Be Your Own Icon

New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, the Fashionista Diaries, Vogue, Teen Vogue, etc., etc., etc. These all have one thing in common – Designer Clothes! And how much do we all love designer clothing – probably a lot. And how many of us can afford to buy designer clothing on a consistent basis – probably a few. Don’t get me wrong, designer clothing is amazing. It is inspirational, sensational, and fabulous… but it is something that I really don’t see myself ever able to afford on a day to day basis. For those out there who can – way to go!

I have noticed.. in the designer relm (i.e. magazines, fashion weeks, certain street style blogs) that there is an emphasis on wearing designer duds, that it elevates you to a different status. And though it may elevate you to a status that costs much more than the others, I disagree that it makes you more of a “fashion-icon”.

There are so many ways to be fashion forward, and I happen to choose vintage. I don’t think that vintage or designer is better – I just know that vintage (not vintage-designer) is often WAY less expensive and I don’t think that this that is taking a step down.

Case in point:

These are vintage high-waisted “very-in” jeans- sold by the wonderful ebay seller THEOLIVESHOPPE:



They were purchased by a lucky girl for $87.00.

These are high-waisted “very-in” jeans sold by my favorite desigers Jovovich Hawk:



They can be purchased for $276.00

One is not better than the other and I am not ranting against designer clothes because I am a vintage fan, but just I am just saying that I don’t think it should be a factor if you wear one or the other.

Just do what you can to be your own “STYLE ICON”.

Weekend Recap: What Inspires?

I am so ready for fall its making me crazy, and by crazy I mean.. wearing wooly, layered clothes when the temperature reads a beautiful 75 degrees. Oh well, a girl can dream, can't she?

My family was in town from South Carolina this weekend and that always means lots of adventures around the city. Taking the "out-of-towners" - on the town, which I love!

Oh... and Friday I received a package in the mail that I had been anticipating - my new shoes from Steve Madden! I have been on the hunt for some brown chunky sandals and finally found the perfect pair for the perfect price. So, I had to take them for a spin with this pink flowing muu muu. The outfit was a combination of two inspirations - Carrie Bradshaw in season 5 (when Sarah Jessica Parker was pregnant and they were putting tons of fabric on her to cover the bump) and a photo from The Sartorialist on Style.com in the Fall '07 Fashion Week archives.



Saturday began my second week of Sewing Class, in which I complain about getting up early for , but am always happy I made the effort. I'm learning - "a stitch in time, saves nine". After one night of wearing the new shoes I wasn't satified with just one wear - I had to take them out again - and this time in my outfit inspired by Farrah Fawcett from "Charlie's Angels".



Sunday was my big push for the fall season to begin.. thinking maybe my layers and wooly socks would will the cold weather. The day didn't look like it would go my way, but luckily we headed up the mountain to the Griffith Observatory where there was a nice brisk breeze! So my "outdoor-ranger" look inpsired by a spread in Teen Vogue was just right.

TOP TEN!

New York Fashion Week has come to a close. I spent every day scouring the new runway trends and staying up on what Spring 2008 looks like. The looks that come down each runway are incredible and inspiring, but I find the streetstyle in some ways MORE exciting.

Street Style captures real women (or men) who are completely different - their tastes, their shape, their life, their passions - who they are is not identical to anyone around them. That's what makes individual style so amazing. Though you could have an indistinguishable dress on two women, each person who wears it gives it a distinctive twist.

So with that in mind I selected my TOP TEN favorite looks from New York Fashion Week, courtesy of the incredible women on the streets!

Yes, this is the stylist Rachel Zoe - I have to say I love her bohemian-vintage dress!

This look reminds me of something my friend Sara (Society Challenges)would wear. Ultra feminine dress paired with slouchy sneakers.

This girl to me is what it is all about. Great dress, funky hair, and wild accessories.

I could be wrong but this looks like the same girl in the last photo with the same tastes - just done with a completely different outfit.

Love this whole look! The shapes and cuts.

The long menswear shirt made to look feminine with the skirt and adding some fall influences with knee-high socks.

This girl is vintage goodness and works for Nylon Tokyo!

What can I say.... a great headpiece, the tank, the high-waisted pants and that great striped sweater. Ohhhhmyyyyy!

Seriously, I thought dressing up for work was limiting but this girl proves that you can rock the "office look" in some amazing ways.

This look is just fabulous jutxtaposition!




Photo Credits: Altamira NYC, The Sartorialist by Style.com

THE SOCIETY GIRL OF THE WEEK

Wardrobe_Remix, Wardrobe_Remix, Wardrobe_Remix.... Hip Hip Hooray! The best fashion group ever! Always new people joining with new inspirations for everyone. I don't get the chance to look through the pool every day, but when I do I seem to find someone new that takes my breath away.

This week I was so inspired by this fabulous girl from Tampere, Finland. Her style involves everything I love - great accessories (tights, hats, bags), a mix of vintage finds, and brand names like H&M. So check out our SOCIETY GIRL OF THE WEEK....

Irene Adler

Time to Gush!

Up until this point, I haven't written much about the new Spring '08 lines. Not that they haven't been intriguing and beautiful - just haven't had the chance. But, after seeing Zac Posen's showing I had to stop and gush about his "Prairiesque" parade he sent down the runway.

This first look made me crazy - dramatic sleeves and the high-waisted pants! I love the classic black and white - but with a not-so-classic twist.



This white dress seems so perfect for a beautiful spring day - I can't wait to find some vintage versions of this one.



LOVE absolutely everything about this entire look. It is all about the extras. The details on the shirt, the high-waisted shorts, the bag, the shoes - and THE HAT!



Again, just beautiful!



Now this one for me would be a dream come true. If only I were a famous actress gracing the red carpet at the OSCARS. This is without question the dress that I would be photographed in. YELLOW sums it up for me.

Weekend Recap: Summer Fades

This weekend was one of excitement. For one thing, I started my first sewing class at a local university. I know the basics of sewing, but I am trying to become more versatile. A test of comittment was waking up early on Saturday morning and heading out to class, but I made it on time - let the learning begin!

I wore my new grey jersey dress (Crossroads Trading Post), layered with a jumper that I reconstructed earlier, a ruffled lightweight vest (H&M) and some comfy flats (Urban Outfitters).

The evening was one to celebrate a housewarming for my brother and his new wife. The last few days of summer are starting to fade and before the knits and coats come out, I wanted to wear this floral summer dress.


I liked mixing the dress (recently thrifted) with a vintage slip underneath and two braids pinned to my head. One last touch was throwing this vintage hair comb into the braids.

Finally on Sunday, in which I often experience the work week blues, my hubby and I caught up over dinner at my new favorite restaurant - Z'Tejas.

Again feeling the need to work those flowy summer skirts and I dresses while I still have the chance - I layered my purple wrap skirt (estate sale), with two loose fitting tops.

One Skirt, Two Ways

The day consisted of my nine to five, then off to the gym for an hour of hardcore pumpin the iron and then off to dinner to catch up with one of my girls. The schedule didn't consist of time to spice up before heading out for the dinner - so I decided to wear a versatile skirt for work.

For the first look I took a wrap skirt up to an empire waist with a classic white blouse then tying it all together with a vintage burnt orange belt. This was conservative enough for work, but with the hair crazy enough for me.



The second look was much more flirty and fun for grabbing a bite to eat. I pulled the wrap skirt up to create a dress but tied it all together with the wrap from my friend's label - Quail.

THE SOCIETY GIRL OF THE WEEK

She debuted her Spring 2008 collection yesterday, and after many times of stopping to check out her amazing style and amazing hair (I just love those straight cut bangs!) I decided it was time to not just display her work, but her own look.

STYLE.COM just recently quoted her saying "I think the ultimate luxury in fashion is to be yourself, to celebrate your personality."

I couldn't agree more with our Society Girl of the Week..

Erin Fetherston

Location, Location

The number one question I have been asked lately is... "where will your store be located?" I don't have the perfect answer for that just yet, but I am working on it. I have narrowed my choices down to three options: Downtown Santa Ana, Downtown Orange, or Costa Mesa - California.

These locations all have an up and coming urban feel and The Vintage Society would fit right in. I have been looking into in these areas and have been calling to find out more about the square footage and pricing my options out. Eventually (December or January) I will begin to lock down one of these spaces.

Once this happens I will keep you informed and updated as we move into a space. That day is approaching sooner than we think. Whew!

The Lake

Back from the Lake (Shaver Lake, CA) and beginning to get back into the groove. This Labor Day weekend was a fabulous siesta for the troupe of 11 friends. The tradition of this trip is one of the things I look forward to the most during the year. You really can't beat three solid days with friends couped up in a mountain cabin. There were many hours on the lake, many hours over meals and many hours playing a game called "Settlers of Catan".

Well this trip signals for me, the end of the summer - and what a summer it was. Thanks to you Society Girls out there - I have enjoyed my summer even more. I look forward to the fall ahead of us. Bring on those fall trends!!!!!

Oh, and New York Fashion Week starts tomorrow. See you then.