Twelve things that are inspiring my style (big time!) for 2015

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!

The times they are a changin'

The last morning of the last day of the last month of the year. So many lasts in order to usher in a brand, spanking new year tomorrow. But that is how change is born. We must part with the old, to usher in the new. It is the natural order of things and something that I'm personally very grateful for.

{May it truly be for each of us! Image source.}

It is entirely normal, as one year end and another draws so close we can all but taste it, to reflect on not only the past twelve months, but on the dozen that stand to follow ahead. At the very beginning of 2014, when it was as rosy cheeked as an hour old infant, I penned a heartfelt and personal post about twelve things that I hoped to accomplish in the year ahead. At various points throughout 2014, I've talked (to some degree at least) here about how most of those were coming along.

In certain areas, I've excelled, in others (for various reasons), there is still a lot of room for growth and further improvement. I did not fail to address any of them to an extent however, and I see that as a wholly positive move forward. Most of these twelve things will continue to be ones that I purposefully work at in the coming year as well.

In the nearly mystical realm of tomorrow, where everything and anything is theoretically possible, I know that I want to continue to simplify my life, to spend less and buy more of what I truly need and want (which won't be a problem, as for the sake of our household budget, my own modest monthly personal spending allowance is being slashed in half from January 1st onward), to shake off the small things that niggle at your mind all too easily, and to continue to get better at asking for more, taking on less other other peoples' problems as though there were my own, and finding ways to continue to experience the exhilarating joys of travel (even if it's close to home).

But what else will I do? I will continue to remind myself that I own my time. I will set aside a greater number of days when I'm not online, with any luck craft more again (for all intents, I haven't done so in two years and to any real degree for well over three now, and I miss it with a fiery passion). My blog and Etsy shop will be at the forefront of my professional world, whereas spending time in the company of Mother Nature, my family, great books, hobbies, and periods of genuine relaxation will, I sincerely hope, fill my hours when I'm not working.

As 2014 began to dwindle down like the last pointy tip you've licked into existence on a candy cane, I started to feel a powerful voice deep inside my soul telling me to focus on the things I just mentioned. Each time I listened to it, my day was better, my life (if only briefly) was less stressful, my anxiety levels dropped, and often (perhaps not surprisingly) I also felt various positive effects on my health.

I'm not the same person I was when 2014 began. None of us are. We've lived and grown, laughed and cried, tried and failed, been jubilant and distraught, smiled and frowned, and through it all we've hung on and hopefully we're better off, at least on some fronts, then we were twelve months ago. I feel the winds of change a blowin'. I've always been the sort to follow my gut, but I know all the more now at the age of thirty now, to truly listen when it speaks and to follow my heart in the process.

I feel certain old skins, so to speak, falling away and the prospect of an amazing year ahead. Will it be? Only time will tell, but it certainly has the potential and that alone should be plenty to light the spark that will ignite each of our dreams, goals, and ambitions for the coming year.

{Beautiful vintage words of poetry with which to cap off this year and wave a hearty hello to 2015. Image source.}

Let us neither mourn the loss, nor blindly celebrate the end of 2014. Whether is was staggering awful or incredibly awesome, or anywhere in between for you, for none of us would be here without it.

That fact alone makes is worth raising a glass to as we watch the ball drop and indulge in an evening of daydreaming, hoping and believing in the ingrained power of a whole new set of months upon which to write the next chapter of our lives.

So, we meet again eShakti! (Or, what I wore for Christmas Day this year)

Outfit details

Black satin 1950s hat: eBay
1950s sterling silver and rhinestone screw back earrings with matching necklace: Gift from a dear friend ♥
Vintage style metallic brocade dress: eShakti (this specific dress is no longer in stock)
Silver faux leather skinny belt: eBay
1950s black velvet stole wrap: A Better Time
1950s/60s metallic mesh handbag: Either a gift or thrifted (can't remember for sure)
1950s black gloves: ChameleonCMC
Opaque black tights: Ardene
Sparkly champagne peep-toe heels: The Bay
Lip colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Tony Cangiano

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Two years ago quite literally to the day, I had my first experience working with the well known online fashion powerhouse eShatki. This brand offers a wide range of modern and vintage-y looking styles that can either be purchased in standard sizes or customized to your exact measurements/specifications, including changing things like sleeve and hemline lengths, as well as, in some cases, necklines (either for free or at very modest prices, depending on what the change is).

Unfortunately, for reasons pertaining both to fit and absurdly high DHL courier fees that I was charged, my first experiences were not very position ones and though I did work with the company again in early spring 2013, with somewhat better results all around, I haven't worn the dress I got then since and honestly doubt it will ever see much play in my wardrobe, as the fit isn't particularly flattering.

I always like to try and get along with everyone - very much including the companies I partner with here on my blog or personally buy from (both of which I've done with eShakti), and when they contacted me again in early December to ask if I'd be interested in reviewing one of the items from their elegant holiday line, I took a few days to think about it, but ultimately said "yes" to the dress. :)

Knowing already from past experience, that eShakti has yet to fit me to size (each garment I've received from them has measured at least 2 inches smaller than the stated measurements given in their item listings in key areas like the bust and waist), I ordered up two sizes and am extremely glad that I did. While this did mean a bit of extra fabric in the waist and a little in bust, the addition of a silver hued skinny belt from my closet was able to help wrangle that in instantly.

Due to the fact that eShakti puts their zippers on the side and tends to cut very narrowly in the torso (an area that I would generally consider myself to be quite slender in - you can clearly see my ribcage when I'm in the buff), I size up to ensure that I'll be able to breath and that their garments (excluding skirts, naturally) will fit me comfortably.

If we went off measurements alone, in theory I would be a size six, but I ordered a size ten (I never care in the slightest about size numbers, fit is what counts in my books) and am extremely glad that that I did. When ordering garments from them, eShakti asks for your height and here I also "sized up", so to speak, and stated my height as 5'4", instead of its actual 5'2". I did this because I've found that past garments that claimed to be below the knee, rarely were and as that's super important to me with all my clothes (that they hit below the knee, I mean), I'm very glad that I did add a couple of inches to my height when ordering this dress. In addition, I opted for the custom options of 3/4 length sleeves and a princess neckline on the dress, which came in standard form with a v-neck and short cap sleeves - two styles that generally look awful on me.

Though even with sizing up, due to the side zipper, it's tricky to get in and rather hard to get out of this dress (doing so involved me kneeling on the floor and Tony pulling the dress off over my head by the ends of the sleeves), which is made from a lovely, thick brocade fabric (that is lined in the skirt, helping to add to the garment's fullness). Still even with these relatively small issues, I really must say that this is my favourite eShakti garment I've owned to date and I very much appreciate the company's desire to collaborate with my blog again.

When I ordered the dress, I did so with the intent of sporting it on Christmas Day, which is precisely what I did. I must say, it garnered compliments from Tony and all my relatives who were present that day, with my mother even saying that it was her favourite dress she'd seen me wear in years (aww, thanks, mom!). I really adored this great 1950s inspired dress as well. Its thick, but comfortable, brocade fabric - a rich mix of silver and gold metallic threads forming a floral design on a cranberry hued background - was both warm and incredibly holiday season appropriate.

Christmas Day was very grey, overcast and accompanied by dim light, so for our photo shoot that afternoon, we just took snaps on my parent's deck. This is a formal dress and I truly love that about it. In keeping with the sophistication it exudes, I went with a gorgeous mid-century vintage sterling silver demi-parure comprised of a rhinestone necklace with matching screw back earrings, which was an amazing gift from a treasured friend two Christmases ago. I also teamed it with a 50s/60s metal mesh handbag, 1950s black velvet wrap, black vintage gloves, modern silver faux leather skinny belt, a beloved black satin 1950s hat, opaque black tights, and a killer pair of sparkly champagne hued peep-toe heels that I feel in love with, and Tony promptly bought me, nearly three years ago now.

I really believe in dressing to the nines for the holidays and centering my Christmas Day ensemble around this stunning eShakti brocade dress allowed me to do just that. Though the fit isn't 100% perfect and I did have to rig the system when ordering, again, it's the best fit I've had from this company so far and I'd certainly be happy to review and/or purchase from them again in the future, as I now have a greater degree of confidence when it comes to figuring out what size of theirs to select for dresses.

Our Christmas was filled with all the usual joys of the Day - family, feasting, gift giving and receiving, playing games, basking in the glow of the tree, and other pleasures that - much like sporting such a fabulous holiday season dress - come but once a year. It’s hard to believe another Christmas is behind us again, but thankfully the season as a whole still has a few more days and I’ll be celebrating each of them with loved ones to the very fullest.

Happy New Year’s Eve countdown, my dear friends!