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

I never post personal style pictures. I just can't stand the way I photograph. I really need to master the art of posing like my dear friend Jennine. But I am so excited to brag about, er, share with you my latest Marshall's find!

This black and white (more like an off white) striped silk dress with DRAMATIC high ruffled collar is by Cynthia Rowley who is all about the vintage inspiration. It was love at first site I tell you. And at $49, I was in heaven. Check out how 1960s inspired it is! I couldn't resist.

It's such a great cut and I'm all about the black and white stripes. I seriously own way too many striped garments. But I just couldn't resist the collar. I got so many compliments at the LOFT Fall preview - I was feeling pretty good about my ensemble. I paired it with vintage shoes and accessories.

I have this fantasy travel wardrobe that usually consists of light gabardine and wool blends from the 1940s, an exquisite pair of slacks, and a perfectly square leather train case. It's probably not unlike your fantasy travel wardrobe. Travel used to be yet another occasion to dress, like dinner, or drinks. This picture really inspired me because this woman looks so casual and comfortable, but still put together. Beats a raggedy track suit any day!



photo: by gone fashion

I'm so thrilled when customers keep in touch and let me know how much they loved their purchase. As I start getting back into selling vintage clothing online versus in my antique mall booth, and writing about vintage, I'm hoping to share with you some of my customer's stories.

Let's start with a new client with an enviable social calendar. Let's just call her Vintage Fashionista! VF bought this dress for a book signing party in San Francisco for a fashion writer. My kind of event! Doesn't she look gorgeous? I bet she was the best dressed woman in the room. I already have her measurements and likes/dislikes for some personal shopping!

What about you dear readers? Looking for anything special in vintage? Let me know! My stock is brimming and awaiting the photographer to make their debut.

The nice folks at Rocket XL contacted me about taking a little shopping trip to one of my must shop stores - Marshalls! When I'm not picking for vintage, I'm picking at discount stores like Marshalls for modern clothes that compliment my vintage sensibilities. I was extremely happy to oblige them. It's a dirty job, I know.

I walked into my local Marshalls and made a beeline for the shoes. The Upland, CA store happens to have a huge selection of shoes in their Shoe Shop. And check out what mama bought...

The pink espadrilles look like little ballet slippers don't they? I especially love he organza bow and ribbon ties. They're so sweet. And they are made in Spain!

I bought the patent wedges for the complete opposite effect. These wedges have that edgy, vampy look I love to add to pair of jeans or an overly girly dress. They're my tough chick sandal for the summer. Plus I look super tall in them!

And both of these shoes go great with this adorably vintage inspired, fitted bodice and flouncy skirt dress...

I love the khaki and black color combination and the sheer organza overlay. It lets a little of the khaki peek through.

Best part? How little I spent.

Espadrilles $ 24.99
Jessica Simpson patent wedges $ 34.99
Max Studio Dress $ 34.99

God I love Marshalls!

If you liked what I bought at Marshalls, please vote for me. Me and nine other bloggers are showing off what we bought and competing for a grand prize of a $250 shopping spree!

I was doing my daily virtual stroll for lovelies that inspire me when I came across the mother/daughter design team at Old Soul, New Heart. If you love statement pieces and you love vintage then this line is for you!

Tamara (mom) and Shea (daughter) scour estate sales and shops for vintage pieces and recreate them into modern, vintage infused designs. I love accessories because they really can change the entire look of an outfit. So if you are feeling a little romantic with a touch of Gossip Girl, Old Soul, New Heart might be just what you are looking for. My favorite piece was definitely the leopard bow, chain necklace. Very edgy, but very cute.

I saw this vintage brooch bouquet featured on one of my top five fave blogs - This Is Glamorous. I love this idea, and it's so much more practical for a wedding. Flowers die! This bouquet can be taken apart and worn. Or simply laid on a vanity and admired. I thought it was such a clever idea. I wish I could have another wedding.

image: vintage brooch bouquets by fantasy floral designs, photography by alice hu; via this is glamorous

I found this great Halloween costume idea on one of my favorite blogs, What I Wore. Jessica is so creative when it comes to styling that I'm not surprised she was able to put this together. Of course, my non-fashiony friends would assume I am a hip George Washington.

photo source: What I Wore

When I shop for vintage, either for myself or the shop, I get the biggest rush out of finding men's vintage clothing. It's rare! Men in general don't purchase as much clothing as we ladies do. And you know how men love to wear things out until they are falling apart.

I recently came across this label and store, The Brooklyn Circus. Their whole mantra is to bring the old to the modern. They don't won't to live in the past, but they certainly draw from it. From using vintage circus posters as inspiration for T-shirt graphics to images of dandies in tweed ensembles.

I love how they add small bits of modern edge to clothing designs that are as beautiful now as they were back then. They have an excellent eye for style. These clothes are dapper yet still masculine. I could definitely see Mr. Debutante in that tweed cap. Check them out.

When it comes to wearing vintage, there is no one single path to travel. Everyone's interpretations of what is right for them is different, as well it should be, but how do you determine what is right for you and where do you find your inspiration?

Perhaps you are just setting out to dip a toe into the vintage pool, or perhaps your vintage look just isn't working for you any more; there are a few things you can do to create a look that is uniquely your own and find your vintage groove.

Firstly, and most importantly, you need to decide WHAT you are dressing. Are you dressing to suit your shape, disguising any flaws and highlighting your favorite features? Are you dressing to emulate a certain era in the best approximation possible? Are you choosing vintage solely for its sustainable fashion perspective? Are you trying to find a more creative side to your personality by finding a look not dictated by current trends and styles?

All of these elements may play a role in how you choose to dress, either exclusively or as part of a whole; but you need to know which of these factors is the most important to you before going forward.

Let's assume that your first priority is dressing to make the most of your figure. This will play a key role in determining which era of vintage is right for you. For instance, if you have a more curvy figure, are amply endowed, and like your clothes to skim rather than cling; you'll be looking towards the 1950's for your shape. Dresses that are waisted, flared skirts, shawl collars and cinchers to create a waist shape if yours needs a little help.

If you are tall and slim with killer legs and not much waist to speak of, you'll be looking to the 1920's and late 1960's for your style inspirations. With flapper dresses, bias cut jersey (thank you Coco) or even a pair of Go Go boots and a mini skirt; all of these elements can play to your body shape. Getting the picture?

Dressing for your best features is one of the quickest and simplest ways to determine your vintage style, as each era is known for focusing on key features of the figure. It's just down to you to put in a little research to mix and match those eras to your shape. Also, remember that in the latter part of the 20th century, fashion began taking it's cues from the earlier years. Thus the 1980's did its own versions of the 1940's and the 1950's, which means you can still get the silhouettes you're looking for at a lesser price and with more laundry friendly fabrics.

Once you've figured out your vintage motivation, it's time to get cracking on creating a look all your own. A vintage look is more than just a 40's floral dress hastily paired with some brogues or a cherry print dress and a flower in your hair. The variations are infinite, and it is up to you to make yours something special. A great place to start is by collecting images of your favorite silver screen icons from your chosen era.

It is likely that you'll find yourself gravitating towards the big names like Monroe, Twiggy or Hepburn. But once you have these in hand, it is time to do a little more digging. Thank god for Google, because here is where it comes into its own for creating your look. Start searching for movies made around the same time, with lesser known actresses/ actors, foreign film titles and advertisements. What you'll begin to see is much more variation on the styles within your chosen era. Marilyn and Audrey had a signature look all of their own, and it certainly isn't a one size fits all. So it is up to you to create your own signature look, pulling the elements you love from the looks you're researching.

Remember too, that what you see on screen is not always achievable for your everyday look, so keep in mind to search for candid shots off set. Another great resource is to search people's old family photos on Flickr to see what your everyday gal was wearing to the beach in 1951. Trust me, it is an eye opening exercise and will shatter many of the myths around what it means to dress vintage.

Once you've sorted all this out, create some collages of your inspirations, or simply set aside an image folder on your computer to store all your favorite pics and have a simple 'go to' file for those moments when you feel your inspirations waning. If you're going for a true emulation of your chosen era, there isn't much more to do other than follow through on creating the subtleties' of your look; hair, makeup, shoes; and committing to it. (No, not much at all Ha!) But if you're seeking a unique look that has the stamp of your own personality woven into it, now is your chance to go wild!

You can pick and mix pieces from your chosen eras and hair from another. Have a thing for cats? Find some great cat print fabric and have a vintage pattern made up in that. Start collecting vintage brooches in your theme and attach them to the hats you find. Have a favorite colour? Choose to go monochrome and develop your wardrobe into a collection of harmonious pieces in a single shade. Don't just stick to the clothes, choose all our accessories in that colour and go wild with parasols, handbags, glasses frames and the rest. I think you're starting to get the idea.

Whatever your motivation for dressing vintage, the interpretations are endless. Don't be dictated to be the current fads for certain vintage eras, nor by big name labels (unless yours is a serious investment collection). The beauty of dressing in vintage and living in the now, is that we are limited only by our imagination. Set yours free!

Read more of Super Kawaii Mama's fabulous vintage style tips at SuperKawaiiMama.com.au!

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.

It's been about 5 years since I purchased a swimsuit. I had a classic black two piece, very vintage inspired, and I have my favorite Catalina vintage swimsuit. But I really want one more now that my good friends have a jacuzzi and a tiki inspired backyard complete with bar to have summer cocktail parties. So I was thrilled when I came across Popina retro swimsuits. Popina carries the cutest vintage inspired swimsuits and I love that they carry one and two piece suits.

The best products are always inspired by need, and Popina is no exception. Designer Pamela Levenson designed her first retro swimsuit for a trip to Mexico. Her love of the 1940s and '50s combined with 20 years experience of fashion design led her to create Popina. "Reaching back to those eras, I created styles with the influence of days gone by but with the modern convenience of today's fabric innovations and bathing suit construction."

And Pamela wants to share her love of vintage influence with you!

Enter now to win your very own Popina retro swimsuit. Popina will be giving away one swimsuit of choice to oen lucky commenter.

How to Enter
Tell us about your fondest, funniest, most embarrassing swimsuit story. Post it in the comments section. Popina will choose the best story and send you a swimsuit of choice! Enter quickly because the contest ends 5/22 at 11pm PST.

Is your tale too embarrassing to reveal your name? Sounds juicy, but feel free to email instead. friends at debutanteclothing dot com

Good luck!

Accessories that marry art and function are my favorite way to punctuate an otherwise ordinary outfit. So when I came across the super Mod and art inspired handbag line eenamaria, I had to contact the designer.  Sarah Morgan has been designing since she was 15-years-old, but it's no wonder since fashion design is in her blood - her grandmother was a fashion designer in Paris. With a degree from Pratt and an appreciation for art, Sarah started eenamaria, a vintage inspired line designed for the modern girl.

Check out my chat with eenamaria designer Sarah Morgan!

When did you start eenamaria?

2004 in the basement of Pratt Institute.

Who is "eenamaria"?

eenamaria is the essence of a woman, the name is taken from my mother, however, if you see the 'about' section of the website, this will give you the full description of who she is.

You come from a long line of artists and creative people. What inspired you to start a handbag line versus a different form of design?

eenamaria is currently only known for its handbags, however, over time we will be launching a clothing line, a perfume line, housewares and anything that the eenamaria woman would want or need to fit with her lifestyle. I am a trained industrial designer, so we are educated to develop an eye for form and function, rather than focus on just one aspect of design.

I love the Mondrian and Mod inspiration. What do you like about these aesthetics?

I have always been a chameleon, so for each group of bags designed and produced, there is a new inspiration. This collection was designed a few years ago, but is becoming the iconic look for eenamaria. I was interested in the look of the sixties and I was thinking about the energy of that time. I like the colors and the simple lines and design features, colorful, but simple.

Are you influenced by any other decades? Which?

The upcoming line is an homage to the 1930s/1940s, a similar era as far as the world climate is concerned. People want uplifting colors and reasons to celebrate, since so much of their world is in flux.

Who is a typical eenamaria girl?

The eenamaria girl is active, bold, an outlier. She probably has aspects to her that are somewhat unusual, maybe she's a sky diving fanatic, or a big Tango dancer, inevitably, the eenamaria girl is an engaged and dynamic woman. Its a spirit more than it is a socio-economic description.

What can we look forward to in your next collection?

Afro-centric dayglo! Think M.I.A for inspiration.

Any plans for expanding into clothing design?

Well, funny you should ask, watch this space.....

Vintage, particularly mid-century design, is hot right now, even amongst the masses. What do you feel is influencing this? How is this affecting eenamaria?

Well, there is always the idea that if you go back 20 years, you will find exactly what influences our current trends. That having been said, what we were wearing 20 years ago, was influenced by 20 years prior....ipso facto, you will see some type of lineage. Of course, the psychology of the times also has an impact on people's desires, wants and spending habits. So, if you look at particularly wealthy periods, you will see higher levels of detail, more expensive materials and more classic looks, and the opposite is true for hard times, brighter, more fun, simpler and perhaps a little more disposable design sensibilities, ie, how long were you really going to be wearing the flared jeans and tie die shirt? There's nothing 'classic' or timeless about that, at all.

Who is your favorite vintage style icon? Why?

Wow! Tough....I am a huge fan of Isaac Mizrahi, I think he has combined talent, business and a strong sense of spotting good opportunities to create an amazing career for himself. His work always looks beautifully 'appointed' yet, he has no arrogance or elitism in his approach to fashion.....I like that, a lot.

eenamaria is available at ebags.com and qvc.com

My friend Julie Wanda is one of my fashion icons. By day, she is a successful business woman, working in the field of corporate training. She has a real, grown up job with a respectable wardrobe. In her other life, the one where she spins vintage western records as a DJ on a local radio show, she wears gorgeous vintage dresses with huge crinolines and magical pink Betsey Johnson shoes. In pink. With studs.

Julie is a fashion chameleon. She is a traditional vintage girl. She is a western honky tonk girl. She is a punk rocker. And she is a business woman. Somehow, she marries all of her looks by mixing in bits of what she loves. After all, rockabilly girls love pretty golden studs too.

Do you have great vintage style? Become a vintage style muse! Send us an email and a photo and we will feature you and your killer style.

One of my many vintage obsessions is lucite box purses. I used to wear them out all the time, but these days, I mostly display and admire them. Lucite purses are beautiful little sculptures that you can take with you. And just like sculpture, the more intricate the details, the more valuable the piece. Color plays an important role too. I'm partial to clear, but if you can find a red or black lucite purse, you have scored!

But finding the little gems, in mint condition is not easy. Dekonstruckted Hollywood, a California based vintage shop, is filling the need of this market by selling reproduction vintage style lucite purses.When it comes to repros, I have to admit that these are some fantastic copies. With the exception of the handle turned forward instead of across the length of the body of the purse, the new ones are dead ringers.

My favorite is the pink, pearl swirl one, but I always get a little twinge of guilt, as if I am cheating or something, when I consider reproduction.

What do you think? Yay or Nay?

My husband and I attended a performance of Zoot Suit at Pomona College. It's such a great play with a potential for great costumes, if done right. The costume designer did a great job of sourcing adorable 1940s day dresses, although my eagle eye spotted a few non period pieces. Taking a vintage seller to a period production is like watching a movie with a director - we tend to over analyze.

I love 1940s pieces - dresses, shoes, bag, everything! I didn't want to look too costumey, but I definitely wanted to give homage to the 1940s LA homegirls on stage, so I wore a pair of wide-legged, high waisted trousers by Stop Staring!, a scoop neck ribbed T, silver and black wedge spectators, and my favorite white floral and leaf motif celluloid necklace. The little red centers seem to glow compared to the pale white color of the blossoms. I grabbed my favorite little black seed beaded box purse and it was off to the theater we went!

One of my resolutions is to get comfortable in front of the camera. After posting a pic of my sparkly paillette New Years Eve top, I was really flattered by the lovely comments from blogger friends such as the Coveted, AsheMischief, and WendyB, amongst other good friends. I wore this Exotic World Burlesque Museum t-shirt with a slim vintage red, plaid pencil skirt. My shoes are sling back Steve Madden patent leather peep toes. This outfit isn't spectacular by any means, but it is how I mix vintage and modern on casual, cute days.

I rarely take pictures of myself for the blog. I absolutely love looking at pictures of some of my favorite bloggers such as Galadarling, Jennine of theCoveted, and Wendy Brandes, but I have an aversion to taking pictures of myself. I rarely photograph well anyway, so to try to look cute on purpose is tough.

However, for NYE, I will make an exception, mostly because I am dying to show off my new vintage sweater shell top. It's covered in black and off white paillettes, the more sophisticated and iridescent cousin of the sequin. When I saw this shell online, I had an audible reaction. That's always a good sign for me. So I bought it without thinking about where I would even wear this.

I honestly didn't care if I had an occasion because I loved it so much. it made perfect sense to wear it on New Years Eve because, seriously, when else could I pull this off? A trip to Vegas maybe.

I have a very fond memory of a gown my mom used to own. I remember sneaking into er closet and picking off the clear paillettes, bending them and attaching them to my nails with her Lee Press On glue because they reminded me of fake finger nails. When my mother saw my top, she remembered the dress and claimed she still owned it. She might discover a few bald spots on the bodice!

I am so in love with the color combination, the smooth almost scale like feel of the paillettes, and the fun almost jingly sound they make. I didn't go anywhere fancy though so I toned it down with jeans and a light weight, long cardigan. My outfit would've been perfect with a tight pair of slim jeans. Consider those next on my shopping list.

I started collecting vintage housewares and furniture way before I moved out of my parents' house. One time I came home with some rattan end tables and my mom furiously wondered where I thought I was going to keep them. I think I was experiencing more of a sense of saving these thrift store finds rather than actually having a design eye. I just bought what I felt was interesting and useful.

Fast forward, and now I am pleased when friends come over for dinner parties or cocktails and they praise my little home.

One of my favorite bloggers, Mademoiselle Robot, was featured in The Independent newspaper for her creative home decor. That girl can mix eras and textures like a pro. She even went as far as giving some decorating tips for people interested in this aesthetic.

I was so inspired by her blog post that I wanted to share some of my favorite thrifted and discount items. Just like my wardrobe, I never do top to bottom vintage. It's more pleasing to the eye to mix and match.

5 Tips for Decorating with Vintage

1. Buy what you love.
   

Your home should be pleasing to your eye. You have to live there. If you don't love your decor, you will not feel comfortable in your own home. If you love that moose head, use it!

2. Don't be afraid to mix wood tones.
   

The 1957 Better Homes and Gardens decorating book reminds us that wood is a color. This doesn't just apply to vintage, but vintage furniture that was meant to last was made of wood. Check for tones in the wood grain that may be complimentary to one another.


3. Be patient. Shop often.
   

My furniture did not come home with me in one weekend. That's one of the luxuries of buying new - you can get a catalog looking living room in one shopping trip.  But in order to achieve decor with character, you may have to be patient for the right piece to come along. Check your local thrift store, flea market, and even Ebay, often.


4. Mix it up.
   

True design comes from mixing unexpected elements, colors, and textures. With vintage furniture, you run the risk of looking like you live in a time warp - same goes for vintage clothing.  Don't be afraid to mix decades, vintage and modern, and shapes.  I tied the straight and rounded lines of my dining room together with a really inexpensive ceiling lamp at IKEA - it has a straight wooden base with rounded white plastic light shades - a perfect blend of both lines in the room.

5. Don't be afraid to re-purpose.
   

The goal of decorating with vintage is two fold - owning quality constructed pieces and creating a one of a kind look.  If you happen to find a fabulous dresser, but have no room or need for one, try re-purposing it as a storage credenza in the living room.  Or use a telephone stand as a holder for remote controls.  We re-purposed a wardrobe cabinet as a TV cabinet.  My husband just sawed out the inner drawers and we use the lower drawers for media storage. It would be a shame to leave a beautiful piece of furniture or accessory behind simply because you have no use for it  in it's current purpose - get creative.

Yoox.com has done it again. This time they have curated a gorgeous collection of some of the finest vintage and contemporary jewelry. The Italy based online retailer is showcasing vintage costume jewelry from some of the most collectible designer names.

The collection, titled Past & Present features vintage pieces from Coppola e Toppo, Trifari, Monet, Miriam Haskell, Chanel, Kenneth Jay Lane, and Correani. Many of the pieces come from precious private collections like that of the jewelry historian Deanna Farneti Cera.

The selection is presented through six themes, all of which illustrate the most significant trends of next season: Black, Cuffs & Bracelets, Graphic Themes, Chains, Pearls, and Glamorous Ornaments.

"Jewelry lifts our spirits and transforms the clothes we wear. Once dismissed as a poor imitation of fine jewelry, costume jewelry came into its own in the 20th century, with its own glamour and its own design tradition-adventurous, stylish, bigger, bolder."  Holly Brubach

Be sure to check out Natalia Brilli's interview. She discusses her inspiration for her leather based jewelry line and how she uses vintage haute couture techniques to create her exquisite collection.

Deanna Farneti Cera, costume jewelry historian and author of many collecting books, not only contributed some of her own private collection, but she also gives some insight into the world of collectible costume jewelry.

She claims there are two types of people who purchase costume jewelry. One buys without much thought but with the purpose of purchasing something elegant that matches an outfit or their appearance. The other is the type that puts thought into each purchase - the collector. This buyer selects pieces based on themes, periods or styles.

I think I am more of a theme shopper. I have tons of buckle bracelets and I can't seem to stop. It's funny how you realize in hindsight that you have amassed a collection without knowing it when you continue to buy what tickles your fancy.

Check out the Past & Present article where you can find the videos and a ton of great historical information.

Sale ends January 31, 2009.

Renee asks:

Hi Sandra!

I just stumbled across your blog on Google. Anyway, I was very intrigued when I read the 5 things about you because I am going to start teaching this fall and am concerned about my love of vintage and rockabilly fashions in such a conservative place. I have tattoos, but I have figured out ways to cover them, but it's the clothes themselves that are stumping me. I can find plenty of after work clothes, but clothes that are "teacher-looking" enough yet still retain some sense of my love of vintage/rockabilly are soooo hard to find. What kinds of stores did you shop at as a teacher or did you dress one way at work and another after work? I'm really for advice from someone who has been there/done that! How far did you let your fashion take you or did the job dictate for you a more conservative look? I hope to hear any advice or stories you would like to share. Renee

Hi Renee.
Oh this is such a good question! Thanks for contacting me. When I first started out teaching about 7 years ago, I looked a lot more Rockabilly. The rockabilly boys and girls at a high school I taught at were perplexed that a teacher could relate to their style. I don't necessarily wear vintage everyday, but definitely vintage inspired and I always try to wear some kind of vintage accessory. I love vintage above all else.

My suggestion would be to wear vintage inspired clothing: cute cardigans, A line skirts, 3/4 length sleeve tops, capri pants. I always wear comfy heels or adorable flats and mary janes. I've even worn the comfort/orthopedic kind because they are perfect for teachers who have to stand most of the day (and some don't look as matronly as they once did).

I wouldn't suggest patriotic rolls in my hair, but maybe wear some hair combs or a cute headband. Think cute 40s and 50s versus pin up. And yes! Keep those tattoos covered! But don't worry, there are many of us living the double life.

Good places to shop: Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft, Old Navy, thrifts, Marshalls. I love shopping online too. Shopstyle.com and Reddressshoppe.com are a good ones also.

The trick is not to give up too much of your personal style, but still fit in with "normal" society. But the reality is that as long as you are not a distraction or showing skin inappropriately, principals won't care what you wear. Most of them anyway.

As a personal preference, I don't think it's appropriate to look costumey at work, no matter what your field. But that's just my personal taste.

Good luck Renee! Teachers are a blessing to this world. Even though the public education system can be a pain in the rear, the kids are what makes me come back.

The little black dress is a wardrobe staple that will never go out of style. You can credit Audrey Hepburn with this must have basic. She was always chic and demure and millions of fashionable women since have run out and added a little bit of Audrey to their wardrobes.

The problem with that is that everyone has a little black dress. How do you create a unique look that will help you stand out from the sea of ebony frocks? Here are 4 vintage accessories that will take you from ordinary to extraordinary in an instant.

Target.com

1. Wear multiple necklaces
A stunning necklace or five can make you look like Coco Chanel herself. Layer metals and styles to create a high end, couture look.

available at Annie Sherman

2. Wear one bold piece
When you are going for a chic look, your little black dress should be clean and streamlined. A stunning brooch can add a perfect dose of intrigue to a day or evening dress.

available at Michelle's Vintage Jewelry

3. A clutch
Straw, exotic skins, beads-the clutch comes in all shapes, sizes and textures. A touristy straw clutch can add a touch of whimsy to a modern cotton day dress. But if you want to go for a red carpet look, go for glitz with a sparkly beaded or rhinestone clutch.

available at Vintage Bag

4. Shoes
While Marilyn sang about her best friend, the diamond, today's woman is buddied up with the new luxury item-shoes. But beautiful shoes don't have to cost half your rent.

Geoffrey Beene pumps available at Damn Good Vintage

Now that we are in Couture season, my mind drifts into my fantasy world and I imagine I am sitting in the front row of Dior or Alexander McQueen. I visualize the movement of gravity defying skirts with mounds of fabric that float like air.

Photo credit: Style.com, Alessandro Lucione

One of my favorite fashion details is elements of sculpture. Like the couture runways, a sculptural accessory or dress gives me the ability to make a bold statement with my clothing, with merely a whisper of detail. And since my reality is online discount shopping and an eye for vintage, a structured dress or handbag is my attainable ticket to the world of couture.

Handbag: Modbag.com
Dress: vintage Pauline Trigere, MarilynGlass.com
Shoes: Report, Zappos.com
Bangles: Ciro Coleczzione, Nordstrom.com

I really need to watch something else besides TMC. I've been watching silent and just barely talking talkies, with some of the worst editing I have ever seen, and as a result, I have a new obsession with anything flapper or jazzy. I'm sure Miss Kristopher Dukes is thrilled to know a mid century convert.

Unfortunately, as a vintage shopper and seller, it is damn near impossible to find 1920s garments that are in wearable condition. If I were lucky enough to find a piece that isn't shattered or missing a ton of beading, I'd be to afraid to wear it. All it takes is one clumsy guy to spill his cocktail, and that's it! Ruined. Maybe I'm overly cautious.

But if you're like me and you can't shake the flapper cravings, I found some great vintage and reproduction accessories that will give you a bit of tartness for your modern wardrobe. No go forth and listen to jazz, drink, talk about sex, wear too much rouge and drive an automobile and show the world how liberated you are!

Inspiration photo: The Sartorialist
thesartorialist.blogspot.com

Shoes:
Clarks Lena (Black Suede) - Dress Shoes
zappos.com

Gabriella Rocha Cosette (Pink Multi) - Junior Women's Shoes
zappos.com

Franco Sarto Ability (Bloom/Ivory Patent) - T-Straps Dress Shoes
zappos.com

Hair Accessories:
Jennifer Behr
jenniferbehr.com

Handbags:
Decogirl
decogirl.co.uk

Art Deco buckle bracelet
deco-world.com

beaded clutch
sydneysvintageclothing.com

Jewelry:
White Gold Art Deco Dinner Ring
antiquejewelryforsale.com

Technibond® Platinum-Plated Art Deco Ring
jewelry.hsn.com

It's amazing how such simple lines and colors can cause such an arresting visual. After Piet Mondrian created his important color block works in the 1920s, Yves Saint Laurent took notice and brought art to the body with the creation of the Mondrian dress in 1965.

Dress available at shopbop.com
Shoes available at zappos.com
Handbag available at Olive's Very Vintage
Ring available at Rubylane.com

Photo: Piet Mondrian, Composition with Yellow, Blue, and Red, 1921, oil on canvas, 72.5 x 69 cm, Tate Gallery. London. Courtesy of answers.com

When I was writing for Fashiontribes and Lesley explained why I was a perfect fit for the Downtown Doll tribe, she told me to think vintage meets downtown chic - think Carrie Bradshaw. And boy does this peg my style, maybe not in such a literal Carrie way, but in the sense of mixing vintage and modern fashion with unique details.

In honor of the much anticipated release of the Sex and the City movie, which I'm sure will cause swarms of women to flock to the local cinema leaving every known man at home, I present to you my ode to Carrie Bradshaw - vintage style!

The vintage dress featured int he mix up is a combination of the bubble peplum dress and the bold graphic florals Carrie wears. Search for 1950s floral dress to score the look. I also included a cute little travel novelty bag. Novelty bags are extremely hard to find, and forget the deal. If you find a vintage novelty bag as cute as the Eiffel Tower bag by Timmy Woods, nab it!

From moderne to modern, this is by far one of my favorite modern and vintage mixes I have done. Inspired by the bold color of the season, I wanted to show off a dress that can do triple duty: casual, dinner and vintage inspired.

I've always loved art deco accessories. Finding art deco clothing is a complete challenge though, so I always splurge on beautiful necklaces and earrings. Art deco is associated with geometric shapes and movement - if you notice the shapes in art deco, there are always curves or points to create this sense of movement. And a movement it was - everything from fashion to architecture went from functional to provocative.

See by Chloé Drop waist dress
net-a-porter.com

rsvp Katie (Black/White/Red) Sandals
zappos.com

Art Deco Genuine Alligator Soft Pleated Clutch Purse
rubylane.com

Art Deco Gallalith French Bakelite necklace
scarabantiques.com

Mixing vintage and modern is the best way to keep from looking costumey or kitschy. Unless of course that's the look you're going for. But here's an outfit that you could wear anywhere and people would just ask, "Where'd you get that?"

dress: hatfeathersvintage.com
shoes: zappos.com
bangle: myriadlife.co.uk
bag: yoox.com

Wearing vintage clothing from head to toe can border on costumey. Why not embrace your favorite vintage pieces and incorporate them into everyday life? Mix it up!

Normally, I create the Vintage & Modern mixes using ThisNext, but I've been wanting to try Polyvore since they emailed me last year. Seeing a lot of bloggers' Polyvore sets, I decided to play dress up too. I love that you can move the images around.

Dress available at Net-a-porter.com
Shoes available at Zappos.com
Bag available at Retrodesignerdeals.com