Debutante Clothing :: A vintage clothing and fashion blog for unconventional style where vintage and runway meet.

Laura Lanz Frolio is the savvy Budget Shopping expert on Examiner.com and has her own blog called Budget Land. She was kind enough to share her tips on how to shop for classic vintage pieces. I love seeing how other people approach vintage shopping - it's always inspiring and helps me break out of my style and shopping habits. Thanks Laura for taking the time to do this. Enjoy!

If you're a newbie to buying and wearing vintage, it can certainly be intimidating. Cuts and fit are a little different than what we're used to and styles are from days gone by. But with the right pieces, mixing a little vintage into your current wardrobe is a piece of cake. Plus, you'll never get caught wearing the same outfit as another girl at the party. Here are a few basics to get your started:

The Blazer

Blazers are literally everywhere this season and the best way to find an affordable version is to buy vintage. Do a search on eBay or Etsy and thousands of options will pop up. This plaid blazer is pretty bold but a simple navy or cream color works too. If you're smaller, try looking in the boys section for old prep school blazers.

The Dress

Vintage dresses are perhaps the easiest to integrate into your wardrobe since most of the dresses being sold these days are vintage inspired anyways. It's all about the fit so make sure you try before buying or measure the dimensions if you're shopping online. Add a belt for some always-crucial waist definition, and you've got a complete vintage look.

The Slouchy Vest

Vests like this knit one are a great layering piece; you can also go for a menswear look with a more structured version and don't forget to check the men's section for vintage suit vests. Wide leg jeans and a sturdy leather belt give this vest a cool '70s vibe.

The Pencil Skirt

The pencil skirt is a style that is in abundance in vintage shops so you shouldn't have trouble tracking one down. I found this blue suede YSL skirt at a thrift store in Vermont for $12, one of my favorite vintage finds! You can pair it with a button up for a chic work look or sex it up a little for a night out, as I did here.

The Boots

Boots like these flat brown leather pair are super versatile, you can wear them with dresses, leggings, jeans, you name it. As you can see from the photo, I've worn mine pretty much to death. Substitute some buttery leather boots for your flip-flops and you've got an instant update for your denim cutoffs.

You can read more of my articles on Examiner.com or on my blog.