The midi-length full skirt.
The shoulder pads.
The self-coloured belt.
The "wacky" pattern.
The Navy and Jade colours.
It is as typically 80's as an 80's dress can get!
So, how can I wear an 1980's dress in the 20-Teens?
Wearing vintage is much easier when you are in your teens, and 20's.
Vintage style on a young woman looks ironic, edgy, quirky and fun.
Much as I love a full-on vintage look, vintage style on an older women can be dangerous territory.
No one wants to look like an old frump in an old dress, do they?
Styling it in a traditional way gives the whole outfit a very 80's feel.... all I need is a brushed back perm and some blue eyeliner!
The plain black courts (and matching satin clutch) are the way my Mum would have styled this, back in the day.
{I know that navy courts would have been more authentic but I don't own any!}
Green tights would have been another 'must have' for a co-ordinated 80's outfit.
The necklace at the collar was a typical finishing touch.... although, perhaps a brooch pinned there would have been better?
Maybe some big plastic clip-on earrings and matching bangles would have worked too?
What would you have worn to make this more 'authentic 1980's'?
I love how Jake looks slightly embarrassed by this ensemble!
In order to make this dress feel a little more 'me' (and a little more 2017) I decided to open it up and layer a striped top underneath.
Turning up the sleeves gave the dress less of a matronly shape, and more of a casual feel.
Removing the green coloured tights was a relief, but it was still chilly so I popped on a pair of nude tights for a little warmth.
{These chunky vagabond sandals now have a sheepskin liner in the front, and my toes were snug as a bug in a rug!}
Removing the self-tie belt and adding a wide one, with a zebra design, brought another pattern into the mix.
Which is always a good idea in my book!
Plain, but chunky, earrings finished things off nicely.
Jake seems happier too!
How would you style this dress to make it feel more modern, and more 'You'?
Please share in the comments, I love hearing your thoughts!
DRESS: My MIL's...vintage 80's... she is 4'9", imagine the length on her frame!
SHOES: Tkmax & Vagabond
BAGS: Vintage & Vintage!
UNDERTOP: New Look
TIGHTS: Charity shop find (they were in their packet) and Wolford.
BELT: Karen Millen (found on eBay)
EARRINGS: H&M
I actually prefer this styled 80's. I think the whole look is quirky and cute on it's own and wouldn't be one bit out of place on ModCloth today.
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
I love how you can give an older item a new look Samantha!!
ReplyDeletejodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
I simply love how you have updated the look - so stylish and casual, but wit the print of the dress still giving it a strong hint of the 80s!
ReplyDeletelove the new styling - esp how you added another pattern with the stripe belt, and the white shoes and rolled up sleeves. Much fresher.
ReplyDeleteIf it was me, I'd take the hem up, and team it up with orange - maybe orange opaque tights, tennis shoes, and an apricot long sleeve tshirt, bright orange beads
or if not tennis shoes, short booties, in a brown
DeleteBrilliant that you styled it in good old 80s fashion as well as today's look! It's a cute dress actually, I guess I'd probably zing it up with some red shoes and maybe a wide tan belt? You've done a fab job though!
ReplyDeleteSuzy xx
www.suzyturner.com
I love Jake! The outfit is cute too!
ReplyDeleteI like your dress both ways, even if I admit that you're right and vintage doesn't look so edgy and ironic when it's not worn by a young lady!. But I think you rock anyway, classic accessories look fabulous because you've got lots of attitude!. And 80's rule!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love how you layered this dress, such a brilliant idea, and so cool shoes!, they give it a twist!. Great accessorizing!
besos