Style Me Vintage: Wardrobe Essentials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portland Spring weather is finally here, and that always puts me in the mood to wear dresses. Wearing vintage pretty much guarantees a few dresses in my closet, and if you don't have one yet for the warmer weather, that is a perfect excuse to try out a vintage one! Specifically the shirtwaist dress.

 

One of my favorite styles of dress, a shirtwaist is pretty cut and dry. They borrow a little from menswear, while staying feminine. The tell-tale sign is a "shirt" like bodice featuring a buttoned front, cuffed sleeves, and sometimes a collar similar to a men's button up shirt. They have a tailored waist and always a full cut skirt that accommodates any size hips. Undeniably cute and extremely easy to wear. I own about a dozen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shirtwaist dresses are insanely versatile. Depending on your mood, they're easy to dress up or down for a more casual look. They look fantastic with flats, pretty sandals in the summer time, small heels (for dressing it up), or even cowboy boots! Throw a simple cardigan over one to keep it looking vintage, or a solid colored blazer and oxfords for an updated look. Many vintage ones you can find with their original belt, if not no problem. A skinny belt for the waist is readily available anywhere from Target to mall stores, in any size and color. I find that a belt subtly accents the shape of the dress on any body type, but it's not required. These dresses are all about your comfort zone, a big reason that I love them so much. You can find them in any size and just about any fabric too.... cotton, polyester, wool.... and any color or pattern. So fun! You'll find many for sale online (try Etsy & eBay), and I have never been in a vintage clothing shop that did not have a few to choose from.

 

 

These are some of my favorites that I own and wear all the time. I particularly love the 1950's novelty print one with little Daschund dogs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They were popular in the 1940's, 50's, early 60's, 70's, and most recently, a couple of seasons back.  Easy to wear and classic. Go ahead, try one. You'll love it! - Christine

 

Christine is the co-owner of Living Threads Vintage, a vintage clothing shop in downtown Portland, OR.  Each week she brings her talent for wearing a vintage modern mix to Nicole B Vintage.
 

All photos by Travis Taylor

 

Sunday Vintage Shopping

Sunday vintage shopping is a favorite for my mom and I to do together.  I give her total credit for raising me to love and appreciate vintage.  She would drag me as a kid to the flea markets of LA and various antique shops.  She'd drag, but I'd always end up with something cool.  When we lived in south Florida it was trips to places like Deco Don's where pink flamingos and rattan furniture were a serious business.  We were collecting more than decor, we were collecting things with value.  One of a kind finds with a soul.  So while a lot has changed since the late 80's in South Florida, one thing hasn't and that is our love of Sunday vintage shopping. 

I heard about this new vintage shop in Sellwood called Vintage Design Collective through Emily Henderson on Twitter of all places.  Sellwood is a small neighborhood in Portland that is packed with families and vintage shops.  It's a great place to take a walk on a warm day and an even better place to grab a coffee and browse through some junk on a rainy day.  Please note, I lovingly refer to vintage stuff as junk.  My husband looks at a piece I want to buy and says, "But it has some scratches on it", I say that's because it's vintage.  It's been used and someone else probably thought it was junk and decided to get rid of it.  Now we are going to take it and love it, thereby making it special again. 

 

The store is located inside of an old theatre.  That's the first thing that's really cool about this place.  Then there are the antique rugs hanging from the ceiling. Number two thing that's really cool.  And finally, they have a variety of good vendors, open space, lots of natural light and a general good vibe.  Please go there and rescue this currently sad looking brass chandelier, spray paint it red and put some round bulbs on it. STATEMENT PIECE!!! By the way, I just sang those last two words.

 

Are you dying over these teal and green French chairs? Somebody please buy them. I'm crushing on them something awful. 

 

A little modern handmade in the mix...two thumbs up!

 

I wanted to tell you about these alabaster pedestal bowls. I keep one in my bathtub with soap in it. It is hands down the most beautiful thing in my bathroom, I feel so fancy when I go to reach for my bar of soap and who doesn't deserve a little fancy in their life?

 

This vendor was adorable.  From her glasses down to her little red shoes.  She has amazing little treasures and I love her organization.  I ended up buying a little something for my mom-in-law as well as a letter for Hank's letter wall.  

 

So rush down to the Vintage Design Collective and pick up your treasure. 

 

You are sure to find one.