The vintage trend has been around for a good few years now, and it’s a real wardrobe staple for fans of customisation and recycling! Whether it’s clothes or accessories, retro style is here to stay. The best way of rocking the look is to seek inspiration from each era’s icons, because as the queen of vintage Carrie Bradshaw says in Sex and the City, “fashion is like politics: it’s the art of recycling old ideas to make them look new and exciting.”
Betty Grable in the Forties
This year’s incredibly retro one-piece swimsuits were a vintage staple this summer. Because before the advent of the Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny bikini, the one-piece was the only alternative for modern women who wanted to sunbathe without compromising their modesty. However, there was no lack of sex appeal involved, as proved by Betty Grable in what later became an iconic pin-up photo taken by Powolny. To stay true to the 40s, go for a white or a cream coloured swimsuit, that sculpts your curves, ideally with an integrated push-up bust. In terms of accessories, go for large sun glasses with round frames, accompanied with a floppy hat or sandals, with or without heels. A vintage look that shows off your feminine charm.
Brigitte Bardot in the Fifties
The “Christian Dior, le couturier du rêve” (Christian Dior, dream designer) exposition, displayed in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, helped us rediscover the elegance and simplicity of Dior. We fell for the fine lines and soft crinolines that marked the 50s, thanks especially to Brigitte Bardot. But if you’re only going to target one look this year, aim for that of Brigitte Bardot in Cannes, 1955. Simply dressed in a Bardot top, Capri pants nipped in at the waist and ballerina pumps, Brigitte had a natural allure. This outfit, perfect for both day and night, is easy to adapt to the fashion of the times. To do so, borrow one of your boyfriend’s coloured shirts and follow our DIY tips to make a sleeveless top, both retro and trendy at the same time. Finally, if you identify more so with Liz Taylor, you can always go for a plain white shirt and tie it around the waist with a pair of dark blue skinny jeans.
Françoise Hardy in the Sixties
The Sixties saw the arrival of iconic celebrities such as Twiggy, Cher and Edie Sedgwick. However, it’s Francoise Hardy who best represents the Parisian elegance of the 1960s, with her Courrèges dresses and white boots. To emulate her look, team a floppy hat with a mini skirt and ballerina pumps. For a vintage Autumn look, why not mix a masculine and feminine appeal, with a second-hand men’s wool suit jacket that you adapt to your own liking, to dress up a feminine blouse or a loose jumper.
