Papa Don’t Preach

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But I made up my mind, I’m writing this post about you.

When I look at my father’s 60-year-old frame today, it’s hard to believe that he was once an energetic young dad dealing with four kids. Looking back at old photos of him, I’d say he was a pretty stylish guy.

He wasn’t around much when my siblings and I were younger because he worked hard to make sure he could provide for us and feed our hungry tummies. This was one of his biggest regrets, he later told me, that he missed out on so much of our childhood. To make up for lost time, he would lecture us on various facets of life, lectures I always dreaded. Only in recent years have I started to understand the meaning of his lectures. Whether it is advice on finding the right man or finding a career I’m passionate about – he has two cents to say about everything. I’ve realized that my dad is a very smart man. He has bestowed on me many words of wisdom, of which I realize the truths to his words much later.

Dad, thank you for always challenging me and providing the inspiration for this outfit! Like father, like daughter.


unlabeled jacket (similar) / U.O. tee (similar) / vintage trousers (similar) / Me Too shoes (similar) vintage D&B purse

Beautiful Little Fool

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“That’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool . . . ” - Daisy Buchanan

I guess you can call me a beautiful little fool for attempting to rival the looks of Ms. Daisy Fay. After all, she wears the finest pearls that money and buy and has two men vying for her love. Who wouldn’t be jealous?

Perhaps one of the most popular fashion decade amongst vintage experts and amateurs alike is the flapper style of the Roaring 20s. The style of this decade consisted of shapeless shift dresses with boxy straight cut silhouettes. Gone were the constricting corsets of past eras, and this was the first time there was so much exposure of the arms and legs. Shoes also became important in the outfit, as they now were visible because of the shorter hemlines. Mary Janes and T-straps were the popular shoes of this era, with their aesthetically pleasing design and practicality for dancing.

After watching The Great Gatsby, I was inspired to get jazzy and celebrate the 20s while I am still in my 20s. I got this awesome sequined wool top during my solo trip to Toronto a few months back. Not only does it shine and sparkle under the lights, but also when I move, the sequins rustle like the sound of leaves blowing on the treetops during a breezy autumn day. I wore it over my LBD, and with my already boyish figure, I suddenly created a flapperesque silhouette of a dress. Add some gold T-strap heels and a velvet turban headband (I used a strip of fabric scrap), and I am ready to do the Charleston all through the night. I probably could’ve used one strand – or ten – of pearls, since the 1920s look isn’t complete without tons of costume jewelry. Oh, what a fool I am!


vintage sequined tank (sequin option here) / We Who See T-strap heels (similar) / DIY velvet turban headband (tutorial here)

The Great Gatsby

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His name was Jay Gatsby and he threw the most lavish parties.

I know I’m a month behind the times, but I finally watched Baz Luhrmann’s version of The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. Oh how I would’ve loved to live during the great Jazz Age just to experience the booze, the dancing, and the fashion of the roaring 20s. Who doesn’t want confetti dumped on them from a huge champagne bottle?

The movie was a spectacle of bright colors, fast moving scenes, and dramatic theatrics. Even more stunning were the costumes: the dresses, hats, accessories, suits, and hairstyles. Words cannot describe the glorious outfits, which were designed by Catherine Martin in collaboration with Prada and Brooks Brothers. Nevermind if the movie itself was a disappointment and the character development lacking, but at least the costumes and fashions were a feast for the eyes. Martin’s version of the 1920s style translated easily to present day and were freshly modern yet retro at the same time. The soundtrack is also to die for: with Jay-Z as executive producer, the music is worthy of much more than just jazz hands.

Alright old sport, I’ve received my invitation, now all I have to figure out is what to wear to the party.

When in doubt, crop it out

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There are just 14 days until the start of summer and I’m already experiencing hot flashes. How can I keep my cool during these heat waves? When in doubt, crop it out.

I’m not inclined to bare it all unless I’m in Vegas. However, when the temperature reaches the mid 80s, a cropped top is a perfect way stay cool and shows off a little skin without feeling too exposed. Not to mention it’s an excellent solution to get some color in your midsection, if you don’t mind a funny tan line.

My aunt was cleaning out her closet and I became the lucky recipient of her groovy 1960s two-piece dress. The openness of the sleeves is not only stylishly cute, but has a functional purpose, for it serves as a much needed ventilation to my overheating body. This photo shoot was taken in the late afternoon, with the sun beaming down on me, and not a shady spot in sight. I think I might be too hot to handle, quite literally.

Is it hot out here or is it just me?

two-piece vintage dress (similar top & skirt) / vintage heels (similar here & here)

Sin City Blackout

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Meet Vixen Vic, my alter ego.

Last week I went to Las Vegas and committed the greatest cardinal sin of all: I didn’t pack enough accessories!

Specifically, I was missing a belt. I know what you’re thinking: after a couple of drinks and dancing to loud music in dimly lit clubs until sunrise, does anyone really care? I do.

Call me a prude if you may, but I am no friend to Vegas attire; dressing in as little as possible has never been my forte.

However, shopping in my closet yielded an appropriate solution: black short shorts (hey it’s just like running shorts right?) and a sheer black top (the chest pocket placement is not an accident). Add a dash of glitz, gold, and vintage – you’ve hit the jackpot in the city of sin. Oh craps, I should’ve worn a necklace. Send another gin and tonic to me at the penny slots please!

My favorite detail in this outfit: the filigree-like loopy 1960s gold earrings that I scored at a vintage market in Toronto.

I returned home with no photographic evidence of my trip there, because as we all know, “whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Enough said.

Vixen Vic vs. Chic Vic – readers, what do you think?


Silence & Noise blouse (options here & here) / Silence & Noise shorts (options here & here)   Nine West Rocha Pumps / vintage earrings (options here & here) / vintage belt (similar)

Crop it like it’s hot

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When them boys try to holla at you, crop it like it’s hot.

As the temperatures rise, so do the hemlines of shirts, in the form of crop tops. Are you telling me you don’t have toned abs? Never fear, because the good news is that you don’t necessarily need to expose your entire 1-pack. The cropped top can show skin ranging anywhere from under your ribcage to the top of your belly button – how much you choose to expose is up to you.

Although this certainly isn’t a new trend, I am a stranger to showing off my mid-section in public, unless I’m at the beach. If I were to sport this trend in the future, I’d reveal only a sliver of skin and wear a high waisted bottom of some sort – no bellybutton exposure for me! Stay tuned to see if I can successfully crop it like it’s hot.

Crop it like it's hot

G.I. Jo Camo

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Atten-shun!

The last time I wore something with camouflage print, it was in the form of a baby tee. At age 13, I recall pairing it with my favorite flared khaki pants and my tan utilitarian button up. But since then, I have not felt the need to incorporate camo back into my life. That is, until now. I’ve performed a complete about-face.

Not just any camo will put me at ease! Specifically, I’m looking for a lightweight jacket or parka that hits at the hips, with a belt or drawstring that cinches at the waist. Is that too much to ask for? Wear it with a graphic tee or a casual blouse. I would contrast it with something ultra feminine, like a skinny jean, pencil skirt, or even show a lot of leg with a pair of shorts. Finish with a girly espadrille wedge heel to make the outfit spring appropriate. It’s the perfect utilitarian chic look that will command attention even from across enemy lines.

Time to hit up the local army surplus store or a Forever21. Consider this my fashion tribute to Memorial Day.

Jo Camo

Chic Chambray

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Chic Chambray

When I first met the chambray button up shirt, I didn’t care for it too much, thinking that it certainly would clash with all the denim jeans I owned. Who wants to wear head to toe denim? Not I. Yet, slowly but surely, chambray found its way to my heart. Suddenly I longed to make one mine and looked forward to creating all sorts of beautiful outfits with it.

So, what exactly is chambray? Originally made in Cambrai, France, true chambray fabric looks rough and uneven. It is traditionally woven with blue threads and a white horizontal thread to give it that mottled look. However, now chambray can also refer to blue dress shirts or shirts that are denim in color.

Old Navy chambray (on sale! cuter option here) / Unisa espadrilles (similar here & here)   vintage Lord & Taylor jacket (similar) / vintage envelope clutch (similar)

I am surprised at how much I like denim on denim. The key to this outfit is to wear different shades of blue. The casual fit of the shirt felt a bit matronly on me, but nothing that a skinny belt can’t fix. To add some flair to an otherwise plain blue denim palette, I incorporated a leopard urban turban and a similar wild print in my espadrilles. I decided to pin a 1960s flower brooch on my shirt instead of my jacket to help break up the monochromatic look. Even in this balmy spring weather, a lightweight jacket is a must. I chose this peach colored vintage Lord & Taylor jacket to complement my blue-clad ensemble. And what look wouldn’t be complete without a purse to hold my essentials? This woven straw envelope clutch adds a punch of texture to my outfit.

Chic Vic in chambray. This shirt is sure to be a staple in my closet for the warm spring days ahead. Oh hey, can you say chambray all the way?

The Old Lady by the Seafoam Green

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I have a lot of old lady tendencies. I sleep early. I drink warm water instead of ice water. I like to sew. I dress conservatively. Actually I’m just a young lady with an old soul for fresh style. And nothing says fresh as a spring breeze by the sea better than seafoam green.

I picked up this minty fresh 1960s beauty in a dimly lit basement of a vintage shop on my recent trip to Toronto. I was immediately drawn first to the beautiful color of this dress, and second to the chiffon-like material. I admit I felt a bit like a flower girl due to the youthful empire waist, bow at my back, and flowers under my bust, but for only $10, I couldn’t pass it up.

I consider myself a fashionista of sorts, but even so, I was stumped at what to wear with this dress, especially the shoes. Gold or silver metallic? Definitely no black. Perhaps white shoes to go with the white flowers? When all else fails, I stick to a simple nude pump.

I kept the accessories simply light and bright to go with the springtime airy feel of the dress: a single strand of white pearls, sparkly white floral clip on earrings, and one blue floral cloisonné bangle. Easy breezy!

seafoam green dress (similar here and here)

Seafoam Green

Dressed to a Tee

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Even this vintagenista likes to wear a casual tee shirt every now and then. How about a tee that represents the city from which I was born and raised? Oakland, smokin’.

I got this awesome tee shirt at fiftyseven-thirtythree, an Oakland based apparel company that specializes in not your mom’s screen-printed graphic tees and artwork oozing with street edge. Although paying $30 for a tee shirt is steep in my opinion (those funds could go towards a vintage dress!), at least it supports local business. Lucky for me, I happened to chance upon this grapefruit hued shirt in the bargain bin. I got five on it! Or more like ten, which is how much I paid for it.

Cardigan (options here + here) / Tee (options here + here + here) / Hat (options here + here)

My favorite thing to do with a casual modern tee shirt is to juxtapose it with feminine elements. I scored this high contrast black and white beaded cardigan at Buffalo Exchange in almost excellent condition, complete with silk lining underneath. Ripped jeans and studded booties complemented my rockin’ vintage look, topped off with a vintage silk pillbox hat and a blingin’ brooch.

Representing Oaktown and vintage at the same time! Oh how I love it.

The Feminine Cardigan