Despite its recent popularity and return in Vogue (thank you
Kate Moss!), vintage is still an enigma for a lot of people who until today are
hesitant to try it.
Some flatly refuse the concept and consider vintage no
different than any second hand rags (yup back home they do!).
And despite
liking the idea of it, others just simply don’t know how to wear vintage and
get confused with all the colours, styles and patterns and shy away to avoid
looking like a costume character from an era long gone!
An eternal lover of everything vintage (from my wedding
dress to my mom’s frocks, bags and shoes…) I am here to help! And I found just
the right place to show you some tips and tricks in rocking vintage.
The awesome Granny’s Day Out boutique in the historic and stylishly run down
Penninsula Shopping Centre.
Granted this immense store already has something of a cult following and vintage loving tourists find their way there after its inclusion in the Lonely Planet guide to Singapore, but the store is still criminally short of getting regular mainstream attention.
Loh Hsiao Ying, the owner of this cool boutique has hand-picked
every item and curated the shop in a way to make it easier for customers to
find something ‘wearable’. However, if you dig deeper you’ll also find some
unexpected blasts from the past which only contributed to my admiration to this
vintage heaven!
One rule (made by me) before we start, when going for
vintage, just have fun! You really don’t need to extensively know before-hand
about trends throughout the eras. You’ll learn in the process so just enjoy!!
Tip 1: Mix modern with vintage
No one looks like they’ve just stepped out of a retro drama
(unless it is Mad Men!), so make sure to wear the vintage pieces in a modern
way. For this look, I’ve matched this 80s-90s denim corset with my figure
hugging midi skirt and some colourful vintage accessories to give it a fun
twist. Although every item here comes from a different era, the whole look works
together and is most importantly, wearable but still retains a vintage vibe to
it.
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| Looking like you just stepped out of the 70s isn't a great look, which is why mixing it up is a good idea. |
Tip 2: Make it modern and trendy
While retaining that retro vibe is what some want to
achieve, others might want to look trendy while wearing vintage. For this, pick
a more understated piece like this black and silver dress which could pass as a
modern party frock, accessorize it with more edgy pieces like the faded denim
jacket and fierce heels. And Voila! You’re ready to party in style! The clutch
adds that soft touch with the floral motif to complete an on-trend, discreetly
vintage look!
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| Vintage also doesn't have to look old. Fluctuating fashions and timeless pieces mean you can rock vintage that also looks bang up to date |
Tip 3: Balance the elements
Most pieces from the 70s and before tend to look ‘too girly’
with explosion of floral motifs and colours and very feminine cuts. The trick
to wearing one of these frocks is to balance the look with a more modern key
piece like shoes which can take the look from girly to playful yet stylish.
Case in point is this too-cute orange dress. Once teamed with a pair of
contrasting black oxfords, a black handbag and a scarf to add some seriousness,
it looks much more stylish than just wearing a pretty vintage dress with girly
pumps.
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| Tasteful Oxford shoes and an awesome silk scarf really make this look. |
Tip 4: Add an unexpected element to create your personal
style
While this exquisite black gown would look just perfect with
a pearl or diamante necklace and equally elegant clutch in hand to rock any
black tie party, it is more fun and personal to try and team it with unexpected
accessories. A bold necklace and needlework purse add some contrasting
textures and colours to the silky and
velvet dress and make it your own
instead of just a copy of a style gone by.
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| Who wouldn't look good with that necklace and clutch combo? |
Tip 5: Go crazy with mixing prints
Believe it or not, vintage prints don’t work as well alone!
If you team a statement printed Bermuda midi shorts like these with a plain
top, it’ll look out of place. I mean come on, if you are fierce enough to wear
these then why not play them up even more? As long as the cuts work, any print
can work!
I’ve teamed these gorgeous flared shorts with a printed
halter crop top, a retro weekend bag and kept accessories white but interesting
to create my favourite look of the day! I admit it does take some confidence to
pull it off but practice makes perfect so just go for it J!
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| Anyone want to buy me this retro bag? |
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| Super hot shades and necklace cement the look |
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| Straight out of Roman Holiday? Cheeky at the least! How to get noticed and look great! |
Shoulder pads? OK know they’re a bit out there but how can
you say no to a perfectly tailored vintage Thierry Mugler suit like this???
Well if you can’t here’s a way to make it work:
use a tailor and take those things out! I imagine the result to be just
as fierce but nonetheless wearable.
Sadly there was no tailor on hand when I tried this suit on,
so I decided to work it with a 90s supermodel pose… and a chunky pair of
earrings for a full on OTT retro look!
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| Hello Dynasty...shoulder pads and 80s |
Tip 7: Just be yourself
Whether it is a custume-y frock from the 70s or a rare Alaia
velvet dress, go for what you love at first sight! The great thing about
wearing vintage is creating a unique style using some one-off pieces which
speak to you. Tips are there to help you but at the end of the day it’s you who
knows best what works for you so just
have fun!
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| The best tip I can ever give - wear what you love and trust your gut instinct |
Granny’s Day Out is located on the third floor of the Peninsula Shopping Centre on Coleman Street. Their website has just been relaunched on www.grannysdayout.com - including a brand new e-commerce store selling their jewelery.
Which look did you like best? Tell me what you think in the comments section.