#StyleMyXmas


Festive Fashion – A vintage guide for the busy season ahead

Halloween is over so it’s officially ok to start thinking about Christmas! Most importantly what you will be wearing to upcoming festive events; The Work Christmas Do, Friends and Family Parties, Shopping Trips, Winter Walks, The Big Day itself and of course New Year’s Eve.

To help, All Vintaged Up and Alexandra Vintage have teamed together to style some key on-trend looks that will work for the festive season, and that are also great for your everyday autumn/winter wardrobe. We have picked versatile pieces that mix & match for different occasions and that can be integrated with either vintage or modern clothing and accessories. These are ideas to inspire you, to get you in the festive mood and to remind you that integrating vintage within your wardrobe is an easy way to achieve a unique & individual look.

We will also have all the items featured here (subject to availability) and many more for you to browse and try on at our special Christmas Vintage Shopper’s Evening on Friday 27 November 2015, 6-8pm at Jacksons Corner, Reading as part of jelly’s make Reading Christmas Fayre. Come along for a glass of fizz, nibbles, browsing and a raffle prize draw. Click here for more information and to book your ticket. Come on your own or bring a friend – all are welcome.

 

THE LOOKS…

THE WORK CHRISTMAS PARTY

This maybe a lunch, cocktails after work, or a formal party (all three if you are really lucky!) so a versatile outfit is what you need for these occasions; something stylish and elegant that will look good in the day and transform easily for the evening. Below we have put together two looks using the same classic little black dress, this one is a 1960s St Michael mini dress with a fabulous embossed textured finish.

Look One…

The Staple Coat – The first look is for the day and incorporates a stunning cherry red 1950s coat with a very cute fur collar and pull-through bow. We have added a vintage 1970s Christmas wreath brooch to the lapel of the coat, but any statement vintage brooch would look great. Team with an elegant 1980s black purse bag with a long chain allowing you to wear across your body, or over the shoulder, and black low heeled shoes which look smart and sassy but are practical for walking in. These red 1970s beaded earrings complete the look and complement the red coat effortlessly.

The Staple Coat

Look Two…

Show Some Skin – The second look for the evening is the same dress and shoes but without the coat! The earrings have been replaced with a gold 1960s statement tassel necklace and the bag has been replaced with a 1970s red clutch for an added POP of colour – a simple and stylish look that works for drinks, a meal or a formal party.

Show Some Skin

 

 THE FRIENDS & FAMILY PARTY

Afternoon drinks, a buffet lunch or cocktail evening? Whatever it may be, Christmas is a time to catch up with friends & family and to enjoy a tipple or two! Set the room alight with a stylish and unique look and avoid the embarrassment of wearing the same outfit as your friend.

Look One…

Classy Casual  – this 1980s black box velvet jacket with its gold buttons works well with either skinny black jeans or a pair of black tapered trousers. We have styled it with a 1960s ruched embossed black polo neck and pretty gold 1970s brooch for added contrast. Add an elegant clutch like this 1960s silver crochet purse clutch and some sparkly silver, or gold heels, to complete the look.

Classy Casual

Look Two…

Boho Glam – here we have used the same polo neck (a versatile and key piece for your wardrobe) but added a fantastic 1980s red embroidered boho shawl and 1960s Aztec gold necklace to it. The red 1970s clutch completes the outfit but a gold or black bag would work equally as well. Be sure to wear this ensemble with a complementing lower half, showing your hips and balancing out the bellowing beautiful kimono jacket – either tight fitting jeans, trousers or a pencil skirt would work perfectly.

Boho Glam

Look Three…

Disco Chic – this marvellous 1970s gold metallic floral top is perfect for the party season. Here we have styled it with a 1980s A-line pleated skirt with front button detail, however a pencil skirt, black trousers or jeans would also work. The 1980s black Dolcis shoes and metallic stripe 80s clutch are ideal for evening drinks, adding a touch of glamour.

Disco Chic

 

WINTER WALKS

Nature provides such stunning scenery at this time of year, so why not match its efforts and dress to impress when you are out walking? Obviously comfort and warmth are paramount for such occasions but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style!

Suggested look…

Cosy Knit – so many people nowadays buy jumpers specifically for the winter period, so why not invest in a vintage jumper? This lovely 1950s snowflake back button jumper is a perfect example. Add a pair of jeans, some brown winter boots, a 1960s woollen beret and 1960s vinyl tan box bag, and you are ready to walk in style in any winter wonderland.

Cosy Knit

 

The Christmas Shopping Trip

Christmas shopping doesn’t need to be stressful, especially if you make it a social event. Take a friend and reward yourself with a nice lunch or drink at the end of all your hard work.

Look One…

Stylish Browsing – this beautiful ensemble does comfort in style and would certainly see you through for that all-important drink pitstop. This 1970s A-line brown skirt sets the shape scene with its effortless, flattering outline. Teamed with a classic early 1970s tweed waistcoat, with an adorable suedette collar, there is extra interest to this trendy take on comfort. Add this striking, perfectly shaped 1960s Weymouth Kelly bag for all your shopping essentials, this glam 1960s Sarah Coventry brooch for a touch of sparkle and these beautiful 1960s brogue lace-ups by Elliott Jeunesse, and you will be the envy of all other shoppers.

Stylish Browsing

Another great example of Stylish Browsing is shown here with this beautiful 1970s orange & brown print dagger blouse and 1960s mustard yellow waistcoat combination. Added to this 1970s vintage DAKS of London corduroy skirt, with this fun 1970s goldtone coin belt – which will cinch you in beautifully – and a pretty 1980s nude snakeskin clutch to complete the look, it’s yet another way of looking stylish whilst out and about.

Stylish Browsing duo

Look Two…

Practical does Glam – you can easily combine glamour with practical shopping attire, and this little number is the perfect way of doing just that. Start with a simple jumper, add some accessories and there you have it – an effective style using less but gaining more. We’ve shown you here how to combine the practical with the glamour with this very cute baby pink 1970s turtleneck jumper; combined with jeans and boots it’s the perfect starting point. To glamorize your outfit just add a luxe piece of jewellery (think metallic palettes, sparkle effects and quality stones) such as this faux pearl 1970s bib necklace cascading down over the collarbone. Then, add a contrasting colour such as this 1970s baby blue miniature satchel for added finesse and interest. The combination is so simple yet so effective, whilst being comfortable too – a shopping essential.

pink jumper

 

The Christmas Day Gathering

Even if you do not wear dresses the rest of the year round, a dress on Christmas day really does add to the magic and sparkle of Christmas.

Suggested look…

Festive Red – This beautiful 1970s red sunray pleat dress with its pretty Peter Pan collar and delicate buttons is the perfect festive dress. We have used a 1970s jade green belt to provide a colour contrast, and some 1960s glass beaded vintage leaf earrings, with red and green stones, to complete the look. If you are venturing out then this sleek 1970s navy envelope clutch is a great bag to transport your essentials for the day. Heels or ballet pumps would both go with this dress.

Festive Red duo

 

The New Year’s Eve Party

NYE is one of the most anticipated events of the social calendar; a chance to reflect on the year gone by and look forward to the new one ahead. Always a big celebration with plenty of music, drinks and kisses! Looking your best on NYE is important to most women and we have two great outfits that will help you do just that.

Look One…

1950s Prom Glamour – If it’s a formal or glitzy affair, this 1950s baby blue lace party dress is beyond beautiful. Look both pretty and demure as you dance the night away in this full circle skirted dress with its clinched waist, showing off your figure to its best. We have used a delicate 1960s silver pleated evening bag and pretty 1960s pearl cluster clip-on earrings to finish the outfit. Cream, silver or blue heels would look great with this dress and be sure to go dainty with them, to complement the exquisite finish of this very pretty piece.

1950s Prom Glamour duo

Look Two…

60s Chic – If you are planning on a less formal evening then check out these two options for this funky 1960s ivory and turquoise print shift dress. The first sees it worn with a super stylish 1970s blue day coat, 1960s Norvic brown heeled loafers and a 1960s leather & sheepskin hand-muff to keep your hands warm on the way to the party. The second option replaces the loafers with these gorgeous 1960s brown suede brogues; a 1960s Weymouth Kelly bag and a 1960s houndstooth Italian silk scarf, creating a slightly different more casual look.

60s Chic duo

A final word from us…

Whatever styles and vintage vs. high-street collaborations you chose this Christmas be comfortable and confident – you wear the clothes not the other way round!

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