Dolls let me tell you something if I never see snow again it
will be too soon, it is COLD, COLD, and COLD! My goodness it just makes you
want to crawl under the covers with a cup of Joe and not come out again until
the first robin is seen. But alas… it’s not possible just cause mother nature
saw fit pop us one good doesn’t mean that life will be deterred (at least not
for long, those 3 days off were divine J)
and as we are trying our best to continue on with our everyday lives alongside
the bitter cold I know more than anyone how tempting it can be to sacrifice your
style in favor of staying warm. Well I’m
going give you a great list and some great ideas that will prove to you that
cold weather and style do mix, in fact snow can make a great background accessory.
I know a lot of fashionable people especially us Pinup and
Vintage Dolls that once winter comes around they are almost completely unrecognizable
and when ask why the answer is always the same “I’d rather be warm than cute”. Well to be honest that’s common sense but if
you could have both why not? That tends be a big concern with us Pinup and
Vintage Dolls especially since most people equate our style with summer and
spring only …though they’d like to keep their look up they just don’t know
how.
Well never fear I have compiled a list of what I think every
Doll should need in the colder months. I guarantee that you will be fabulously vintage,
and more importantly warm!
The Vintage Dolls Guide to Winter!
Okay let’s start with the basics, it’s cold
outside yes but we Dolls will always wear those pencil skirts and full
dresses. So the first thing you need is
tights, tights, and more tights. See that wasn’t complicated, but it can be
fun. There are some great companies now that make all kinds of tights with
designs, artwork, decals and more anything you can think of. It’s a great and
unexpected way to add some flare to a black pencil skirt and a cute sweater.
2.
Vintage Muff:
For those of that don’t know let me start
off by explaining what a muff is. The muff has been around since the 1400’s it’s
basically a hand warmer, it comes in all kinds of fabrics (ex: minx, velvet…)
but the inside is usually silk. These things in my opinion are the epitome of
glamour. And besides being unique they are one of those things that will make
you feel pretty (and we all love that don’t we).
3.
Coat:
Yes I know a coat is a common sense item
and shouldn’t even be on the list, but let me explain myself. What’s important
here is the style, the cut, color and print, even if you can’t necessarily get
yourself a vintage coat you can get away with something modern if you look for
something along these lines. As far as
cut you want clean, classic lines (car coat, pea coat, ¾ length coat, and
dinner coat). For example A-line coats are beautiful coat at any price point
and flattering on all figures, also look out for coats with fitted waistlines
and that flare out. In the color department you want to stick to black, camel,
red, white, blue, yellow if you’re going to be true to the era you wouldn’t
have been stepping out in anything crazier than that. When thinking about
prints your best bet is anything in polka dot, or our favorite leopard print,
plaid, or geometric print. Also look for things will fur accents, belts,
collarless coats or wide lapels.
4.
Cardigans:
The Cardigan is going to be one of the most important
items in your arsenal it’s a great go-to piece, perfect for transitioning and
can even work for all year round. For you Dolls that hate to give your full
skirt dresses with you crinoline slip, this is the perfect way to do it. Also
cardigans are a great way to start off into the world of vintage. You can get a great vintage cardi for just
about any price point; even score some great finds at your local thrift or
Goodwill shop. You can also surprisingly use a cardi to add the unexpected they’re
some great online stores that sell some really unique pieces for fair prices.
5.
Furs:
I know cheesy Hitchcock music is now
playing in the background cause God forbid someone wears a fur in our overly PC
world. Well if you are one of those people that are extremely environmentally conscious
there is still no need to omit this category.
Most people don’t realize that faux fur was actually quite popular in
the 40-50’s. With some searching you are very capable of getting yourself a
very fabulous, very warm, vintage faux-fur that is still in keeping with your
political views. However, a little known fact that I’d like to share with you
and keep yourself open. Furs made in the 1940’s were done so under a different
process than that of today, so in a nutshell they are Animal-Cruelty Free! While
many people that vehemently oppose to wearing furs made today will wear vintage
furs because of this reason. Which there is nothing in the world like, I know
more than one person (myself included) that is a collector of furs, and the craftsmanship,
quality, and uniqueness will make you stand out every time. But more
importantly as stylish as they are I promise you nothing will keep you warmer
than a fur (I know I have 3).
You can't do better than Ebay, unless you plan to actually take a day and to store hopping.
6.
Hat:
This is a touchy subject for me, because
nothing makes me cringe more than seeing a dame with a man’s black beanie over
her head (shudders), or one of those baseball caps. Yes I know that in the
winter you need to do all you can to keep all body heat in and not out, but
that doesn’t mean that one has to sacrifice style to do it. Why not discover a
love of vintage hat? I think women tend to be so terrified of looking silly
that they never give themselves a change. I am a firm believer that there is a
hat out there for everyone it’s just a matter of knowing the shape and size of
your face, as well as how you wear it. Now they’re some hats that look great on
everyone and from there you can play around with them, those are: The Pillbox,
The Tilt Hat, The Beret, The Half/Headband Hat, and Turban Hat.
7.
The Scarf:
Scarfs are one of the most flexible and interchangeable
accessories around. You can do just about anything your imagination can come up
with “necklace, hair tie, hand bag, scarf, hat, skirt, top, belt…). You can get
a scarf in just about any print, color, etc. , you can think of and vintage
scarfs are especially beautiful. They are all extremely unique and they tend to
be one of the easier vintage items to look for and purchase.
8.
Jeans:
Bet you didn’t expect that lol…but come on its
winter a Doll can’t possibly wear a skirt when its 5 degrees outside. A lot of
Dolls think they can’t pull off their look while wearing jeans, well I’m
telling you that’s just not true it’s a matter of finding a jean with the right
style, material, and cut. It’s a little harder to find vintage jeans from the
30’s and 40’s eras but they are some great vintage reproduction companies that
include jeans in with their look book. If the 60’s is what you’re going for try
a nice pair of high-waisted jeans, or trouser jeans, or wide leg jeans. Of
course the 70’s is famous for it’s bell bottoms, but you can also do capris or
flood plants and where them with tights.
9.
Boots:
Good site for shoes
Fashionably Speaking That Is…Joie Cuentista
Boots are not just for the winter; actually
they can be worn all year round. But in the winter time they are a God send for
helping to transition all those pencil & full skirts into your winter
wardrobe. You can have fun with this too, be unexpected wear a pair of combat
boots with a vintage shirt dress and a cardi, or a maybe a pair of red slouchy
kitten ankle boots with your vintage red minx, jeans and red pillbox hat
w/attached scarf.
10.
Have Fun!:
Look there’s no official formula to
transitioning any wardrobe into the winter month’s especially this type. There
is no wrong way, and the key is to have fun and don’t be afraid to be
unexpected. Think out of the box; don’t put away all your spring/summer items.
You’ll be surprised what a great response you’ll get wearing that full skirt Hawaiian
dress with a blazer and boots in January. When it’s all said and done, hell do
and wear what you want Dolls ;) .
