Duncan Quinn's 1966 Bristol Lodekka double-decker bus first caught my eye—that, or his steady Instagram feed of gents donning impeccably sharp suits. The British suit maker channels an elegant and sophisticated style aesthetic in his bespoke suits.
Quinn is keeping a tradition of quality clothing alive in the modern era of fast fashion. In a nutshell, he represents the art of living well. He shares the story behind his style, below.
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Like most New Yorkers, Liana Hayles Walker wears many hats. She is a photographer, writer, curator, and contributor to Apartment Therapy. Always chic and polished, Liana shares the scoop behind her vintage style, below.
Comments![Intelligent and talented Valeria Picerno is one of those women who dresses for the day, no matter the day. Hailing from Milan, Italy, she works as an Image Consultant and Costume Designer in New York.
I met her at my friend Jacob’s (who you may remember from “Something Old, Something New”) birthday party a couple of years ago and we recently caught up over coffee in our ‘hood in Brooklyn—and I absolutely had to share her timeless, polished, and inspiring style with ya’ll!
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Something Old, Something New: Valeria Picerno
Valeria never wears black but rather opts for dark hues (like purple and olive green) that look like black from far away. You can tell when people value quality, and she clearly does, which is why I knew she would have a great story to tell.
Hailing from Milan, Italy, she works as an Image Consultant and Costume Designer. Here, she shares the story behind her style:
I’m wearing an Edwardian dress that I got at the Fort Greene Flea Market about a year ago. The price was quite steep but the vendor totally wanted me to have it—and sold it to me for a third of the price—as no one else seemed to be able to fit in it!
It originally had longer lace sleeves, which I tragically ripped on the last 4th of July while sailing on the Hudson; it is incredibly delicate, so I try to wear it only on special occasions, like here, I’m pictured on my birthday picnic in Harriman State Park.
[The dress] is perhaps one of my favorite possessions, I love the lightness of it and the embroidered details.
I don’t like the fact that is impossible to open it or close it by yourself; you absolutely need somebody to help you with it, which makes total sense because I guess whoever originally wore it had a maid taking care of it!
I’m also wearing a powder pink silk slip underneath, since the dress is very sheer. It is from the 1930’s and it has a very interesting bias construction and little silk moons hand-stitched on it. I got this at a vintage store in Milan, Italy, called Cavalli e Nastri.
The watch is from Gucci from the 80’s, and I got it on eBay; the small ring is antique and the larger one is one of my mom’s designs; and the sunglasses are Karen Walker.
For more from Valeria, peruse her adorable blog, “The Journal”, which is full of iconic fashion moments throughout history, or at her notable looks in film.
More Vintage-Modern Style StyleSomething Old, Something New: PinkClouds’ Jennifer CollinsSomething Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki CrusaderSomething Old, Something New: Liam AlexanderSomething Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, Emma shares “the story behind the style”, proving that, when it comes to dressing, there’s more than meets the eye. Copyright © 2013 Past Fashion Future. All rights reserved.](http://41.media.tumblr.com/d7d17570cd4a0ca821d265b62fdddea6/tumblr_mqq41ij0pJ1qcmvkgo1_500.jpg)
Intelligent and talented Valeria Picerno is one of those women who dresses for the day, no matter the day. Hailing from Milan, Italy, she works as an Image Consultant and Costume Designer in New York.
I met her at my friend Jacob’s (who you may remember from “Something Old, Something New”) birthday party a couple of years ago and we recently caught up over coffee in our ‘hood in Brooklyn—and I absolutely had to share her timeless, polished, and inspiring style with ya’ll!
![PinkClouds and Past Fashion Future are a match made in vintage fashion heaven. Styled with timeless elegance and modern perfection, the online fashion retailer triumphs beautiful vintage design with beautifully executed editorials in a series of curated sales, called “The Fix Boutiques”.
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Something Old, Something New: Jennifer Collins
They boast an impressive collection of designer clothing and I knew that whoever was at the helm of the site would be perfect for this series. Enter Jennifer Collins. The Creative Director & CEO of PinkClouds.com clearly shares the belief that fashion from the past doesn’t have to look drab but that it can look modern and elegant.
Case and point, Collins is pictured, above, and shares the story behind her vintage, yet modern style with us, below.
Florals are trending this spring. Designers like Givenchy, Dolce & Gabanna and Valentino all have an array of florals currently on the market.
As we always say at PinkClouds, Fashion is cyclical!
This vintage dress is on trend and no one else will have it. I found [it] through a dealer in New York state. I love the feeling when you find pieces you have always wanted but never knew you needed!
The cut was so classic and flattering, [the outfit] felt effortless.
I love lightweight dresses like this for summer time in NYC. I can pair [this dress] with some sandals from Zara for a daytime look. I styled it with an Iradj Moini statement necklace (pictured) to help transition this look from day to night.
More good news: you can shop this sexy Vintage Black Floral Maxi Dress ($225) and Jennifer’s style (x infinity) on PinkClouds.com.
More Vintage-Modern Style StyleSomething Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki CrusaderSomething Old, Something New: Liam AlexanderSomething Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, Emma shares “the story behind the style”, proving that, when it comes to dressing, there’s more than meets the eye. Copyright © 2013 Past Fashion Future. All rights reserved.](http://40.media.tumblr.com/3278fd6c3a3460c4d9908a7048b01d44/tumblr_moxhphSqcM1qcmvkgo1_500.jpg)
PinkClouds and Past Fashion Future are a match made in vintage fashion
heaven. Styled with timeless elegance and modern perfection, the online fashion retailer triumphs beautiful vintage design with beautifully executed editorials in a series of curated sales, called “The Fix Boutiques”.
![Maja Svensson is a one of the many inspiring women I always see out and about the ethical fashion circuit. Her brand, Elsa and Me, wraps the all the reasons why I love an LBD—trusty staple, versatility, ease—and combines it with a classic silhouette in a slew of shades for all seasons.
Something Old, Something New: Maja Svensson
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The dress is suitable for all shapes, sizes, ages and occasions and I just can’t triumph her designs enough so please do check out her made-to-order dresses, which are produced in New York City and made with organic cotton fabric, and let me know what you think.
Maja shares the story behind her classic little white dress (LWD) ensemble, below—and how perfectly fitting considering her timeless dress is good for Memorial Day, and any day of the year!
The Coat: “A coat that’s been traveling between the women of my family, starting with my mom, who bought it approximately twenty years ago, then my grandma (Elsa) took it over for a few years, and this fall it traveled over the Atlantic and is now hanging in my wardrobe in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.”
The Dress: “The ELSA dress in Vanilla White.” ($279, Elsa and Me)
The Shoes: “Shoes (BCBGirls) inherited/borrowed from my roommate, which I think she bought vintage.”
More Heirloom-Meets-Modern StyleSomething Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki CrusaderSomething Old, Something New: Liam AlexanderSomething Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, Emma shares “the story behind the style”, proving that, when it comes to dressing, there’s more than meets the eye. Read more stories, here.Copyright © 2013 Past Fashion Future. All rights reserved.](http://41.media.tumblr.com/2dd7d3a83f0978bfeb180ff5fc509c68/tumblr_mnfqjefSZg1qcmvkgo1_400.jpg)
Maja Svensson is a one of the many inspiring women I always see out and about the ethical fashion circuit. Her brand, Elsa and Me, wraps the all the reasons why I love an LBD—trusty staple, versatility, ease—and combines it with a classic silhouette in a slew of shades for all seasons.
Something Old, Something New: Maja Svensson
At first a friend of friends and now a friend of mine, Allegra Moet Brantly is one of those amazing, inspiring girls who has a dream and follows through with it: she is the CEO and Creative Director of A.MOET, a luxury spa and loungewear brand based in New York.
Something Old, Something New: Allegra Moet Brantly
From Pucci blouses that once belonged to her grandmother to a so-called “mafioso” Foxcroft ring, Allegra wears family heirlooms and shares the story behind style, below.
I never got to know my maternal grandmother but I feel like I know her very well through the only possessions I have from her: two Emilio Pucci blouses, circa 1960. A lover of bold statement prints myself, I wear them regularly and always feel “fashion forward”, regardless of their 50+ years of age!
Like a fine wine, classic staples only get better with time and you truly cannot go wrong with Emilio Pucci! He is one of my all time favorite designers because of his distinguished and immediately recognizable print work.
The leather jacket is my dad’s from his days as a sound engineer at Warner Brother Records—surely many a wild Los Angeles nights were spent in this piece!My Sergio Zelcer leather peep toes were an ultimate find in Miami. They have illegal red bottoms that pre-date the Louboutin/YSL scandal so they’re often mistaken for Loubies—though I can’t say I mind!
The bag is by Mary Norton, a designer out of Charleston, SC whom I worked for when I went to college there and you’ll never see me without a scarf tied around my bag. But what about clashing prints? Done right, there’s nothing better than wearing prints on prints!
Lastly, I pretty much always don a black beanie during the winter and my favorite article of all time is my gold and green “mafioso” pinkie ring, as I jokingly call it. It’s a class ring from Foxcroft, my boarding school, and there are probably twenty more girls running around NYC wearing one of these bad boys—and beware: should you run into one of us, we are an unusually riveting breed!
Keep tuned for more from A.MOET, their second collection of luxury
robes is in the works, set to launch this summer with an expanded product line, including a men’s robe, towel wrap, turban, and more. Follow Allegra’s adventures on Twitter and Facebook, too.
More Heirloom-Meets-Modern Style
Something Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki Crusader
Something Old, Something New: Liam Alexander
Something Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe
Copyright © 2013 Past Fashion Future. All rights reserved.
Backstage at New York Fashion Week, everyone has the lens locked on designer collections, models, celebs, et al, yet there are a number of notable photographers with oft-overlooked style worth noting. Enter Jeff Gentner, whose classic and functional take on dressing is completely fuss-free and simple, yet carefully curated.
I met Jeff backstage at M.Patmos, where he snapped this fab shot of me—with an iPhone, no less. As a producer, director, and cinematographer, he frequents NYC for work, but he actually hails from Savannah, Georgia. Hence the Southern twang. Here’s Jeff on the story behind his style:
My shirt is Bonobos, I ordered it about a year ago. It’s 100% cotton and is kind of heavy—it’s pretty much my go-to shirt or “uniform” as I like to call whatever I’m currently into wearing over and over again. I’m kind of OCD about wearing something repeatedly but it feels right.
I only own about 3-4 shirts and two pairs of pants that I currently mix and match and wear all the time. I’ve found a common ground with my musician friends who rock the same outfit for weeks at a time while on tour—I dunno’ when it feels right there’s no need to change it up.This shirt has been leading the way for about a year.
We shot this photo near the old cotton exchange warehouses in Savannah, which at one time, was the cotton capitol of the world. I thought of the irony since the shirt is 100% cotton and sort of looks and feels like an old Civil War-era button down.
My pants are GAP—nothing too exciting about that. My other pair of pants are brown GAP cords. Both are the same size and fit and feel really comfortable. I haven’t owned or worn a pair of jeans in over 7-8 years, nor do I think I ever will. Why? They don’t feel right. I’m not knocking jeans, I they look great on other folks. I’ve even tried a few pairs on over the years but I immediately get the feeling of, “This is not you.”
The socks are Hook+Albert. I scored these for free at Details magazine's accessories event during NYFW. I normally wear plain wool socks, and have for years, but colorful socks are back and these were free. Most of my favorite things in life are of no cost. The boots were found at an Estate Sale at a contemporary glass home that doubled as an architecture firm back in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. The home was vacant for years and at one point I snuck onto the property to gaze into the windows. When they hosted an actual sale I was there for hours.The boots were tossed in for free as bargaining tool since I purchased a Mid-Century modern Scandinavian trundle bed for my daughter. The son and heir to the estate told me the boots belonged to his deceased father who started the architecture firm. He believed they were from the 1960s or early ’70s. I had to get them re-soled for like $20.The label on the inside reads “Nunn Bush”, a brand which looks to still be making shoes and boots—and their site boasts that they have been since 1912. Oh, and my shades are new Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
Follow Jeff’s adventures at JeffGentner.com.
Read More: "Something Old, Something New"
Copyright © 2013 Past Fashion Future. All rights reserved.
Jacob Gordon’s voice stood out first, before his style: as my former colleague at Discovery’s TreeHugger.com, he was the host of TreeHugger Radio where he engaged with numerous notable figures on pressing environmental issues—with a quality radio voice to boot!
Take one look at his mini bio pic and you’ll see he is a sharp dresser. What can I say? It was a fashion crush from far sight.
Thanks to TreeHugger’s remote office, we didn’t meet in the flesh until he moved to my ‘hood in Brooklyn, where my suspicions were confirmed: Jacob’s style is classic, polished, and put-together (all of the time, not just on occasion).
So without further adieu, here’s Jacob on his style (the story is all in the details):
I’m wearing my favorite leather jacket, which is tattered nearly to oblivion at this point.
I bought it vintage on eBay a few years ago and it may be made of horse hide. I’ve had it relined and patched up as best I can but this horse is probably almost ready to be put down.
The boots I bought on eBay as well; they’re just simple Justin cowboy boots but I’ve worn these dogs for countless hours on honky tonk stages across Nashville and they’ve never let me down (though I’ve had the soles replaced a couple times).
The necktie, one of those short square-on-the-bottom numbers, is vintage from a little shop in Nashville called The Hip Zipper.The belt is one of my favorite possessions. It’s made by an eccentric Nashvillian leather smith named Colonel Littleton who based his unique–and patented–No. 5 belt design on civil war rifle straps, or so they say.
The vest is from Imogene and Willie, a Nashville brand that does primarily high-quality American sewn denim.This simple wool hunting vest could probably stop a slow-moving bullet, and when it came in the mail there was an oatmeal raisin cookie in the box.
The jeans are J Crew selvedge denim; nothing exciting but they fit great and last a long time and stay nice and dark (though I don’t wash them much).
Can’t get enough of Jacob? Follow his work at Artiphon, where he is Director of Marketing, or his musings on smiles, and more, on his Tumblr. Or, you can catch him via his clever tweets at @Jacob_Gordon.
Photo: Emma Grady
More Heirloom-Meets-Modern Style
Something Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki Crusader
Something Old, Something New: Liam Alexander
Something Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, Emma shares “the story behind the style”, proving that, when it comes to dressing, there’s more than meets the eye. Read more stories, here.
Copyright © 2013 Past Fashion Future. All rights reserved.
“Something Old, Something New: How Modern Day Style Mavens Wear Vintage” featuring the rockin’ New Year’s style of Amy Nicole Bernstein, personal stylist and co-founder of Wardrobe Wear and creative director of WEARtoCLICK.com.
Something Old, Something New: Amy Nicole Bernstein
Los Angeles, California-based Amy Nicole Bernstein is no stranger to styling—and looking stylish—under pressure. Whether she’s going head to head in a style off on E! News to sporting stylish looks while building her soon-to-launch start up WEARtoCLICK.com, Bernstein dons a mix of old and new pieces—without losing her cool—that each have a story to tell.
Amy describes the story behind her New Year’s style in her own words, below:
Nothing brings in the new year better than celebrating New Year’s Eve with my closest friends while wearing some of my favorite pieces from my wardrobe. For me, 2012 represents the start of exciting happenings: it is the year that my business partners and I will launch our new website WEARtoCLICK.com.
For the special occasion of welcoming in the new year I coincidentally chose to wear pieces that each told a story in time. Starting from the top, I picked a vintage black sequin cardigan that once belonged to my great-grandmother; it was given to her in 1952 by my grandpa (her son) as a gift from Japan.This gorgeous cardigan, which is in amazing condition, has had an exciting life of sixty years already!
I contrasted the sparkle of the cardi with a modern and sexy sheer Equipment blouse and, to add some additional shine to my NYE look, I wore another vintage piece, a rose gold metal belt from the late 1970’s that once belonged to my very glamorous grandma.
As for my skirt, I opted for a knee-length style with a star print that caught my attention, just days before NYE, at a great little boutique on Montana St. in Santa Monica.To complete my last outfit of 2011, I selected a shiny gold and silver hard metal clutch that my mom actually rocked circa 1991.
For me, I love nothing more than the tales behind vintage pieces. Each time I go into my client’s closets, it’s exciting to hear the stories behind the clothing.
Mixing vintage and modern is synonymous with my personal style.
I believe that to truly wear present trends in the right way you have to reflect on where your style has been and be aware of where it is going. On that note, cheers to a bright 2012!
More Heirloom-Meets-Modern Style
Something Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki Crusader
Something Old, Something New: Liam Alexander
Something Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, I’ll show how when it comes to dressing there’s more than meets the eye and share the story — behind the outfit — with you here. Read them all, here.
Copyright © 2011 Past Fashion Future. All rights reserved.
![“Something Old, Something New: How Modern Day Style Mavens Wear Vintage” featuring fashion blogger Jaimen Lee of Jaimen.Tumblr. Something Old, Something New: Jaimen Lee
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Working the old nine to five might get some people’s style down but for Jaimen Lee, she lets her true personal style come out no matter the time of day on her eponymous fashion blog Jaimen.Tumbr. Whether she’s working in digital and entertainment PR by day or enjoying her time off hours in Brooklyn, New York, where she lives, Jaimen has fun with fashion.
Here, she shares the story behind her style with Past Fashion Future:
I feel young, fun and feminine in this outfit. I guess that’s how I try to feel with everything I put on. I think as professional women, we often feel pushed to dress more adult-like. I get the wisdom in that but, ultimately, dressing like someone you’re not does not exude confidence or comfort in ones own skin. I love dressing for my mood and my personality; I think that is the quickest and easiest way to tell the world who I am. I’m wearing a vintage plaid button-up; a thrifted American Apparel skirt; Forever 21 bracelets, bunny socks and bow bag; and vintage leather platforms. The plaid shirt is from the Seventies and I’m constantly surprised at how well it has held up over so many years and wears — it still looks practically new. I purchased the American Apparel skirt from Crossroads, a thrift store in San Francisco. The shop has new, thrifted, and vintage pieces for super cheap and is located in the iconic Haight-Ashbury area. After I got back from my trip I learned that a Crossroads had opened in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York — I am excited for future discoveries there. The socks were a dollar from Forever 21 and are really childish. I love mixing young things into my daily outfits, it’s just fun; that is how style should be everyday. I’m also wearing a Taara dragon bracelet and Asos belt. Everything was $15 or less with the exception of the shoes.The platforms are also from the Seventies. After I saw my sister in a similar pair from Goodwill, I knew I needed a pair of my own. Easier said than done though. I spent about a month searching for the perfect pair of leather open-toe wedges. Finding this vintage style, in good shape, and affordable is rare. After losing eBay bidding wars and scouring the city’s vintage shops, I spotted these on Etsy for $30. I adore them: they work with socks, flared jeans and pretty much everything else in my closet. I try to weave new and old into everything I wear.
I hate wearing things over and over again — it gets boring. But, this poses a problem for ladies — like myself — on a budget. For me, the best way to maintain an expansive, versatile wardrobe is through wearing vintage and well thought-out purchases of investment pieces with affordable clothing and fast fashion, from places like H&M, Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters.
For more of Jaimen’s vintage meets fast fashion style, check out her blog for her daily outfits, vintage treasures, and New York City adventures.
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, I’ll show how when it comes to dressing there’s more than meets the eye and share the story — behind the outfit — with you here. Read them all, here.
More Heirloom-Meets-Modern StyleSomething Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki CrusaderSomething Old, Something New: Eliza Starbuck and Toshi YanoSomething Old, Something New: Liam AlexanderSomething Old, Something New: Molly GradySomething Old, Something New: Leanne Mai-ly HilgartSomething Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe Copyright © 2011 Past Fashion Future. All rights reserved.](http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq1k6ffNsb1qcmvkgo1_500.jpg)
“Something Old, Something New: How Modern Day Style Mavens Wear Vintage” featuring fashion blogger Jaimen Lee of Jaimen.Tumblr.
Something Old, Something New: Jaimen Lee
“Something Old, Something New: How Modern Day Style Mavens Wear Vintage” featuring portrait artist Brad Livingstone Black.
Something Old, Something New: Brad Livingstone Black
My first introduction to Brad Livingstone Black’s style was on a rainy night in March at the Afingo Fashion Forum kick off cocktail party — Patrick McMullan captured it in all its glory. One look and I knew he had great style. He was wearing a classic trench coat with jeans and a sweater with an oxford underneath. Polished and appropriate.
My friend Laura Rubin — whose surfer-girl style style has appeared here on Past Fashion Future — put us in touch and it turns out that he is an amazing portrait artist who has captured the likeness of patrons including the Duchess of Marlborough and the Infanta Elena, Princess of Spain.
"The people who commission works from me understand the legacy of portraiture as a medium," Brad tells Ralph Lauren Magazine. “They’re looking for something that will tell a true story about them, but also for something that will resonate long after they’re gone.”
Just as his art captures the subject so, too, does his personal style. From bespoke suits to heirlooms, Brad’s style reflects who he is and where he’s been. Here’s Brad:
I remember reading The Outsiders when I was a kid and there is a part of me that reveres those guys: Darry, Ponyboy and Sodapop. Their bootstrapping attitude and style helped me soldier through some pretty scrappy years living in bad parts of Brooklyn, New York as I tried to breathe life into the beginnings of an art career. I used to run home from the train at night. Not for the exercise.
I wore the same jeans every day for two and a half years.
Then my painting developed and things changed. Now I find myself in bespoke suits, my art in respected collections surpassing even my dreams.
I suppose my style is the reflection of both extremes from my life experiences, meeting somewhere in the middle.
I’m pictured here on my way to a dive bar in lower Manhattan. I’m wearing an old black Calvin Klein v-neck shirt I have had forever and a (much) older Cartier watch that my dad gave to me when I was a kid; I never take it off. The jeans are 7 For All Mankind. My kicks are Lanvin. And the leather jacket is from Burberry.
The jacket is several exponents cooler than I am…but it humours me.The socks are from a combo pack purchased in a store up in Canada called, ‘Winners’. I think you can also get appliances there. My underwear is very Marty McFly.
View Brad’s art at LivingstoneBlack.com.
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, I’ll show how when it comes to dressing there’s more than meets the eye and share the story — behind the outfit — with you here.
More Vintage- and Heirloom-Meets-Modern Style
Something Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki Crusader
Something Old, Something New: Eliza Starbuck and Toshi Yano
Something Old, Something New: Liam Alexander
Something Old, Something New: Molly Grady
Something Old, Something New: Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart
Copyright © 2011 Emma Grady. All rights reserved.
“Something Old, Something New: How Modern Day Style Mavens Wear Vintage” featuring fashion blogger Phoebe Montague of Lady Melbourne.
Something Old, Something New: Phoebe Montague
Phoebe Montague is a fabulous fashion blogger based in Melbourne, Australia. I first saw her on the cover of eco-fashion magazine Peppermint a couple years ago and she may be coming to New York City very soon. She’s currently up for Nokia and Elle’s Search for the Next Style Correspondent in which she’ll win a trip to cover New York Fashion Week. Won’t you give her the thumbs up? Click here.
I caught up with Phoebe to talk vintage fashion, a favorite topic of ours, as she is lives and breathes the ethos of our style series “Something Old, Something New.” Plus, she shows us how to transition a dress from summer to winter. Don’t miss the slideshow accompanying this post.
Here’s Phoebe:
A huge part of what I do on Lady Melbourne is mixing vintage with new, chain store and designer pieces. Usually vintage wins out and it’s not uncommon that I will look down to find I am wearing head to toe second hand clothes.
I was asked on twitter (@ladymelbourne) how you can translate dresses from summer to winter, or whether it’s at all possible.This dress belonged to my mother and she wore it in the early 80s. She bought it from what was a well known Melbourne designer back then, the label has since disappeared. I’m lucky in that my mother kept a lot of her wardrobe from the 60s, 70s and 80s and I have no doubt it formed my love of vintage from a young age.
Although it has proved too cold to wear in winter, it was a fabulous challenge to see if I could wear the dress different ways.The lace cardigan in the second shot belonged to my Great Aunt Una who was an unmarried woman travelling through Hong Kong independently in the 1950’s, which was quite radical really! She bought this cardigan there and passed it on to me in her old age so it is again another treasured piece and one that I just love finding new ways to wear.
The cream coat was at Etsy purchase last year in the middle of summer when the heat was really quite scorching but I wanted to get my hands on a winter coat for some reason. It came from the States and you can see the hand finished details in the bound button holes and internal stitching.The finish on the coat is flawless and lives up to the mantra ‘They don’t make them like the used to’!
Although it’s not vintage my sister-in-law bought me the sequined collar at Top Shop because she walked past it and thought, ‘That is just so Phoebe!’I always treasure gifts like that because I know that the person has been inspired enough to stop in the street and pause to think. The Zara boots were also a gift from my brother and sister-in-law when they lived in London. They arrived for my birthday last year as a surprise so you can imagine the squeals of delight when I opened the box!
Wearing pieces with a story always makes me feel confident and alive in my style.
If someone compliments me on what I’m wearing I know I can confidently tell them the stories behind the clothes which is far more interesting that just noting what department store it came from, don’t you think?
Yes, we do think! Visit Phoebe at Lady Melbourne and don’t miss the slideshow of all the looks mentioned above, below.
SLIDESHOW: How To Transition a Dress From Summer to Winter with Lady Melbourne
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, I’ll show how when it comes to dressing there’s more than meets the eye and share the story — behind the outfit — with you here. Read them all, here.
More Heirloom-Meets-Modern Style
Something Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki Crusader
Something Old, Something New: Eliza Starbuck and Toshi Yano
Something Old, Something New: Liam Alexander
Something Old, Something New: Molly Grady
Something Old, Something New: Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart
How To Transition a Dress From Summer to Winter with Lady Melbourne. Read the accompanying article, “Something Old, Something New: How Modern Day Style Mavens Wear Vintage” featuring fashion blogger Phoebe Montague of Lady Melbourne, HERE.
“Something Old, Something New: How Modern Day Style Mavens Wear Vintage” featuring Matt McLaughlin, executive producer at Macula Films.
Something Old, Something New: Matt McLaughlin
Matt is another friend of mine from my college years — don’t miss Gordon Holden’s surf and turf style — at the University of Vermont. I’m not sure if I noticed his style or his charming good looks first but whatever it was we became friends over Robert’s Rules of Order during lengthy Student Government Association meetings.
Later I raided his closet on-camera for UVM TV in an episode of “Fashion Over Function: Style at UVM,” which I co-host with Theodora Christakis in 2008.
Matt now resides in Brooklyn, New York — where flannel shirts have a different meaning than in Burlington, Vermont — and at his 25th birthday party he told me all about his collection of vintage clothing. And now, here he is to share his personal style — slash, what a Brooklynite wears on a weekend to The Hamptons.
I’m pictured here in The Hamptons lounging in the grass at my friend’s Grandparents home. Don’t be fooled, I don’t summer in the Hamptons, this was my first time; I was there for a college fundraiser that I produced a video for.
I bought these shoes at a vintage shop a couple blocks from my apartment in Williamsburg. They were originally used as a prop to dress a hotel suite for a fashion label’s fall press presentation. Afterward, I realized that this one pair fit me so I took them and have been wearing them ever since.
To be honest, I’m not a die hard vintage person. I have a few pairs of vintage shoes, which are actually my favorites.
I love vintage hiking boots and military trainers. Vintage hiking boots are awesome because they’re already worn in and tend to be some of the most comfortable heavy-duty shoes you can buy. Military trainers from the 70’s (or at least the ones I have) have a narrower toe, which I prefer, and have very comfortable sole structures. Stylistically speaking, the military trainers I have are the basis for contemporary sneaker design.
The high oxfords that I’m wearing in the picture are great for the same reason vintage hiking boots are, they’re so comfy.
When I wear these I don’t worry about my feet or back hurting from terrible soles or raw leather. I also don’t worry about getting them dirty because they are already a bit scuffed up.
Though I do have a few accessories that I find special, nothing I’m wearing here is of sentimental value.
For more from Matt visit Macula Films on Facebook.
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, I’ll show how when it comes to dressing there’s more than meets the eye and share the story — behind the outfit — with you here. Read them all, here.
More Heirloom-Meets-Modern Style
Something Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki Crusader
Something Old, Something New: Eliza Starbuck and Toshi Yano
Something Old, Something New: Liam Alexander
Something Old, Something New: Molly Grady
Something Old, Something New: Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart
Something Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe
Copyright © 2011 Emma Grady. All rights reserved.
“Something Old, Something New: How Modern Day Style Mavens Wear Vintage” featuring style blogger Rebecca Roe of The Clothes Horse.
Something Old, Something New: Rebecca Roe
Rebecca’s style, summed up in one word, is darling. She knows when to accessorize and when to let the the clothes take center stage.
At age of 24, she’s already made her mark in the fashion blogosphere. I’m thrilled to interview her here on Past Fashion Future. Rebecca talks about one of her favorite vintage fashion looks for summer and shares tips on how she’ll style it for fall. Here she is:
I’m wearing a little vintage dress with peplum detailing that I actually received from a blog sponsor, The Attic People.
I love wearing vintage dresses, though I usually pick shirt dresses from the 1950s.The dress has a fresh silhouette and once I had it on, I really fell in love with it; the fit is perfect for me and the details around the neck are so sweet. It was a nice reminder to step outside of my comfort zone every once in a while, something I’ve been trying to do a lot this summer.
I recently started sharing collages on my art blog, Dead Paper. Sharing my artwork is, for some reason, more frightening than sharing pictures of myself on the web!
I’m really excited to wear this dress in the fall layered with tights and boots, scarves and jackets, hats and gloves, and more.Right now, the temperatures in Virginia have been in the 90-degree range so styling has to be incredibly minimal.
I didn’t want to distract from the design of the dress so all it took to complete the outfit was an easy pair of brown wedges, a brown purse, and no jewelry.
I was tempted to wear this dress with my hair in Heidi-esque braids.
But on second thought, I didn’t want to look like I had fallen out of a vintage magazine, so a simple ponytail was the answer.
Visit Rebecca on The Clothes Horse and Dead Paper.
This post is part of an ongoing series, “Something Old, Something New,” that looks at how people with amazing personal style incorporate vintage and heirloom pieces into their everyday wardrobes. Through a series of personal anecdotes and images, I’ll show how when it comes to dressing there’s more than meets the eye and share the story — behind the outfit — with you here. Read them all, here.
More Vintage and Heirloom Style
Something Old, Something New: Sean Hotchkiss of Khaki Crusader
Something Old, Something New: Eliza Starbuck and Toshi Yano
Something Old, Something New: Liam Alexander
Something Old, Something New: Molly Grady
Copyright © 2011 Emma Grady. All rights reserved.
