Wiggle wiggle fun!

I love this dress so much! The fit is different from what I'm used to, but that's refreshing for once to be honest. I felt a bit self-conscious about my bum and hips at first, but (being the operative word haha) my hubby assured me I had nothing to worry about. So what do you think of my not so New Look-look?

Dress: 60s vintage (Episode)

Hat: 50s vintage (Giensch)

Belt: vintage 

Shoes: Asos

Bag: vintage
Tights: Primark

Jewelry: trifted

Mustard beauty

Thirties kitchenary

Such a cool ánd handy cutie this 1930s scale is. I purchased her at the most remarkable place. A biological farm we went to for free range eggs. I love going to those places to buy fresh eggs, karnemelk, meat ect.. And to cuddle with the cute animals of course... But this was the biggest surprise of the day; it turned out there was a little vintage kitchenary shop on the property as well. This adorable scale is still functioning very well and only cost me 5 euros! (L) After hitting Google I discovered she's probably from the thrities and made by the Swiss. But if you can tell me more about these darling scales; please do!

Tips on how to thrift

From time to time, I get asked on 'how' to go thrifting and where to find to good stuff. The truth is, thrifting is all about looking closely and being torough. Having knowledge about fashion history, different brands and fabrics will give you a big advantage. Here I will sum up some handy tips on how to uncover those hidden treasures yourself.

1. Do not let the smell and messyness of a thriftstore scare you off. You need to examine every item with potential separately. Dirt and most smells can be washed off when needed. This is a part op thrifting, most clothes will be used and that is the first fact to accept. I will give you the confidence to continue.

2. Take your time. I always feel that the best thing to do is making an orientational round first... and then to make a second, torough round in the opposite direction. It's amazing how much you will see when going round for a second time. You will notice a lot more after the brain processed the first impression. And some things just need to be looked at from a different angle...

3. Do not gaze at a rack/pile in total! Because that will enhance your chances of overlooking pretty things big time. Have a look at the items in the racks, seperately. Use your hands, feel the fabrics and let your eyes go over details (labels etc.) Same goes for bags, belts and shoes.

4. Be open minded. Try different things on... create the opportunity for yourself to be suprised. You'll be amazed how some items will look on you. Don't let the way something looks on a hanger fool you (judging books by their covers and all haha.) Experimenting with this will teach you how to recognize different kind of fits as well.

5. As said before; knowledge gives you a huge advantage. Try to learn a bit about fashion from the twentieth century. You can do this by reading of course, but watching tv shows and movies that take place in the previous century is a fun way of learning as well. Look at the clothes, how they move... the colours. This will help you recognize vintage treasures way faster. As for modern fashion; magazines will help you a lot. Really try to remember brands and labels... magazines publish thousands and thousands of different brands, and you will run into items from those brands in thriftstores. The key is to recognize them for what they are (worth) :)

6. If you want to increase you chances of finding valuable items; go to thrifstores whose content is provided by 'richer' communities. Find out (on their websites) where the stores get their things from. Rich people tend to own more expensive stuff, and are more likely to donate them after a short period of ownership ;) 

I hope these tips will guide you to your own treasures! Use them for thrifting, fleamarkets, garage sales etcetera. Some of them may be used when going through vintage stores as well. But I'll make sure to write an article about vintage shopping and how to date items specifically soon :) So the question is.... When will your next treasure hunt take place?

Floral forties

The wind was not working with us at all when making these pictures haha. It was hilarious to see how the wind took hold of my flowy forties dress... It was all over the place! The fabric is very light which makes the dress so comfy when it's hot outside. Don't you just love the pattern?

Dress: 40s vintage (Sussies)

Sunglasses: Zara

Shoes: H&M

Purse: vintage

Jewelry: vintage/thrifted

Your questions answered

Hey lovelies! It was great fun to read your questions and to answer them of course. Thank you so much for sending them :) I did this because I sometimes feel that my blog is not very personal, other than my style... but I'm not that good a writer, so responding to questions makes it easier for me to tell more about who I am hihi. Some questions/request I will work into future blogposts. Here are the ones I selected for now:

- When did you first discover you were into vintage?

I actually remember the day very well. I think I was in the fourth grade (highschool) when I went shopping with a girlfriend. My parents gave me a so called 'clothing allowance' for me to spend on everything wearable and that day I decided I wanted pumps. I stumplet into a pair of black Mary-Janes with a pink rim (at Van Haren oh yeahhhhh.) I thought they were the most beautiful shoes I'd ever seen so I bought them. They looked very vintage, but I didn't know that at the time. What I did knew is that I needed a dress to go with. So H&M provided me with a very typical fifties New Look dress to go with. Of course I didn't know that eitther, I just thougt it was a great match. Once home, I proudly showed my purchases to my mother and she instantly yelled 'oh you look so 'fifties'! 

Vintage mom ;)

And that's where she started telling me about her love for fashion and vintage when she was younger. I then and there found out she was quite the fashionista in her days. After discovering all this, I decided the fifties look and silhouette was the right shape for me (although I was much into the seventies as well.) I vintage-styled myself for a few years with modern day fashion (since there are NO vintage shops what so ever where I'm from.) When I moved to the 'randstad' a few years later, the vintage desire in me finally got the chance to roam free!

- What did you wear before you were into vintage?

That was bad.... nineties bad. Wrong so wrong...... Think 'Spice Girls' cropped tops and platform sneakers. Or 'grunge meets hippie' looks.... I blocked it out of my memories. Fortunately I still have some pictures -_- After that I soon started wearing vintage inspired looks.

Skinny 15/16 year old me

- Did you study something in fashion?

After highschool I started to study medicine. I had to find a job to finance that expensive study, and with my new found love for vintage I applied for a job in a vintage boutique. I got the job and worked there for about two years, next to the med study. Then I had an epiphany; I was very unhappy in my study and I LOVED my job. My 'passion for fashion' was much stronger then my love for the human body. So I quit the university. Started working fulltime to figure out what I wanted. I felt very strongly about becomming a fashion stylist so I searched for the right way to get educated. 'Another Academy' in Amsterdam, who offered an allround fashion-styling course, appealed the most to me so I applied. I got my diploma over a year ago now and things are going very well. I'm working as a freelance stylist, and my 'signature' is vintage.

- What is your favourite piece of antique/vintage jewelry?

That would have to be my gorgeous wedding ring! And the matching earrings I got from my husband. The picture doesn't do these beauties justice. But the stones are just so gorgeous, purple and green...depends on the light. They're set in a gold band with tiny diamonds. This is love! Fun fact; the earring were brought to the antique shop by someone else than the person who sold the ring. Them matching so well is a crazy, and oh so lovely, coincidence!

- What is your dream?

Fortunately my husband and I share one dream; to own a mansion with some property, somewhere in a lovely country side. With big trees in the backyard, a porch and maybe even some farm animals. If that were ever to be true, I'd want to open a B&B to share that amazing dream with travellers. Of course I'd also have a huge room filled with vintage gorgeousness and lots of space to continue my work in the fashion industry :D

- Who does your hair and do you have any hair advice?

I am a complete klutz when it comes to hairstyling. Everything I attempt fails 90%  of the time.... That is why I have an amazing hairdresser; Madame de Pompadour. She always knows how to cut and style my hair, because she really looks at the nature of my hair. I believe that is the most important thing for a hairdresser. Because that way my hair looks good on it's own after she gives it a cut and my clumpsyness isn't that big of a problem anymore. So mu advice would be; see her or someone like her in your region! A good haircut is the best base to work with :)

The way my hair naturally falls after a MP cut :)

- What can we wake you for at all times?

CUPCAKES! I love love love cupcakes. I love making them, eating them and looking at them. I'd eat them for breakfast, lunch and desert if I got the chance :)

Red velvet

A most recent 40s/50s Episode purchase... to die for! No need to say more.

Twenties from the Boardwalk

These screenshots are from the HBO series Boarwalk Empire. I am infatuated with this show! The story takes place during the Prohibition period in the twenties and thirties. I´m going to forward you guys to Wikipedia for learning more about the story (which is great!) Because this post is about the gor-gor-GORGEOUS fashion in the show! Each lady in the series has a different personality and matching wardrobe. There is saucy Lucy, pure (and naughty...) Angela, manipulative Gillian and sagacious Margaret.... which one is your favourite?

Lucy

Angela and Gillian

Margaret (middle)

Inspired by these pictures? I put together a selection for you lovelies in case you feel like creating that roaring look yourself. These items all breathe 1920s flapper girl and are currently available for sale.

1. Black beaded tunic, 2. Pink satin pumps, 3. White emroided dress, 4. Leather embelished pumps, 5. Rich necklace, 6. Decadent sequin clutch.