Outfit Inspiration: The Folktale Princess

I love when clothes have a little whimsy and an element of fairy tales in them. Golden thread, brocade, dreamy floral prints, a few glittery jewels...

Where to buy details: The Folktale Princess on Polyvore

Vintage Inspired Outfit: French New Wave

I really adore French style and French movies... I am how they say, a Francophile? Although sadly enough, I have never been to France! (Which might change soon as I might actually be moving there... hmmm...)

A couple months ago I watched "Une Femme Est Une Femme" and "Pierrot Le Fou" (both with Anna Karina). I have to say, I really liked her character in "A Woman Is A Woman" but not so much the other. Both movies feature lovely simple clean lines for wardrobe which is where the inspiration comes from for this vintage inspired ensemble.

Inspiring Vintage Outfits | Our Weekly Favorites

I love when girls still wear dresses even when the weather gets cold and dreary. Nothing like a perky vintage dress paired with black tights to make you forget about the chill!

Image Credits: 1.} Vintage 1960s Babydoll Dress worn by Kansai Retro, 2.} Vintage 1950s Blue Daydress worn by Heart City Vintage, 3.} Vintage Blazer + Secondhand Sweater worn by In Her Stilettos, 4.} Vintage 1960s Princess Coat worn by Mousevox Vintage, 5.} Beautifully Pure, 6.} Vintage Fur Muff + Beret worn by Midnight Maniac

Fashion + Travel: Fantasy Wardrobe for a Charming Weekend

While I love seeing family for the Holidays, sometimes I wish my dearest and I could whisk ourselves away for a romantic holiday week in far off locales. But, seeing as how ticket prices always skyrocket during the holidays, we may just settle for a lovely weekend at a B&B in Carmel (which is one of the most charming towns I've come across in California so far)

What I Would Wear Today: A Vintage Inspired Ensemble

"I should like to change into a sunflower most of all. They're so tall and simple. What flower would you like to be?" by little parisienne featuring a vintage coat

Vintage Inspired Outfit: Wrapped in a Novel

"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment." - Jane Austen

Any other Jane Austen novel fans out there? Or book fans in general? Something about the chilly Fall evenings makes me want to curl up in a duvet with a bit of tea on the nightstand and get wrapped up in a classic novel.

On my nightstand at the moment... "Tess of the D'ubervilles" which I have not started and really shouldn't since I haven't finished "Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire" or "1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus" by Charles C Mann.

What's on your reading list for Fall?

Vintage Inspired Outfits from Vintage Inspired Movies

The Edge of Love is a movie set in the 1940s loosely based on events revolving around the Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. Even if it is just for the beautiful and simple clothes as worn by Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller.

For outfits inspired by the movie "The Edge of Love" remember to keep your colors mostly neutral with desaturated pops of color in shades of maroon, salmon, perhaps even teal.

A cozy cardigan or sweater is an absolute must! Nothing like warm woolens to keep out the Autumn and Winter chills!

Wellies might not be an everyday necessity for most places of the world so for shoes just keep in mind a utilitarian look. Leather boots with chunky heels (especially vintage ones that are already soft and worn in) are perfect options.

I love that the clothes from the movie have a hint of prettiness, not pretty fussy, just sensible pretty. So when it comes to picking accessories keep in mind function with a little simple flair. For example, vintage leather gloves with a bit of contrast stitching or button details.

Le look du jour | The Look of the Day

Not only are we in love with the dreamy feel of this photo, we also love the oh so soft cozy sweater casually belted over a loose dress. This look is a perfect example of Summer style transitioning to Fall.

Credit: Constance V. via Lookbook.nu

Le Maison de Poupées: Fashion + Art Inspiration from "Paper Dolls"

There's a new trend on Polyvore that I've sort of obsessed with. Can I make paper doll into a verb please? "Paper-dolling" is splicing, cutting, trimming, and pasting different images to create a look on Polyvore.

This brings back so many fond memories of drawing my own paper dolls and designing them little outfits as well as cutting and pasting inspiration collages. There are HUNDREDS of these darling "dolls" on Polyvore, so check the links below for more!

Sources: 1.] Hard by calvinivana, 2.] The Marbled Godwit by sugarcrash, 3.] Cupid's Chokehold by DubiousDamsel, 4.] steampunk garden by Tabitha Sue, 5.] Which road? by -Silvia-
More Paper Doll groups: Welcome to the Dollhouse, Paper Doll Lovers, Doll Factory

Le look du jour | The Look of the Day

We would wear this ensemble in a heartbeat! A camel cape coat with a black and white striped shirt and crisp black trousers finished with a classic logo Louis Vuitton and whiskey brown loafers... the entire look is perfection from head to toe!

Credit: Golestaneh from Lookbook.nu

Inspiring Outfits | Our Weekly Favorites

The Sartorialist | On the Street....Country Style, Milan
A breezy folk inspired dress paired with dark brown leather boots... what could be better?

The Fashionspot | Streetstyle Thread
For the life of me I cannot remember where this image is from, but the chic ease of this burlap colored dress with the cinnamon brown loafers really grabbed my attention.

The Sartorialist | From the Fashionspot
As strange as it may seem, I love this outfit because I feel it would suit both male and female.

David Gomez Maestre | Archives
Simple preppy chic without a single Ralph Lauren logo in sight, hooray!

Lookbook.nu | Starr C
Floral skirt, straw basket with wildflowers, and a straw boater... it's such a sweet image of summer, I simply adore this!

Lookbook.nu | Maria C
I wish I could look this chic riding a bicycle! Love the khakis tucked into the boots, she looks so equestrian!

Inspiring Outfits | Our Weekly Favorites

Lookbook.nu | Aron L
Is it odd that I would wear nearly everything he wears? A quick look at his Lookbook.nu profile and you'll instantly be smitten, I promise!

Modaland.co.il | Parisian Style
I've recently stocked up on black trousers, I think I own 5 pairs now, and still on the hunt for that PERFECT pair such as these (from ZARA). I would wear this outfit in a heartbeat (and have worn outfits very similar to it, same color scheme, white vintage blouse, woven vintage belt...) but haven't tried rolling the cuffs of my trousers yet! A must do!

Lookbook.nu | Bobby Raffin
Grey trousers paired with the cream striped sweater topped with suspenders... Yes, it's love at first sight.

Bodysnatch.blogspot.com | Two Hours in Venice
I need a black maxi dress like yesterday.

Lookbook.nu | Lisa Mettier
Another current trend I'm loving...printed pants! It's a little like wearing pajama bottoms, don't you think? Nothing better than when fashion is also ultra comfortable.

Lookbook.nu | Nigel Lew
This week I've obviously been inspired by men's style, can't you tell? I love his vintage bowtie and that classic trench. Men in trench coats, or women in trench coats... love love.

Inspiring Outfits | Our Weekly Favorites

Style Sightings | Ground Grazing
I'm happy to see a comeback for Maxi skirts. Love how preppy this outfit is with the tassel oxfords.

Nicola Sharkey Photography | St. Andrews, Scotland
Everything about this is perfect, the trench, the striped blouse, the red scarf, the leather satchel... I love how it was all pieced together, so harmonious!

The Sartorialist | On the Street....Lucia, Florence
Darling, just darling! I would wear this in a heartbeat if only I knew how to tie scarves like that in my hair.

Lookbook.nu | Hannah M
Another favorite? Polka dots! I love the pairing of the black dottie shorts with a nude loose tee. So simple and perfect.

All The Pretty Birds | Personality
I have a weakness for little floral dresses and straw boater hats. And wait, it gets better. Her bag is vintage! Well, it very much appears vintage, so I'll just say it is.

Copenhagen Streetstyle | Bouquet De Fleurs
An old tee with floral shorts. It's the floral shorts that got me. I am currently in love with them! (See for yourself...)

Independence Day Outfit Inspirations: Show Us Your Red, White, & Blue!

Hope all of you Stateside gals have fun plans for Independence Day Weekend! Here are some vintage outfit inspirations from a few of our favorite fashion bloggers.



Fashion Credits: 1.]Slanellestyle, 2.] The Clothes Horse, 3.] Alma Luna, 4.] Dasha S., 5.] Ziuta, 6.] Patricia Prieto, 7.] Jess Loves Fred, 8.] Another Day to Dress Up, 9.] Tiny Toadstool

Mix + Match: Date Night on the Maltese Coast

Dress: Teal Dream Dress, $42
Necklace: Malta Coast Necklace, $12
Shoes: Turks & Caicos Sandals, $32
Bag: Leaf Carvings Clutch, $32

{click on images to shop!}

Image credit: Vintage Malta postcard from Strider V

Our Top 5 Vintage Stylish Gals of the Week

Teal tights, fur collared coat, floral dress, and gorgeous braided red hair, need we say more?


The perfect mix of pretty, drama, and chic for a night at the Opera.


This lovely lass is our hero. Those stockings, the heels, the 1940s suit, and a terrificly fabulous chapeau!


Sweet and simple, the girl next door in the most adorable way.


Florals on florals? Of course, we'll take a second helping actually!


Image credits:
1.} The New Clothes Horse, 2.} Rebecca J. Brown, 3.} Abigail , 4.} What I Wore , 5.} Daily Fashion Boost

What I Would Wear Today: Polka Dot Chiffon Blouse & Khaki High Waist Shorts

I found two super cute vintage khaki shorts today and both are high waisted! I am so excited to wear them for summer. I also found a lot of pretty cream and white blouses, not all vintage though, but will get plenty of wear over the next few years. I thought about it today and realized my wardrobe is about 80% recycled or vintage. YAY me! My goal is to wear 100% recycled clothing or vintage. But darn those Anthropologie sales.

BTW, a little nerdy FYI, did you know an estimated 12.4 MILLION TONS of textiles were generated in 2008? HOLY COW. If everyone cut back on buying NEW clothing and purchased vintage or secondhand, that number would dwindle significantly!

UM... and also 2,000 POUNDS = 1 TON. AHhh, the waste we generate is just baffling!

This Week's "Top Vintage Gal" from the "She Wears Vintage" Flickr Group

I can't deny my love for pretty floral prints and muted tones. And, let's not leave out a vintage satchel, an absolute necessity for one that wants to achieve granny chic. But this is cute granny chic, what shall we label this style? It's a mix of youthful and girly but kind of granny too. But can granny and youth be in the same sentence (aside from the one I just wrote, HAHA, clever me!)
Image credits: She Wears Vintage Flickr group (Add your own style!) Check out Kiko Tomato's photostream for more darling looks!

Vintage Trend Inspiration: 1970s BIBA Bohemian Florals, Laced Up Boots, and Bejeweled Velvet

A bohemian and hippie outfit ensemble inspired by the 1970s label BIBA. I'm really quite enjoying putting these little ensembles together on Polyvore. Now if only I were able to afford all of these beautiful things. *hehe*

The shopping list for this outfit is at Bohemian Tea Party set on Polyvore.

Vintage Trend Inspiration: Pretty Ginghams, Summer Straw Bags, & Country Florals

Summer! Summer! I love pretty floral dresses and sweet gingham prints for the summertime! I've always had this idyllic picture of visiting a local farm, picking fresh produce to cook at home, all the while wearing a cute gingham dress, perhaps a vintage cardigan with floral embellishments, and a kerchief or bandana. One can dream, no?

You can view the "shopping list" of this ensemble at my Polyvore page. A Country Story by AdoreVintage.