Vintage Accessories

Vintage fashion is something my daughter and I enjoy dabbling around in. There are so many cute vintage accessories that can totally change your otherwise drab outfits.

Recently, while researching some Halloween costume ideas, we ran across quite a selection of vintage accessories. Many of them inspired my choice for Halloween costumes this year. I went as a Victorian circus Ringmaster. I found a Pierre Cardin tuxedo jacket with tails and a top hat. I decorated the top hat with a sequined applique, a couple of antiqued silk red roses, red and black glittered tulle, clear and silver beads and black and red feathers. I wore a white ruffled jabot blouse with a red and black checkered bow-tie, black slacks, black boots and white cotton gloves. I carried a 6 ft. bullwhip. It was perfect. My hat is shown in the photo below.

I'm really hoping my daughter will someday plan a Victorian wedding. There are so many things I can do to really fix it up!

Below are just a few of the great vintage accessories we found.

Vintage glasses allow you to create that perfect retro look. These cat's eye glasses are very synonymous with the fashion of the 50s and 60s.

There are lots of colors and frames to choose from to go with various retro outfits you have.

A Vintage Victorian bib necklace is such an elegant way of accessorizing your wardrobe.  These necklaces can be worn with a swooping neckline on a cute black dress, or over a cute sweater. 

There are tons of styles, colors, designs, and lengths to chose from.  I prefer black for its versatility, but I have seen some really gorgeous white ones.

These books offer you some incredible money-saving tips doing a little vintage shopping and locating vintage fashions. They also offer period-specific tips on what is appropriate, how to get the correct fit and how to care for your vintage pieces. Some even offer tips on altering the pieces to give them a more modern look.

Some of the books take you through the history that defined each era and introduces you to some of the major players in the fashion of each decade.

Some of the books include extensive directories giving you profiles and information on vintage shops and vintage boutiques, fairs, and flea markets. They include tips on what to look for and how much to pay.

What a fun way to create a distinctive look at the next event you go to?

You could start a new trend with hairstyles found in these books or fix your hair in one of these retro styles for special events or holidays.

Buy yourself a 50s or 60s style dress to wear and you're all set!

Vintage Victorian lace-up boots are a must-have for any woman. These boots are absolutely timeless. The sleek sexy look brings out the femininity in any woman. These boots are practical, stylish and sexy. They are also probably the most comfortable boots I've ever worn.

Victorian lace-up boots actually come in a variety of styles and colors. Black is my favorite and is incredibly versatile. However, do not be afraid to try white, brown or even the mixed colors. The Bordello boots come in colors with black heels, toes and buttons. They are so cute and very popular.

There are also a variety of heel heights and calf heights to choose from. I prefer a more form fitting calf look than I do the shorter ankle height boots. Truth be known, I'd love to own one of every style and color they have!

One key fashion piece that can turn an ordinary blouse into a vintage, Victorian or Steampunk outfit is a boned under bust corset like the ones shown here.  Wear one over a white peasant blouse or poet blouse and you instantly tranform it.  It can be worn over a blouse with something as simple as shorts or jeans, or as elegant as a full-length skirt or dress pants.

That one simple accessory can also trim inches off of your figure. Face it ladies, that corset can hide a few flaws pretty easily.

You can find boned corsets in a variety of styles, colors, and fabrics.

Skeleton keys are showing up in more and more jewelry items. It probably began with the Steampunk era in the 80s, but it's a vintage look that is extremely popular right now. My daughter has incorporated skeleton keys into much of her room decor as well as her jewelry fashion choices.

I find the keys to be a great gift idea for guys to give their wives or girlfriends as a symbol of "you've got the keys to my heart".