Vintage Fashionista Friday: June 7, 2013

{ Coral }

{Summer means sun, which in turn means the need for some seriously cute vintage inspired shades. Enter these fabulous bling adorned white sunglasses, which call to mind shells glistening on the golden sands of a Caribbean beach. $31.44 CND from Asos.}




{Hair flowers are a year round staple for many of us vintage ladies, but come summer - when all the world is abloom - one cannot help but reach for them even more often. This lovely peachy-salmon blossom would look smashing with everything from sundresses to swimsuit. $10.00 from etsy seller Chatter Blossom.}




{Coral in an incredible beautiful type of marine invertebrate - but many types are high endangered and harvesting the real deal can often have devastating effects on the surrounding ecosystem. Fear not! Faux coral and jewelry crated to look like this gorgeous ocean dweller abound, and few pieces are more classically sophisticated or apt to turn into a treasured heirloom than this wonderful Hidden Laguna Necklace. $29.99 from ModCloth.}




{A beloved favourite of yesteryear starlets, pin-ups and all-round fashionable ladies throughout the ages, this summery, alluring, crisp white cotton halter top is sure to become a staple in your vintage wardrobe. Available in assorted modern ladies sizes. £35.00 from Vivien of Holloway.}




{One can't help but wonder, upon looking at this chic, beautiful 1950s Mosell seashell bracelet, if they'd be able to hear the sound of waves lapping against the beach in the distance if they brought up to their ear. $105.00 from etsy seller Pipit Vintage.}




{A nautical look doesn't just have have to encompass white, red, and navy, as these jaunty, fabulously fun Bright Sailor Slacks - which come in three colours: Cobalt Blue, Tangerine Orange, and Californian Pink - amply prove. Available in ladies UK sizes 8-14. Currently on sale (at the time of writing) for £42.00 from Tara Starlet.}




{June always makes me think of white wicker, much like the timeless set in the of patio furniture in this material that my paternal grandparents had on their covered deck when I was a little girl. As such, I find myself drawn to classic accessories - like this great mid-century handbag - that involve white wicker in all its summery, stylish glory. White woven vintage purse, $65.00 from etsy seller Minxouri Vintage.}




{Every last thing about this splendidly scented Sweet Pea and Honeysuckle soap is so terrifically, timelessly pretty. 125g milled bar of soap on a porcelain tray, (currently on sale at the time of writing for) £5.00 from Heathcote & Ivory.}




{The return of sizzling hot day and long, toasty nights often means a lot more time spent on one's feet, and in turn the need for some very sensible shoes. Thankfully, as us vintage lasses know, sensible doesn't have to equate boring - not by a long shot, as these gorgeous, retro inspired floral print Stand in Ave heels more than prove. Available in modern ladies sizes 6-11 (including half sizes). $69.99 from ModCloth.}

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Last month saw the return of the Vintage Fashionista Friday series, which had been on unintentional hiatus for more than two years. I was thrilled by the wholeheartedly positive response that May's edition received, and am definitely going to be aiming for at least one new Vintage Friday Fashionista post a month from here on out.

As the weather shifts into high summer gear (yes, it's technically still spring, but here in our charming corner of the Okanagan, Mother Nature has slipped into her itty-bitty, teeny-weeny yellow polka dot bikini and is already hard at work on her tan!), I'm feeling pulled toward a sizzling palette of punchy hues that call to mind glorious sunrises and sets, warm tropical sands, fruit filled mixed drinks, vibrant flower gardens, and gorgeous pinky-tangerine hued coral glistening in the sea.

I'm still smitten with green (which, as you may recall from posts such as this and this, has really been my colour of the year so far), but in recent weeks I've been feeling a strong pull towards clear, energetic shades of yellow and lush, toasty pinks as well. Suddenly, I want to combine all three and do my impression of a honeysuckle bloom bending its elegant neck up towards the sun.

We had honeysuckle that grew - intertwined with wisteria (making for one of the most pleasing scent combinations you could ever dream of encountering) - along the backyard porch of my childhood house here in Penticton, and my siblings and I used to delight in plucking the occasional honeysuckle flower and sipping out its wee droplet of sugary, sublimely perfumed nectar.

To this day, I can't see honeysuckle and not instantly be transported back to those sunny, fun filled summer days of my youth. Though I've not engaged in any nectar drinking in recent years, I still love the sight and scent of this lovely little bloom, and the colours - white, nectarine, melon, yellow, and of course coral (the latter of which just happens to be the name of today's Vintage Fashionista) - that it comes in.

I leave the honeysuckle sipping to the youngsters these days and instead take a wardrobe inspiration cue from this flower's fresh, joyful palette.

As the final vestiges of our winter wardrobe get packed away for the next few months, I hope you'll join me in embracing whatever hues you adore most from summer's resplendent spectrum of colour, weaving them into your own sunny weather ensembles - because this season, much like honeysuckle itself - won't last forever, and one needs to squeeze every last drop of ambrosia out of it while the getting is good!