Book Nook: How to Do Vintage

About the Author

Inge is senior editor and a regular contributor at YLF.

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Book Nook: How to Do Vintage

— by Inge

on April 19, 2012

Clare Bridge and Jo Waterhouse wrote Wearable Vintage Fashion for everyone who wants to go all out and do a head-to-toe vintage look. This hands-on style guide shows you how to recreate quintessential looks from the 1920s to 1980s on a budget. Intro sections describe the silhouettes and trends of each decade. Next, get inspiration from lookbooks and day and evening wear pages filled with clothing and accessories from the author’s boutique. The “Get the look” and “Icon” sections help you put together vintage outfits based on old family photos and interpret signature looks of movie stars and style icons. Street style pictures of fashion bloggers and retro enthusiasts further showcase how to do vintage in modern day life.

If you prefer to limit the retro effect to one or two pieces per outfit instead, then Vintage Fashion Accessories might be a good fit for you. How to use unique vintage items to make a modern fashion statement? Where to find one of a kind period pieces? What is a fair price to pay? Author and owner of Incogneeto boutique, Stacy LoAlbo, answers all these questions and more in her first book – a style guide that also includes a history of fashion accessories. With more than 1000 colour photographs, personal stories, and chapters on hats, handbags, jewellery, shoes, compacts and carryalls, and vintage accessories for men.

Are you a fan of vintage accessories? Would you consider sporting a head-to-toe vintage look in everyday life? What do you think is the secret to pulling it off without looking a bit too costume-y?

Now in YLF Book Club

Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, for years the directrice of the Nina Ricci salsons, wrote down her views on timeless elegance in 1964. Today we are talking about her book, A Guide to Elegance – For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions, in YLF Book Club. How much of Madame Dariaux’s advice still holds true for you today? Is striving for elegance one of your style goals? Join the conversation on the forum and let us know what you think of this retro style guide.

Quick reminder: On the Book Club page you can find the schedule of previous, current and future Book Club titles.

Related Books

If the titles in today’s Book Nook are your cup of tea, you may also like:

Books

8 comments · Add a comment

Lynne

Veteran

I loved Angie’s post on adding a modern element to an era-inspired evening dress, http://youlookfab.com/2009/11/.....ess-frock/. It is the only way I can imagine wearing vintage, not because I don’t like it, but because I think it takes a certain confidence to pull off head-to-toe vintage. It’s one of those looks I love on others, and I really appreciate the intention that goes into creating it.

April 19, 2012 at 5:04 pm

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I absolutely adore vintage and try to add a piece of it to almost every outfit. It is definitely easier for vintage to be added through accessories, especially jewelry or handbags. That’s how I started. But I slowly began adding actual vintage clothing items and am enjoying giving them new life alongside modern pieces.

I personally would never wear vintage head to toe as I think it then begins to look like a costume and almost screams that you’re trying to hard to achieve “a look”.

April 19, 2012 at 5:38 pm

Debora

Veteran

Thanks, Inge! These look like fascinating reads. I have a feeling that my vintage loving daughter will be getting both for her birthday this year!

April 19, 2012 at 7:31 pm

Joy

Veteran

These sound like very interesting reads, especially for a thrift store shopper to be able to identify pieces. I like adding a piece of vintage but like to try to wear it in a different way…like my Dad’s highschool graduation pocket watch as a pendant. Thank you for bringing these to our attention.
Can books be ordered through YLF?

April 20, 2012 at 4:40 am

Suz

(website)

Veteran

These look like terrific reads! Thanks, Inge. I love to incorporate touches of vintage into my look and am always looking for tips about how to do it successfully.

April 20, 2012 at 5:52 am

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I loved that outfit post too, Lynne!
Shannon, you absolutely rock the vintage handbag look, and I adore the pocket watch as a pendant idea, Joy.

Joy: We don’t sell books directly, but if you purchase a title by clicking on the Amazon or Barnes & Noble buttons in our bookstore, YLF does receive a small commission.

April 20, 2012 at 7:16 am

vivillifashion

Active Member

valuable advice

April 22, 2012 at 11:33 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I would absolutely wear a vintage dress, jacket or skirt! (I have a black vintage ball gown). But it’s support act has to be *modern*. In the same way, I wear vintage clutches and jewelry with a MODERN outfit. Otherwise the vibe feels too much like a costume.

Thanks, Lynne

April 23, 2012 at 9:05 am

About the Author

Now in YLF Book Club

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