Vintage Fashionist Friday (special St. Patrick’s Day edition!): March 12, 2010

Last week’s debut of the new post Vintage Fashionista Friday, received a very warm welcome and a slew of wonderful comments that led me to know I’d selected a great theme for Chronically Vintage’s end of the work week article.

I’m delighted to know that so many of you like the idea of assigning a lovely girl’s name to each outfit I put together, and sincerely hope that you’ll enjoy today’s festively verdant and shamrock filled homage to the Emerald Isles and (next Wednesday’s) St. Patrick’s Day, which I like to imagine being worn by a fair skinned, redheaded Irish lass named...


{Whether you live in Dublin, Dresden, or Delaware, keep spring’s bounty of rain from ruining your stylish vintage hairdo with this terrifically fun green and white polka dot umbrella (which comes with a cute matching rain hat) from Samsonite. Available for $23.67 (Cnd) from Overstock.com, this 100% polyester umbrella is travel size and can easily fit into a purse or even large coat pocket, ensuring you’re never caught off guard when a spring shower hits!}



{Adorable, dimensional leaves wind their way up the front of this pretty Kelly green, ¾ length sleeve, cotton and cashmere cardigan. Perfect for nippy March days – or an under-heated pub! – this whimsical sweater, which features a snap front and beautiful lattice work around the collar, is available in sizes XS – XL, for $98.00 (Cnd) from Anthropologie.com.}



{Help impart the luck of the Irish into your wardrobe with this timelessly charming necklace featuring a 1” sterling silver horseshoe and an itty-bitty brass shamrock strung on an 18” sterling silver chain. This dainty, elegantly fun piece of jewelry is available for $29.00 (US) from etsy seller Luxe Deluxe.}



{There is something so understatedly lovely about this classic, modest vintage frock with its moss green and white gingham pattern. Trimmed with white eyelet and sporting a row of wee little buttons down the front, this sweet dress fits up to a 36 inch bust/28 inch waist, and can be had for $74.00 (US) from etsy seller Thirteen Eighty-Five’s shop.}



{A lady can never have too many pairs of gloves in her arsenal of accessories, and this sophisticated hand crocheted cotton pair would make a welcome addition to any gal’s closet (or glove box!). This “new old stock” pair of gloves was sourced in Ireland and is described as having a bit of stretch to it, thus allowing it to fit most hand sizes. Gorgeous for any event from a wedding to a night out at your favourite Irish restaurant, these wonderful gloves are available for $29.00 (US) from etsy seller White O'Morn Cottage Shop.}



{Carry around a burst of jolly green clover in your pocket or purse everyday with this lovely little embroidered linen handkerchief. Measuring 9”, this hemmed vintage hankie comes packaged in its own clear top box, and is available for a mere $2.88 (US) from etsy seller Vintage Sew and Sew.}



{Let your feet imagine they’re wandering through a grassy Irish meadow in these immensely lovely green suede pumps from the 1950s. A classic cut and hue, paired with a subtle bow detail, ensure these shoes will forever hold court amongst your footwear. This marvellous pair of heels, which fit a (modern) US size 6.5 to 7, is available for $45.00 (US) from etsy seller Carnival Moon.}

♥ ♥ ♥


Wishing you each a weekend that glistens as enchantingly as the colours of a rainbow, and which is filled with the merry spirit of St. Paddy’s Day!

Today’s Vintage Treasure: March 11, 2010

{The moment my eyes laid sight on this unbelievably adorable coin purse, I knew I share all of its vintage-meets-kawaii goodness with you! Bedecked with a darling Hawaiian hula girl, this festively cute little bag (it measures 2.5 inches in diameter) would be the perfect thing to use as a tiny carry-all come summer, any time you’re sporting a tiki themed ensemble, or whenever you’d like to infuse a darling dose of Polynesian style into your look. This sweet-as-a-tropical-drink coin purse (which is made from vegan faux leather with a screen printed design and metal snap closure) can be had for $14.00 from a brand called Fluff and is available on Amazon.com.}


Speaking of fashionably cute things, I want to thank everyone who’s entered Chronically Vintage’s latest giveaway so far. If you’ve not done so already, be sure to swing by Monday’s post and enter for your chance to win a $100.00 online shopping spree from LA Vintage (they have some really fun pieces, so be sure that you try your luck at winning this fantastic contest).

Giant wishes for a blissful Thursday, to one and all!

Giving away a $100 online shopping spree from LA Vintage

As the plethora of photos and posts on many of the wonderful vintage blogs in our community attests to, as a collective group, we are an immensely stylish bunch. Our tastes veer not to the “it” trend of the moment, but to the alluring, sometimes elegant, sometimes wonderfully playful world of vintage clothing – and the fact that wearing such pieces immediately helps to elevate our look above the cookie cutter styles sported by so many these days.

I know that like myself, many of you are massive fans of fashion, too, and I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re rather keen on fantastic blog giveaways (really, who isn’t?). Put those two interests together and you have the recipe for Chronically Vintage’s brand new blog contest!

This week I’ve teamed up with a stellar US site by the name of LA Vintage, in order to offer you, my amazing readers, the chance to win a $100.00 online shopping spree from this sleek, vibrant shop.

For those who may not have had the joy of exploring LA Vintage’s site yet, let me tell you a tad about this lovely online vintage clothing shop. With an eclectic mix of pieces spanning the 1950s to the 80s, this easy-to-navigated site is filled with excellent photos (of real live models – so you can get a sense of how a garment will actually look on a real person) sporting the terrific range of constantly revolving items LA Vintage stocks.

One of the things that endears me to this great vintage clothing site is that they have a wide selection of pieces (think adorable dresses, versatile separates, mod boots, timelessly lovely accessories) in both average and plus sizes (I adamantly believe that everyone should have the chance to rock vintage fashions, no matter their size!), as well as an array of menswear items (an area that far too many online vintage sellers overlook).

LA Vintage stocks a diverse assortment of items, from flashy disco era dresses to adorable full skirts from the 80s that could very easily be worked into a beautiful 1950s inspired outfit. Amongst the slightly more modern pieces, one can sometimes find vintage items hailing from the 50s. Each item LA Vintage stocks is unique (in other words, each garment or accessory is vintage/retro and generally the only one of its kind being offered amongst the sites wares).



{A sampling of some of the pieces that really caught my eye on LA Vintage’s website, aren’t their photos wonderfully redolent of those from the pages of a glossy fashion magazine?}


LA Vintage recently celebrated their first anniversary of being online (with roots stretching back to the early 90s), and I must say, they’ve built up a really great site in the span of just one year. I was tickled pink when LA Vintage offered me the chance to extend a $100.00 shopping spree to one of my readers, and really want to thank them for doing so!

Now, when I say “shopping spree”, what I mean is that the lucky winner will receive a coupon code from LA Vintage which will enable them to save $100.00 upon checkout. You do not have to purchase anything else or be a pre-existing customer. This coupon code is the online equivalent of a $100.00 gift certificate that you’re free to spend on whatever item(s) you’d like from this stylish site.

Today marks the first day of the giveaway, which is going run until 11:59pm on Sunday March 21, 2010. LA Vintage ships internationally, so I’m positively delighted to say that this contest is open to all of my readers worldwide. On March 22nd, I’ll randomly draw one lucky winner and announce that person’s name in a post. From there whoever wins will need to zip an email my way with their name and email address, which I will pass along to the folks at LA Vintage who will provide you with your coupon code so you can get start shopping! :)

I want you all to have as many chances as possible to win this great prize from LA Vintage, so there are five ways for you to earn as many as five entries in this giveaway.


-Post a comment below telling me your favourite item from LA Vintage’s site, or what kind of item you’d like to find there if you’re the lucky winner.

-Post about this giveaway, including a link back to this announcement post on Chronically Vintage, on your own blog, telling your readers about this contest (if you'd like to use the photo collage I created above, just right click on it to save it to your desktop). Once you’ve written about the giveaway, come back here and let me know you’ve done so by leaving a comment with a link back to your post.

-Spread the good word about this contest via Twitter. Leave a comment here letting me know you’ve done so (this is also a great way for us to follow each other on Twitter, if we’re not already doing so!)

-Add Chronically Vintage to your blog roll (or other area of your site/blog where you list some of your favourite blogs) – or let me know if you’re already doing so. Stop by to let me know in the comment section that CV’s on your blog roll, and you’ll gain another entry for the contest.

-Become (or let me know if you already are) a Google Follower of Chronically Vintage (see the right hand side bar to join). Again, be sure to jot down a comment letting me know you’ve done so.


Everybody is welcome to enter in however many of the five ways they wish, just be sure that you let me know about each entry in a separate comment, to better enhance your chances of winning (four comments for example, would give you four entries into the contest, thus four potential chances to win!). Please remember to post a separate comment for each entry!

I wish everyone who participates the absolute best of luck and thank you all in advance for taking part in this marvellous, vintage fashion filled blog giveaway!

Vintage Fashionista Friday: March 5, 2010

There is always a degree of excitement when I begin a new type of post that is set to occur regularly within the pages of Chronically Vintage. A clear sense of eagerness accompanies that exhilaration, as I begin to tentatively create the layout design that future editions (in this case for the brand new “Vintage Fashionista Friday” series) will adhere to – or at least be guided in some measure by.

To date one of the most popular posts on this site (not to mention one of my absolute favourite to put together!) has been Seven Stunning Vintage Holiday Season Outfits, which appeared in the early days of last December. That holiday season article – and the immensely positive response it received – really got the ball rolling in terms of what inspired the idea behind this new “end of the work-week” post.

In that piece I created seven distinct looks based on different vintage styles (such as “The Jitterbug” and “The Bombshell”), handpicking a number of items for each style. I think that for this budding series of fashion centered posts, I’m going to adopt a somewhat similar approach, however, instead of classifying each look by a title (for example, “The Girly-Girl”), I’m going to bestow a female name upon each weekly look.

As I was mentioning just the other evening on the phone with my step-dad (while discussing an entirely unrelated matter), I’ve always had a passion for naming things. Growing up I named nearly everything in my bedroom, including the beloved down filled pillow that saw me through my whole childhood (it’s name, if you're wondering, was Squishy), and that passion for bestowing monikers onto things has scarcely waned over the years (to this day any doll, plush toy or anthropomorphic item that comes into my house gets its own special name).

There’s something soulful and endearing about giving an item – or in this case, a handful of items grouped together – a human name. Doing so is certainly not a new act in the world of fashion; just think of the many clothing, shoe, handbag, and jewelry designers that assign monikers to their items and/or collections, some of which – like the Hermès Kelly bag – have literally become household names amongst those with a passion for style.

Of course the sort of look that one person might conjure up in their mind for the girl’s name “Evelyn”, for example, may be entirely different from what you yourself would picture someone with that name wearing. If you ask me, that’s part of the fun in assigning handles to things! The names I’ll bestow on each look are the product of my imagination; they’ll be based on anything and everything from a passing whim to a lifelong association with a direct source of inspiration.

In giving a ladies’ name to each weekly outfit (which is composed of a selection of different wardrobe pieces, accessories and related items that tie into a particular style), I feel that it embeds an extra level of depth to the very title “Fashionista”. For just as with women themselves, beautiful looks should always have a name to be remembered by.

And on that very note, let me present Chronically Vintage’s first ever edition of “Vintage Fashionista Friday”, staring a lovely, excellent for the beginning of March ensemble I’ve dubbed “Daphne”.


♥ ♥ ♥


{Sensuous curves and a fabulously elegant shade of steely-lilac, paired with gold toned arm bands, combine to make this stunning set of 1950s aluminum cat eye style frames a true work of art for your pretty peepers. Vintage women’s eyeglasses frames (which do not include lenses, so that you easily have them filled with your own prescription), $82.00 (US) from etsy seller Vintage 50s Eyewear.}



{Cardigans are a wardrobe staple all year round, but few times call for them more than when winter is slowly beginning to transition into spring. This immensely cheerful vintage button front sweater (labelled as size “M”) in the hue of fresh churned butter would pair well with everything from sun dresses to wool skirts, making a great piece to have on hand no matter the season. Splash some sunshine into your wardrobe with this cute cardi, which can be found from etsy seller My World of Wonder’s shop for $28.00 (US).}



{When I think of a woman named Daphne, I imagine a bold mix of sultry allure and girl-next-door charm. She’s the type of gal who wears a fragrance that is both feminine and powerful, such as Galanos (by Galanos), a classic scent that’s been on the market for over thirty years now. Mixing cedar wood with geranium, rose, carnation, oak moss, musk and other heady floral and earth notes, this scent would be perfect for the ethereal lady I envision in today’s vintage look. A 60ml bottle of Galanos eau de toilette can be had for $43.24 (Cnd) from FragranceX.com.}



{A cacophony of gorgeous leaves in rich shades of blue, plum and yellow swirl to and fro across this immensely pretty 1940s/50s cotton day dress (complete with rhinestone buttons down the front), which is fits up to a 40 inch bus/32 inch waist, and is available for $118.00 (US) from etsy seller The Greedy Seagull.}



{This glistening set of elasticized rhinestone bracelets from Forever 21 would be the perfect way to add a pop of sparkle to another wise understated outfit – or they’d do just as nicely as the finishing hit of pizazz for a to-the-nines look. No matter what you match them up with, there’s no denying their sticker price of $10.80 (US) for the entire set is real gem of a deal!}



{Sometimes it’s the most agelessly precious of items that can add extra life to an outfit or a room. Case in point, this darling Bukowski of Sweden plush bunny rabbit, which so wonderfully echoes the approaching spirit of spring and Easter time. This sweet little bundle of faux fur can be found for $10.00 (US) from etsy seller Hello Darling! Vintage.}



{Imagine you’re strolling through a field of vibrant daffodils as you go about your day in these upliftingly lovely “Lemon Meringue Heels”, complete with their playful matching bow. These stylish citron hued pumps are available in women’s sizes 5.5 to 10, for $34.99 (US), from ModCloth.com.}

♥ ♥ ♥


I truly hope that you all enjoy and garner your own wardrobe inspiration from this blossoming series of weekly Friday articles. I must say, I'm even more giddy about the idea of Vintage Fashionista Fridays then when I began writing at the start of this post (surely that's a positive sign of things to come!).

Wishing you each a gorgeous weekend filled with countless reasons to smile, my eternally stylish dears!

A small handful of photos (of me) from 2009

As we sit here on the 26th day of the first January of this new decade, it feels almost unreal to reflect upon the fact that more than a month has now passed since Christmas – or, from a different perspective, that 2010 is nearly 1/12 complete!

Before this fresh year starts feeling like an old friend, I thought it would be wise to post a few photos (of myself) from 2009 that I’ve thus far not had the chance to blog about. Aside from the fact that I’ve been wanting to share these images here on Chronically Vintage since the moment they were each snapped, by posting them I will be able to clear the photo slate from last year and henceforth share snapshots from 2010 (without the lingering feeling that I should be posting ‘09’s images first).

I made a bit of a promise to myself last year that I would post images on my blog as a means of helping myself work on my self-esteem level and related issues pertaining to sharing photos of myself publicly. Prior to 2009, I’d never been able to work up the courage to post my own image online, but (happily) having finally gathered the nerve to do, I want to make sure I don’t revert to my former photo reclusive self – and what better way to ensure that doesn’t happen to put together posts just like this one?

Two of three separate days featured below are presented in mosaic form, the last entry however is not, as some of the photos taken that night were snapped in such a way as to capture my whole outfit and I didn’t want those particular images to get cropped by the photo tiling application that I use.


{My sun-kissed 25th birthday}


{Captured in the gloriously invigorating, crystal clear July light, these photos document what I was sporting fashion wise on the loveliest birthday I’ve thus far experienced as an adult. I hope they also transmit the immense joy I was enveloped in that wonderful afternoon, for my sweet husband showered me with surprises, gifts and countless reasons to smile from dawn to dusk, and truly made turning a quarter of a century old one of the most memorable days of my life.}


{An autumn evening with Madame Butterfly}


{Notes of opera swirled through this past fall, upon the discovery of a local programme which allows those under 30 years of age to purchase opera tickets a deeply discounted rate (reduced price tickets are highly limited though, so you have to try and snap them up as soon as they’re released!). As a result of learning about this, we able to take in not one, but two, absolutely splendid opera performances last year: The Nightingale and Other Short Fables (blogged about here), and Madame Butterfly.

The images above show what I wore to see the tragically, sublimely beautiful masterpiece that is Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (I honestly cannot recommend a viewing of that opera highly enough, even to those who profess to dislike opera – it is a tale that transcends its medium and speaks directly to the heart), as well as a serenely lovely, vintage style poster for the play that I discovered online and wanted to include with this mosaic.}


{The hills were alive with the sound of theatregoers}






{It’s not every day I get to take in a live musical performance, let alone one featuring my favourite Julie Andrew’s film of all time, The Sound of Music – not mention get the chance to see such a show with someone who had never watched the movie before. Though this classic and inspiring tale is beloved the world over, my husband – who grew up in Italy – had yet to view the film and only had a vague idea of the plot.

It was with immense excitement that then that we headed off downtown to catch the show (the fact that I was wearing a new dress that I found on sale for $40, also bolstered by happiness that eve), and I’m delighted to report that we both adored it! All through the evening I sat there singing along in my head to the familiar tunes, captivated by the talented cast’s performances and the utterly magnificent prop work the show included. Though it was the first musical we’ve had the pleasure of seeing together, I sincerely hope it’s only the beginning of our mutual theatre going adventures!}


Looking at these photos of some of the days I really cherish from this past year, I can’t help but feel a bit giddy with excitement thinking of what new memories (be they of fancy nights out or more run-of-the-mill day-to-day happenings) lay ahead in the coming months of 2010.

I’m also excited (silly as it may sound to those who are much less shy than I also) about the fact that I’m gaining a bit more self-assurance when it comes to posting photos of myself. I have each and every one of you, my terrifically sweet readers and friends, to thank for this, as your supportive feedback on past photo posts have done wonders to help boost my confidence.

Many thanks for taking a quick stroll down some of the events that stood out for me last year, everybody, I can’t wait to share some of the best days of ’10 with all of you, too!

On the hunt for crinolines (Where do you source yours from?)

There is perhaps no shape to have ever appeared in the annals of fashion history that I love more than a full skirt. This adoration hearkens back to my earliest childhood memories, and no doubt, must have been influenced by everything vintage films set in the past (Gone With The Wind, Meet Me in St. Louis, etc) to Victorian novels, Disney princesses to the covers of bridal magazines.

Though they are often associated with the 1950s, the history of crinolines stretches back considerably further in time. The first versions of what would go on to later become the modern crinoline began to appear in the 1830s (though hooped/stiffened skirts were not breaking fashion world news per se; the farthingale, a hoop skirt that was used during the Renaissance, shared much in common with Victorian crinolines). The earliest crinoline iterations were more like stiff petticoats, however, and were comprised of horsehair woven with linen (the name crinoline itself deriving from the French words for “horsehair” and “flax”).

Within a couple of decades though, crinolines grew wider and began to include other materials (such as steel or whale bone) in their construction. By the 1850s the cage style (hoop) crinoline was in use and helped to eliminate the need for several (often heavy and warm) layers of stiff petticoats previously used by fashionable ladies to extend the width and (visual) circumference of their skirts.



{As this charming photo of a prettily dressed young woman (named Kate Chase) shows, by the mid-nineteenth century, crinolines were imperative to achieve the desired full, wide skirt styles of the day. Wonderful antique image via Belle Epoque 1900’s Flickr stream.}


As the nineteenth century progressed crinolines continued to hold favour, and various styles and widths were created over the decades, dedicated by the dress fads of the day. By the time the Edwardian era had come to pass, elaborate undergarments (such as corsets and bustles) had all but fallen completely out of vogue and it seemed as though anything even remotely resembling a crinoline might be banished to the back burners of history forever.

Fortunately, due in no small part to the popularity of wider skirts (and the return to a very hour glass shaped female form – often achieved with stiff undergarments such as girdles and corselets) that emerged following Dior’s introduction of the “New Look” in 1947, a decidedly 21st century version of the crinoline began to appear.

In nearly all cases (save for some styles that were worn under wedding dresses and other very formal gowns) the crinolines that quickly found favour with ladies of the day were made of layers of materials such as tulle, nylon, satin, and cotton blends. They were generally free of any metal or boning and achieved their volume thanks to multiple layers and/or stiff fabrics; some were very full and wide, others more subtle (such a slip or petticoat with a slightly flared, and sometimes tiered, bottom), but all were designed to provide the wearer’s skirts with a greater degree of flared out fullness.



{Many ladylike, elegant fashions of the late 1940s through to the early 60s called for crinolines to be worn underneath, thus allowing the skirt or dress to flare out in a wide bell shape. Gorgeous vintage image via jeanpachett.com}


Though crinolines would fall out of fashion again by the time the mod era arrived, they have continued to resurface and enjoy a moment in the spotlight occasionally since the fifties (primarily during the fashion frenzied decade that was the 1980s). Today, I would venture to say, most people (who are not vintage fashion devotees) associate crinolines with the Halloween costumes, square dancing outfits and/or prom and wedding dresses.

To my mind there is something inherently and expressly feminine about a full skirt, especially if it leads up to a fitted or belted waist. Over the years I’ve owned many skirts and dresses that had various widths of fullness in the skirt. From modest a-line shirtwaist dresses to full-fledged poodle skirts that really did create a circle skirt when I sat on the floor and spread their fabric out around me. I’ve loved every single one of these garments – and certainly have no plans to stop adding further pieces with full skirts to my wardrobe in the future.

Yet, almost ironically, despite my passion for wide skirts, I’ve never owned a crinoline (or even a slightly flared slip). I pined for one endless as a child to no avail. I’ve stalked thrift stores for well over a decade in the hopes of finding one (I have, but alas they were always the wrong size or too short for my tastes), yet so far come up empty handed in that regard.

Given that I’m in my 25th year of life now, it really does seem like high time that I did something to rectify the serious lack of crinolines in my closet! But where to turn to find these enablers of ample skirt volume?

Of course sites such as etsy and eBay can be good places to start (and certainly I’ve been checking them frequently for crinoline listings lately) and can yield both modern and vintage gems. It seems though that many modern day crinolines are too short for my tastes (it is an absolute must that any crinolines I purchase hit at least below the knee – if not longer – because I almost exclusively wear skirts of a similar length).

While it would probably be a good idea to get some basic colours (black, white, red, etc), hue isn’t the most important factor for me on this hunt. Quality, length, and a reasonable price (into which I factor shipping and any import changes, as well as the sticker price of the garment itself) are the main points I’m keeping mind while shopping for a crinoline (all the while daydreaming as if I were a little girl again about finally being able to give my skirts and dresses that added flare and beauty they’ve always dreamed of).

As such I’ve started scouring the web rather intensely in the hopes of finding sellers who offer longer length crinolines and have uncovered a few sites, such as Unique Vintage, Pettiskirt Style, Sterling and Pearls, and Memphis Vintage.



{Colour chart of the lovely 27 to 29 inch (depending on waist size) nylon net crinolines carried by Pettiskirt Style for $44.00 (US) each.}


It great to know that these online shops exist and I may end up purchasing a crinoline from one or more (provided they ship to Canada) of them, but before I do, I wanted to ask you, my deeply knowledgeable readers, where you like to buy your (new and/or vintage) crinolines from?

I value your impute so much and would love to hear all your thoughts on crinolines and where to buy them.

Many thanks in advance, everyone!

Five for Friday: January 8, 2010

...After a brief hiatus away, the weekly Five for Friday post returns, bringing with it the first handful of what I hope will be a slew of wonderful, diverse, creative items, ideas and images to fuel the fires of inspiration for the coming year...

♥ ♥ ♥


{Utensils of timeless beauty}


{Everything in this elegantly serene collage of antique silverware speaks directly to my love of graceful, gorgeous items that have clearly endured the effects of time yet grown more sublime with each passing year. Something about these photos (which hail from sadieolive.com) reminds me of a classic saying that seems especially fitting around the New Year, “Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold”.}


{Prettier than all the snowflakes in the arctic combined}


{Winter camouflage never looked so lovely! This darling two piece vintage suit with its fur collar (I'm hoping it's faux, but you'd have to ask the seller) and decorative bow channels a Russian princess vibe and would be the perfect way to stay both stylish and warm all season long. 1960s “Lilli Ann” suit, fits up to a 38 inch bust/32 inch waist, $165.00 (US), from etsy seller LipStick Whiskey.}


{This precious
little bank wants us all to love piggies once more}


{If being money-wise is amongst your resolutions this year (or if you’re all ready a saver whose looking for a charming place to stash your pennies), why not save every extra coin possible in this exceptionally cute, ever-so-slightly rococo ceramic piggy bank? Featuring cherub-esque gold wings and coming in at 6 inches tall, this massively adorable piggy is sure to become a treasured part of your home decor. Juicy Couture “If Pigs Could Fly” bank, $48.00 (US) from Revolve Clothing.}


{Proudly show winter it can’t defeat your passion for stunning open toed shoes!}


{Boasting a 4 inch stiletto, delicate ankle straps, cream hued fabric bow and a glossy black patent sheen, these intensely beautiful heels have exactly the right combination of elements to ensure they remain beloved favourites for many years to come. Black ankle strap stilettos, available in standard women’s sizes and half sizes (please note that some sizes appear to be sold out online at the moment), $34.00 from Newport News.}


{Help ensure you see everything 2010 has in store with crystal clear clarity}


{Tiny glistening rhinestones adorn the front and sides of this wonderfully pretty pair of 1950s cat’s eye glasses, adding instant pizzazz to whatever else in your wardrobe you opt to team them with. Vintage 1950s aurora rhinestone eyeglass frames (lenses not included), $127.00 (US) from etsy seller Vintage 50s Eyewear.}


Unsurprisingly the world outside is colder than the back of an ice cream delivery truck, the sidewalks slick and dangerously covered with a solid frosting of ice. One longs for the sight of bare, snow-free ground once more, but knows that such a resplendent treat is still many a week away in these parts. Consolation comes in the form of the odd sun-kissed day that appears, transforming the lacklustre snow in a brilliant playground of sparkling diamonds, as if to remind you that even the darkest season can radiate with majestic beauty.

I hope dearly that each of you has enjoyed a peaceful, happy first week of this new decade, and that your weekend ahead will be an amazing one!

Vintage Deal of the Day: December 15, 2009

{I almost couldn’t wait for midnight to roll around so that I could post the terrific vintage deal that I just discovered a few minutes ago (I was so eager to share it, I contemplated doing two “Darling Deals” in one day, but then saw how close we were to Tuesday and held off on that idea), as it’s not every day that one finds an absolutely adorable 1950s novelty print dress in a larger size at a great price. Though the weather may be a little too nippy to wear this charming frock this month (well, outdoors at least!), it would be such a fun piece to sport come spring and summer (or right now, if you’re lucky enough to live in a climate that’s warm all year round – or if you’re situated south of the equator). This short sleeved dress features a really lovely print of blue, white and red flower blossoms set atop a sky blue and white checkerboard background, complete with a matching belt; it fits up to a 42 inch bust and a 36 inch waist, and is available for $25.00 (US) from etsy seller Cherry Frocks. I adore 40s and 50s novelty print garments so much and envy the lucky gal who takes this wonderful dress home with her!}


Thank you very much for your immensely kind well wishes yesterday, everyone. I’m feeling a bit better (less “brain fog” at the moment, which is a big plus), and hope to have the second edition of Chronically Vintage’s gift guide out the door either today or Wednesday at the latest (all things willing). I have a number of gift guides that I want to write before the 25th rolls around, but even if I don’t get to all of them this year, I’m not worried, I’ll just tuck away the unused ideas for next holiday season :)

Wishing you each a splendid and serene Tuesday! (And an immensely happy last ten days until Christmas!)

Where have you been all my life, Worn magazine?

Fashion magazines are like peoples’ taste in their mates, sure there's certain common ground that the bulk of us strive to find, but ultimately it is the uniqueness of an individual, or a fashion mag, that draws us to it beyond the initial infatuation stage.

For many years now I’ve test drive magazines of all sorts, a good chunk of which centred around the fashion universe. Though there are a couple of glossies I subscribe to year round, the majority of magazines that cross my threshold do so on a trial basis. As in love, once burned, doubly cautious.

Having scrutinized my taste in magazines rather meticulously – and having brought home copies, at one point or another, of most fashion spreads that the North American market has to offer – I’ve come to understand what it is that I want, and expect, from a fashion publication.

Ideally I long for glossies that neither assume I’m a jet-set millionaire or a fashion idiot who wouldn’t know toile from tulle. I prefer fashion mags to centre around fashion (as opposed to, say, scores of pages of useless celebrity gossip or reams on the latest “It Diet”), a concept that I think fewer and fewer publications are staying in touch with. I like a magazine to feature real women in addition to the usual slew of lithe, taller than a giraffe models. I’m 5’2” and a curve bedecked hourglass with a petite frame, I have never, and will never, feel like I can see myself in something a magazine is promoting if the woman wearing it looks like Barbie after five hours on a medieval rack.

I like a hearty dose of imagery and intelligently written articles on a broad range of topics that actually relate to the kind of clothing that I wear and/or love, and a magazine that’s not afraid to find its own voice (and though this should go without saying, spell checking is an absolute must! Now I don’t claim that my writing is typo free, but there’s a substantial difference between being a one woman blogging show and a nationally syndicated magazine with a whole staff behind it – Nylon, I’m looking at you in particular when I mention this point). Creativity is a must, and diversity throughout an issue is a big plus.

My criteria is not impossible to fulfill, though the market is not exactly heavily saturated with publications that met my fashion magazine expectations. A couple of beloved titles aside, it seems that the hunt for further glossies to inspire my sartorial tastes is an ongoing adventure. It was with great excitement then I recently read a copy of a heretofore unknown to me Canadian fashion magazine by the name of Worn.

Published biannually out of Toronto, this independent publication, while not the largest (in terms of page numbers) of spreads, is by far one of the finest I’ve ever encountered. To say that Worn is nothing short of a breath of fresh air in a world of chain smoking fashion magazines would scarcely be doing it justice.
While issue number nine is the first I’ve had the pleasure of reading, if those that proceeded it and those that lay in store are to be judged on the same merits, Worn may be one of the few fashion magazines that I’ve ever fallen in love with after reading just one copy.


{Worn’s ninth issue sports one of their very own, Kate the copy editor (who did a marvellous job with this edition, may I add) on the cover.}


Worn, which bills itself as a “fashion journal”, feels just like that. Refreshingly its pages are not comprised mainly of ads, nor is it filled with the same sort of articles we’ve all read elsewhere about seven thousand times this year alone. In this edition many of the topics covered have a decidedly vintage feel to them that would make Worn a welcome read for anyone with a passion for old school style.

From an interview with renowned fashion collector, expert, author and museum curator hopeful Jonathan Walford (and his partner in vintage fashion collecting Kenn Norman), whose book Fashion Forties takes pride of place on my vintage related bookshelf, to a frank and excellently written piece on the legendary Italian muse (and all around wildly eccentric fashionista of yesteryear) Marchesa Luisa Casati, the fascinating articles in this edition of Worn ensured that I consumed it cover-to-cover in one sitting.

I did not rush through my time with this publication in the slightest though, instead I savoured each one of its 44 pages, adoring the fact that Worn spoke not only about vintage fashion, but also featured real world models, mentioned (and shot some of their images in) Toronto, and left me truly wanting more. Though 44 pages may not sound like much in a world of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar behemoth sized glossies, I gleamed more enjoyment from those well crafted and beautifully presented (nearly ad free) pages than I have from all the fashion magazines I’ve read in 2009 combined – hands down.

Worn is the kind of magazine you wish was published as frequently as the daily newspaper. While the paper version itself does only come out twice a year, those like myself who instantly find they’re craving more of all the insightful, fascinating goodness Worn has to offer can get their fix from the magazine’s frequently updated blog.

I fully believe in promoting both indie designers and indie publications, and so wanted to share my first encounter with Worn with you, my readers – especially since the current edition covers a broad array of vintage fashion related topics. I sincerely plan to keep on reading Worn and am definitely going to grab a subscription for myself. After a year of dismally lacklustre fashion magazines and the articles they housed (if I see one more piece toting the merits of boyfriend jeans and leather-look leggings I’m going to start throwing vintage shoes at the mainstream mags), Worn has given me a publication to eagerly look forward to reading in 2010.

If you’re interested in trying Worn out for a spin yourself, copies can be obtained from their website and etsy shop, as well small selection of online retailers and better bookstores across North America and abroad.

Thank you, Worn, for creating the sort of insightful, relevant, enjoyable fashion magazine I’m proud to leave out on my coffee table, happily rereading with gusto until your next stellar edition appears and I can fall even more in love with you!

Seven stunning vintage holiday season outfits

With December now underway, it’s time to take to think about the bevy of holiday get-togethers, both large and small, that may be looming on the horizon for you. From office shindigs to Sunday afternoon cookie baking parties, Christmas lunch at Grandma’s to a swish cocktail gathering, there is something ingrained in the festive spirit of the season that makes you want to dress up and really sparkle!

Whether you prefer to go all out (think head-to-toe sequins or yards of taffeta), shine on a small scale (a beaded cardigan, say, or a gorgeous pair of satin high heels), or meet somewhere in the middle (a shimmery brocade sheath dress, for example), few amongst us are sour on spicing up our wardrobe for the winter holiday season. Some may find that they already have a trove of fantastic pieces to pull from their own closets and drawers, others might be in need of some immediate shopping to supplement their winter garb, and others still may have a full closet, but feel the pieces there are getting a bit ho-hum and in need of some snazzy new companions to keep them company.

Whatever the case may be, I’ve compiled seven outfits, inspired by different types of vintage styles, to help inspire those days and nights in the coming weeks when dressing up is on the bill. (I myself tend to veer into the small to moderate amount of flash category, but when it comes to beautiful dresses with feminine touches, there’s no limit to how fancy I’ll go!)

Because the holiday season is already enough of a drain on our poor wallets as is, I’ve tried to keep the bulk of the items in these lovely looks on the more budget-friendly side (please note that the prices for all items in this post, unless otherwise specified, are in US dollars). It makes a lot of sense to approach your party wear with your pocketbook is mind, as the fancy pieces you purchase now may not get a great deal of use throughout the rest year, thus making their cost per wear higher than those of your more “everyday” type of garments.

If you feel like splurging on yourself however, now is the time! Treat yourself to a brand new (and by “brand new”, I mean “new to you”, the item itself may very well be vintage – and all the better if it is!) dress, string of beads, glistening brooch, elegant hat, or killer shoes. You’ve been good all year, so why not give yourself a little present this holiday season, too?


{Chronically Vintage's 2009 Holiday Fashion Guide}


~ The Sophisticate ~

Always impeccably dressed and on time to any event, the sophisticate favours elegant pieces in timeless shades that will see her through many Christmases to come. Strong lines and crisp tailoring are favourites, too, but she isn’t a minimalist by any means and enjoys the ingrained beauty of a regally inspired frock as much as that of a simple LBD.


{Long sky blue vintage evening coat with oriental inspired “frog closure” at neck , listed as fitting a “medium or large”, currently on sale for $30.00 from etsy seller Undone Eclectic.}



{Vintage faux pearl and gold toned metal clip-on earrings, $5.00/pair, from etsy seller Boxer Loving Lady.}



{Blue velvet, short sleeve 1940s dress with beautiful rhinestone detailing, fits up to a 35 inch bust/28.5 inch waist, $115.00 from etsy seller Planet Claire Vintage.}



{A forever classic, Chanel No. 5 in a 3.4 ounce bottle of Eau De Parfum, $115.00 from Essence of Perfume.com.}



{Navy blue and gold toned 1950s Margolin box purse measuring 8 inches long by 6 inches wide, $26.00 from etsy seller Bajue Boutique.}



{Stripped black and dark blue peep toe 1950s Herbert Levine heels, fits a size six, from GlamourSavvy.}



~ The Jitterbug ~

It’s as if you were born with the swing era in your blood. You love 1940s dresses and shoes, you own more bobby pins than you can count, and you’re always ready to cut a rug. Your style merges war era practicality with Hollywood glamour, part Rosie and part Rita, your holiday look could easily be home sewn or from Macy’s, but no matter what, it has a truly timeless feel to it.


{1940s golden wheat hued straw hat with red grosgrain ribbon, measures 20 inches at the interior point of the ribbon, $70.00 from Damn Good Vintage.}



{Dior lipstick in shade #622 “Graffiti Red”, 3.5 gram (0.12 ounce) tube, $23.50 from StrawberryNET.com.}



{Gold toned (vermeil over base metal) floral leaf brooch with red and clear rhinestone accents (swivel pin back), measurements not specified, $16.00 from etsy seller Carmen and Ginger.}



{1940s two piece red and gold crepe dress with matching belt, blouse fits up to a 38 inch bust/29 inch waist (skirt fits up to a 28 inch waist), $55.00 (for all three pieces) from etsy seller Little Things Vintage.}



{1950s “Kelly style” red, gold and black beaded handbag with black Bakelite handle, 11.75 inches long by 8 inches high, $169.00 from etsy seller Archivia.}



{Red 1940s velvet peep toe shoes with ankle straps (deadstock), size 8.5, $125.00 from etsy seller Planet Claire Vintage.}



~ The Gamine ~

Whether young on paper or at heart, the gamine falls head-over-heels for pieces that are sweet and airy, ethereal and delicate. She may sport a shoe with a stacked wooden heel, but the body of that shoes is bound to be made of silk, satin or another gentle material. She loves chiffon, bows, jewels in her hair, and styling her outfits like those looks one finds in the outdoors-in-a-meadow fashion shoots of couture fashion magazines.


{Handmade peach and peacock feather headband style fascinator with gold toned metal and rhinestone detail, $15.00 from etsy seller Plumes et Fleurs.}



{Hand woven, pastel faux pearl flapper era necklace, 36 inches long, $12.50 from etsy seller True Colours For You.}



{Gold toned fan shaped vintage compact made by (and signed) Henriette, $95.00 from Michelle’s Vintage Jewelry.}



{Beguiling 1940s peach hued tulle and lace formal, full length dress, fits up to 42 inch bust/31 inch waist, $84.00 from etsy seller Fab Gabs.}



{Pale dusty pink and silver beaded 1920s purse (that was made in Germany), 8.5 inches long by 4.5 high, $24.00 from etsy seller Vintagous.}



{Peach (pale pink) t-strap peep toe, AK Anne Klein shoes with a 3.5 inch tall heel, available in modern foot sizes, $49.99 from Shoefest.com.}



~ The Bombshell ~

Alluring, playful and perpetually channeling her inner pin-up girl, the bombshell adores pieces that showcase her sensuous curves. She veers towards either skin-tight skirts and dresses or those with copious amounts of volume – perhaps requiring a crinoline to hold up their abundance of fabric. Her favourite accessories are the lingering scent of her signature perfume and a mega-watt smile which is always dressed in red lipstick.


{Mauve and taupe hued rose and raspberry red jasmine blossom floral hair clip, measures 6 inches long, $32.00 from Retro Glamour Girl.}



{“Leopard Love” velboa faux fur vintage inspired capelet (stole) with black tie bow, one size fits all, $38.00 from etsy seller Talulah Blue.}



{Wiggle style burgundy velvet dress with a portrait neckline, available in stock in size “small”, $115.00 from Babygirl Boutique (on a personal note, I’ve been lusting after this particular dress for months!).}



{Shiny black vintage patent leather quilted handbag on a delicate silver chain, 9 inches long by 6.5 inches high, $22.00 from etsy seller ebielli.}



{Seemed, 15 denier fully fashioned stockings (thigh highs) with a classic point (French) heel available in black (as shown) or nude, £17.75 (UK pounds) from What Katie Did.}



{Black satin 4 inch high wedge heel shoe with rosette detail, available in sizes 6 to 12, $48.99 from Retro Cuties.}



~ The Sexy Secretary ~

Long before the office pool gals from Mad Men burst on the scene you were rocking the sultry secretary look to the max. With a penchant for pencil skirts, upswept hairdos, and prettily manicured nails, you love to extend these same style ideas to your holiday finery, adding in a touch more eye make-up and perhaps one of those swanky suit clad Sterling Cooper style gents on your arm.


{Bright blue velvet vintage pill box hat with bow, measuring 21 inches at the brim, $35.00 from etsy seller Becky Drolen Vintage.}



{Shiny blue and soft cream floral clip-on earrings with rhinestone and faux pearl details, $9.00/pair from etsy seller Mean Old Bags.}



{Silver toned, stretch band ladies vintage Bulova watch (note this timepiece needs a new battery and possibly some other remains to set it working again), length measures 5.5 inches before being stretched, $44.00 from etsy seller Bajue Boutique.}



{Light aqua blue 1950s satin wiggle dress with matching bolero jacket, fits up to a 34 inch bust/25 inch waist, $105.00 from etsy seller Sara’s Attic.}



{Vintage silver hued, top clasp purse on a chain strap, 9 inches long by 5 inches high, $8.69 from etsy seller An Eclectic Collection.}



{Gorgeous 1960s multi-coloured silk (I’m guessing) brocade flats (with a half inch heel), fits a size 7, $20.00 from etsy seller Funky Fugal Fashions.}



~ The Girly-Girl ~


The antithesis of a tomboy, you embrace your feminine side with a force to be reckoned with. From scads of lace to piles of jewelry, floral prints to soft, luxurious fabrics, you seek out and gleefully sport pieces that personify the elegance of ladies wear to an absolute tee.


{Long, soft white/ivory faux mink fur wrap (stole), measures 65 inches long by 14 inches wide, $55.00 from etsy seller Romancing Juliet.}



{1950s coral pink lace, short sleeve party dress with cap sleeves and a velvet bow accent at the waist, fits up to a 32 inch bust/25 inch waist, $68.00 from etsy seller Cheap Vintage.}



{Ivory white hued vintage wrist length gloves with pretty floral embroidery detailing, measurements not specified, $28.00 from etsy seller Blueberry Deluxe.}



{1950s vintage clutch purse with a silk flower vignette behind a layer of plastic overlay surrounded by a gold hued metal frame. Purse measures 11.5 inches long by 5.5 inches tall, and is $45.00 from etsy seller The Greedy Seagull.}



{“All My Love” 1950s style golden brass hued metal charm bracelet, measures 8 inches long, $89.00 from Babygirl Boutique.}



{1950s pink and green rose print heels with rhinestone detailing on the front, size 7.5, $32.00 from etsy seller Planet Claire Vintage.}



~ The Christmas Queen ~

While you’d never in a million years risk being caught dead in a tacky Christmas sweater, you utterly adore embracing the colours of the season and weaving them not only into the holiday decor of every room in your home, but also into the pieces you wear when gathering to celebrate. From the red of Santa’s suit to pine needle green, you’re as decked out and ready to shine this season as a string of vintage Christmas lights!


{Early 1950s green velvet hat with rhinestone trim (labeled made in France), 11 inch diameter, $36.00 from etsy seller Babylon Sisters.}



{1950s festively wrapped Christmas gift set of clip-on earrings and a (swivel clasp) brooch in gold toned metal and plastic, $24.00 (for the set) from etsy seller Carmen and Ginger.}



{Three piece set of vintage (1930s, 40s and 60s) red and green Bakelite bangle bracelets, $44.00 (for all three) from etsy seller Bakelite Bakery.}



{1950s emerald green velvet and satin dress with tulip (bubble) style skirt, fits up to a 35 inch bust/25 inch waist, $135.00 from etsy seller My Favourite Vintage.}



{1950s golden lucite and woven reed handbag with lucite handle and clasp (and a white “spill proof” vinyl lining) in excellent condition. Measures 10.75 inches long by 8.75 inches high; $65.00 from etsy seller BBBDesigns.}



{1940s Daniel Green peep toe slip on heels (mules) in a sparkling golden fabric with rosette details, fits size 6, $110.00 from etsy seller Peaceforevermore.}


After putting together this delightful selection of looks, I suddenly have the intense urge to send out party invitations and don an evening dress! While I wait for my RSVPs to come back (naturally you’re all invited), I’d love to hear your thoughts on these styles.

Do you identify with some of the fashionista profiles above or does your winter holiday wear veer in an entirely different direction? Whatever your taste in festive garb, I hope that you all get a chance to dress up this season and celebrate to your heart’s content!