30's Going On 70's

This week we were thinking a lot about retro styles (40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, even 80's) and we came to the decision that most of our fashion choices are influenced by more than one time period per outfit. Sometimes I'll wear a pair of 1940's high-waisted shorts with a slouchy floral shirt (for example) from the 80's, and roman sandals. Mixing styles is what style is all about. So, here's some fashion ideas for the season to get you heading way back in a time machine. 








For this outfit we started out with an A-line coat that my grandmother made for my mom during the 60's. We mixed it up by pairing it with a brightly colored 80's strapless romper, complete with a wanna-be-African pattern, which seems to have been a big trend back in the day. We pulled it together with a pair of sheer black tights, and a classic pair of Clark's desert boots (an ultimate favorite of mine). The desert boot was first created in 1949 by Nathan Clark. It was inspired by the shoe officers of the British Eighth Army sported in Egypt during World War II. To finish it off, we did a braided hairdo with a bun, which for some reason reminded us of a 60's flight attendant hair style (but they probably wouldn't've done the braided part). Then we went with the classic cat-eye. You can never go wrong with cat-eyes.

 For this outfit we were inspired by Audrey Hepburn and showed that through a 60's fitted, simple black dress that was given to my mother in the 80's–it's timeless, and again, cat-eyes. We modernized this dress with a braided leather belt and a boho messy braid. We went boho, also, with bright peacock feather earrings. These made it more casual, but still elegant. We stuck with a formal look though, in the shoes, but went with a male approach to that, with some classic oxfords. Oxfords were originally inspired by the shoe, the Oxonian, which was a short boot with side slits. The Oxonian was a huge style at Oxford in 1800, and then it's Scottish/Irish son was born: The Oxford.

For this look, we went with a 60's look, with a boat-neck, 3/4 sleeved sweater, and high-waisted shorts. Galoshes are a must. But the high-waisted shorts are cut-offs, which started mostly at the end of the 60's into the 70's. Again, we mixed this look with another look: the 60's bun with a boho braided twist. The belt worn has a sort of rock-n-roll personality. (It is black with a silver guitar-looking buckle.) This is an example of an outfit I'd wear all the time.    

For this last ensemble, we went full-out. We started with some light-washed denim shorts (high-waisted, of course), and a 50's tied button-down. Then we did a Native American beaded belt for a little pattern, and a pair of red, retro pumps. These shoes we modernized with a pair of taupe socks, which is a really big trend this year. We kept it playful with some bubble-gum pink lipstick, and some costume jewelry. Ask your mother or your grandmother for some of her old, chunky rings like we did here. Let the hair run wild.  

Thanks for reading, and I hope this gives you some new ideas about your style and helps you think outside the box–or decade–next time your frustrated with your wardrobe. I know that most of what I wear is like this (retro), and I get most of my vintage clothes from my mother. So, look around–the next chapter of your fashion story may be right in front of you.