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Three's a Trend: Overalls

Overalls are back and have drastically changed from its working class identity of the 1700's. Becoming a fashion trend in the 1990's, the now more fashionable, refined and spunky design of overalls are a great choice for style minded individuals. The new overall has been seen on this years Spring/Summer runways from various well known designers and some have even called 2010 "The Year of the Overall." Will you be ready to wear them this Fall? Leave a comment and tell us what you think.






Picture courtesy of style.la-mimi.com


Fall into Nautical



Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you have probably seen the rise of nautical themes in this years spring and summer trends. The nautical trends key colors are white, navy, black, and red and can be characterized by classic stripes, and sailor inspired accessories. Now that fall is almost here does that mean that we have to put away our cute little sailor inspired styles? Not at all! There are plenty of ways to continue wearing this style for the Fall. The great thing about this trend is that it can be styled a number a ways. Instead of white, try pairing darker neutrals or colors other than the trends key colors like army greens, khaki, rust, charcoal gray, mustard yellow. As the fall season approaches, be on the look out for denim layering pieces,sailor inspired cardigans and blazers with gold metal buttons to add to pieces you already have. Since many have paired wedges and open toe sandals with this look try wearing your feminine flats are brown or taupe boots.

Here at Borough Vintage we make it easy to find nautical items with a small a section of clothing perfect for those looking for some classic sailor inspired pieces. Check out a few of the items I found that are perfect for transitioning into the fall. All items are available for purchase on boroughvintage.com!







2010 St Louis Magazine Best Dressed Party
I just want to say a heartfelt "Thank You" to St. Louis Magazine for naming me one of St Louis' Best Dressed for 2010.  The magazine hosted a wonderful reception on Thursday, August 26th, at Plaza Frontenac, to honor the recipients. What a great evening of food, drinks, and friends.  Here are some of the candid shots from the night.





(Thank you to Adrienne Harris for the great photographs)


Then and Now: Seeing Dots


With the many resurgences of popularity of the fun and flirty polka dot pattern, I am certain that we have all worn polka dots in some form or fashion at some point in our lives. Sadly, no one knows the exact origin of polka dots but there are numerous theories to the start of the design. Going all the way back to the 1830's, many contribute the "Polka" dance craze to the origins of the polka dot design. Some say that during this time, manufacturers began to brand all types of items as "polka" in order cash in on the new craze that would last all the way until about 1890. Walt Disney is also linked to the polka dot design, with his creation of the popular Minnie Mouse character known for wearing polka dots. The story is, while thinking of the perfect outfit for Minnie, he dropped a dot of ink on his drawing that led to the creation of Minnie's red and white polka dot dress. Regardless of where it came from, the polka dot design were most popular during the fun and color filled 50's when ladies wore polka dots head to toe. Polkas were also seen a little in the 70's and again in the 80's. Over the years, the size and color of polka dots may change but the classic polka dot design is here to stay.



To check out the polka dot items we have in store and online click here.


Chanel Iman channels Minne Mouse in a polka dot skirt for her Vogue Germany photoshoot


Styled: Gray Matter


The color gray may not be the most exciting color, but gray has an everlasting classic appeal that can be paired with almost any look. Depending on your desired look, you can match gray with bold bright colors and patterns or mix with your favorite feminine hue such as, pink or cream. Try something new this season with your clothing and accessories by wearing gray instead of black. You can also give the monochrome look a try by wearing all smoky neutral hues. Excited to see what I could find in the store, I went on a mad hunt for all of my favorite gray items to create an entire look with the approaching fall season's smoky hues.










I found a 80's Levante silk blouse and decided to pair it with a lovely long creme skirt for added sophistication. I then added an 80's gray leather cinch belt, 80's Mary Ann Rosenfeld Clutch purse, and Vintage Nickels grey leather peep toe pumps to finish the look. Gray is not so boring after all! Be sure to check out the online shop where all of this posts "gray matter" items can be found.



Well Read: I Love Your Style
I recently happened to find this book and it seemed to be perfect for those who are interested in the history of fashion, inspirational guides to lifestyles and their reflection in personal style. Released last year, here's a short description of what to expect from the former fashion muse, creative director for designer label Tuleh, and author, Amanda Brooks.

"I Love Your Style is a sumptuous full-color look-book and style bible, complete with more than 400 classic and modern photographs, that will both empower and inspire women to dive into the challenge of defining, or refining, their personal style. With fully illustrated chapters, sidebars, shopping lists, and personal stories devoted to a range diverse styles and shopping techniques-Classic, Bohemian, Minimalist, Street, High-Fashion, Cheap Chic, Vintage-Brooks walks readers through every angle of the fashion world, from the basic pieces and accessories that define a style, to the small details, combinations, and adaptations that can make it your own.



With its focus on embracing creativity, personal history, originality, and the freedom to pick and choose aspects from any distinct "style"-and with no "rules," "commandments," or lengthy lists of "don′ts" in sight-I Love Your Style is a must-read for budding fashionistas, or anyone who finds herself frustrated in front of the mirror each morning."



With the Fall season approaching, this will be a great book to read before hitting the racks!



BoroughVintage: Buying Trip
We had a great time traveling the back roads of the USA last week.  Car trips are great for seeing the country side and scenery.  I felt like a true "American Picker".








New Items
New shoes in store this week....







Speaking Event: The Resale Industry


Long Gone
Here are some of my favorite items that have found new homes.



StLouis Magazine: A-List Awards 2010
Wow!  Borough Vintage won St Louis Magazine's 2010 A-List Award for "Best Women's Vintage Clothing".  The boutique received a plaque from StLouis Magazine and a great spread in their July 2010 issue.  Here are the pics.  I can't wait to get a copy from the news stand.

St Louis Magazine July 2010 Issue (preview)



Award Plaque

  Inside the July 2010 issue (preview)



Trend: Brights / Layered Accessories
I love this look for Spring/Summer 2010.  Layered, Bright, and Tropical - sounds like the perfect combination to brighten up any outfit.  Here is the Borough Vintage collection.

Spring/Summer Trend Page

Borough Vintage In-Store Necklaces


Trend: Straw
Straw is the perfect accessory for the on coming summer weather. Here are some of the Borough Vintage items that fit this trend.

Spring/Summer 2010 Trend Page
Borough Vintage In Store Items
Etienne Aigner Rope Purse           |        Straw Market Tote
Straw Fedora                          |         Straw Leather Braided Hat
Ferragamo Braided Pumps  | Charles Jourdan Linen Cork Sandals


Hope Couture "Vintage" Fashion Show
The Hope Couture "Vintage" Fashion Show took place last night.  Borough Vintage donated clothing to the show - and it was great to see the store's items styled the way I envision a modern woman wearing them.  The venue, at the Contemporary Art Museum, was a perfect minimalistic backdrop to the variety of fashions coming down the runway.  All proceeds from the show benefit Boys Hope Girls Hope.  Here are the Borough Vintage items from the show:

1940s Military Dress
1970s Tribal Surf Short
 
1980s Tiger Print Lace-up Dress 
1970s Safari Trench               
1950s Pink Ikat Print Dress
 1940s Ink Blot Dress
 
1980s Sculptural Dress
 
1960s Silver Mesh Mini Dress
Finale - 1950s Silver Shimmer Coat and 1960s Silver Mesh Mini Dress


Summer 2010: Window Display
Borough Vintage has a new window display to celebrate the coming of Summer!  Check out "Vintage Goes Pop"...





Vintage Details: Grommets
Vintage 1960's Purse
Borough Vintage
The main reason to "Buy Vintage" is the attention to detail.  This 1960s purse has a space age feel - that is accentuated by oversize metal grommets.  This piece brings to mind two of the masterminds of space age/mod design - Pierre Cardin and Andre Courreges:



Pierre Cardin
1967


Andre Courreges
1968


Vintage Details: Pleating
Vintage 1970s Purse
Borough Vintage
The main reason to "Buy Vintage" is the attention to details.  This 1970s purse has a relaxed bohemian feel - but, still features intricate pleating at the edges and multiple layers of seaming.  Plus, check out the contrast stitching.


Trend Inspiration: Tropic Thunder
marie claire January 2010

New Spring arrivals are here!  One of the most exciting and wearable trends will be tropical blues and greens.  Think teal, turquoise, cerulean, and citrine.  Here's a sampling of Borough Vintage items that fit this Spring 2010 direction.


The Making of a Window Display
Step One: Inspiration
I am an avid reader of fashion magazines.  Every month I go through each issue and pull out tears that inspire me.  Either I like the color combinations, fabrications, or styling.  For Spring 2010 - my favorite look was the mixture of feminine and tough.  The resurgence of military, safari, and medallions mixed with soft touches of tulle, lace, and satin really inspired me this season.

Marie Claire February 2010


Step Two: Assemble the PartsI really liked the softness that was inherent to this trend, so I assembled many paper flowers in pretty sherbert colors of pink, yellow and cream.
I also made a new Borough Vintage "clothes line" style signage display:


Step 3: Pull Together the Elements
Two Vintage Tulle dresses provide the softness for the display.


The military pieces come from Vintage Army Jackets and Boy Scout Patches.

I will post the finished product  on Facebook soon.


Well Placed: Goodbye
Sometimes I can't help but miss certain items that have gone on to find a new home. Here are some of my "recently sold" favorites:



New Arrivals: This Week 1/16/10

New Store Arrivals:
1960s Maxi Length Chenille Skirt
1950s Italian Hand Knit Sweater
1970s Plaid Blazer w/ Suede Patches
1970s Muted Mitered Skirt


True Style: Karl-Edwin Guerre

photos: swagger360

Since the store has opened - I've been getting a lot of requests for men's clothing.  I have never really been interested in men's clothing, but, lately men's style has taken a turn for the better.  Currently, I follow more blogs on men's style than I do on women's fashions.  That being said, if I ever decided to carry men's clothing, I would dress him in the style that you see above on photographer/blogger Karl-Edwin Guerre.   His style is impeccable - what a great mix of quality, texture and details.


Designer: Morton Myles
"There is no style, no quality dressmaking. There is no more fashion. It's just clothing." - Morton Myles

Morton Myles gained almost instant celebrity in 1961, when Jacqueline Kennedy wore his blue sleeveless linen dress on the cover of Look magazine for a family photo with President Kennedy. 

Mrs. Kennedy had come to Myles for some dresses when she was still a senator's wife, and she assured him her husband would soon be president.  And he was, of course. And there she was, the first lady, wearing Myles' robin's-egg blue dress. It was so simple, and yet her sense of style would become legendary.

Here is a Morton Myles dress from my collection.





Well Read: Posing Beauty

There is a new book out, just in time for Christmas, called Posing Beauty.  Aimed at presenting a definitive look at African-American beauty - this is one book that will be on my holiday wishlist (hint, hint ; )   The NY Times review makes me want this book even more:

"In the pages of “Posing Beauty,” readers can appreciate African-American men and women as dandies and debutantes, models and beauty queens, politicians and clubwomen across the generations. The book is a treasure, a triumph and a singular achievement that invites fresh and enduring insights with each viewing."

As I research fashion related topics - I am always discouraged to find the lack of African-American images in the vintage fashion arena.  So, this book will be a good first step in showcasing the stylish men and women of the past decades.  I want to see more images such as these: (Photographer: Carl Van Vecten - Eartha Kitt, Leontyne Price, and Blanche Dunn)



Well Shot: Gordon Parks
As it gets cold - I find myself adding more warm pieces to the store.  This week, fur has been my obsession - ie: fur coats, fur hats, fur stoles and fur collars.  Gordon Parks, the photography mastermind, took these gorgeous 1950s pictures of women in fur for Life magazine.  Please, oh please, can I have that cape in the third photo?