25 vintage fall fashions under $50

There are certain days that one waits for with intense eagerness each year, their clockwork appearances like signposts on the road of life. For me, one of these days has always been that which brings with it the return on autumn.

Of all the seasons - each of which I do adore for a myriad of reasons - none holds quite as dear or precious a spot in my heart as fall. Such as been the case since I was knee high to a crimson maple leaf, and so it will always be.

From the instantly recognizable crispness of the air to the mountains of downed foliage, the golden sunlight to the harvest that nature is laying at our feet, there are countless reasons why I cherish autumn.

One of my favourites though has always been - at least up here in the wilds of Canada - that fall (baring perhaps the occasional handful of Indian summer days) definitely means the return to a cold weather wardrobe. Thigh opaque tights, soft sweaters, wool skirts, velvet blazers, leather boots, tweed hats, cozy knit scarves, you name it, I love it.

Though it’s a little sad to know the days of bare sleeves and ankles are behind us once more, any such melancholy is short lived, for as soon as I start bopping around the web looking at fall fashions, it's all I can do to refrain myself from going on a wild shopping spree!

I know that I'm not alone in this regard, and that many of you are die-hard fans of autumn (and by extension, winter) clothing, too. I'm also well aware that, much like myself, many of you also live life on a very strict budget and that you don't have scads of cash to plonk down on your threads just because a new season arrived back in town today.

Luckily however, you need not take a second mortgage to ensure your wardrobe includes all the pieces you need - and a few more you simply love and want - this year. Over the past few days this week, knowing full well that today marked the official start of autumn 2012, I scoured the internet to bring you a selection of twenty-five vintage and vintage appropriate fashions, all of which each cost less than $50.00 a piece.

I fully realize that everyone's idea of what is and isn't costly varies greatly, sometimes even from month to month, just depending on how what kind of shape your wallet is in at the moment, and felt that a $50.00 cap was a reasonable price tag at which to set the upper limit of any item included in this roundup.

I hope that you enjoy these mid-century perfect, fall appropriate garments as much as I liked sourcing them, and that - even if you don't buy any of them specifically - they serve as an inspirational jumping off points for your budget-friendly wardrobe this fall.


{Channel your inner late 50s/early 60s secretary or college girl in this striking blue and brown plaid dress with matching belt. Fits aprox. 40" bust/37-39" waist. $31.00 from etsy seller Cricket Capers.}




{Whether you love wearing black for its timeless style appeal or are looking for a marvelous Halloween eve sweater, this elegant beaded 1950s cardigan is sure to fit the bill. Fits a 42" bust. $38.00 from etsy seller Dirty Birdie Vintage.}




{Though a modern piece, the swingy a-line cut and knee-grazing hemline of this skirt - not to mention the classic (almost military uniform) neutral hue - made me think it would work splendidly in many a cold weather 1940s inspired look. Skirt comes in sizes small, medium and large. $23.80 CNS from Forever 21 Canada.}




{Long sleeves are often a must during the fall and winter, but that doesn't mean your shirts have to be drab in the least. A Peter Pan collar and adorable bow are all it takes to give this stretch jersey top oodles of style and visual interest. Shirt comes in sizes small, medium and large. $27.29 from Plasticland.}



{Shirtwaist dresses are a beloved staple in my wardrobe all year long, but come autumn I especially like to wear seasonally hued ones - such as this lovely cognac brown hued 1950s frock - with a warm cardigan, tights, and a cute pumps for a fantastic go-anywhere daytime look. Vintage dress fits a 43" bust/36" waist. $34.50 from etsy seller 27ogle.}





{Perfect as is if you're lucky enough to still have decent weather, or worn under a beloved cardigan, shrug, bolero, or jacket all season long, this curve-hugging Va-Voom Vixen Top brings plenty of vintage style and flattering allure to the fashion table. Shirt comes in sizes small to 2XL. $38.00 from Plasticland.}




{Featuring a beautiful autumn leaf pattern, this 1950s housecoat dress is one of the loveliest ways I can think to instantly inject a huge dose of the season's rich palette into your closet. Fits a 41" bust/31" waist. (Currently on sale for) $41.60 from etsy seller Ginger Root Vintage.}
 



{Inspired by styles from the 1930s, these faux leather, vegan-friendly Whiskey Mill Oxfords are as autumn appropriate and timeless as a shoe can get. In half and full shoe sizes 6 to 10. $37.00 from Plasticland.}




{Featuring a height enhancing row of monochromatic buttons up the front and two generously sized hip pockets, the Just Dandy Skirt calls to mind similar styles from the 1940s well on into the 50s, and would make for an excellent cold weather wardrobe staple (as, let's face it, just about every top goes well with a long black skirt). Skirt comes in sizes small, medium and large. $39.99 from ModCloth.}



{When one hears that words "cotton blouse", summer is likely the first season to pop into your mind, but when the fabric has a decent weight to it, and the style boasts a high collar and elbow skimming sleeves, it's possible to easily wear a cotton shirt - such as this cheerful orange 1950s example - long after Labour Day. Fits a 20" bust/36" waist. $30.00 from etsy seller Savvy Spinster Vintage.}
 



{Here's a piece that I definitely need more of in my wardrobe, a classic mid-century blazer. This particular vintage jacket hails from the 1940s and has a boxy, but not shapeless style that would be terrific with everything from pencil skirts to wide legged trousers. Fits a 34" bust/36" waist. $40.00 from etsy seller Vintage Archives.}



{If it wasn't for the fact that I'm allergic to wool, these utterly darling pink cherry gloves would be headed straight to my house in the mail as we speak. Alas, I am, and so my pesky allergy is one of you lucky ladies' gain. Aprox. size 7.5 gloves. $25.00 from etsy seller Luxury Life.}




{Every well stocked wardrobe need a nice medium to heavy weight sweater or two in classic hues, like this delightful cable knit cream 1940s cardigan that would go with nearly any cold weather outfit you could dream up. Fits a 34 to 38" bust, waist not specified. $28.00 from etsy seller Resurrecting Vintage.}
 



{Shimmering sequins and elegant applique add eye-catching appeal to this simply tailored, beautiful rust hued 1930s crepe dress. Fits a 43" bust/almost 33" waist. $40.00 from etsy seller Recollection Clothing.}





{As you gals know, I'm a huge fan of pencil skirts and fully believe that just about any woman can wear one, so long as she finds a cut, fabric and colour that works for her figure. As such, I'm always on the prowl for vintage skirts in versatile colours and fabrics that will see me through autumn and well beyond. This classic brown wool 1950s pencil skirt would certainly hit that mark. Fits a 27" waist/40" hips. $29.00 from etsy seller KenghaRue - who is having a 20% off sale on all items in their shop during September 2012 if you use the coupon code Back2School when you checkout.}




{A return to nippy temperatures means it's time to bust out the thicker fabric hats to help keep your noggin toasty on even the chilliest of October and November eves. This sophisticatedly lovely 1940s wool hat in a neutral taupe hue is definitely the kind of topper that you'll reach for year after year, thanks to its fun toque inspired cut and goes-with-almost-anything material and colour. Inner hat circumference measures 21.5. $30.00 from etsy seller Guermante's Vintage.}



{The resplendent spirit of the season is out in full bloom in this beautiful 1950s cardigan with it's festival fall leaves and October perfect palette. Fits (unstretched) a 37" bust/26" waist. $46.00 from etsy seller Jumblelaya.}
 



{Sometimes when those autumn winds pick up, you want a little something extra to help keep the chill at bay, but aren't quite ready for a full on winter coat. Enter capelets and shawls, such as this charming 1950s hand knit wool collar caplete that boosts a fun fringe and soothing cream and blue colour palette. Measures 25" around with a 16" neck opening. $25.00 from etsy seller Vintage FanAttic.}
 



{Tartan and fall go hand in hand like Halloween and trick-or-treating, in my books, and I always keep my eyes peeled for fun, seasonal pieces in this beloved Scottish pattern come September. These cute bow adored tartan flats look very comfy and like they'd be the perfect thing to wear for an evening walk through the crispy, beautiful autumn leaves. Available in shoe sizes 5 to 10. $27.00 from ASOS (USA).}



{Brocade was all over the fall/winter runways this year, and while I don't dress with an eye towards modern fashion trends in the slightest, I do find it interesting when a classic piece or material suddenly has the spotlight shone on it once more. If, like me, you've long adored this chic fabric, then this sophisticated green and brown 1950s brocade jacket is just the ticket for you - whether you're trying to channel this season's trends or just sticking with what you've always loved. Fits a 38" bust/36" waist. $38.00 from etsy seller MadMak's Closet.}



{Orange can be a tricky colour for some folks - myself very much included – to pull of successfully, but hues on the darker end of the spectrum can be considerably easier in this regard. If you're also a fan of rusts, pumpkins, and burnished coppers, you'll likely find your eye drawn to this classic ribbed knit 1950s top, too. Fits a 36" bust/27" waist. $32.00 from etsy seller RakShniya Vintage.}





{Like a cross between the best shoes of the 1930s and 70s, these warm honey hued t-strap heels are absolutely beautiful. The bow adds sweetness, while the stacked heel provides a sturdy platform upon which to jump, jive and wail the night away. Available in half and whole shoes sizes 5.5 to 11. $34.99 from ModCloth.}
 



{Evoking thoughts of everything from cheering football crowds to awesome evenings spent in front of a bonfire, plaid wool (Pendleton-esque) jackets have been a beloved part of many peoples' fall wardrobes for decades now. If you're looking to add one (or another one!) to your closet, then this wonderful brown and grey 49ner style wool jacket might just the ticket. Fits a 43" bust/41" waist. (Currently on sale for) $32.00 from etsy seller Merletto.}




{While you might still have clear skies and sunshine where you live, it likely won't be too long before many of us are gearing up for another round of snow filled months, and that may mean a return to outdoor winter sports. If skiing is in the cards, then you'll likely flip for these fantastic wool gabardine 1940s ski pants – which would look equally cute on athletes and ski lodge bunnies alike. $20.00 from etsy seller Vintage Zipper.}
 



{If you set out with the sole intention of finding a 1950s wiggle dress in the most autumnal palette you could possibly unearth, chances are it would look something like this alluring, flat out beautiful example. No need to search high and low though, if your measurements jive with those of this seasonally stunning frock, the sleuthing has already been done for you. Fits a 35.5" bust/27.5" waist. $48.00 from etsy seller Stop The Clock Vintage.}


{Please note that all prices listed here are in US or, if specified, Canadian, dollars and that they were accurate as of the time of writing.}

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Aside from the fact that I love, and work hard, to find as many bargains as I can when shopping for myself and my family, part of the reason that I usually like to keep an extra tight watch on what the garments in my fall wardrobe cost is because Christmas is right around the corner (just three months and three days away from today's date), and that means a sharp increase in spending come November and December.

This is true for the bulk us us who celebrate any of the gift-giving winter holidays, and with retail prices continuing to soar, most of us need ever extra penny we can get this year.

I didn't find all of the items in today's post in one evening, however doing so didn't take up weeks of my time either. A handful of keywords and the fact that some sites (like etsy) let you search based on lowest price first made tracking down some really charming, timelessly stylish vintage pieces for fall a fun task that ultimately took very little time. In fact, it was hard to stop at just twenty-five garments, but that seemed like an ideal number for this post as it was half of the maximum budget for each piece.

I'm positively ecstatic that fall is here once more and look forward to hopefully adding a few new (as in vintage) garments to closet this season. By the same token, I'm bubbling with excitement to both see the amazing autumn fashions you'll be sporting and to share snapshots of some of my favourite pieces with all of you.

Covering both fashion and various other topics, I've got scores of great posts in the works for this season and think that 2012 is going to deliver one of the best autumns ever!

Five ways to make your vintage wardrobe dollars go further

There's a fantastic SLN skit in which Steve Martin and Amy Poehler are taught the secret behind effective debt and money management by actor Chris Parnell, as detailed in a booklet he hands them called Don't Buy Stuff You Can't Afford.

That line, of course, being the premise behind the whole philosophy, which strikes Martin and Poehler's characters as being a staggering revelation that takes them most of the whole sketch to realize. It's a brilliant skit really, and one which I often find myself being reminded of when I'm both handling my finances and out and about shopping.

What's affordable however, to one person, may be nothing more than a pipe dream for another, and we each have unique sets of financial needs and obligations that we must try and tackle each much. Few amongst us (especially since the economy took a drastic nose dive a few years ago) have the means to forget about money, and even if you do, I fully believe that you never should. Rich people, after all, will only retain their wealth if they're smart with how they invest, save, and spend it.

Over the years, like many of us, I've had definite highs and lows when it came to my finances. There have been months so lean they would have been invisible if you turned them sideways, and others were I had the privilege of being able to spend generously on my passions, interests, and hobbies. Most fell - and continue to fall - somewhere on the spectrum in between, just as they do for the majority of people these days.

As someone who, along with my husband, cleared off a substantial five figure debt load last year (only to promptly land back in debt mere days later due to the many expenses incurred with our move to B.C. earlier this year; but that was relatively smart debt that we both looked at as an important investment in our future) in a relatively short amount of time (about a year), I can tell you that there really is no price tag that you can put on efficient, realistic money management. And, in many cases, that begins with looking for ways to stretch your existing dollars as far as possible.

I think it's a misconception that being thrifty means being frugal, or worst, miserly. It absolutely doesn't have to. Unless your circumstances are exceedingly dire, chances are you still have a little bit of room in your budget (whether it's $50 or $500) each month to spend on non-essential and quasi-essential (clothing that you want, but might not technically truly need, for example) items.

I subscribe to the belief that the more one budgets and plans their finances, the more important it is to have some "mad money" for yourself each month. If you slave and work like a dog from sun up to sun down, only to cover the bills, pay off your debt, and perhaps tuck away some savings, you may feel like you're being deprived (at least in part) from the very money you're giving it your all to bring in (and this in turn can create all kinds of feelings of resentment, anger, frustration, and stress).

When creating a budget (be it personal or family), I highly urge you to set aside an allotted amount each month that is yours to do with as you please. If, for example, your budget is $100.00, you can buy a hundred $1 items or a single piece - say a gorgeous vintage dress - for $100.00, knowing that because that money was not earmarked or destined for another more pressing purpose, you can make your purchase(s) guilt-free and responsibly.

When it comes to the money you spend on yourself - especially if the rest of your budget is quite tight - you want to try and extend your buying power as far as possible. Sure, some months there might be a single item or two that you happily fork over all of your pocket money for, but other times you want to make multiple purchases or save up for a future item or shopping spree.

Whatever the case, I wanted to share five tips that have long helped me max out my budget's buying power, not my credit card, with all of you.

1.) No matter how good you think a price is, always ask yourself if you could find something even cheaper: With the exception of an item being free, in most cases it's best not to rush out and buy a good deal the absolute moment you see it (unless you've been eyeing an item for ages and conclusively know this is the best price you're likely to find it at any time soon).

There have been numerous times when shopping online over the years when I saw an item that I thought was a really good deal, only to buy said item and shortly thereafter (sometimes as soon as mere minutes later) find the same (or a very similar) piece for less.

With the possible exception of finding an eBay auction just moments before it wraps up, even when you spy a smoking hot deal, consider taking a few minutes to check out other online sellers (eBay, etsy, etc) to see if you can find the same item for even less. I've been applying this approach to my online shopping for quite some time now, and have been amazed by how often I was able to find something at an even lower price when I diligently searched for it.

2.) Leave no stone unturned: Speaking of searching diligently, if you're watching your pennies closely, you know that a few dollars can often make or break a deal, so it pays to keep hunting (within reason) until you find the item you want in a price range you're comfortable with. This is especially true of pieces that are not hard to come by (for example, vintage LBDs). If your favourite sites aren't delivering what you want, consider expanding your search both online and off.

Keep a running list of the items you're hoping to find (along with what you'd ideally like to pay for them) on your computer or a piece of paper, and routinely search for those items on Google, eBay, etsy, and from various online vintage or vintage reproduction clothing sellers.

When hunting for a great barging online, remember to get creative with your search terms (for more on that topic, be sure to see this post on that topic from last month) and think outside of the box. Many's the time I prowled the web for something (for example, "blue 1950s dress") only to come up empty handed (in terms of affordability and/or sizing), yet was able to hit a home run when I switched up my keywording to something like "navy vintage cocktail dress".

Bargains will rarely fall right in your lap, however perseverance can really pay off  if you're willing to wait a while sometimes and/or do a bit of heavy investigating to find the item you're pining for.

3.) Watch your local thrift, second hand, consignment, and vintage shops for sales: As most of us have no doubt noticed lately, vintage pieces - by and large - have shot up substantially in price in recent years. The fact that second hand sellers often know now what vintage pieces are worth, means that when we do find authentic vintage items nowadays, they're often priced accordingly, making scoring an excellent deal trickier and trickier to accomplish.

This is all the more reason to keep an eye out for sales at your local second hand, thrift, etc stores. When shopping at such places, ask the staff if they know when their next big sale is going to be. If they don't, enquire as to if you can leave your contact information with them so that they can phone or email you in advance of the next sale. Knowing a potential customer is already lined up, is usually more than enough for most merchants (especially small scale ones) to happily inform you of when a sale is coming.

One of my absolute favourite sales - though it rarely garners genuine 40s or 50s garments any more - is the triannual Value Village 50% off sale. Though these half off sale days usually bring in a hefty crowd that quickly thins out the offerings substantially, they can still be a fantastic way to find plenty of gently used (and sometimes even brand new - the last time I was at Value Village I bought a lovely pinky-red cardigan that still had its original tag on) at really budget-friendly prices.

4.) Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!: While one can easily find jewelry that runs into the thousands of dollars, at the other end of the scale, there are so many good deals out there on vintage and vintage appropriate accessories that it's not even funny. Though some costume jewelry is highly valuable (and collectable) in its own right, a lot of these kinds of pieces can be had for an absolute song. At a recent flea market I snapped up a little plastic zip-lock bag of vintage bangle bracelets for $0.75. There was seven bracelets in there, and while a couple are metal and have nickel in them and thus will be passed along to someone else, I still scored five bracelets (alas, no Bakelite, sorry) for less than a dollar.

By the same token, vintage or vintage appropriate belts, gloves, scarves, and sometimes (albeit much less often) even handbags and shoes can be found for a substantial deal while out visiting yard sales, flea markets, and second hand stores. eBay, too, can sometimes provide you with a windfall in the vintage accessory department if you're willing to sort through a chunk of listings and apply some of your saintly patience.

Aside from just being great deals, these kinds of vintage pieces can be all it takes sometimes to inject a much needed hit of variety into your wardrobe for next to nothing. Just think of your garments as blank canvases upon which you can build a stylish masterpiece each day with the help of your favourite accessories.

5.) Make due or mend - now with extra bonus points for creativity: It was one of the most oft repeated slogans during WW2, and it still rings every bit as true today. Now however, we have the luxury of not having to contend with fabric and clothing rations, which means that for a few dollars, we can buy some a little piece of cute material, some beautiful buttons, a scrap of lace, a few packs of rickrack, or any number of other sewing notions and quickly take a ho hum or somewhat worn out piece and transform it into a seemingly brand new garment in a matter of hours or even minutes.

Even those (like myself) who do not have a sewing machine, can often hand stitch or glue (with the appropriate fabric glue) embellishments, trims, and other fashionable accoutrements onto our exiting garments (embroider on a twill skirt, change out the buttons on a plain blouse, sew a line of faux pearl trim around the collar a classic cardigan - the sky and your creativity are the limit!). Any one of which will instantly make you feel like you've gained a new garment, without having to break the bank in the slightest.

{Whether during the 1940s and 50s or today, every wise shopper wants to ensure they get the most for their money, and the tips in this post can help you in doing just that. Image via clotho98 on Flickr.}

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The relationship that each of has with money is an extremely intimate and personal one, and regardless of if you're on a budget or not, I feel that these ideas are applicable to consumers everywhere. While these examples are tailored more towards us vintage loving gals, they could just as easily apply to a crafter, photography enthusiast, sports lover, holiday maker, foodie, car buff, or myriad other folks.

We are bombarded 24/7 with ads (on TV, in magazines and newspapers, online, and even subtly through product placement in movies and songs) that want us to part with our cold hard cash, but that doesn't mean we have to give in to those spending siren calls - especially if you've already tapped out your budget for a given month. These five tips are handy and practical, but - masked in humour as it may be - perhaps the best piece of advice when it comes to spending wisely really is the message in that classic SNL skit, don't buy stuff you can't afford.

Stick with what your wallet can safely swing and you'll likely not only avoid consumer debt, but also save yourself a great deal of stress that comes from routinely making financial decisions you regret within in minutes.

This summer, with garage sale season in full swing, you better believe I'll be leaning heavily on these tips myself, and would love to hear about some of your own favourite ways of ensuring your vintage wardrobe dollars go as far as they can.