Vintage Fashion Style 2015

Vintage clothing is all the rage having gone from being a quirky trend to mainstream fashion. The celebs are doing it and so the masses have turned to it too.

To do the vintage look right you've got to have the makeup to match the clothes. If you don't pay attention to what works on the makeup side of things, you could end up looking like a vintage disaster. Take a look at this guide to see how to successfully pull-off the complete vintage look.

Vintage Fashion Has Gone Mainstream


The world of fashion has fallen in love with the vintage look all over again. Models strut in exotic and elaborate vintage designs and designers are doing their best to create the old-fashioned feel by designing vintage clothes and accessories.

Vintage fashion does not stop there. Even makeup is getting the vintage makeover. Every decade has its own makeup trends and vintage fashion is now incorporating the appropriate trend to get the perfect look.

Retro glamour is the coolest thing now and celebrities like Adele and Dita Von Teese have popularized old-fashioned makeup and vintage trends for the masses.

It All Began In The 1920s



Makeup became a popular phenomenon in the 1920s. This era was characterized by the Flapper style, featuring a pale look contrasted by bright red lips. This vintage trend was punctuated with kohl eye-shadow and mascara for the dark eyes.

The 1920s was also the age of glorious rebellion. Models wore scandalously short hemlines rising to the knees in Boardwalk Empire shows. Women began showing off not just their legs, but their arms and hips also. Do not be stingy with the lipstick and eye-shadow when trying to recreate the vintage fashion look of the 1920s.

1930s - The Sophisticated Look Is In



The 30s saw makeup becoming more sophisticated and refined. Bow-shaped lips went out of fashion and focusing on the upper lip became the next vintage trend. The upper eyelashes received generous quantities of eye-shadow while the lower ones were left untouched. Pencil-thin eyebrows made sure that the heavy and made up look of the 20s was replaced by something more elegant.

The simple and sophisticated look dominated Hollywood, symbolized by the glamorous long gowns that helped enhance the overall elegant and sensual feel of vintage fashion in the 30s.

1940s - Functional Styling



Not surprisingly, vintage fashion in the 1940s was dominated by the military look. Dark foundation makeup and strong eyebrows were in vogue. Light red with a hint of orange was preferred for the lips.

1950s Vintage Fashion Gets A Makeover



The 50s saw Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn give way to Parisian couture trends dominated by designers like Jacques Fath, Balenciaga and Dior.

Post war, the feminine look was back in fashion and pink dominated the vintage makeup trends. Lips were given a voluptuous look with rouge and pastel colors applied with a lip liner to extend the natural border of the mouth.

Beauty Vintage Fashion Tips

We have amassed collections over the years, accumulating items and pieces we barely use. Items such as a 50 year old brooch with a few missing gemstones, vintage hat boxes, a musical trinket box, with a musical malfunction, or a pair of oversized rhinestone ear clips.

We must remember that all these items were crafted with style and functionality in mind, and so we must try to find productive ways to bring them back and incorporate them into our lives and wardrobes.

I call this 'indulging in amassing', and I have no apologies about it either, because the aim of this indulgence is to transform all collectibles into stylish couture items.

This is what you need to do, to wear vintage fashion, and make a successful fashion statement with your ensemble.

* Your great-grandmother's seemingly dowdy 1930's dress really has great potential. OK so its too large in the bust (result of the bullet bra!), but it fits perfectly at the waist. What to do? Alter it! Forget about modifications or alterations decreasing a vintage clothing's value. It's useless to you if you cant wear it. So, how valuable can it be if you cant wear it. After all, this is not a piece of furniture. Take it to a dressmaker. Have it altered and flaunt it.




* Its too small and its difficult to zip without it ripping at the seams. What to do? Get a corset! It will faithfully fashion your figure into the famous hourglass shape, and you get a perfect fit into your tiny vintage dress. We are aware that the modern woman in us is not so committed to having a cookie-cutter perfect shape. However, you need to stun and dazzle in this absolutely beautiful 1950's dress. The corset makes it a reality. You will find them in vintage lingerie stores online and offline.

* You lack the self-confidence to wear vintage fashion. Muster the courage to wear it, and you will discover that you find more joy in wearing vintage pieces, than forgetting them in your closet. Plus the admiration and comments you receive may swell your head with pride.



* You are afraid to wear it for the fear of damage, or tear. You own a clear Lucite box handbag from the 60's, an exquisitly beaded cardigan hangs on a rack, in the back corner of your wardrobe. Both handed down to you by someone who felt you will cherish them. You know they can be used on special occasions, or to special events.
Don't be afraid that you may scratch them. Integrate them into your special fashion style wardrobe. They have lasted someone else's lifetime. They will surely last through this evening's special outing.

* Wondering how to pull it off? Its really easy if you make sure you modernize it. Don't wear head-to-toe vintage, don't re-live it. A vintage tie-neck blouse looks great over a pair of skinny jeans, or you can enhance a new 2009 dress with vintage or antique jewelry. Wear Italian designer shoes with a vintage evening gown to that prom ball.

So, as I do, mix and match the old with the new to create your own personal and therefore unique style.

Now that you have a good idea of how to approach wearing vintage fashion successfully, that is; you have 1)tailored great-grandma's dress to fit, 2) fixed that damaged brooch, by filling the missing stones with look alike faux gemstones, and wearing it with pride, 3) had those pair of white laced gloves cleaned professionally, (you have even turned your vintage luggage into an avant-garde coffee table in your living room), step out there with the confidence that you possess what many will give an arm and a leg for.

If however, you have too many of these items stored away, and can't find any use for some of them, well, there are experts who can find new owners who will appreciate, and purchase these items just as much as you once did. You can seek expert opinion to see how much they may be worth. You may make a little tidy sum from your discarded vintage fashion pieces.

Vintage Fashion Tips

Vintage fashion refers to styles which have been recycled from previous eras, and there are vintage outfits to suit any interests, from the 20's through to the 80's. Vintage has seen a major revival over the last few years, and is a trend which will keep your style unique and timeless. Many of the recent catwalk shows have showcased vintage trends, with top designers creating wondrous replica designs.

Some tips to remember before you go looking for any vintage items of clothing, is to consider what exactly you are looking for. Are you interested in a classic piece from the 1920's, or maybe the hippy style from the 1960's is more up your street. You also want to think about why you are buying your vintage clothing, whether it be for a special occasion or just for the sake of collecting a unique piece of clothing. Knowing exactly what you want is half the battle to finding the perfect vintage outfit, and there are looks to cater for all needs.



The next thing to think about is where you are going to find your vintage clothing. As vintage has become so popular lately, you will often find a lot of niche vintage markets, where you can pick up a piece of unique clothing at an inexpensive price. There are many shops on the high street which also have a collection of vintage pieces, although you may have to pay a bit extra for these.

When shopping for vintage, you really have to be patient, as it may take some time before you find the perfect item, and it can be a lot more complex than the clothes shopping you are used to. The beauty of vintage clothing is that it is a trend which is timelessly fashionable. The fabrics and patterns are unique, so have a good feel of these in order to determine which clothes will make you feel most comfortable.



Always try the clothing on before you purchase it and be aware of it's condition. It can range from being in mint condition (just like new) or good condition (some repairs needed.) If you feel a bit weary of trying second hand vintage clothes on, then wear your other clothes under it, to get a feel of what it looks like and if it suits you. It may also be an idea to take someone along with you when you're out shopping for your vintage clothes. As long as it's someone who will give you an honest opinion. If you are working from a tight budget, then it's a good idea to look at replica designs, as these are usually a lot more affordable.

Current fashion trends tend to mix up vintage with a more modern look, which will streamline your look, and make it more wearable for all different occasions. You may want to wear vintage with a popular key trend for the season, as this will keep you looking stylish, but will also give your look a unique edge.