A long time ago, when I was a newbie blogger, I used to do outfit posts. Mad respect to fashion bloggers, but for me…it’s just too much work! There’s already enough effort put into GETTING DRESSED, documenting the ensemble in multiple angles is taking it to another level I just do not want to do.

So, instead I snap an outfit selfie on Instagram where you get about 3/4 of my outfit so you get the general idea. I’ve been asked a couple times for tips on How To Wear Vintage. So, here are some ideas on how to build an “Everyday VintageWardrobe.”

DEFINE YOUR COLORS: Build your wardrobe around colors you really like and that pair well together. My wardrobe mostly consists of CREAM, TAN, BLUSH, NAVY, BROWN. I obviously ADORE muted colors.

WEAR THE SILHOUETTES FROM ERAS THAT FLATTER YOUR FIGURE: Figure out what silhouettes work for you and stick to them. I for one cannot wear flared 50s style dresses. I’m petite so these dresses make me look like a tiny cupcake. It’s not cute. I also have curvier hips/thighs compared to a smaller bust and bodice, so I tend to wear a lot of a-line skirts and dresses that fit in at the waist which flatters my figure best.

SHOES & ACCESSORIES: For shoes and accessories I keep it very simple. All of my shoes are neutral colored and I also know which shoe shapes work best for me (t-straps, t-straps, t-straps!) Because I’m petite, I never wear chunky jewelry or bold accessories. I gravitate towards delicate and light jewelry accents. Of course, once in awhile I may wear a statement piece. But a statement piece is exactly that, A Statement and not meant for every day wear. All my belts are the same color as well. I choose belts in hues that pair nicely with my shoes.

In my outfit photos above, about 90% of what I am wearing is VINTAGE! I like to wear vintage in a practical way (there are times when I do get a little more bedazzled, but not that often) When building your “Everyday Vintage Wardrobe” I would recommend starting with these pieces first in a silhoutte/style that suits your body type and coloring.

A solid colored BLOUSE

A solid colored or minimal patterned SKIRT

A simple solid colored DRESS

When you have these basics down, you can build on top of it. For instance once you’ve found which vintage blouse shapes work best for you, you can then start adding on different colors and prints and small variations in that silhouette. You can do the same thing for skirts and for dresses.

Of course you will find multiple silhouettes will look quite becoming on you. And you will find certain silhouettes don’t look as great… (for example busty women should stay away from 1920s flapper dresses.) There will also be instances where certain years from an era look great and certain years look terrible. (For example I find I look best in late 30s early 40s dresses, but mid to late 40s styles do not flatter me at all)

I hope you find my tips useful! I don’t think of myself as a fashionista, but I do know I dress well (it’s taken a lot of practice and trial and error!) and aim to curate a timeless wardrobe for myself.

Perhaps I’ll do more How To Wear Vintage/Curate A Vintage Wardrobe posts in the future!