Posts tagged Vintage
Kick-It in Old-School Sneaks
Sep 16th
Kristen Stewart made headlines when she ditched the heels for her favorite Converse sneakers at the 2009 VMAs.
A trend we LOVE this summer that we definitely anticipate carrying over into this fall is the return of the old school sneakers. Lots of designers are catching on to this trend as well, and designing their own exclusive lines with shoe companies while putting their twists on the classic looks. If you’re a Converse lover like myself, one line definitely worth checking out is Free People’s unique twist on the classic Chuck Taylor’s. Even J. Crew has caught the sneaker fever and collaborated with Vans to create a vintage-looking line of sneakers.
With a celebrity endorsement like Taylor Swift, it is no wonder that Keds are making a killer comeback on women of all ages. Keds complete a simple and classic look while being the epitome of comfort. If you’re looking to add a pop of color, or spice up a simple look with some floral patterns, both Vans and Keds have released new lines for women that be may be just what you’re looking for.
One of the best part about stocking up on new sneaks is that you can find some amazing deals and don’t have to worry about making too big of a dent in your wallet. If looking to add a bit of edge to your look, a graphic print pair of Vans, or studded pair of Chuck Taylor’s would do just the trick. Pictured below, Whitney Port completed her edgy red carpet look with a pair of leopard print vans that really stand out, even next to those graphic print leggings.
If you’re a fashionista who values comfort as much as I do, invest in a pair of sneakers that you love! By adding a pair of plain white Vans or simple black Chucks, you will always have a simple and comfortable shoe to pair with just about anything. The greatest part about this sneaker comeback is the amount of variety being offered in the stores right now, there is a unique pair to match every gal’s personal style!
-Catherine, fashioniSTA
(Image Credits: mtv.com, pinterest.com, tumblr.com, justjared.com)
Go Behind the Scenes of ‘Fashion Hunters’!
Oct 3rd
As our “Fashion Hunters” October 4th premiere date inches closer, many are wondering what changes the Mott Street New York store has undergone, both during filming and now in preparation for the series to actually air on Bravo!
There were in fact, many changes. As you know, our motto is “Rescale Goes Upscale.” We wanted to make sure that we were being true to what the company stands for. We’ve always been proud of STA’s ability to change peoples’ minds about negative consignment stigmas by keeping our merchandise fresh, and being choosy when taking in items for the store. We re-curated the racks prior to filming in about a two-week time period and then an entire TV crew came in and set up shop!
It was a total adventure, both personally and professionally for all of us. Consignments are usually personal, with people handing over pieces they initially shelled out major money for. Doing them on camera changed the dynamic a bit, but, we were pleasantly surprised how much our consignors wanted to participate and how well they rolled right into ‘TV mode’! It’s never easy to point out stains, rips or holes in someone’s clothing, but that was a large part of what the show was about – how meticulous we have to be when doing our job.
There were also amazing moments where we found things people had brought in were one-of-a-kind couture or vintage pieces with values up to the tens of thousands. There are a lot of goodies in store for everyone to see – including an unforgettable trip to New York’s exclusive Hamptons towns, where we got to mix consignment with pleasure and saddle back to our store with unbelievable merchandise to sell!
After shooting for four months, we said good-bye to our Bravo family and had the summer to get the store (and our personal lives!) back to normal. Thanks to everyone who has been cheering us on and supported our endeavors in this show. It was a joint effort between the entire cast, the STA Boston management team & investors and our new joint family, the Bravo & Leftfield networks. Our shoppers and consignors also played a huge role every time they took a chance, bravely signing a waiver and volunteering to showcase the consignment process.
Now that you’ve heard our preface to the show, don’t forget to tune in on October 4th at 10:30pm for all the consignment and couture that STA Mott Street has to offer!
~Tara and Ambria, fashioniSTAs
P.S. We’re starting off your hunt the right way! Come into any STA on October 4th and mention the secret catchphrase “I live for the hunt” to score an additional 10% off everything!
The Spirit of the Seventies
Sep 9th
As the summer crawls to an end, we realize that the time is nigh to re-evaluate our wardrobe. How can you even begin to fathom stretching those summer must-haves into an autumn-appropriate wardrobe? Which easy breezy trends will have to hit the storage bin and which ones can be expected to transition into fall?
Fortunately for all of us fashioniSTAs, the biggest summer trend shows no signs of slowing down. Don’t box up those platforms just yet; it appears that the ’70s are here to stay. This upcoming season, it’s all about re-inventing your mother’s wardrobe — time to transition the spirit of the ’70s into the spirit of the season! Grab your gold, dig that denim, and get crazy with the crotchet!
Take it from Gregg Andrews, Nordstrom Fashion Director: “There were a lot of beautiful, chic clothes from the ’70s and a lot of people forget that. There was a great feeling of luxury and little bit of decadence, but it was more about a lifestyle than the way you dress.”
So while the designs from the Disco Decade continue to make waves on the runways , here are a few key elements to work into your fall closet this season: wide collars, flared or wide leg trousers with high waists, maxi hems, floppy hats, wraps, crochet and embroidery, denim-on-denim, one-shoulder pieces, big prints (especially paisley), and stripes in multiple colors.
Of course, reading about the trends isn’t as fun as actually seeing how to piece these all together… so let STA be your guide! Check out these looks, pulled from the racks of our Harvard Square location! Add a denim jacket and you’re good to go!
Dress: What Goes Around Comes Around (size S) $79 / Vest: Club Monaco (size S) NWT! $25 / Bead & Crotchet Necklace: $12 / Leather Belt: $15 / Vintage Yves St. Laurent Bag: $79 / Cynthia Vincent Slides (size 6.5) $69
Gryphon Dress (size M) $89 / Necklace: $9 / Sequin Belt: $15 / Stuart Weitzman Sandals (size 9) $89 / Jessica Simpson Sunglasses: $19
Arden B. Knit Halter (size S) $19 / Patchwork Denim Skirt (size S) $15 / Rope and Clay Necklace: $10 / Isabella Fiore Embroidered Bag: $99 / Karen Millen Sandals (size 7.5) $69
BCBG MaxAzria Crotchet Halter Dress (size M) $49 / Carlos Falchi Bag: $79 / BCBGirls Sandal (size 8.5) $39 / Necklaces: $6 & $12 / Belt: $15
Diane von Furstenberg Wrap Dress (size 10) $69 / Plastic Necklace: $9 / Frye Sandal (size 10) $59 / Vintage Bag: $15
L’Amadei Maxi Dress (size L) $25 / Necklaces: $8 & $14 / Rope Belt: $15 / Kors by Michael Kors Sandal (size 7) $79 / Vintage Tote: $15 / Straw Hat: $15
~Kim, FashioniSTA/Harvard Square Store Manager
MODERNIZING VINTAGE: Select Your Style!
Nov 16th
If you follow fashion trends, you may have already figured out that one secret to staying current is simply identifying styles from the past and wearing them in new ways.
Retro is the new modern, and there’s no better way to dress vintage than by wearing the real thing. “Vintage” is usually defined by the era of 1940 to 1980 — earlier than 1940 would be considered “antique” clothing. While today’s designers often reproduce looks from the past with a few modern twists, there’s a certain satisfaction in wearing an authentic vintage dress, skirt or sweater. It gives you a fashionable flair and is always a conversation-starter.
But pulling it off isn’t always the easiest. However, if you follow a few key guidelines, it can become as effortless as throwing on your old pair of jeans.
The most important thing to keep in mind is this: modernize it, don’t relive it. Head-to-toe vintage can look too much like a costume, so blending yesteryear with today is key. Use a sweater or skirt with items you already have. Mix and match new with old to create a style all your own! You want to look reminiscent of days gone by, not like you’re on your way to a theme party. Which leads us to our first tip…
TIP #1 – Keep it Simple
Do not try to put together a whole vintage outfit, top-to-bottom. If the vintage piece you’re incorporating is loud or flashy, make it your accent piece and make sure the rest of your ensemble is understated. If your main garment is vintage, be sure accentuate the ensemble with more modern pieces. Pair a vintage neck-tie blouse with skinny jeans and flats. Wear a 50’s shirt dress with new patent leather pumps. The opposite works just as well; feel free to use a touch of vintage (scarves, jewelry, a fun jacket) to gussy up an otherwise regular outfit.
Below look: Shirt: 70s Vintage — $19 / Tank: Eileen Fisher — $25 / Denim: Seven for All Mankind — $59 / Shoes: Arturo Chiang — $29 / Bag: Longchamp — $79
TIP #2 – Mix Period Styles Together
Think about the style you are trying to achieve. Do you like the sleek sophistication of the 1920s-30s or “New Look” clothing from the ’40s and ’50s? Does your taste run toward mod 60s miniskirts or flowing hippie 70s styles? Or is it more 1980s, with big shoulder pads and high-waisted pants? Whatever your preferred style, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to blend the fashion timelines together. Styles have overlapped through the eras much like they do today, and combining elements from the decades will help to achieve a look that is all your own.
Below look: Cardigan: J. Crew — $29 / Tee: Three Dot — $25 / Skirt: 60s Vintage — $19 / Shoe: Stephane Verdino — $79 / Bag: 80s Vintage Anne Klein for Calderon clutch — $19
TIP #3 — Become a DIY Designer
As the decades changed, so did our culture’s eye for acceptable hemlines, necklines, and forms. The result? Many great vintage finds are passed over on the rack, deemed to “matronly” or too “boxy”. What to do? Alter it. Tailor that “piece with potential” to give it a contemporary fit. A long dress that looks dowdy at mid-calf length can be easily hemmed into a mini dress. Remove outdated shoulder pads and replace tacky buttons with new ones for an instant makeover. Add a few darts to give that sheath a new shape, and take the scissors to those bell sleeves to create a shorter cap.
Some vintage purists hate alterations, arguing that any modification to these relics results in them being rendered worthless — it would be like painting over a Picasso. This is a valid debate, and it’s worth pointing out that any items of high original retail or cultural value are best left in their original state. However, there are many vintage items on the market that were mass produced at very low cost in their heyday and are worth nothing more to history other than a sense of nostalgia — like that H&M sweater you might find at the back of your closet in twenty years. So do a little research into your pieces before putting your sewing skills to work. Then it’s time to get creative!
Below look: Jacket: Arden B. leather — $49 / Dress: 70s vintage — $25 / Shoes: Stephane Verdino — $79
TIP #4 – Fun First! Fashion follows.
This tip especially applies to your vintage choices. We here at Second Time Around truly believe that if you feel good, it shows. Confidence is the key in pulling off any style, so be sure to find the right look for your comfort zone. Whether your final ensemble is understated or bold, you will be well on your way to staying ahead of the curve… by following trends of the past!
Below look: Cardigan: 80s Vintage Adrienne Vittadini from Bergdorf Goodman — $39 / Denim: Marc Jacobs — $69 / Shoes: DKNY — $69 / Bag: Gucci — $109
~Kim, Store Manager, Second Time Around Harvard Square
One Piece - 4 ways to wear!
Apr 7th
Sure, a lot of stores have clothes, but only a few have developed a unique eye for creating stylish collections time and time again. We here at Second Time Around spend our days poring over individual pieces, looking to pair them with cute complementary coordinates! Along the way, we often find ourselves helping guests to see their new items in an even newer light. Take, for example, this staple piece from Juicy Couture found at our Harvard Square location: a vibrant green short-sleeved button-down with a wide ruffle trim and Peter Pan collar (retail value: $158 / yours for $52!)
The Juicy Blouse
At first glance, it appears to be a very girly yet very basic top, easily paired with your favorite everyday denim and flats. But all it takes is a little resourcefulness to maximize your new garment’s potential! May we present to you, dear reader, a creative exercise in using the same piece for four entirely different outfits, all found in Harvard Square!
ENSEMBLE #1 – POLISHED & PROFESSIONAL
Polished Professional
For a more classic and conservative look, we took a timeless yet trendy Alexander Wang dress (yours for only $148) and placed the top underneath. It’s hard to dress girly around the office, but this outfit rises to the challenge of finding the right professional accoutrement! Shoe: Steven by Steve Madden — $36 / Bag: La Bagagerie — $78 / Necklace: $14.
ENSEMBLE #2 – FLIRTY & FEMININE
Flirty & Feminine
Spring is the time to bring a little smile to your wardrobe, and this array is no exception. If you prefer a more flirty and feminine approach, try adding a splash of vintage chic! Skirt: Trio — $24 / Scarf: Vintage — $12 / Belt: Vintage Dior — $32 / Bag: Vintage — $14 / Shoe: Steve Madden — $32.
ENSEMBLE #3 – BOHO CASUAL
Boho Casual
Ruffles have a subtle dress-up quality about them, so we paired our top with some casual everyday staples. The final look has an edge about it that says you’re not afraid to add a little cute to your kit. Skirt: Lucky Brand Denim — $26 / Undershirt: Kenzie — $16 / Bag: Christopher Kon — $62 / Shoe: Taryn Rose — $74 / Scarves: $12 each.
ENSEMBLE #4 – GLAMAZON
Glamazon
Every so often, a lady wants to glam it up a little after a long hard day making ends meet. A wardrobe basic can easily transition into nightwear by the simple addition of alluring accessories! Skirt: Silk Box — $28 / Belt: $12 / Bag: Stuart Weitzman = $132 / Shoe: Steve Madden = $32 / Necklaces: $14 each.
~ Kim, Harvard Square Store Manager, Second Time Around