A is for Acid Wash, which since I did not wear in the 80’s, I’m certainly not going to wear now that it’s resurfaced. Leaving that look to the young, uber trendy, Urban Outfitter guys & dolls.
B is for boots, one of my favorite footwear options. I still long for the black suede, over the knee, flat heeled boots I bought at Le Chateau in 1988. Oh to be able to retrieve those from fashion heaven!
A gorgeous Fall 09 pair by Giuseppe Zanotti, available on netaporter:
C is for capes & capelets, vintage items that I adore. I own a wonderful leopard fur cape from the 60’s and although I rarely find the opportunity to wear it in LA, it brings me much joy. It also makes me want to line my eyes in kohl and smoke a Gitane!
An insanely perfect version that also incorporates tweed, (see D). Cape by Balmain. Available on netaporter:
D is for Donegal Tweed from Ireland. Picture a lovely gal named Quinn, walking the Irish countryside in an old school Ralph Lauren peasant skirt, flat heeled leather boots and a Donegal tweed blazer. Walking beside her is Finn, who is wearing his own Donegal tweed blazer and cap. They are walking towards Finn’s magnificent Irish castle where he will propose to her.
Here's Quinn, in tweed and lace by Ralph Lauren for Fall/Winter 09:
E is for espadrilles, a classic footwear option that is in the company of other classics, like the French striped sailor top and the perfect trenchcoat.
F is for fanny pack, a practical yet scary creation. Many designers have done versions of this tourista staple. When I need to be practical and hands free, I prefer a small purse with a long strap, worn diagonally across the body, like this one from LA designer Calleen Cordero:
G is for Go Go boots, they were
at the height of their popularity in the mid 60’s. Love them, but with short, muscular legs they are not a good look on me. Best worn on long, Twiggy-esque legs.
A to die for pair from the BEST vintage website, poshgirlvintage:
H is for harem pants which I wore in the late 80’s. Mine were lightweight Indian cotton versions. Summer of 2009 has seen their return to the streets with mixed results. I’m sitting this one out, except for my harem pants jumpsuit – see J.
I is for Ikat. It’s a style of weaving that uses “resist dyeing,” before threads are woven into a pattern or design. Most cultures have a version of Ikat and it was quite popular this Summer.
J is for jumpsuits, which have made a return over the last few seasons. I still own and occasionally wear my all time favorite jumpsuit: beautiful, hand painted Indian fabric, strapless, with harem pant legs and a boned bodice! Top that!
Chic 1940's-ish version by Issa, available on shopbop:
K is for designer Kate Spade, who does the retro-modern preppy chic look better than anyone.
L is for designer Lotta Stensson whose Bohemian Chic creations are stunningly beautiful. They make me want to move to a granola-chic hippie commune by the beach.
Earthy batik cover-up by Lotta Stensson, available on lottanyc.com:
M is for Mary Jane shoes, another old school classic shoe option, updated by many modern designers, including Marc Jacobs & Prada
N is for nylon a tough as nails fabric. And it’s also for “Nylon,” a chic, edgy NYC based style mag.
O is for Oscar de la Renta, one of my favorite old timer designers. He has been designing for many decades and does "uptown chic" better than anybody else.
A stunning coat from his Fall 09 Collection:
P is for polyester, one of my favorite fabrics - it’s true! The best 70’s dresses were all in poly and although the fabric doesn’t breathe, it wears well and twirls well – think of Travolta’s dance partners in Saturday Night Fever.
From the blog "Vintage Clothiers Boutique:"
Q is for Quant, as in Mary Quant, one of the designers who defined the 60’s. I think Anna Sui channels Mary Quant’s spirit with wonderful results.
R is for Rag Trade, aka the apparel industry or the fashion industry
S is for satin, which I adore for its sumptuousness. Designers used it a lot in the 30’s and 40’s to create long, often bias cut gowns. Below, Jean Harlow in one of her iconic satin dresses and a purple satin dress with exposed lining by Zac Posen, Fall 2009:
T is for tank top, a wardrobe staple, available in dressy and casual versions. Highlighting the arms, this style is best on those like my friend Vera, who is a "Bar Method" teacher and has sleek & chic arms!
U is for unitard, which I think belong in the same category as the fanny pack. The only one I ever wore was in high school, when I was featured along with a few other gals in the opening credits of a TV show. The unitards were black and they painted our bodies green. No doubt the idea of some pervy producer, with a fetish for fifteen year olds with "Wicked Witch of the West" coloring.
That said, they can serve as a very practical undergarment, (Donna Karan used to feature them), when your outfit requires leggings/tights and a layering tank top.
A chic option by Robert Rodriquez, available on shopbop:
V is for velvet, another of my favorite fabrics. The glam rockers like velvet, as do the Goths and the Edwardians.
Stunning velvet bolero by Stella McCartney, available on netaporter:
W is for wellies, or rubber boots. Preferably worn when ambling through the damp English countryside with a handsome British aristocrat.
The original Wellingtons, available in many colors on nordstrom.com:
X is for Xanadu, the trippy, disco-y 1980 movie featuring Olivia Newton-John & Gene Kelly. Music, dancing and over the top fashions, this is a must see for style lovers – “have to believe it is magic…”
Y is for yellow, a wonderfully happy color that is hard to wear. Looks best on tanned blonds, or those with darker complexions. I used to wear mustard eye shadow in the mid 80’s and against my pale Irish skin you can just imagine the results.
Z is for zebra prints, another retro chic option. Often outshined by its animal print cousin, the leopard print, zebra is very chic in small doses, like on a clutch or a pair of shoes.
The perfect vintage Zebra accessories from poshgirlvintage:
The End!
The best Sunday morning baking is done while drinking Mimosas and listening to Edith Piaf. Vintage Dame's Banana Bread Recipe:
C is for capes & capelets, vintage items that I adore. I own a wonderful leopard fur cape from the 60’s and although I rarely find the opportunity to wear it in LA, it brings me much joy. It also makes me want to line my eyes in kohl and smoke a Gitane!
D is for Donegal Tweed from Ireland. Picture a lovely gal named Quinn, walking the Irish countryside in an old school Ralph Lauren peasant skirt, flat heeled leather boots and a Donegal tweed blazer. Walking beside her is Finn, who is wearing his own Donegal tweed blazer and cap. They are walking towards Finn’s magnificent Irish castle where he will propose to her.
E is for espadrilles, a classic footwear option that is in the company of other classics, like the French striped sailor top and the perfect trenchcoat.
G is for Go Go boots, they were at the height of their popularity in the mid 60’s. Love them, but with short, muscular legs they are not a good look on me. Best worn on long, Twiggy-esque legs.
H is for harem pants which I wore in the late 80’s. Mine were lightweight Indian cotton versions. Summer of 2009 has seen their return to the streets with mixed results. I’m sitting this one out, except for my harem pants jumpsuit – see J.
K is for designer Kate Spade, who does the retro-modern preppy chic look better than anyone.
M is for Mary Jane shoes, another old school classic shoe option, updated by many modern designers, including Marc Jacobs & Prada
P is for polyester, one of my favorite fabrics - it’s true! The best 70’s dresses were all in poly and although the fabric doesn’t breathe, it wears well and twirls well – think of Travolta’s dance partners in Saturday Night Fever.
Q is for Quant, as in Mary Quant, one of the designers who defined the 60’s. I think Anna Sui channels Mary Quant’s spirit with wonderful results.
T is for tank top, a wardrobe staple, available in dressy and casual versions. Highlighting the arms, this style is best on those like my friend Vera, who is a "Bar Method" teacher and has sleek & chic arms!
W is for wellies, or rubber boots. Preferably worn when ambling through the damp English countryside with a handsome British aristocrat.
X is for Xanadu, the trippy, disco-y 1980 movie featuring Olivia Newton-John & Gene Kelly. Music, dancing and over the top fashions, this is a must see for style lovers – “have to believe it is magic…”
Y is for yellow, a wonderfully happy color that is hard to wear. Looks best on tanned blonds, or those with darker complexions. I used to wear mustard eye shadow in the mid 80’s and against my pale Irish skin you can just imagine the results.
The End!
