A Very Vintage New Year

Bring in the new year by giving a fresh take to a classic style! While scouring the sales for the perfect party dress, keep these photos of inspiration in mind. Whether it be a simple silouhette or a tried and true beauty trick, these vintage holiday trends are always in no matter what year it is! 

1950s

THE LOOK: Cinched and Simple

For a fifties inspired look, go for a dress with a high empire waist and a dramatic A-line skirt.  Because the silouhette alone is a lot of look, stick with a solid color.  Accessorize with a bold red lip.

1960s

THE LOOK: Short and Sassy
Flash back to the sixties with a modern mini.  Choose sequins for holiday sparkle, or a geometric pattern that's classicly mod.  Either way, the finishing touch to this look is all about the eyes.



1970s

THE LOOK: Long and Luxe

Channel the seventies with a long, form-fitting maxi dress.  Look like a disco diva by lining your lids with a highly pigmented gold shadow and dust your cheeks with bronzer.

1980s

THE LOOK: Layers and Lace

Get crazy in lacy layers with an eighties inspired party dress!  No need to choose between chains or pearls here.  Do it all, and do it up!

Have a Happy New Year!

XO,

Retrospect

Retro Beauty: Nico

Baby, It's Cold Outside....

...and we've got you covered! Come in and check out the great selection of coats that just arrived yesterday.  From faux fur to rabbit fur, leather to suede, classic to current, you'll be sure to find a favorite!

Fab Under Forty: Great Looks for Under $40

Spent but feeling sassy?

Our WORN line is stocked full of new arrivals that you can work for under forty bucks!

reworked 80's party dress, $32

woven waist belt, $5

grand total: $37

Come and check out our fabulous reworked vintage dresses that leave you the change to accessorize and make it your own!

Get the Look: That 70's Dude

Whether you are getting funky for Halloween or hoping to score the perfect look for a theme party, these essential pieces will transform you into a 70's dude in a snap!

Here are a few tips that will turn your search for seventies essentials into a success!

1. Gotta Love Google

Before you shop, have an idea of what you are looking for.  If you are unfamiliar with the era, you might leave with a look that doesn't resemble the decade you are shooting for. 

For example, the Google search for "seventies fashion men" gave me a great start with the image below:

2. The two P's
Seventies fashion is all about pattern and polyester.  Whether floral, geometric, or paisley, men of the seventies didn't shy away from bold and eccentric patterns.  Have fun with your pattern pick and choose something outlandish!  Polyester fabric was a staple of the seventies.  It's easy to determine polyester fabric in shirts because polyester shirts tend to have a particular sheen to them.  Polyester pants tend to feel thicker than the usual cotton blend trouser.  If you still aren't sure just check out the fabric label and the content will be listed. 
3. Use Basics as a Base
While the seventies male wore some pretty wacky prints, no guy paraded around in houndstooth pants, a paisley button down, topped off with a polka dotted tie.  If you choose a patterned top, pair it with a solid color polyester pant that compliments the colors in the pattern of your shirt.  If you choose a patterned pant, choose a solid top in the same way. 

Follow these simple steps, and you will rock the seventies in style! Still having trouble with your search? Stop into Retrospect, and we'll be happy to help!

Fashion Futurism: 1968-1970

How to Find Amazing Vintage at a Regular Thrift Store

Two weeks ago, I appeared in a segment on NBC 10 called "Cheap Chica" talking about how to find great vintage pieces for super low prices at any Goodwill thrift store. It was really cool sharing my love of thrift shopping and vintage fashion with viewers who may have never even thought of going to a thrift store for clothing. However, due to the time limit on the segment and the designer label angle of the report, I wanted to take the opportunity to give you the real deal.

Thrift Tips from a Vintage Junkie

TIME ON YOUR SIDE

Go to a thrift store with the mindset that you'll be there for at the very least, an hour.  Unlike your typical department stores and boutiques, thrift stores have a huge inventory and not much space to merchandise so the treasures you're looking for are most likely hidden.  I like to sift through items section by section so I'm sure not to miss anthing special!

FITTING ROOM, PLEASE

Because patterns and cuts from garments of other decades are sized and proportioned differently than current US sizes, your best bet to ensure a great fit is to try on each item. 

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Because prices are so insanely low at thrift stores, it's easy to stock up on tons of pieces including ones that will do nothing but cram your closet and eventually clutter your floor. (Trust me, I speak from experience.)  Before you go, flip through your favorite magazines or check out your favorite fashion blogs and bookmark specific styles that you'd like to find. 

LOSE THE LABELS

Who cares if it's Louis Vitton/Coach/ Other Random Designer of Suburban Fascintaion! The fact is, all designers derive inspiration for their collections from vintage styles.  Do runway your way! Find a designer look you like, then take the magazine page with you to the thrift store and recreate the look for under ten dollars. Ex. In a Fall 2010 Ralph Lauren ad, I loved the look of a model wearing a long sleeved lace top under a short sleeved chiffon floral blouse. I went to a thrift shop and snagged a 90's Guess long sleeved lace top and a no name floral blouse, acheiving the same look for six bucks!

JUST BECAUSE IT'S "VINTAGE"...

doesn't mean it's cool! Get what looks good! Trust me, if you go out looking like Holly Hobby you will pay for every drink you order.  If you truly fall in love with a floor length moo-moo, invest in getting it tailored!  If you paid three bucks for it, throwing down a bit of cash to make it your dream dress should be no trouble at all.

                                                                REAP THE REWARDS

With a little bit of creativity and a lot of patience, here are some of my best finds over the years.  Follow my lead, and you'll have a closet full of favorites, too!

Chiffon blouse, $2
 Featured in: CosmoGIRL!

Little black dress, $8
Wore to: NY Fashion Week Marc Jacobs Show

Phillies Tee, $3

Worn to: Broad Street, Citizens Bank Park, various dive bars
*If you live in Philly, a sweet team tee should be on your list!*

Happy Thrifting!
xo
Emily Rose



For Dudes: The Best of GQ's Fall Trend Report

GQ's September issue predicted this season's hottest trends for men. Whether you splurge on these designer duds or score the vintage version, I'd love to see these featured favorites on the streets of Philly!

"The Odd Vest" on the biggest babe ever, Cole Mohr

The Toggle Coat

The Graphic Knit Sweater

Lace Up Boots

Dark Khakis (No exception! MUST be dark!)

Biker Jacket

Halloween is Just Around the Corner!

We're getting ready for Halloween! How about you? Come and check out our awesome selection for the best holiday of the year!

Electric Shades: 80s Beauty for the Modern Lady

Going to an eighties party? Step away from the Aqua Net!

Here are some great ways you can bring the beauty of the eighties up to date!

HAIR: Do It Up

Rather than creating your own hole in the ozone layer by using an entire can of hair spray while teasing your hair to the point of breakage, try these slick backed up dos that come off more catwalk than costume.

To get a look like this, snag a ton of bobby pins. Start by dampening your hair with a spray bottle of water. Run a quarter sized amount of pomade through your hair. (My absolute favorite is Joico Creme Wax.)

Pin back the hair on the sides of your head as tightly and smoothly as possible, leaving the hair on top of your head free. Spray each side with a super hold hair spray.

Sweep your bangs up and backward with a comb as high as they will reach, twist the end of your bangs, and pin them to give them volume. Section the hair on top of your head into three parts. Lightly spray each section and lightly tease upward with a comb. Twist and pin the ends of each section toward the back of your head.

Section the remaining hair into small parts on the back of your head and beneath your sides. Take each section and brush it back tightly, pinning it down toward the back of your head, while leaving the longer pieces to fall at the back of your neck, creating a ponytail. Spray and lightly tease the loose pieces in the back, and you're set!

*When working a do like this one, always be sure to bring a few extra bobby pins in your bag so you can pin any stray hairs that could come loose.

Or, let's say you have five minutes to get ready......

Simply pin back, lightly tease your bangs, and sass it up with a simple accessory!

EYES: Shock Treatment

Eighties eyes were all about bold and vibrant color. Rather than layering on loads of bright shadow, make your eyes pop highly pigmented liner over each lid in a single thick line.

Finest Liners

Make Up Forever

M.A.C.

LIPS: Think Pink

For a perfect eighties pout, glaze over a hot pink matte lipstick with an ultra shimmery gloss.

Lip Picks

NARS Lipstick in Schiap

Benefit Lip Gloss in "Who Are You Wearing?"

By following these simple tips, you can work the eighties into your beauty routine everyday!

Stay sassy,

Emily Rose

The Seventies Sizzle at New York Fashion Week

Marc Jacobs has always been my favorite designer to watch when New York Fashion Week rolls around. His modern take on vintage designs through the use of unexpected color, intricate patterns, and varying textures and fabrics has captivated me since the first time I saw one of his ads. His collection that debuted last week set the style standard that spring 2011 will be all about the seventies. Maxi dresses, geometric knits, big shades, and even bigger hair are making a comeback. So sass, I can't help but wish I could skip over winter!