Day 11: Bring a Little Silver, Bring a Little Gold

Happy New Year!

Ringing in the new year in silver and gold! I hope you are having a beautiful evening, and I'm sending you my best wishes for the new year.

 
Outfit Details:
Dress: 1960's Gold and Silver Checkered Brocade from Violetville Vintage
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Fascinator Hat: Vintage
Belt: Can't Remember

Day 10: Paisley Mini Go-Go Dress

 

I've spent the entire day indoors shooting photos for a shop update that's been a long time coming now. This angel sleeved Go-Go Dress is really loose fitting and comfy, but I can't really imagine it with anything other than boots. What will I do come summertime? The hat and the boots seemed to go with each other effortlessly, and since 'effortless' was sort of the theme of the day I didn't look much further.

   

Outfit Details:

Dress: Vintage 1960's GoGo Dress

Boots: Minnetonka

FeltHat: Vintage 1970's

Day 9: The New Dickensian

 

Today's look was inspired by a myriad of things. It was really windy out today and I adored the thought of wearing this exaggerated sleeve capelet in the wind. I had a feeling that the unpredictability of the elements just might yield some good photos of the jacket. As I was accessorizing, I remembered this vintage, emerald green, velvet, newsboy cap that I had picked up some months back, and the look began to take on a modern-meets-Dickensian vibe. Often, I feel that all it takes to make a contemporary outfit look so much more memorable is the addition of a single, simple vintage piece.

 

 

I waited all afternoon for the rain to clear up so that I could run outside and snap some shots of today's outfit. Since the weather was cycling from gloomy, wet and muddy, to windy and sunny, I scrapped the idea of wearing tailored slacks and heels for something a little (less likely to be ruined by mud!) more casual.

 

Outfit Details:

Hat: Vintage Green Velvet Driver Cap by Livingston Brothers

Capelet Sleeve Tie Waist Jacket: Saks 5th Avenue

Turtleneck: Rampage

Denim: Banana Republic

Sunglasses: Moschino

Watch: L.A.M.B

Wellington Boots: J.Crew

Day 8: 'True Grid' Shirtdress

 

Today, I have to pop into a couple of corporate settings and thought it would be appropriate to do a dress post on business casual work clothes. My best girlfriend and I were recently talking about how when we were young professionals in the work place there weren't so many affordable and attractive retailers for the 'entry level' market. We often wore looks that were too old for us, or pieces that we thought we could up-cycle and get away with as a business casual piece. It's funny to see how much has changed in such a short time, there are so many retailers now who offer separates that are both youthful and work appropriate. What initially drew me to this dress was it's throwback, ladylike silhouette, but what I find attractive about the fabric/pattern is that they remind me of menswear. Back when I had a conventional 9-5 job I didn't have a lot of time to spend choosing an outfit in the morning, nor a lot of cash to blow on suits. I wish I had seen more dresses like this on the market as they are simple, appropriate, and couldn't be more comfortable! I thought to wear black shoes, but I didn't want to be too matchy, so I went with a neutral colored shoe that serendipitously picked up on the color of the grid, and added a pair of translucent tights. I suppose a sheer hosiery would've done the trick, too, but isn't it supposed to be winter?

Outfit Details:
Dress: Jones New York
Tights: H&M
Shoes: UO
Necklace: Vintage Gold and Pearly Strands
Earrings: Brass Plum
Bangle Bracelets: H&M

Day 7: Cadet Silhouette

Don't let the sunshine fool you, it's chillier than it looks! I love military inspired clothing, always have done, but this vintage jacket is the real thing. With its broad shoulders and tapered waist it certainly is cut for a man, but I think it wears nicely at a cropped length.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Max Studio
Jacket: Vintage US Naval Academy Uniform
Tights: H&M
Boots: Target
Sunglasses: Moschino
Hat: Free People
Ring: Brilliance Found on Etsy

Day 6: Cropped Moto Jacket

 

Brunch in the city means dress in layers and be comfortable! We headed out to the Fillmore neighborhood to try out the brunch at Frescas. It was a delicious blend of Peruvian and American Cuisine.

 

Outfit Details:
Moto Jacket: BCBG
Peplum Waistcoat: H&M
Asymmetric Camisole: Blush 
Denim: Banana Republic
Shoes: Anne Klein
Belt: DKNY
Hobo Bag: L.A.M.B.
Flower Ring: Saks 5th Avenue
Necklace: Gift

Day 5: 1950's Christmas Bustle Day Dress

 

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! I'm spending the day loading up on sweets and homemade meals, but I wanted to take a moment to wish you a wonderful day. Since I'm starting the festivities very early in the morning, I opted for a comfortable, red and green striped day dress from the Etsy shop. It is astoundingly light, and with a crinoline underneath it fills out nicely. I'll be in the kitchen all day, and decided to bust out this wonderful vintage Christmas apron, too. I hope you are having a fabulous day, and I'm sending you lots of love!

  

Outfit Details:

Dress: 1950's Day Dress

Tights: Hue

Spectator Shoes: Steven

Bracelets: Juicy Couture

Jaguar Belt: Vintage 1980s

Day 4: Christmas Eve in 1950's Sage Green Velveteen

  

I hope you are all having a delicious holiday! I certainly am having a wonderful Christmas, and the festivities haven't even begun. One thing you may not know about me is that I am an Elvis Presley fan. It just doesn't feel like Christmas to me without playing the Elvis Christmas album, and after listening to it last night while baking up a storm, I figured I had to go classic this Christmas with a beautiful 1950's party dress that I picked up a little over a month ago from The Witchery Vintage. It's lovely and simply a delight to wear!

  

Outfit Details:

Dress: 1950's Sage Green Velveteen Party Dress from Etsy: The Witchery Vintage

Bow Necklace: Christian Dior

Bangle Bracelets: H&M

Flower Ring: Saks 5th Avenue

Shoes: Guess

Day 3: Cranberry Trench Dress

My apologies for a lapse in outfit posts. I had a freakishly hectic day (including locking my car keys in the trunk of my car!), and although I photographed my outfit, by the time I got home I was too tired to sort through them. I will post yesterday's outfit later on in the series, but I wanted to make sure that I got today's dress in because I think it's color is perfect for the holidays. This isn't a vintage dress, but it wears like one with all the pleating and darting.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique
Fleur Dis Lys Earrings: Brass Plum (part of a three pack)
Necklace: Nordstrom
Plaid Heels: Rockport (ps: I was given them by my grandmother's friend. I was dubious, but they are amazingly comfortable! )

Day 2: Mod Dress, Modern Jacket

Today I woke up craving some 1960's rock n' roll! Honestly, sometimes I think a little musical accompaniment in the morning is just what I need to help me pick out an outfit. For a splash of color I reached for this 1960's navy and red striped jumper dress. It's an American Rags Cie. remake from their vintage department, which, from my understanding simply means that it is a vintage find that has been restored or transformed. I'm already sucker for 1960's and 1970's era vintage, but when I find something with a mod, or 'British Invasion' look to it, I go bananas! I wish I'd caught a photo of it's jumper-style front, so adorable!  I suppose I never mentioned it in the last post, but one of my New Year's blog resolutions is to do at least one consecutive 30 days/30 outfits post session. I just couldn't wait until the new year to get started, though, especially with so many holiday party outfits planned! Hope you enjoy this brief tour of my wardrobe.

 

Outfit Details

Sunglasses: Christian Dior

Turtleneck: Rampage

Vintage 1960's Striped Jumper: American Rag Cie. 

Motorcycle Jacket: BCBG

Tights: Betsey Johnson

Shoes: Anne Klein

By the way, yesterday's outfit wore like a dream. I underestimated how easy the sleeveless cape would make shopping; it was way easier than wearing a coat. My only tip to cape wearers this season would be this: Make sure you wear the kind of purse that you can sling across your body underneath the cape, otherwise wearing/holding a purse is just awkward. 

Day 1: My 'No-Fuss' Last Minute Christmas Shopping Outfit

The look of effortless layering is something I always appreciate. I love to pile it on, but when I'm taking public transportation/walking all day I don't like to carry extra bulk. This afternoon I'll be joining the thousands of others who are running errands and shopping for last minute Christmas presents. I'm usually done with my shopping by Thanksgiving, but with all the travel I've been doing over the past couple of months, I've left a few gift ideas on the back-burner. Since I'd prefer to dress without a lot of fuss today, I opted for a shirtdress and tights combo; it's easy, and just in case I spot something I want to try on for myself, I don't have a lot of layers to take off. I also don't want to be bogged down by a heavy wool jacket, so I'm borrowing this camel colored cape from the shop to see if it makes for a comfortable coat supplement. Making up for the lack of layered clothing, I'm adding a variety of simple accessories to the mix- it's a wonder what a good pair of boots and a hat will do! The only thing I'm worried about is the hat blowing away, it's crazy windy today, and I don't want to carry an umbrella.  I'll let you know how the outfit works out, but I'm curious...do you have any 'go-to' outfits for a busy day?

 

 

I won this double strand heart necklace from Bombshell Shocked, in a giveaway hosted by Bombshell Bettie's Vintage. It was the perfect addition to the other vintage strands I was wearing, and a really cute set to wear by itself, too! Actually, the necklace was just one item out a whole box of goodies that I won. I hope to photograph the rest of them soon.

Outfit Details:

Vintage 1970's Wool Cape: Borrowed from the Iron Orchid Vintage Etsy Store (will be up this week!).

Hat: Vintage 1980's Banana Republic
Double Strand Hearts Necklace: Bombshell Shocked
Gold and Pearly Strands Necklace: Vintage
Bangle Bracelet: Vintage
Shirtdress: Free People
Tights: Betsey Johnson
OTK Boots: Report

Red Velvet Holiday Dress & 1 Year on Etsy!

Although I didn't really start selling things in the shop until sometime in January, today marks the official 1 year anniversary of the Iron Orchid Vintage Etsy store! This dress means a lot to me because I got it, literally, the day I decided I wanted to open the shop. The previous owner had worn this dress to her prom, only it was much longer...I mean to the ground and then some. I altered it to a mini-length, and saved up all the extra fabric, but I'm still not sure what I'll do with it. Any ideas?  It seems like I'm always looking for some incarnation of this dress- a sweet and simple 1970's look. The rain wasn't so bad when I took these photos, but the wind was out of control. It was, however, great for creating a dramatic wind-fan effect with my hair!

In Transit, In Fog, In Between Colors

Every color was smooth, and subtle, and my goodness was I happy to be in something soft, lacy, and pale. I'll have to get a full shot of this sweater for you, it's all kinds of everything I'd ever imagined the perfect sweater to be.

Jaguar

One thing I love about 80's vintage is the gaudy little details. This vintage wide-stretch belt is bejeweled in all the right places. We're talking rhinestone eyes and everything!

 Also, here's a 1940's I.Magnin Matador hat that I am in the process of restoring. The veiling was pretty badly torn and damaged, it must have been very pretty once, but now it is in disintegration. I'll have to do a full post on gathering the vintage veiling and figuring out how to sew these items properly, but I the hat is so pretty that I had to show a picture of it to you. Pardon the over-exposure- I wasn't on the right setting.

December Iron Orchid Vintage Giveaway Hosted by Bombshell Bettie's Vintage

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

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Casual Vintage for a City Stroll

Every now-and-again, it's fun to get out and stroll through the city, and sometimes it is just fun to take it all in like a tourist. 

Outfit Details:
Metal Bandeau: Vintage
Peter Pan Collar Cardigan: Vintage
Trouser Denim: Banana Republic
Wedge Heels: UO
Purse: Vintage
Belt: Tahari