Vintage Outfits

Be inspired from years gone by...

Vintage outfits are always trendy. You might just need a few tips on how to adjust, accessorize and style your amazing finds into some beautiful vintage looks.

One of the greatest sources of vintage style inspiration is Siri's blog Ringo Have A Banana. Her amazing thrift store finds are inspirational, and the way she puts items together is very chic indeed (right).

She keeps her look simple with tousled undone hair, a dress, cardigan, boots and glasses. But, it is the quality of the items she has found, and her skills on the sewing machine that transform her outfits from basic to beautiful.

Vintage outfits don't need to be fancy, or obviously vintage to be effective. Just make sure you have some staple pieces in your wardrobe that you can add to any outfit to bring it up-to-date, like a waist belt, some black tights or a leather jacket. The most trendy shoes will keep any ensemble from looking dowdy.

Fabulous Fashion From Yesteryear

Look for elegant and timeless classics from last century, and keep an eye out for those one off finds. Dresses are wearable at any time of year, but make sure you pick a style that suits your shape.

Jewelry and shoes are great thrift store finds, and can bring an outfit to life. Almost any type of boots pre 1990 will be very wearable with all sorts of outfits, especially round toe or ankle boots. Leather is important though, if the shoes aren't leather then they won't have much wear left in them, and they may be quite uncomfortable.

Classic dresses from the forties and fifties will always look stylish, jackets from the early 20th century will be durable as well as wearable and you can buy some great statement party pieces from the 80s. Add a bit of glamour with a 20s hat or some fantastic gloves and bags.

How to Thrift Shop

Here's some tips on how to find some bargains:

• don't expect to find something every time you go shopping
• have lots of time, you might have to trawl through rails of wrong to get to the right
• be prepared to make some adjustments, and keep your eye open to what would look awesome if you adjusted it
• go to different shops in your area and work out where the best stuff is
• don't neglect any vintage shops unless they are overpriced
• work out how much you will allow yourself to spend, and don't go over it
• only buy it if you will actually wear it, otherwise it'll just clutter your wardrobe and waste money
• shop with someone that understands, or teach a vintage newbie how to search the rails
• go at all times of year, you're more than likely to find winter coats when its sunny and summer dresses when its snowing
• don't look at the sizes, old sizing is different to todays, so try it on if it looks like it might fit!
• look at the fabric - if there's loads of good quality fabric, you might be able to make something else with it!

Don't Be Scared of Your Sewing Machine

Hemlines might need to be hemmed to bring them into the 21st century, above the knee rather than below it, calf length rather than ankle length. A dress might just need a few inches taken off the sleeves, or a few centimetres taken in at the waist.

If you aren't sure on how to do anything with your machine, either book yourself on a dressmaking course or take your newly found purchases to your dressmaker or tailor who will be able to adjust it for you until it is perfect!