A couple of weeks ago, my lovely friend and fellow vintage blogger Leah posted about her personal style inspiration for 2015, which really got me thinking about that topic in relation to my own wardrobe as well.
This past summer I turned thirty years old and I've noticed a shifting change in some of the styles, garments and even colours that I find myself most drawn to, in part as a result of that milestone birthday and the new chapter of my life that it ushered in, and also simply, I'm sure, because I've always had massively eclectic tastes and tend to love a very wide range of looks. Plus, in the case of at least a couple of the entries in today's fun first post of this brand new year, it's more a matter of reconnecting with old flames that I haven’t sparked up a sartorial conversation with in quite a long time.
In honour of the twelve, hopefully awesome, new months that lay ahead of us in 2015 (seriously, how have we hit the halfway mark year of this decade already?), I've rounded up a dozen of the styles, pieces, and images that have been at the forefront of my lately and which I know will influence me this year and likely well beyond. Are any of them calling your name, too?
1. Nouveau late Victorian/Edwardian style
Endlessly romantic, visually poetic and deeply beautiful, this look channels, if not flat out uses, many of the styles - clothing, jewelry and (sometimes) hair alike - of these eras, while melding them with slightly newer touches like 1960s/70s floppy hats, contemporary make-up, and (again, sometimes) free flowing locks.
2. Woodland animal themed jewelry and accessories (like purses, scarves, and shoes)
Mother Nature has been beckoning me something fierce in recent months, reminding me in her gentle, loving voice that (wo)man was not designed to sit in front of a computer and/or work all day without taking a break to stop and immense oneself in her resplendent world. Just as my soul has been craving the great outdoors, so too has my wardrobe felt a calling towards all manner of woodland animal (think owl, wolf, bat, bear, fox, coyote, and rabbit, to name but a few) themed jewelry and accessories (and garments). I purchased a small, uber cute faux leather cross body owl themed bag last not too long ago and really look forward to debuting it here this year. Wolf Necklace in Solid Sterling Silver from Moon Raven Designs.
3. Coat dresses
Over the years I've discovered that double breasted, curve hugging frocks tend to work wonders on my figure and the older I get, the more I massively adore the sophistication that can accompany some such styles to boot. Coat dresses, a style that is frequently (though not always) double breasted, are immensely chic, very classic, and a stellar piece to see you through fall, winter, and spring (and even summer, if the fabric is light enough or you're wearing them in a chilly air conditioned environment).
4. Uniquely coloured crinolines (pettiskirts)
My passion and history of wearing crinolines is anything but new and I've always enjoyed them in a host of colours, but lately I've found myself very pulled towards unique and/or dark coloured examples like the 1950s beauties above. To that end, I recently ordered both a pine green and a burgundy coloured one (each from the brand Hell Bunny, purchased via Retro Glam during their big 40% Boxing Day sale) with some of my Christmas money and can scarcely wait for them to arrive!
5. Brown lace-up boots
Though it is little talked about in the vintage fashion world, certain garments or accessories trend or become popular and remain so for a good, long while. One such item that falls into the later camp in my eyes, is tall, early 20th century (or more contemporary offerings that look the part) tall brown lace-up leather or faux leather boots, the likes of which have been sported on some of the biggest names in the vintage blogging world for years now. I've been hankering for a pair since I was in my teens and would love it if 2015 was the year a pair finally landed in my closet - thus making my footwear wardrobe instantly a thousand times for fashionable in the process. Rare 1930s brown leather lace-up boots from Lucky Dry Goods.
6. Raw rock crystal/quartz and similar jewelry
I'm not sure if it's the plethora of stylish young women sporting organic shaped rock quartz, crystal, and agate slice jewelry that I've been seeing years on Pinterest now having settled in my subconscious or simply an appreciation for this gorgeous type of accessory (or both!), but goodness, if I haven't fallen head-over-heels for pieces featuring raw, unpolished, completely natural looking semi-opaque stones lately. I'm definitely going to be saving up to buy a sterling silver and crystal or quartz piece or two this year (my pesky nickel allergy means I need to work with nickel-free metals such as brass, copper, or sterling silver for all my metal jewelry). Silver Dipped Raw Quartz Crystal Point Necklace available at Kiss The Future.
7. All (or mostly all) white garments and ensembles
At the risk of sounding terribly contradictory to the twelfth entry here when you get to it (hey, I did fully admit I was eclectic after all - plus in fashion one is allowed to hop around from look to look like a bee pollinating flowers :)), in the past year or so, I've started finding the sight of all white (or nearly so) outfits incredibly appealing. It's not that I didn't appreciate them visually before, it's just that - not exactly having the figure of a lanky supermodel - the idea of actually sporting one scared me like the thought of a huge spider holding an advanced calculus exam while simultaneously confronting me with allegation of something I didn't do. While I'm still not entirely ready to dress like a bride 24/7, the idea of donning white (or cream, etc) in larger quantities isn't nearly as shudder inducing these days.
8. Cute/cool vintage or vintage appropriate t-shirts worn with vintage skirts or high waisted jeans
This a look that I've long admired on fellow vintage bloggers such as Janey and Solanah, and do wear occasionally, but not nearly enough - especially come the sweltering summer months. I know that in part this stems from the fact that t-shirts weren't overly common for women in the 40s and 50s (at least not anywhere near to the degree that they are these days) and while not full on vintage purist 24/7, I sometimes all but forget about certain more modern garments, even those I really like. I have several fun, vintage-y ones with images/patterns I just adore and it's high time they saw more action.
9. The Mori Girl look
The Mori - which means forest in Japanese - Girl look is a street style that arose, and is currently most popular, in Japan (it is the softer sister, if you will, to the Japanese Dolly Kei style). It is largely based around soft, loose fitting dresses, cardigans, skirts, shawls, fur scarves and wraps, and sweaters, often in natural fabrics and fibers, frequently in muted, gentle hues and delicate, feminine patterns like florals and gingham. Boots (suede, rubber wellies, leather, etc), chunky (such as clogs), understated jewelry, tights, and flowing curls commonly partnered with bangs, are also mainstays of this fashion style. The overall look is sweet, tranquil, folksy, sometimes vintage-y, and redolent of someone - very much including a fairy tale character - who might live in the woods or a on quite country farm.
10. Silver...everything!
I adore most metallic shades, but silver (and white gold) have always had a particularly big spot in my heart. As of late, I've been feeling everything from silver eye shadow to silver clothing, and of course good, ol' silver jewelry - all of which this strikingly elegant early 1950s image includes.
11. Solid coloured dresses
It's no secret that I'm crazy for all kinds of patterns, from florals to plaid, novelty prints to polka dots, but sometimes, especially during the winter, I really, really just want to wear solids, particularly in dress form, which I usually them accentuate with solid or patterned accessories, a killer vintage hat, and grey or black vintage winter weight vintage princess coat.
12. Goth and Gothabilly fashions
Way, way, wayyyy back in time (or so it feels more often than not!), like many teenagers, I went through a goth phase. It was a look and subculture I adored (and still do), yet for some reason the styles never really clicked for me. As I've essentially said here a time or two over the years, I ended up looking like I had a mild sunburn (black hair + black clothing brought out the pink undertones in my skin something fierce) and was perpetually sporting a Halloween costume. Not cool and not substantial, so as my style shifted into the vintage world, I all but relegated my black maxi skirts and fishnet tights to the back of the closet.
Then suddenly last fall, like a bolt from above, the desire to rekindle my goth side came out with a fiery passion (and I indulged it in my choice of Halloween costume). As much as I madly love colour (which, goth clothing, for the record, does not have to be devoid of entirely by any means), and no doubt always will, black was beckoning me and I suddenly started wearing more of it again. Certainly the icy cold winter weather and darker palette outdoors plays a roll there, but I feel like my inner goth girl has been awoken - from her crypt? :D - and is here to stay, be it in big or small doses of this particular style channel.
{To learn more about a specific image, please click on it - or the name of the shop it hails from, where applicable - to be taken to its respective source.}
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I firmly believe that one's personal style should be a continually evolving entity of sorts. There's absolutely nothing wrong with gravitating to the same key styles, decades, garments and accessories, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't at least be open to drawing inspiration from alternative sources and shaking things up sometimes. We only live once after all and that very much applies to our fashion choices as well.
If an image/style speaks to you, that doesn't mean that you have to interpret it literally. You can take subtle hints, reinterpret it in your own way (I do this frequently with looks from decades prior to, and later than, the ones that I usually dress in), or simply give it a full go in the privacy of your own home. If it doesn't feel like you, seems too costume-y for your comfort level, or otherwise just doesn't hit the mark, you haven't even stepped foot outside and no one (save perhaps for anyone you live with) has to know. You tried and you'll try again with different styles in the future, no doubt finding many that do make the grade - and then some, in certain situations!
It always helps to look at your wardrobe like you would the meals you cook. While you might adore pizza, tacos, pho, grilled veggies, red velvet cake or any other dish to no end, but chances are you'd never want to eat it and it alone for the rest of time. Variety is the spice of life on all fronts and fashion is most definitely no exception. Try new wearable "recipes" if you will and have a blast!
I plan to do just that this year and look forward to celebrating old favourites and new loves alike in my outfits, many of which will no doubt show up in photos here. I'm psyched to have so many great things inspiring me as we kick off the new year and hope that some of them speak (or flat out shout!) to you as well.
Here's to the prospect of truly fantastic, adventure filled, and very stylish 2015, my dear friends!
