Fashion is not about reinventing the wheel. It's about taking history to make history. Most trendsetters can look back to centuries of style for inspiration of what can work for today. Chanel's iconic Little Black Dress was created in 1926 and has flawlessly adapted with each decade to remain our most beloved fashion piece. Vintage is a second (or third or fourth) hand garment with a lifespan of over twenty years. People enjoy vintage clothing because of the fine materials used, the snug fit of sizes past and of course, the uniqueness of the piece. Popular places to buy vintage clothing include charity-run second hand clothing shops, garage sales, flea markets, antique markets, estate sales, auctions, vintage clothing shops, and online. Rule number one for vintage couture: never alter. If you have name-brand vintage clothing, altering it automatically kills the value. Also important to preserving and maintaining pieces in good condition is storage in acid-free boxes and tissue paper. Some vintage pieces are essential for the present while some can be left to their past.
c. 1909-1914 Jeanne Lanvin, Paris Black Cotton Velvet Walking Suit with Separate Original Tasseled Sash! Very Old Label!
Lanvin is one of the oldest couture houses and to own a piece of this history is priceless. I'm not sure if this would be best for a night out on the town but it certainly would add value to any fashion lover’s collection. The Walking Suit was something that was fashion forward in the early twentieth century as many women wore full gowns.
Jeanne Lanvin Cotton Velvet Walking Suit
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Corset
With the recent passing of Yves Saint Laurent, his signature pieces live on. This corset is not only a collector’s item because of the designer but because the corset has come back in full force recently, so it’s truly a trend that has lasted since its creation in the 1970s. This can be worn with a pair of light denim skinny jeans or a pencil skirt for a night out.
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Corset
1970s Halston Wrap Dress
When it comes to vintage, Halston is a designer that continues to be sought after and go up in value. His signature designs are coveted and even up until now, uber-stylist, Rachel Zoe has brought back his maxi dress look. This particular piece is rich in color and in very good condition making a must-have for Halston groupies.
Halston Wrap Dress
c. 1980s Valentino Couture Coral Linen Dress
This vintage gem was previously owned by Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan. Being fashion royalty himself, Valentino dressed Jordan's Queen Noor in 1978. Top of the line Valentino Couture, this is a simple linen day dress in apricot, with linen bands of gray light blue, light green, and yellow. Slight blouson styling. Hand finished zipper at back. As a fun extra, her name is sewn inside the dress seam nearly hidden under the sewn in underarm pads.
Valentino Couture Coral Linen Dress
1976 Black Hermes Kelly Bag
I wanted to add an accessory piece in with vintage, as this is my favorite vintage item of all time. Believe it or not, the current value of a Kelly Bag is $30K, so the price tag from the 1976 piece is worth it for a piece of history. Hermes created the Kelly Bag for Princess Grace Kelly and its been a staple of chic fashion ever since.
Black Hermes Kelly Bag
1960's Black Cocktail Dress
In 1926, having fallen in love with the look of a uniform from her days growing up in a convent, Coco Chanel created the Little Black Dress to combat the wild colors of the fashion year. "Let them wear black!" was a famous statement of hers that has stayed with us up until present day with the LBD being the reining champion of timeless style. This dramatic black cocktail dress is a vintage piece from the 1960s but as you can see, still holds up as a fab piece for an evening event or cocktail party. Pair with a brightly colored shoe for a pop of color like pink or yellow to bring the look into the present.
1960s Black Cocktail Dress
1970s Hippie Shirt
Bohemian chic is very in these days. The global flair of brightly-colored, embroidered peasant shirt is as popular today as it was in the 1970s, when the so-called long-hairs were wearing them. This piece is presently on trend but is vintage from the era in which it was created in the 1970s.
1970s Hippie Shirt
1980s Strapless Dress
I may have possibly worn this piece to my junior high school dance. I always loved silhouette in front that accentuates the curves and the velvet material is tre 80s. The bright pop of color up top is perfectly presented in a bow. The dress is in good condition and since the 80s are back, don't wait too long to don a cute vintage strapless cocktail.
1980s Strapless Dress
Parfait Originals Bright Pink 1950s Dress
The 1950s really celebrated a woman's womanly silhouette. This terrifically on trend piece is both quirky and colorful accentuating all the right parts with a fitted waist and sheath cut. Pair with either flip flops for a super fun and casual look or with a silver, gold, or nude heel for nighttime.
Parfait Originals Bright Pink 1950s Dress
Light Green Straw Hat with Ribbon
This adorable vintage hat looks like it belongs on a Condé Nast girl. What a way to set a trend with such a unique piece. I'm sure women wore it with sundresses back in the day but how about dark denim, fitted short sleeve black suit jacket and some flats for the thoroughly modern Millies?
Light Green Straw Hat with Ribbon
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