I want 2014 to be a lot like this outfit and photo shoot location

Outfit details

1940s/1950s navy blue hat with whimsical bow: Jardin Antiques in Okanagan Falls
Gold toned hoop earrings: Claire's
1940s navy blue crepe dress: eBay
Vintage wishbone brooch: eBay
Gold skinny belt: eBay
1940s/50 Ruched cranberry/burgundy gloves: etsy seller A Better Time
Vintage grey handbag: etsy seller Running Rabbit Studio
Cranberry tights: (New in pack from) Value Village
Black faux suede round toe pumps: Wal-Mart
Lip colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace
 

Photography by

Antonio Cangiano

 

♥ ♥ ♥

Lest anyone think that Penticton got hit with either the mother of all mind winters or sudden chinooks, let me begin today's post by stressing that these photographs were taken several weeks ago, back during the fall when green grass and sunshine could still be had in wonderful abundance. These days, as for most folks the northerly portions of the Western Hemisphere, we are up to our earmuffs in slushy snow, black ice on the roads, and temps so cold a polar bear would be tempted to go shopping for an electric blanket.

Originally I'd planned these photos to correspond with America’s Thanksgiving at the end of November (Canada's falling in early October), but a fabulous review gift related post came up instead, and so as last month's holiday season got under way, these photos unintentionally got put on the backburner a little. Today I’m delighted to remedy that and to kick of 2014's first vintage outfit post on such a marvelously sun-kissed note.

No one can predict the future, but I have a good feeling about 2014 - or at least a better one than I did about last year. My head and daily life alike are swimming with more exciting ideas, goals and plans than I’ve had in ages. There is goodness and positive change afoot already (a lot of which took root during our awesome trip to Calgary last September), and I like to think that both will only continue to blossom as the year unfolds.

As the title of this post says, I (really!) want 2014 to be a lot like this outfit and photo shoot location (which just happens to be our town's resplendently pretty little rose garden, plus a small grounded vintage tug boat, both located to the left of the docked S.S. Sicamous paddle wheeler boat at Okanagan Lake; this was the first time we'd ever shoot there for the blog and the weather couldn't have been more accommodating for us that day). Lovely, bright, classic (yet also new), creative, bursting with my favourite things, and teaming with beauty and adventure.

As with most things in life, a little luck - represented in this outfit by the golden hued wishbone brooch - certainly wouldn't hurt either, but one cannot rely on luck or leave their fate up to chance entirely.

Life requires planning, direction, and initiative to blossom and become what you long for it to be, and I'm going to be focusing heavily on three of those things throughout the coming year. I'm so excited about 2014 in fact, that I find it hard to sleep some nights just thinking about all the awesome potential, terrific prospects and scores fun I sincerely hope it holds in store!

Vintage 365: Sourcing affordable seamed stockings part two

✯ Day 33 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

Hi sweet dears, last week's post about an online source I found for reasonably priced seamed stockings received a number of comments, including one by the lovely Brittnay Va-Voom, in which she shared a second source for vintage inspired hosiery.

As the site (Lady Jojo's Boutique) in my initial post is a UK based seller, and many of us (myself included) are located outside of merry ol' England (or another part of the UK), I wanted to share the excellent link to Stockingstore.com that Brittany posted in her comment with all of you.

This US based online retailer sells quite a decent array of seamed stockings in both classic hues (black, beige, ivory) and more adventurous colours like red and plum (which I think would actually be quite easy to pull off with everyday looks, especially if used in place of black stockings).

 

Though Stocking Store carries thigh-high stockings in a broad range of prices, many pairs come in at under $10.00 (which is usually where my budget caps off for one pair of tights or stockings, so anything under that is a pretty good deal in my books), such as Juanita Black Cuban Heel Stockings (see photo above), which feature a delightful black seam running elegantly up the back of a sheer nude pair. A wonderfully old school Cuban heel and blend of nylon and spandex further help boast the appeal of these classically styled stockings (which retail for $8.95 per pair for "regular size" and $9.95 for "queen size"). Couldn't you just picture these beauties with a bevy of the skirts and dresses in your closet? I certainly can! :)

While some styles of stockings have elasticized stay-up bands at the top that help hold them in place, other lack this feature (or, as I've found often over the years, they sport it but the staying power leaves much to be desired and the stockings end up slouching down your leg as the day wears on) and call for a wonderful garter belt (a point which another commenter, Sally Van Nuys, brought up). Fear not, Stockingstore.com has you covered there, too, with their nice assortment of pretty garters spanning a budget-friendly $12.95 for a simple white four strap garter belt all the way up to $109.95 for a twelve strap Victorian suspender belt (that I have to admit, I'm rather smitten with!).

Thank you very much, Brittany, for informing me - and all of Chronically Vintage's readers - about Stocking Store. It's always terrific to have an array of affordable options when it comes to sourcing vintage style stockings, and this great site certainly helps to make that possible.

(Vintage 365) Found: affordable vintage style seamed stockings

✯ Day 28 of Vintage 365 ✯

If, like me, you happen to live in a climate that gets mighty chilly in the winter, you may find yourself sporting more hosiery during this nippy season that at other times of the year. From knee highs to opaque tights to sheer nylons, for those who wish to don skirts and dresses no matter the weather, stockings of some capacity are often on the bill.

Perhaps because I don't have the biggest of winter wardrobes, I often wear clothing intended for other seasons (think summer dresses, autumn cardigans, spring skirts) that I make winter-appropriate by adding items such as sweaters, blouses and hosiery (as I'm sure many of my fellow vintageistas do, too). There's much to be said for creating a four season wardrobe, and the time-honoured stocking can go a long way to helping you achieve that.

I love the look and feel of wearing stockings and tights, especially when the mercy drops and my toes suddenly feel colder than an icicle. Like many vintage loving gals, seamed stockings are a perpetual favourite of mine. There is something so deeply, immortally timeless about the elegant, sweetly alluring beauty of a thin seem running up the back of one's legs that instantly invokes thoughts of yesteryear dames, pin-ups, and everyday women alike.

With winter still very much in progress around these parts, I'll definitely be keeping my legwear in heavy rotation for a few more weeks at least! (Truth be told, I'll wear stockings on even the hottest of days, but generally I don't mind forgoing hosiery when the humid summer months come barrelling into town.) As such I thought I'd go poking around the internet to see if I could find a fairly good price on seamed stockings, and came across a fabulous UK based seller (of vintage inspired clothing and accessories) called Lady Jojo's Boutique which sells classically styled black (see photo above) and nude seamed stockings for a reasonable £5.00 a pair.

According to the description on the site these affordable, vintage inspired beauties are "as hard-wearing as they are comfortable, and as practical as they are glamorous." Say no more, I'm sold! :) Boasting a Cuban heel, slightly raised seam, and made from 100% nylon, these great seamed stockings are just the thing to stock up (pun intended) on to see you, me, and all our fellow old school fashion lovers through the rest of this freezing winter - and well beyond!