First up, I must confess I’m a bit obsessed with the style of the Sixties and the Seventies. Whether minimal or opulent, practical or decadent, structured or flowy, it’s always sleek, bold and full of character. With this new vintage look, I mix it up and feel like a kid in a candy shop.
Vintage or new?
If you are new to retro or vintage clothing, this might be the perfect time to build your own collection. I suggest you look around (I’d say start with Chloé a/w 2015), pick your favourite styles and put together your hotlist from the current high street offering. ASOS and New Look really caught my eye last year with the best and most affordable real suede pieces but there is still plenty everywhere to go around. When you’re done, see what you can get in vintage shops.
Vintage shopping can be seventh heaven or a total letdown. What if you find that the best Seventies items sold out decades ago, or that the current price tags for old suede just won’t justify buying dirty-looking, ill-fitting pieces in awkward colours? It reminds me of what I wrote reviewing a London Fashion Week show a few years back. In short, it says today, we can finally buy vintage new so why not embrace it? If you love cool – and surprisingly authentic – Sixties and Seventies styles, this is the time to invest in the best. Go for a suede trench, a shirt dress, A-line skirts and striped knits, a velvet trouser suit, just to name a few, and hold on to them forever.
Match or clash?
This outfit can be a good starting point, with a vintage sleeveless shirt dress (true colour somewhere between grey, steel blue and lilac), my favourite warm grey blouse and pointy loafers. Colours are key so whether you match or clash, do make a thorough job of it. If you’re unsure how to clash, grab a partly matching colour blocked piece. Mine is an easy monochrome look but there are ways to spice it up according to season and occasion.
Style hacks: Sixties to Seventies to now?
First, note how the suede piece could be seen as typically Sixties: it’s a short length, A-line, structured, minimal treasure. It’s actually perfectly Sixties when worn as a dress. Next, just undo the front poppers, add flared jeans and oversized shades and voilá – you have a quintessential Seventies look. Third, the modern city version would include trainers, wearing the suede piece as a gilet, and an extra pop of colour, like a red bag. Finally, for colder weather, add ankle-hugging booties (Sixties) or knee-high platform boots (Seventies) and continue the game by finding the right coat for your decade of choice 😉
What’s your fave decade?
Love,
Gabriella xx
suede dress: vintage
blouse: New Look
loafers: River Island
bag: New Look
sunglasses: ASOS
Photography: Laszlo Kubak
