't wear yellow either and avoided it in large doses, but as I got older, I came to discover that most folks can wear at least one shade of just about (if not) every colour. In my case, with yellow, it means sporting the shades on the lightest and darkest ends of the spectrum and avoiding most of those in between. Since hitting upon this fact, I deepened my love with mustard yellow and was thrilled to discover it's actually one of my best hues! All this to say, if you love yellow, don't give up on it entirely. There may be one shade out there, especially if worn in conjunction with a colour that really looks sensational on you, that may very well work for you. <br /><br />Big hugs,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-27126941684785091402014-08-23T02:14:34.448-07:002014-08-23T02:14:34.448-07:00That's fantastic, dear Philippa. Loving a good...That's fantastic, dear Philippa. Loving a good, fully skirt as I do, I'm delighted to know that you've discovered some styles do indeed work well for your beautiful figure. I actually find that some fuller skirts, especially those that hit me at about mid-calf, actually make me look taller than I am, which is quite the boon for a petite height gal like me. :)<br /><br />Thank you for your terrific comment, lovely lady - have a stellar weekend!<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-15822321404043516162014-08-23T02:07:56.599-07:002014-08-23T02:07:56.599-07:00Thank you very much, darling Joanna. I'm with ...Thank you very much, darling Joanna. I'm with you on the shiny fabric front (and also on loving garments with structure to them - no leggings, breezy linen pants, or boxy tunics for this gal! :)). As much as I wildly adore satin, for example, in full garment form (not, say, just a bow or touch of it along side another fabric, or on a hat), it usually looks rather unflattering on me. Over the years I've bought a few satin blouses in the hopes that one would finally do the trick, but no dice really. <br /><br />Thank you for your wonderful, supportive comment, my dear friend. Sending oodles of hugs and happy weekend wishes out to you!<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-45992329850867687482014-08-23T01:51:57.309-07:002014-08-23T01:51:57.309-07:00Excellently said, sweet Jenny, I couldn't agre...Excellently said, sweet Jenny, I couldn't agree more. I'm also with you when it comes to drop-waist dresses. They look so frightening appalling on me that I don't believe I currently own a single one. They're beautiful and visually I'm drawn to them, but I have only to think of what a nightmare they become on my short, curvy figure to quickly put the brakes on the notion of purchasing this style for myself. <br /><br />Big hugs & tons of happy weekend wishes,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-50058071620997032672014-08-23T01:36:21.685-07:002014-08-23T01:36:21.685-07:00That is seriously, completely lovely and encouragi...That is seriously, completely lovely and encouraging to hear, sweet lady, thank you so much. <br /><br />I think we all, even those who know what truly does and doesn't look good on them, buy the odd piece every now and then just because we think it looks beautiful on the rack. Fashion is a type of art unto itself and as passionate devotees of it, it makes perfect sense to me that we'd want a piece for the feelings seeing it evokes in us alone. <br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-8343406735159015632014-08-23T01:31:32.526-07:002014-08-23T01:31:32.526-07:00Oh my goodness, I can fully imagine. It takes a ke...Oh my goodness, I can fully imagine. It takes a keen eye and caring spirit to be able to deliver such information with tact and grace, which I know you always did to your clients, dear Beate. Still, that must have been stressful at times for you for sure! <br /><br />Oodles of hugs & kisses coming right back your way!<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-26228174123353305102014-08-23T01:19:40.966-07:002014-08-23T01:19:40.966-07:00Thank you very much, sweet dear. I'm tickled p...Thank you very much, sweet dear. I'm tickled pink that you found my blog and very much appreciate both of your comments yesterday. I hear you all the way! Even as a child I didn't feel at home in a lot of modern clothes (save for some styles of dresses and skirts, namely), but the moment I slipped on my first well fitting vintage garment as a teenager, I knew I'd found my fashion calling. 40s and 50s styles in particular suit curvy gals incredibly well and can make figures that would be ill served by most modern styles sing like the stunning, curvy beauties that they are so incredibly well. I'm really happy that you discovered this as well and that getting dressed is way less stressful for you these days.<br /><br />Big hugs,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-80746493065092511602014-08-23T00:57:44.771-07:002014-08-23T00:57:44.771-07:00Hi Carla dear, I'm the same height as you and ...Hi Carla dear, I'm the same height as you and my figure falls into the hourglass with a wee bit of pear to it shape. I have small shoulders and must proceed with great caution where shoulder pads are involved, lest they add unwanted bulk to my figure and make me look like a linebacker. I like a very small shoulder pad in some garments (see my post from last week with the 1940s style denim dress from Vivien of Holloway for a good example of the max size I'll usually sport), but generally remove larger ones. Personally, I love a pear or hourglass body and unless the difference between your top and bottom half is really substantial, I'd say embrace your shape! You can downplay it with darker hued on top, necklines that draw the eye up, fuller hairstyles (and/or hats), dark colours on the bottom, medium and high heels, and garments that flow gently over the hips (say a longer cardigan in a thin fabric). <br /><br />Thank you very much for your comment - have a stellar weekend!<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-58407200065283846742014-08-22T13:01:13.487-07:002014-08-22T13:01:13.487-07:00Yet another well written post from you Jessica :)
...Yet another well written post from you Jessica :)<br />One of the things blogging has helped me notice is that skirts work for me, funny thing is I spent half of my life avoiding them. I loathed them.<br />Yet, when I take pictures for the blog and am looking through them I realise what looks good and what does not - other times things look great but they just felt so bad on that I never wore them again.<br />I had to smile when you mentioned that we all have items is our closet that do not work for us. It was like attending church and having the priest give a sermon and me feeling like it was for me. That's actually the way you can tell if a sermon was good, if you felt it was headed right towards you :)Lorenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720997862417551402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-56520882104220439192014-08-22T11:44:27.518-07:002014-08-22T11:44:27.518-07:00When I was taking fashion selection, we talked abo...When I was taking fashion selection, we talked about this a lot. We figured I'm more of a 'pear shaped' gal, and I should wear things with padded shoulders to balance my wide hips. And being 5ft 2, I gotta not wear things that are super long, lest I look much shorter than I am!Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04494877480053351419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-10898982590719202962014-08-22T08:17:12.852-07:002014-08-22T08:17:12.852-07:00I've just found your blog and it's wonderf...I've just found your blog and it's wonderful! <br /><br />This post reminds me of how when I was at school all my friends were very straight and slim and I'd try wear stuff they wore and never feel right. I'd look all boxy and bigger than I actually was!<br /><br />3 years later I tried on my first 1950s dress and the fit was perfect for me. I now keep a look out for 1950s dresses with a 12 inch bust to waist difference and have lots which are happy and stress free to wear! Emeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12651238346537586548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-44936076211220504842014-08-22T07:38:54.138-07:002014-08-22T07:38:54.138-07:00Terrific post, especially for those of us with eve...Terrific post, especially for those of us with ever-changing bodies. Well, in my case it's an ever-growing body, but what the heck! :) I've been learning again what suits me and what I really need to leave behind until I can drop just a little of the extra poundage. Even my colouring has changed with age, but one colour I know I can never wear is yellow - makes me look like I've been dipped in nicotine and left out to dry *bleah* <br />Funny enough, I've been slipping back into my old Goth days lately and breaking out the dark colours again. I think it's because I've dyed my hair dark purple - it's opened many doors on different colours I can wear again. Oh, and yes, the grey hairs are now magenta! *lol*Mugsy's in Stitcheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05872379684514419344noreply@blogger.com