Wishful Thinking - December Edition

A few more items on my holiday wish list!  (From some of my favorite shop girls ;)

1. Faeriewickets
2. Crimson Crimplene Vintage
3. Gypsum Moon
4. Nyssa, Ink
5. Mercanstyle
6. Therz World
7. Hunters Kitchen
8. Kris's Vintage Clothing
9. Lady Jane Vintage
10. Ms. Maude
11. The Thrifty Gypsies
12. French Press Vintage
13. Vintage Home Shop
14. Enframe Photography
15. Treatsoap
16. Bre's Baubles Vintage
17. English Shop
18. Televised
19. Gingermegs Vintage
20. Sock Monkeys and Bacon
21. ChicVintageWear

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Try It On For Size - A Week of Signature Style

We've finally reached the point in the Signature Style Project where it's time to try our new style out!  So far we've:

• Gathered information about our Signature Style preferences.
• Identified what Signature Women's styles appeal to us
• Incorporated our passions into our Signature Style
• Gone on a shopping safari to inspire us
• Cleaned out our closets
• and Learned to Accessorize

Now it's time to put some of that research to work for you!  If you've been keeping a binder of ideas or a Pinterest board (like this one for the Signature Style Project) you'll want to have it handy as you plan out a weeks worth of signature style!

Now, there are a few different ways of doing this.  Now that your closet has been edited down to items that you love, you could just choose to pick your outfits each morning based on your mood for the day.  There shouldn't be any wrong choices!  However, if you (like me) prefer to get those extra few minutes of sleep in the morning, I recommend planning your outfit at least a day in advance.  Here are a few things to consider when putting your look together.

• Pick a top and a bottom or a dress - I tend to lean towards dresses because I think they are the easiest thing in the world to wear!  However, if you plan to go with a top and pants or a skirt, that works too.  Just make sure you are considering the colors and textures as you plan your outfit.  Are you doing a print?  Will you be wearing a bold color (in which case you may want to tone down your accessories or choose items from the same color family or a complementing color family.  For great tips on color theories, head on over to Charlotte's blog at Tuppence Ha'Penny.  She did some wonderful blog posts on it.  Begin with the introduction and work your way through the series!)

Modcloth.com

•  Select a layering piece - This could be a sweater, cardigan, jacket, scarf, wrap, or even your coat!  It adds some visual interest and color to your outfit.

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•  Consider your accessories - Shoes, handbags, brooch, hair accessories, hats, jewelry, gloves.  Make sure they add visual interest to your outfit, but do not distract.  You want to make sure YOU are the focal point of your outfit!

irregularchoice.com

•   Finally, be sure to plan your hair and make up to suit your outfit.  Whether you are going for a retro look or a modern one, paying attention to the little details like a hairstyle that suits your look or the right color lipstick will add polish to your Signature Style!

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Above all, have FUN!  If you'd like to share your signature look, please feel free to post a photo on the ConstantlyAlice facebook page :)  I'd love to see your style.

Hugs and Smooches,
D

The Signature Style Project - Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize..

There is no better (or more cost efficient!) way to change up a signature look than accessories.  Just consider the Jackie O sunglasses and head scarf or Audrey's ballet flats.  Accessories can make or break your look! 

Here are a few of my absolute favorites and how I like to wear them:

Sunglasses
Great for holding your hair back headband style, giving you a little mystery and protecting the delicate area around your eyes from damaging UV rays.  I'm partial to a large Jackie O style, or a retro cats eye, but there are so many other options to choose from.  Wayfarers, Aviators or those nifty little round John Lennon types.

Amazon - 12.99

Mad4ModVintage Pucci Sunglasses - Etsy - $195

Handbags
If you're anything like me, you LIVE out of your handbag.  My preference tends towards larger bags.  Boho sling bags, messenger bags and totes tend to be my preference.  I do, however, tend to travel with a smaller clutch inside the larger bag in case I want to travel light ;)  My bags also tend to be where I add a little whimsy to my outfit.

triliogie bucket bag - etsy - $36

HappyFamily Octopus Messenger Bag - Etsy - $28

Scarves
Scarves are the wunderkind of the accessory world.  You can use them to tie back your hair, dress up your bag, tie them around your neck to add some color to your outfit, belt your skirt or pants with them.  They are hands down my favorite!

Hensfeathers Art Deco Echo Scarf - Etsy - $10

AzimuthVintage Yellow and Red Poppy Scarf - Etsy - $14.95

And here, I will share again my favorite scarf tying video with you all..
 
Jewelry
So many options here!  I'm not usually one for bracelets (I type and sew  a lot and don't like things banging against my work surface) but I LOVE a cute pair of earrings or a necklace and I will pin a brooch to just about anything.  Again, this is a good place to inject a little creativity or whimsy into your outfit.

TipToeThirty - Bird Cage Necklace Charm - Etsy - $17

Pretty Round Art Locket - Hidenseek - Etsy - $35

Vintage Bike Brooch - grandmasjewelry777 - Etsy - $5.50

Shoes
..need I say more??

Modcloth - $35.99

Modcloth - $203.99

Modcloth - $374.99

Hats
Last but never least, hats!  Hats add a great retro look to any signature style (sadly, they are not worn as frequently today!)  I myself prefer a headband or tilt-style hat for the most part (because I have a ginormous head!) but there are so many beautiful styles to choose from, I would encourage you to play with them all!

MsTips - 40s/50s tilt hat - Etsy - $48

PearTreeVintage - Fur Headband Hat - Etsy - $40

ConstantlyAlice - 40s/50s tilt hat - Etsy - $29

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Signature Style Project- Shopping Safari!

The advent of the camera phone is a beautiful thing.  I am a very visual person and I LOVE being able to snap a picture of something that inspires me so I can refer back to it later!

This especially comes in handy when you are trying to build a signature look (and it's a fun way to spend an afternoon without spending a lot of money!) 

The idea is to head out to some of your local shops, the mall, even craft stores and collect inspiration!  If you see an outfit that's been put together in a shop display, take a picture.  If a fabric speaks to you, take a picture.  If you see something that seems totally unrelated to fashion ( a book cover, a color, a piece of furniture) but something about it appeals to you, take a picture!  You can decipher the information you gather later ;)

Here are a few of the photographs I collected on my last shopping excursion:

Cute addition to a cardigan, especially with a grouping of other "like" items.

I liked the detail of the metal, but not the plastic "jewels".  I plan to pop them out and cover them in different fabrics, then replace them in the bracelet so you can see the fabric through the pattern.

This is an old victrola horn, but I love the colors and shape..  Might be fun to do a trumpet skirt along these lines.

Colors!

I like the concept of these scarves.  Would be cute to do a valentine scarf with heart shapes..

This was a fun quilted mini dress with big pockets..of course I bought it ;)

Loved the texture of this vintage cardigan.  Might weave a burgundy velvet ribbon through it as a trim and change the buttons.

I buy vintage lingerie every time I come across it..

..and then I dye it ;)

Not a fan of the hat, but love the decoration.

Like the idea of a cluster of these like a "corsage" on a dress

Would make a pretty addition to a hat.

Love this trim..maybe as a headband?

Hugs and Smooches,
D