L-O-V-E Day

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Victoria

“The best kind of love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” – Noah Calhoun, The Notebook

Sappy romance movies really aren’t my thing and is probably my least favorite movie genre right next to romantic comedies. When I first watched The Notebook, I rolled my eyes at how the cheesy and predictable love story unfolded. Yet over time, I have grown fond of it mostly because, well, it stars Ryan Gosling as the hopeless romantic Noah Calhoun – what’s not to love? Oh how I’d like to take a ride on Noah’s ark.

Rachel McAdams plays Allie Hamilton, who is Noah’s love interest. It was painful to watch her torture herself and Noah as their summer love crashed and burned, but watching her outfit change in each scene was certainly a delight. Although women’s fashion in the 1940s is often characterized as utilitarian and austere, reflecting the nation’s somber mood during the war, there was also a softer and glamorous side, as epitomized by Allie’s perfect curls, red lipstick, and feminine dresses. Hats, floral and geographic prints, emphasis on sleeve details, shirt dresses, and shoulder pads became very popular during this time.

vintage jacket (similar) / vintage dress (similar) / vintage pumps (similar) / fishnets (similar) / Forever 21 pillbox (similar)

You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss.

I may not have a heart when it comes to romance movies, but I can empathize with the pain and uncertainty of wartime love. Imagine kissing your love for the last time, never knowing when or if they will return. You cling onto a photograph of him, waiting everyday at the mercy of a telegram or handwritten letter to know that he is still alive and well. The men and women in these photographs didn’t really know when they would see each other again because another day was not guaranteed. So on this Valentine’s Day – and any other day for that matter – enjoy the present with the apple of your eye and be thankful that you have someone who wants to be attached to you at the hip, and who is happy to call you their better half. If you are single, then bask in the love of your family and friends and believe that your soulmate is out there somewhere – or at least right at your fingertips on Tinder.

I experienced wartime love when I laid my eyes on this gorgeous pair of 1940s peep-toe pumps. In pristine condition, I can only imagine they sat in a shoebox in some stylish lady’s closet and forgotten, as she probably had more pressing matters to be concerned with. Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a lady in red, because you know how the saying goes: red dress at night, sailor’s delight. This thrifted 80s silk beauty almost fits the bill for a 40s style dress. None of the hats in my collection could ever rival the amazing head pieces in that era, but I tried my best by adding a veil to my favorite pillbox hat. I felt a bit like a widow, but the 1940s were somber times after all. Fishnet stockings were hardly a thing in that decade, but I felt this outfit deserved some pizzaz and sheer nylons just weren’t going to do it. I could be waiting a while for my sailor, so better stay warm and glam in my fur collar jacket.

Although I never want to be in the situation of such uncertainty, one thing I am certain of: when my sailor sees me this Valentine’s Day in my 1940s inspired getup, he’ll want to dip me and kiss me like it’s V-J Day in Times Square.

Happy Valentine’s Day loves!

Eggcellent Blue Hue

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Victoria

Easter is around the corner, but I don’t fancy chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs much. However, I do love me some hard boiled eggs dyed in soft pastel colors. Eggs are the perfect protein – and the perfect inspiration for my next outfit.

Before this blue shade became synonymous with the famous jewelry retailer, Tiffany’s, and dubbed “Tiffany blue,” it was simply known as robin’s egg blue. This light medium toned blue is perfect for someone who wants to channel the Easter color palette without dabbling in traditional pastels.

No church service or egg hunt for me – I’d much rather be at brunch sipping on bottomless Bloody Marys come Easter Sunday. To give some edge to an otherwise prim and proper look, I opted to wear just a bra under this lacy blouse. The matching blue makes it subtly alluring without drawing undue attention as “racy lacy.” For the bottom, I needed something just as girly and feminine to rival the lacy business of the blouse.

This ballerina midi lent from my friends at Lalakitty was just what I was looking for: it’s ladylike, ethereal, and the midi length makes it so appropriate for church and Sunday brunch afterwards. The airy layer of tulle material makes me feel like a modern day ballerina without needing to go on my tippy toes.

I accented the outfit with pops of red. Sunday best wouldn’t be best without a hat – you may recognize this red basket pillbox from last Easter. A red leather belt cinches the waist and seamlessly fuses the blouse and skirt into one cohesive ensemble. The resulting look is one that appears to be a dress rather than separates. Red shoes are a definite must to complete this look, and these vintage peep toe pumps pay homage to my candy peeps without the added calories. With the exception of the Lalakitty ballerina skirt, the entire outfit is thrifted.

Like the skirt? Lalakitty is giving Chic Vic readers 20% off your next purchase with the code CHICVIC20. Get it now in time for Easter!

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Unless of course, you’re putting items in your shopping cart for checkout at Lalakitty cause you’re getting 20% off.

vintage hat (similar hat) / vintage blouse (similar blouse & blouse) / vintage belt (similar belt) / Lalakitty midi skirt / vintage Nina pumps (similar peep toe pumps)

Day of the Dead

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Victoria

Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a little undead. Time to replace the duck face with a skull face for Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos).

With origins in Mexico, this holiday occurs the day after Halloween and is meant to commemorate the lives of the deceased with food, drink, and lots of lively celebrations. Although I have never participated in this, I am still astounded by the vibrant colors, morbid face paint, and psychedelic skeleton artwork that characterize Day of the Dead.

I’ve had this black dress for years and have never worn it, but the colorful Mexican inspired embroidery seems perfect for this holiday. The look wouldn’t be complete without a head full of flowers. My solution: I pinned a couple of oversized flowers to a pillbox hat, and voila, instant floral arrangement! I love how they match the embroidery in my dress perfectly. This black dress needed some umph, and a vintage petticoat was just the answer. I’ve always wanted a petticoat, and I’ve been so lucky to inherit this one from my aunt. Yes, the scratchy tulle makes things a little itchy down there, but at least it’s not caused by a transmittable disease. Huzzah!

Unfortunately, I am not very good at putting on makeup, and would be deathly incompetent in painting a skull on my face. Alas, my Day of the Dead inspired outfit falls short of looking sinister.

Without the skull face paint, I look pretty alive. Can someone throw me a bone?

Nov: Day of the Dead

Anna Sui dress (similar and here) / Forever21 pillbox (similar) / herringbone fishnets (similar) / Dollhouse booties (similar)

Dressed to a Tee

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Victoria

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.

May: Dressed to a Tee

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 by chicvic featuring a black cardigan

Good, it’s Friday. Best if it’s Sunday.

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Victoria

Bargain hunter I am. Egg hunter I am not.

Easter is around the corner, and the only egg hunt I’ll doing will be for cage free ones at the grocery store. While I do not celebrate the occasion, I do find it necessary to sip bottomless mimosas at brunch whilst wearing my Sunday best. And a Sunday best would not be complete without some sort of headpiece.

I recently stumbled upon All Things Vintage, a darling vintage boutique nestled in one of Oakland’s neighborhoods. Walking into the shop, I felt as though I took a step back into the ghost of fashions past. They had tons of hats, and a pretty floral pillbox one caught my eye. Although I was looking for something sturdier, made of wool or felt, the floral arrangement on this look-at-me red was too adorable to resist. After a quick lesson by the shop owners, Lucy and Claudia, on how to wear the hat (I do what with the combs? Is the hairpin optional?), I was ready to begin mixing and matching outfits to wear with it.

I wanted to keep my ensemble interesting, without taking attention away from the busy hat. I chose a high waisted red pencil skirt and an open knit white cardigan to go with it. Alas, Easter wouldn’t be complete without a peep of yellow, in the form of a silky blouse. I love how it peek-a-boos through the cardigan, creating the illusion of a printed pattern while also adding textural depth. Except for the blouse and shoes, everything is thrifted!

Hey Cadbury, where my peeps at?

Cat in the Hat

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Victoria

I am not much of a cat person. Neither am I really a hat person. I am not fond of cats in hats. But recently, I’ve been searching for the perfect hat. I think I’ll leave it at that.

Maybe I should leave the whimsical rhyming to Dr. Seuss.

I seldom think of adding hats to my outfits, and with good rationale. Usually it is not cold enough for me to wear one. I also have no easy solution to cure hat hair. Since I am indoors most of the time, I also feel silly keeping my noggin covered. These are all the reasons why I am not a frequent hat wearer. However, I was inspired after writing my recent post on Jackie O, and now I am on the hunt for a classy pillbox hat. I am a little bored with recycling the same hats in my posts: my beloved French/Monica Lewinsky beret, my nubby knit beanies, and my cloches. The only hat I will wear at all times is my fashion blogger hat. I think it’s time to add some new silhouettes to my collection.

What kind of hats do you like to wear? And if you have a solution to hat hair, please let me know.

Hats by chicvic featuring sun hats