Vintage clothing is a wonderful way to show your love of decades past. Wearing it gives you a unique one-of-a-kind look but if you aren’t careful you could end up looking like you’re headed to a costume party. Here are some of my tips for looking current while wearing vintage.

• Don’t dress in head to toe vintage. Keep it simple by wearing only one or two pieces per outfit.

• Dress for your body type. Particular decades are best for certain figures. If you’re pear shaped try a circle skirt or if you want to show of your curves go for a pencil skirt. Both were popular silhouettes in the 1950s. If your legs are your greatest asset then a 1960s miniskirt is for you. Finally,  a look that works on almost any shape is the 1970s wrap dress made famous by Diane von Furstenberg.

• Mix your vintage pieces with modern. For example you could wear a 1950s dress and pair it with contemporary shoes and a handbag.

• Incorporate clothing from the fashion era that best matches your personal style.

• Keep your makeup and hair current.

I love Orla Kiely and the Spring Summer 2011 collection is no different. The presentation is what caught my eye and of course the lovely vintage touches. Gia Coppola was hired to direct a film presenting the latest collection, which was then shown at London Fashion Week. You can view the video here.

What I’m really looking forward to owning is Orla’s new book Pattern.

Pattern is hardcover and makes the perfect coffee table book. It contains Orla’s life story, what inspires her, pages of her illustrations, mood boards, campaign posters, collections and much more.

“Pattern is not a trend for me, to be taken up one minute and abandoned the next when the winds of fashion change. Pattern is in me. Pattern is my life.” – Orla Kiely

Once again I am cleaning out my closet and attic for our town’s annual community yard sale. There are a few things that are too wonderful to put in the yard sale pile and this Anthropologie dress is one of them. It is brand new and never worn. It’s too big for me so it is time for this lovely dress to find a new home.  I’m even offering free shipping for U.S. buyers. Click here to go to ebay.

New York City, 1960 via suzanne.z

Nadinoo’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection is now available online. I love all of the vintage details, peter pan collars, mini lengths and bows. Nadia Izruna’s designs celebrate the lady from eras gone by with timeless silhouettes in silks and cottons from Liberty of London prints.

Also, check out these behind the scenes shots!

www.nadinoo.com

Dear Creatures Spring 2010 collection takes inspiration from the vivid and colorful world of Jack Demy’s The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Visually delightful and unique, the 1964 film musical creates high French drama with popping hues and rich textural design, and Dear Creatures manifests this in chic sartorial form. Spring 2010 evokes the fresh energy of 1960s Paris. Iconic French New Wave films cease to be imaginary with the line’s charming looks, which in a past life could have found their way into the closets of Catherine Deneuve, Anna Karina, and Brigitte Bardot.

www.dearcreatures.com