That 70's....style!

Platform shoes and flared jeans. Flowing shirts and floppy hats. Lace and beads. Jumpsuits and tassles. The iconic fashion of the 70s has come full circle...it's everywhere you look. Here are some images of that classic style that celebrated soft, feminine lines revisited for 10/11. 

Sonia Rykiel Resort 2011

Disco glamour

Have a fierce fashionista for a mum who has held on to her goodies from the era?...you have a wardrobe to raid...go...right now!!! Otherwise...you might want to find a good Vintage Clothing dealer...wink, wink, nudge, nudge :) 

What 70s look wouldn't be complete without the cork platforms? These and much more...shop the closet at Vintage Doll now... Vintage Doll - Shop The Closet


Bri C
xoxo

Fearless Fashionistas

Word is that lilac hair is making a show this spring. Lilac hair!!! Really? I must say, if it was as easy as putting a rinse through my locks to achieve the seasons hot look, I could seriously save myself considerable time and money. But I'm not sure I will be reaching for the semi-permanant just yet... Let's just see if the look does indeed take off, and if it does, then who can truly pull it off. Kelly O has made a nice attempt at lilac tresses in the past... So too has Pixie Geldolf. But, these gals are truly fearless when it comes to style... Not sure if us mere mortals can rock it without looking like...well.... you know.... a granny.....

 Fearless fashionistas....they are to be truly admired. They are the leaders that will take an obscure fad into mainstream fashion. History is littered with them.

This pictorial looks at some of the ideas that, once considered ridiculous, somehow, took hold in our hearts. The early years gave us some of the more poignant fads and firsts, where practicality and equality poked their noses into the fashion realm.....Katherine Hepburn donning a pair of trousers on the silverscreen (SHOCK!) and Jean Shrimpton stepping out at Derby Day in a mini  (HORROR!)...Since then.... fashion has hardly taken a back seat to practicality (Eh hem...Alexander McQueens shoes) OR equality...(with bofriend jeans, boyfriend blazers and grandpa tops, I think we have more than arrived!!)

Who would have thought that we would love the likes of big hair bows, ra-ra skirts, shoulder pads and shutter shades in their many variations ....but, oh, how we do!!!

Lastly, here are some of those crazy fashions that, hopefully, will NEVER make it mainstream...

Vintage Doll works hard to dig up treasures from the past....some a little more over the top than others... so whatever your fearless factor, we got you covered!!!

Clockwise from top left: Tailored Black Mini Dress $69; Red Power Shoulder Mini Dress $69; Abstract Print Mini Dress $69; Wool High Waisted Tapered Leg Pants $42 all at Vintage Doll NOW...

Bri C

x

Do You Dress Your Man?

I know people who do...I know people who wouldn't dare...I fall somewhere in between. You could say that I gently persuade, tactfully pushing 'Bri's fashion tips for men' on my hubby. This advice is usually met in one of two textbook responses....1) okay darling...as he sucumbs to the garment choice I have made for him or 2) WILL YOU STOP TRYING TO DRESS ME!!!

Tell me, why do men (or is it just mine?) fight the advice of their female counterparts who, really, are practically born with a gene for all things 'image'? Cos, you know, if my car breaks down...I'm running straight to the expert...I can admit when I am out of my depth.

There again, it really is a gross generalisation to say that all men need direction from us gals to look good. Apart from trying to cheer up my Tuesday with a little eye candy, it is an interesting topic. The aussie male...I don't know...Gen Y is producing more fellas that know how to pull off a good look....but a lot of our boys just have no idea!!!

Travel accross the seas, however, and you will find places where the men invest more time in their wardrobe than the women...Take Japan for example - I have never seen such well clad boys in my life.

Blogger Jae @ Inowear talks about his thoughts on mens fashion in Asia in What Asia Taught Me About Casual Style

"...what REALLY caught my attention was the number of guys in these cities who had an aptitude for fashion.
So many of them had their own unique style of dressing, some of which I have never seen the like, yet very well put together.
I was in a world full of metrosexuals and people who seemed to really understand the power of proper style. I was shocked at first when I saw certain things that you would never see in America, like men who wore makeup or men who spent more time on their hair than their female counterparts.

I thought, “Has the world gone mad!? Where am I?”

I soon learned, that the same things that I found “crazy,” were things that people in Tokyo considered the norm around that area. Yes, I was a total tourist."

Wether they need our help or not, what is it about us girls that finds it necessary to impress our style sense on our boys? Is it that they are an extension of ourselves? Like a cute bag or some great bling, are they an accessory that needs to match our own sense of style? Absolutely!!! Just look at how we dress our children...sorry..more sweeping statements ...how I dress my own children. Same thing!

Okay, okay...enough intellectualising... back to the eye candy!!! No matter if they picked the look themselves or were dressed by their ladies, some boys just 'got the look'.

Here at Vintage Doll we are doing our bit too...offering some fabbo pieces that will keep your fella looking stylish! Take this Pierre Cardin studded jacket for example. Hot!! Now....only question is...how will you get him to wear it?

Bri C x

It's Been A While

It's been oh so long since I have written. Perhaps it was because of all the shopping we have been doing for Vintage Doll...some seriously cute pieces are heading on-line soon. Perhaps it is because we have been too busy planning our next few Vintage Doll events. Or perhaps it is because I simply did not want to fess up to how miserably I failed my no-shopping-for-a-month vow!!! Absolutely hopeless. In my defence, although it is a very weak excuse, I lasted about 20 days and broke the seal with a cheap little vintage purchase from my trusty Salvos...but the floodgates soon opened and I think I did some serious damage in the remaining 10 or so days :) What can I say? I was born to shop!
So, confession made, let's get on with it. Seriously, it has been a crazy few months for us at Vintage Doll. Two gals with huge ideas...but precious little time to see them come to fruition. But..WE WILL NOT GIVE UP!
Promise to write again soon...for now I will just share this..I think it is oh so cute!!! It reminds me of Spring...and that it is just around the corner.


Bri C
xxx

Sock it to me!

Perhaps I am a fashion prophet...more likely just  a lucky guess!! It was around 2 years ago, maybe more, that I first told my sister-in-law and now business partner, about my thing for socks with heels. Her horrified look quickly confirmed that I was alone in my obsession. But I was convinced! I had witnessed the first inklings of this trend whilst living in Japan. Those Harajuku girls...yes they really do got some wicked style. I had also seen it emerging in a few runway shows...Burberry Prorsum SS 08 deserves a notable mention. Didn't take much convincing me...loved it on the spot. 

My first foray into sock vs heel came with the purchase of some black and grey argyles. More disapproving looks from the SIL. Anyhoo, fast forward to now...THE SEASON OF THE SOCK!!! 

Everywhere you turn and you will run into it...team a wool blend with your ankle boots, some bobby whites with your wedges or some beige scrunchies with your courts or strappies...too cute. And what better way to revive your summer sandals during the colder months. Adore! So, enjoy these few snippets of great ways to work this trend...Oh...and, just quietly...there are a certain pair of PRADA cork wedges at Vintage Doll right at this very minute that are just screaming for a cute pair of socks to spend the day with!!! 

Bri C xx

Leaving on a jet plane...I wish!!!

Top of my wish list right now....a set of these utterly amazing travel pieces by Givenchy...oh, and a far-away destination to which they can accompany me...somewhere nice and warm. Sigh...in love...Givenchy is one of my favourites for Vintage pieces and now tops my list for must-have travel luggage!!!

The old...

And the new...love the boldness of this campaign...spotted at http://www.designscene.net/

And, somewhat closer to home...coming soon to Vintage Doll: Vintage Givenchy Gold Tone Logo Earrings :) Oh the beauty...Keep your eyes peeled for our Designer Collection coming soon. 

DON'T ask and thou shall STILL receive!!!

The universe does indeed work in mysterious ways! 


You all know that I am on my no-shopping thingy...and that I am trying to reduce the amount of stuff in my closet...and that I am enjoying the simple things rather than material ones. Well, even after all of this, I still manage to find myself enjoying a little slice of fashion bliss...but this time I didn't spend a cent!! 


So, in preparation for my lovely mum-in-law jetting off for a 6 week European adventure she tells me she has jettisoned off a box of goodies from her closet...bits and pieces that she never would have thought she could part with...until now...they are on their way...yep...to me. In my mummy-cross-small business owner fugue, I must admit that I forgot entirely about this little piece of news. I didn't even cotton-on when my little red and white card arrived.... ...nope...unthinking, I stood in line at Aust Post and collected the parcel...saw the name and then it registered!!! Ooooh goodie. I was without babies that day, but well stocked with a large cappuccino...and I slowly unfolded the beauties in this box. 


The first thing I pulled out....none other than a Diane Fres silk beaded jacket. My heart skipped a beat...I have been after one of these like...FOR EVER!!! Next...long cream gloves in the softest leather you can imagine with cut out panels of lace detailing....too beautiful. Oh, how much fun I am having. A smile from ear to ear i continue. An accomplished tailor there are lots of exquisitely made pieces...skirts, dresses...and tons of beautiful scarves...Then jewellery...my favourite...an amazing magnifying glass pendant with Austrian Crystals...oh dear, I am in heaven!!

I am sending out my love tonight for this wonderful lady...it will be chasing down the Emirates A380 she's flying on, knocking on her first class cabin door and giving her a big kiss on the cheek. Thank you Leonie...I know how hard it was for you to part with these amazing pieces. And although you were earmarking these for our little Vintage Doll, I'm afraid that I now have the same problem. 

Bri C x

Denim Distress

I'm feeling a little denim deprived! And it’s not for lack of jeans in my wardrobe either because, may I tell you, I could almost drown in the sea of denim that resides there. At last count, it was probably 20 pairs…maybe more…I don’t know. But… you know… when it comes to jeans it get’s very tricky. 

Denim jeans are the starting place for so many great creations…in my book at least. But right now, I just don’t own the right pair! And I do believe there is an art to CHOOSING the right pair…You will find countless sites espousing the right equation for choosing jeans for your shape…Marie Claire and Madison rehash this theme every month or so too. For me, it’s length (I’m a shorty and jeans are ALWAYS too long for me) and style (skinny only thank you!). From there, we go to quality. In a desperate bid for some light wash jeans for an outing not too long ago I opted for a quick fix with a K-Mart special…well I felt cheap and nasty all night. Don’t get me wrong, I have found plenty of great buys at my local, but as a friend told me recently, when it comes to your denim, you get what you pay for! So in my search for my next pair of BJF (that’s Best Jeans Forever thank you…) I though I would share my findings…for all the other ladies who are feeling a little denim distressed too…

These would be my favourite picks...loving the cropped look at the moment and also adore the boyfriend style! So, after Fashion-free June I will be hunting down something along these lines...…Hmmm? What's that? How am I doing with my whole no shopping thing, you ask? I wish you hadn’t… but, I won’t lie…I did make a purchase…2 to be exact…a bag and a dress-slash-coat…$16 in total for these great little op shop finds…and yes I am feeling a little guilty…but, as they say…if you fall off the horse, pick yourself up and get straight back on… I’m pretty sure they don’t say pick yourself up and get your butt to Chapel Street and buy some jeans. So,until my credit card is back in action I’ll spend my time planning some of those new denim based creations…I think it will be worth the wait!!!

Bri C xx

PS Oh, how I wish I fit into these little babies...then all of my problems would be solved....right now at Vintage Doll - original Vintage LEE acid wash jeans!! Sigh...if only I was a size 8!!! http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/Vintage-Doll-Clothing

Carrie's Covetable Closet!!

So, I am a bit behind the eight-ball with SATC2 ...I can't actually believe it has taken me (a true SATC JUNKIE) this long to get myself along to see it. I have been biding my time, however, by doing a catch up on the girly antics of our favourite foursome. Right back to Season One I went ... quickly falling in love all over again with these fabulous women, their HOT HOT HOT men (ahem, Bon Jovi, John Corbett and Chris Noth!!!) and best of all....THE FASHION.

All I can say is Ms Fields is a SUPER STYLIST!!! Here is what Cynthia Nellis says on About.com in 'Sex and the City' Style - Fashion Trendsetters:

"Think Carrie would look glam sipping Cosmopolitans wearing mere-mortal styles like jeans and clogs?  Costume designer Patricia Field doesn't think so.

Her deft styling hand has turned the characters of HBO's "Sex and the City" into small-screen fashion icons and has sparked trends ranging from high-end designer bags to fabric flowers (and she brought Manolo to the masses, which is no small feat).Each of the four characters has had a distinct style carefully developed for her:

• Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is fearlessly fashionable: her style ranges from uptown chic to whimsy to sex kitten. Stilettos are a staple, and Field mixes designer with flea market finds for Carrie's unique look.
• Samantha (Kim Cattrall) wears sexy styles that exude confidence. She is a Woman (with a capital "W") and the message comes across loud and clear through strong styles and bold color.
• Charlotte (Kristin Davis) has a sweet, preppy style that is always accompanied by the proper bag and shoes. Bows, cute prints and feminine styles play up the kind nature of her character.
• Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) looks like a very well-dressed career gal with chic corporate suits and androgynous styles."

I am at Season Three now...Carrie and Big have just ended their affair and she returns to Aidan, Miranda is being tormented by a guy dressed as a sandwich, Sam is...well you know...and Charlotte has just chastised Sam for using the "F" word in Vera Wang!! Oh how wrapped up in these women's lives I have become. So as I take this trip down memory lane, (or, is it 25th and 3rd) I thought I would share with you some of my favorite Carrie outfits...

And as the moons have finally aligned to allow me to venture out sans kiddies for the new movie tomorrow night I am sooooo excited!!! And if this exquisite little headpiece says anything about what is in store for us Fashionistas...then I am ready to fall in love...again and again and again and again...

Bri C xx

$400 now at Patriciafield.com

Coco Cocoon

What's not to love about the Coco Cocoon? I first spotted the white version of the insanely hot reversible tote in a shoot with Vanessa Paradis, long-time Lagerfeld muse, and the iconic designer-come photographer himself. Since then, Ms Lily Allen has taken over as ambassador... AMAZING!! Safe to say that I will never own one of these pieces of Coco brilliance when the pricetag is in the thousands ...so imagine my joy when I found a variation a few weeks ago... Of course it pales in comparison to the real deal ...but certainly still brings a smile to my face...

Bri C x

Mouche Tote Bag $99

The Simple Things

Day two and paper nor plastic did stray from my wallet...is it too early to say "I'm on a roll"...just a little yes? So I enjoyed the simple pleasures today...

Anyway...who needs to shop when I can live vicariously through the lovely customers who have been shopping up a storm at Vintage Doll?! The Allure Collection seems to be a hit...I am a happy girl!! 

Today I say goodbye to the AMAZING Magenta Oscar De La Renta Vintage Blouse as it heads to it's new home...hoping to see some great fan pics of that one being worked on the street.... and hoping to soon find some more little beauties to make all the Doll Fans 'oooh' and 'aaaah'.

Bri C xx

Cheap Thrills

Okay...so it's Day One of my 'fashion-fast'...and I'm steely willed...although I didn't dare open my newly arrived Marie Claire for fear that I might not be able to resist a quick on-line buy gleaned from one of the glossy pages!! So, to keep my mind off what I can't buy...I'll share with you what it was that got me into this mess in the first place.
Ahhhh...what can I say....it's all in a days work.

Bri C xx

Quilted Boots with Gold Detail $55 - 7 Angels; Teal Wool Blazer $10 - Vintage; Black Lace Top $30 - Cotton On; Knit Dress $35 - C Lane; Gold Ball Ring $35 - Mouche; Tan Ankle Boots $35 - 7 Angels; Silk Animal Print Shirt $4 - Vintage; Grey Blazer $25 - Cotton On; Nautical Stripe Top $20 - Cotton On