Dress:
Avalon Exchange in St. Louis
Belt:
New York & Company
Ring:
Belleville Flea Market
Happy 2015, friends! Thanks for staying tuned following my holiday hiatus. I had cookies to consume, a sister to snuggle and a gaggle of animals to hang out with over the past month and it's felt good. But I'm recharged, and excited to dive back in on here!
I also started a new blog/Instagram project that's expanding how I style my clothes. Around Thanksgiving I launched
United States of Vintage on
Instagram as a way for people who love vintage clothing and home decor to find like-minded bloggers and shops. It's already introduced me to so many great gals around the world, and I'm having tons of fun sharing how they rock their retro looks on Instagram.
My favorite part is that each one has a signature for styling their pieces. We've all developed our own
personal style guidelines, right? Mine for wearing vintage clothing is that I always try to blend them with at least one new piece. Not that I'm against full retro looks--those babes are some of my favorites to follow--but a mix of the two feels most me. (I have a suspicion it has a lot to do with my mom's accusations over the past decade that I am morphing into a full-fledged old lady.) The Avalon Exchange dress pictured above is a perfect example. Even though I tend to accessorize it with silver vintage pieces, the belt or sweater that goes with it always has to be new.
I didn't bother with making New Year's Resolutions, but I did make a promise to myself to take better advantage of my vintage pieces, but keep them wearable for me. Here's my first attempt:
Coat: thrifted
AC/DC button: hand-me-down
I found this coat last year and I'm in love with the white floral embroidery. I thought the coat would pull out the blue and white details of the dress. The pin is one of my mom's old pieces of jewelry, and I think it lends some edge to all the girliness. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the neckline of the dress is ruffled. Weren't the 1970s a beautiful time for dresses?
Have any of you made any personal style resolutions for the year? I'd love to hear them!
