12 of my top vintage fashion wish list items

Hard as it may be to believe some days, we're more than half way through the year at this point. I don't know about you, but it sure does feel like it's been a busy, sometimes tumultuous, sometimes wonderful, frequently action packed first half of 2013 with more than its fair share of twists and turns too. It's not what I expected it would be in some regards, though to be perfectly honest, unlike last year, I didn't kick this one off with too many specific long terms plans in the works, so it's been both fun and fascinating to watch how it's unfolded thus far.

Every now and then, I'd say one to three times a year, I like to take serious stock of my wardrobe as well as my short and long-term fashion related purchasing goals (a topic we last delved into early last January in Thoughts on my wardrobe for the year ahead). By doing so, I often spot areas where I need to focus my attention more, can cross things off my shopping list that I've purchased in recent months, and revamp my vintage clothing and accessory wish list as needed.

It was on the latter that I was focusing last night, so I thought it would be fun to share some of the items that are on this list with all of you. This is not the list in full (that would probably fill a hefty sized book at this point!), but instead a selection of twelve of the items that are currently coming out near the top and which I hope, at some point in time (be it throughout the second half of 2013 or beyond) to add to my closet.

Back in February, I wrote about Ten investment worthy vintage wardrobe items, some of which I already own, others that I hope to welcome into my closet in the future. A few things on there (such as an awesome 1940s pinafore dress) are definitely wish list entries for me (as is this fabulous Canadiana themed vintage bathing suit), but there several that I haven't chatted too much about here over the years, and it's a selection of these that we're going to be focusing on today.

Come along with me, won't you, as we take a gander at some of the vintage wardrobe items that have been filling my daydreams for ages, and which continue - for whatever reason (price, sizing, rarity, etc) to elude me. Most stop, to my mind, shy of being "holy grail" items (aka, an original Dior Bar Suit) that may never happen (even if I had a millionaire's bank roll) though, and are, at least in theory pieces that I should eventually be able to find in my size and budget eventually.

{1940s or 50s prom dress}

{The more layers of tulle and or lace the better! I've seen scores of great vintage prom dresses over the years, but most have been for those with super slender waists (oh, you lucky gals who can fit into a 24" waist!) and of those that were the right size, I've either been outbid or unable to wrap my head around their sky high prices enough to purchase one. I keep hoping the thrift store gods will here my plea and lead me to find one in my size for a total song one of these days.}


 

{Italian themed novelty print circle skirt}

{While I certainly wouldn't say no to any vintage hand painted or printed Mexican, or novelty print, circle skirt that worked for me, I would especially love to find an Italian/Mediterranean themed one, of which I've seen a few here and there over the years, in honour of Tony, who was born and raised in Italy.}

{1930s, 40s or 50s winter boots}

{Hailing from Canada, a land famous the world over for its snow, it's high time I finally hat a pair of genuine (or very authentic looking repro like the gorgeous Miss L Fire pair pictured above) mid-century winter boots (if only they were easier to find in a medium to wide width modern size 8/8.5!). All the better if they happen to be fur trimmed (real or faux), a look that I just adore.}


 

{Vintage or repro high-waisted trousers}

{This is one of those items where fit has kept me from finding my dream pair time and time again (I'm both short in terms of height and relatively short waisted with lots of curves). While I've had great success with my Freddies of Pinewood Jeans, when it comes to trousers made out of fabrics other than denim, I've had rotten luck finding a pair that fit even remotely well, and have ended up selling or giving away those that I have bought over the years. The quest continues though - even if I have to commission someone to tailor make a pair for me!}


 

{Carved floral bangle bracelet}

{There are some breath-takingly lovely 1930s/40s carved floral bangles (often made from Bakelite or celluloid) to be had, and it is precisely that which I'm hoping to add to my bracelet collection a whole lot sooner than later.}

 

{Quilted 1950s dress}

{Having lucked out found one of my previous wish list items – a classic 1950s quilted circle skirt - for a steal of a deal the winter before last, I’ve been on the prowl ever since for a quilted dress from the same era ever since.}

 

{Equestrian/top hat inspired tilt hat}

{It's scarcely a secret that I adore vintage tilt hats of all kinds, but did you know that I've been hankering for an equestrian/Victorian top hat inspired one for as long as I can recall? And on the subject of wish list top hats, I certainly wouldn't say no to one adorned with dramatic bird wings or whole millinery birds either.}

 

{Black Bettie Page Clothing circle skirt jumper}

{Have you ever had one of those times when, after swooning over (and/or saving up for) an item for weeks or even months, you're finally in a position to buy it at long last only to discover it's no longer (or at least not currently) available?

That is precisely what happened to me with this terrific black circle skirt jumper from Bettie Page Clothing. I'd been pining after it for months, went to purchase it from their site mid way through the spring, and they were sold out of my size and the next one up. I've tried looking for it elsewhere online from a North American source, but no one seemed to have the black jumper in stock any more, so for now I'll just hold tight and cross my fingers in the hope that they'll restock it again in my size.}


 

{Elegant 1930s or 40s cape with a hood}

{I absolutely, flat out adore vintage jackets, coats (especially opera coats), cloaks and capes with hoods, yet own nary a one. I'd happily pounce on any of these hooded outerwear options in a heartbeat, but would be especially tickled pink if I could find a vintage hooded cape - ideally in a fabric other than wool, which I'm allergic to - for when the chilly weather returns.}


 

{Western wear suit}

{Though you might not know this about me, I've always had an inner cowgirl and love of Western culture and history. In honour of this fact, it would be a dream come true one to own an authentic vintage western suit (dress, skirt or pants and jacket), and in turn to then head on out to Alberta one July and wear it for a day spent at the Calgary Stampede.}


 

{Classic brown loafers}

{Of all the items on these list, these certainly seem like they'd be one of the easiest to find, and generally speaking, they certainly are. However, as you may have heard me mention in past posts, I have rather hard to fit feet, and have yet to find a pair of classic brown loafers that fit me well. Hopefully this will be the year I finally do!}


 

{1950s style fitted blouse from Big Beautiful Barbara Brown}

{This incredibly charming 1950s inspired blouse from UK vintage reproduction clothing seller is me and my feminine style to an absolute tee. I just wish the exchange rate between Canadian dollars and UK pounds was friendlier (that's the only thing stopping me from ordering it right now!).}


{To learn more about a specific item shown here, including pricing and sizing where applicable, please click on a photo to be taken to its respective link.} 

♥ ♥ ♥

As I started putting together this list, it struck me that twelve would be a good number of entries because there are twelve months in the year. I highly doubt all of these items will find their merry way into my dresser drawers and closet racks by June 2014, but in the spirit of wish lists everywhere, it never hurts to hope and continue to daydream.

In just about every case, I'd seen and bid on at least one such item that would have fit the bill perfectly. For some pieces, it's almost become a personal running joke how I've often been outbid (or had some one else purchase an item that was on my etsy wish list before I was able to do so myself) time and time again on them. No matter though, I'm not one to be easily deterred (even by last minute eBay snipers!) - plus, a part of me genuinely adore the hunt, so I'll remain on the prowl for each and every one of these pieces until, all things willing, I find them.

If one was going to try and score these twelve pieces in the following year, that would mean six of them could potentially be mine before this year is up! What a marvelous thought! Though I'm doubtful such will prove to be the case there's no harm in imaging such at all - not to mention looking for, and jumping on, any potential opportunities do so just that which might come my way in the second half of 2013.

I'll be sure to keep you posted down the road of how fruitful (or not) July right on through to the last day of December proves to be on the vintage wardrobe wish list front, and really hope that by this time next year, at least a couple of these beauties will have found their way into my life and closet.

Summer wardrobe vs winter wardrobe

For years I maintained that my favourite time of the year to dress for was the colder months that make up autumn and winter. At the time, I had more cold weather appropriate clothes than those suited to warmer temps hanging in my closet and so this opinion was only natural. Over the past year or so however, a shift has occurred (thanks in large part to successfully filling in some of the glaring gaps in my wardrobe that I chatted about back at in January) and the balance now veers more towards spring and summer.

I'm not bothered by this shifting of the scales, I just find it fascinating, as it may very well be the first time (at least in my adult life) that such has ever occurred. Beyond the garments themselves, I catch myself thinking about how, as winter's wrath looms ever nearer, it will soon be bitingly cold and fearfully snowy once again, which means that more vintage outfit posts will need to be snapped indoors (or in outdoor locations that are sheltered from the elements - though, lest you just want to see my winter coat time and time again, indoor posts will become a must).




{The November-y vibe of this beautifully illustrated autumn 1947 cover of Town and Country magazine looks a lot like the view outside my window right now, and is what got me thinking about the topic of today's post. Image via mikeyashworth on Flickr.}



While I have a lovely collection of summer dresses, skirts, and even a few more pairs of shoes than I started 2012 off with, I won't be running around town in the same outfit all fall and winter. My beloved cardigan and lightweight knit collection is a cornerstone of my wardrobe that comes into play no matter the season, and of course staples like my Freddie's jeans and overalls, as well as my heavier weight skirts, blazers, and dresses are already springing back into action.

So the question becomes, which half of the year (because, let's face it, the old joke about their only being three seasons in Canada - winter, summer, and hockey - rings true more often than not) is my favourite to dress for these days?

Truth be told, I'm not sure. I think that I'll be better able to answer that question when spring 2013 rolls around and I've had a winter of putting together outfits with my current, expanded wardrobe under my vintage belt. I see the pros and cons of each, and have reasons why I adore each one.

Summer means sheer stockings or bare legs, toes poking out of cute wedge heels, feather light fabrics, crisp white blouses, and hair that never needs to worry about being squashed by a hood or toque.

Winter on the other hand however, brings with it the return of sumptuous, tactilely pleasing fabrics like velvet, suede, and cashmere. It never bats an eye when you but a cardigan over a blouse over a cami, tucking the trio into a wool pencil skirt after you slip into an opaque pair of tights. It's cosy and familiar, and in some ways easier to dress for if you're not one (and I'm certainly not) who likes to flash an abundance of skin.

Ultimately I see it less as a question of summer vs winter and more about the enjoyable challenge of making as many pieces in my closet work for as much of the year as possible, just as I know many of your stylish gals do, too.

Though, I'm sure, come the end of February I'll be champing at the bit to slip into a short sleeve, super airy cotton dress and little more once again, for the time being, I'm utterly content that fall/winter is here and am genuinely excited about dressing for the freezing cold season (must be the Canadian in me talking!).

Inquiring minds would love to know where you weigh in on this topic? What season, or half, of the year do you most like to dress for more, my dears?

Sometimes black and blue can be a very good thing

When it comes to fashion, that is.

Like many of us, my wardrobe has a decent sized chunk of black pieces in it, but I'm certainly not a colour shy person and can happily report that you'll find also veritable rainbow of hues on my hangers, too.

Perhaps it harkens back to the colours of my little brother's nursery when he was a wee newborn whippersnapper, or perhaps it's the association with a clear sky. Whatever the reason I've always been a big fan of shades that fall on the pale to bright baby blue side of the spectrum.

There's something so fresh, upbeat and timeless about a chipper, feminine shade of blue, so when I spied the 1950s skirt (in the images below) earlier this year (while in the midst of shopping to fill in some of my wardrobe gaps) on etsy, I just knew it was destined for my closet.

Though various boxes of clothing and accessories (so hence the lack of gloves and/or a hat and/or a handbag in these shots) still remain to be unpacked, I've pulled out enough items to have the basis of a good, workable vintage wardrobe while I plug away at getting to the others.

Last Thursday I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting my maternal grandma, Bernice Schill, while she was briefly in town. This was, mind boggling as this fact is (for me), the first time we'd had the pleasure of seeing each other since my wedding back in October 2004, and I wanted to wear something sweet, girly, and not too formal (she was just popping in for a casual afternoon visit), so I decided it was high time I broke out my new (to me) baby blue skirt.

I've always enjoyed pairing pale blue with black, so that's the colour combo I went for with this outfit. Incidentally, I think it's a great set of hues for this time of the year, as we straddle the changing of the seasons - winter with its sombre, dark shades and spring with its airy, gentle colours.

Outfit details:

Blue hair flower: Ardene

Tiny black ribbon hair bow barrette (worn in the back): Dollar store

Black rhinestone earrings: Payless Shoes

Pearl necklace: Birthday gift from my husband ♥

Black cotton and lace top (worn under cardigan): Suzy Shier

Black cotton dolman sleeve cropped cardigan: Freddies of Pinewood

Faux pearl stretch bracelets: Real Canadian Superstore

Deadstock blue 1950s buckle waist skirt: etsy seller Garnet Vintage

Seamed stockings: eBay

Black pumps: Payless Shoes

Lipstick colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Antonio Cangiano

As avid readers may recall from the post about my four fun goals for 2012 back in early January, I vowed to try and share more "what I wore" pictures with all of you once we moved into our new home in British Columbia (while I have technically posted a few outfit images over the last three years, they've been rather few and far between).

Now that we're beginning to settle in and those aforementioned boxes of vintage clothes are getting unpacked, I can begin to make good on my promise - a point which I'm pretty much giddy with excitement about.

These photos were taken in front of our new house (the porch railing needs a paint job, I know; come slightly better weather, it's going to get one), so you can expect to see many others featuring this location as their backdrop over time.

Earlier this month I announced that the mister and I recently purchased our first car ever, and as some of you expressed interest in knowing what kind it was, I couldn't help but include a shot of our gorgeous new four wheeled baby here (it's a Jaguar that Tony found for a truly stellar deal down in the Lower Mainland...yes, I am still pinching myself in disbelief over the fact that we own a Jag!).

I'm constantly, perpetually inspired, impressed, and encouraged by the photos of the outfits that many of you ultra stylish vintage fashionistas post on your blogs, and wholeheartedly hope that from here on out I'll be able to do the same with my fashion shots for you gals, too.

Have a richly beautiful Monday and week ahead, sweet friends!