15 of my must-have vintage fashion essentials (and one of my top tips for creating a wardrobe you love)

A little over two months ago, when we were still delightfully immersed in the sweltering thick of summer, I received a comment on August's edition of Flickr Favourites in which Uila from the blog The Crazy Ragdoll Cat Lady asked the following:

"Hey doll. I was wondering if you could make a post on the staple pieces that you own on your vintage reproduction wardrobe. And make a list of 25 or 30 (I think 10 can not cover it in the least) vintage reproduction items that are must haves in a vintage wardrobe. You can even break it down to essentials and "Every-vintage-gal-needs-it-because-it-is-too-pretty-to-resist", or something."


Like many vintage fashion fans, my wardrobe is not comprised strictly of genuine vintage, vintage reproduction, or vintage appropriate garments, it's a lovingly curated blend of all three, and my list of must-have items is strikingly similar no matter which of the trio I'm shopping for because my tastes remain essentially the same no matter what kind of vintage or vintage style clothing I'm sporting.

In reflecting on Uila's question, I was instantly reminded of a terrific post that Janey from Atomic Redhead wrote a few months back in which she highlighted 15 Vintage Essentials that are integral in her books to creating a great yesteryear wardrobe (all of which I second completely, and some of whom will be appearing here in today's post, too).
 
Though Uila asked for a list of 25 or 30 items, and I could certainly put together such a lengthy list, I wanted this post to loudly echo my own wardrobe - comprised as it is of vintage, repro, and vintage appropriate pieces - and the honest to goodness truth is that I don't wear (or own) a massive big number of different types of garments myself, so following in Janey’s (super stylish!) footsteps seemed like a good jumping off point.

But Jess, I hear you say, I've seen you wear oodles of different outfits here! That you have, my dears, but if you break each look apart, you will find that at their core, they are comprised, by and large, of a handful of different garments, many of which I own several versions of.

Like most people, it took some trial and error as I worked my way through my teen years and on into adulthood to find out what types of clothing (and accessories) did and did not work well on my (short, curvy) body. There are some styles that even though I love in principle, I know they look like absolute train wrecks on me (mandarin collars, most v-necks, shorts, socks worn with skirts instead of going barefoot or sporting hose, and cloche hats, for example) and so I have either banished them from my wardrobe entirely, or proceed with extreme caution when wearing one of these risky pieces.

In weeding out the bad (again, for my body type) however, I quickly discovered not only the good, but the great, and in trying to make the best of my figure (it, like most peoples', has its own strengths and weaknesses) have attempted to focus the bulk of my wardrobe on these kinds of pieces, fifteen of which I'm going to share with you here today by way of black and white vintage images depicting each of them.

 

{A-line skirts}

{Defined as a skirt that fitted at the hips and then gradually widens/flares out towards the hem, thus resembling the shape of the letter A, such skirts are one of the most universally flatting and classic styles to come of out the mid-twentieth century (where they were especially popular during the 1940s). Hem lengths vary, with some barely skimming the bottom of the knee and others reaching down towards the ankle. A mid-calf length is my personal favourite, especially for during daytime hours.

I love full 50s circle skirts with a burning passion, and certainly own my fair share, but the honest-to-goodness truth is that a-line are typically more figure flattering on me, so I've made sure to include several in my wardrobe. This style of skirt is still widely made today and though it may take a little hunting to find vintage appropriate versions, they can definitely out there - as our pencil skirts, another list entry we'll chat more about later on here.}


 

{Classic style purses}

{Though my handbag wardrobe isn't massive by any stretch of the wardrobe, I have worked hard over the years to find styles with little to no external metal hardware on them (lest it contains nickel, which I'm super allergic to), and which are either genuine vintage or convincing look the part. The latter can be hard to come by in today's world of huge, hardware laden bags, so more often than not, I shop for styles from the 1930s-1980s.

I love styles that are neither too big, nor too small, and which I can successfully fit my wallet, keys, cell phone, lipstick, compact, tissues or a hankie, a pen, and a couple of other small essential items into without having it bursting at the seems or unable to stay closed. In terms of styles, I'm open to just about anything, but especially love classic bucket, clasp top, clutch, and 40s style shoulder bags in particular.}

{Cocktail dresses}

{A cocktail dress that fits you well is as enjoyable to wear as its namesake drink is to enjoy as the day winds down. Variety abounds here, though I'm especially partial to wiggle and fitted sheath styles, perhaps in a standout fabric such as lace, sharkskin, satin or velvet to really ensure all who see it know that it's not the same kind of frock I would have been sporting at noon while running errands around town. Cocktail dresses practically beg to be worn with one's favourite vintage bling, from shimmery strands of crystals to oversized gold brooches, rhinestones earrings to Bakelite dress clips and everything in between, so have a blast while accessorizing for an evening on the town or spent entertaining at home.}


 

{Denim capri or pedal pusher pants}

{I don't have the kind of figure that takes kindly to super skin tight pants, especially in thin fabrics, however, come summer, I make a mad dash for my beloved denim capris (seen in posts such as this). They’re worlds more forgiving than most fabrics for this kind of garment, are every bit as versatile as full length jeans, and channel a great 1950s/early 60s vibe that can veer anywhere from Jayne Mansfield-esque sultry to Audrey Hepburn sweet, depending on how you style the rest of your ensemble.}


 

{Gloves}

{If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, chances are you already know I'm wild about vintage gloves. My collection is a delightfully fun rainbow of all kinds of pairs - long, short, in between, sheer, suede, nylon, cotton, embroidered, the list goes on and one - I adore them all! Gloves were once one of the hallmarks of a well dressed woman's wardrobe and that's a philosophy I still embrace, so gloves are a big must for me all year long.}

{Hats}

{Another vintage fashion accoutrement that I'm endlessly crazy about is hats. Much like gloves they may no longer be a mainstay in most modern wardrobes, but I utterly and completely adore them (you can read lots more about said love in this interview post), as do many vintage wearing folks do and they are one of the areas of my wardrobe that really seems to grow in leaps and bounds (I've bought at least seven hats so far this year alone!).

There is a vintage hat out there for almost every setting, outfit, style type, and season, and though (as with nearly all facets of vintage fashion) they continue to rise in price as time goes on, I speak from plenty of experience when I say that beautiful vintage hats can still be had, online and off, for under $50 - and in some case even under $25. If you love hats, wear them with gusto and joy - they are awesome works of art that you're able to take with you wherever you go and can ad such immense interest to any ensemble.}


 

{Lightweight knits}

{Way back in 2009, when Chronically Vintage was just a wee little newborn, I wrote a post devoted to my love of lightweight knits, and in the four plus years since then, my passion for this type of garment has only continued to grow. Just how many cardigans to I have...well, I haven't counted in a few months, but I know the total now comes in at over 35 (including knit shrugs), and I probably have about 12-15 light weight pullover sweaters. No matter the season, whether as a layering piece or solo top, lightweight knits are one of the most important foundations of my vintage wardrobe.}


 

{Pearl jewelry}

{There is a reason why we associate some of the most sophisticated women of all time (Grace Kelly, Jackie O, and Queen Elizabeth II, for example, the latter of whom is pictured above wearing a double strand pearl necklace on her wedding day} with classic pearls, they - like these gorgeous little spheres themselves -  they exude a certain timeless elegance that is so profoundly perfect in any decade.

Pearls might not be worn as commonly today as they once were, but I dare you to go into any reputable jewelry store and not find at least a few pearl pieces. It's almost a given that you will, and likewise very probable that these pieces could just as easily be worn today as they would have been fifty, seventy, even a hundred years ago. Pearls are remarkably classic and truly look good on every single woman. It's merely a matter of finding your favourite pearl colours, sizes, and pieces and then putting them to work time and stylish time again from now until eternity.

My understatedly beautiful strand of cultured cream pearls sees more outfit play than any other necklace I own, and I'd be willing to bet, always will. It is, like most classically designed pearl jewelry, simply perfect - a fact women have wisely known for generations.

{Pencil skirts}

{Oh, pencil skirts, captivating, curve hugging, office (and date night!) appropriate, endlessly lovely pencil skirts, how I adore you! Of all the skirt styles around, there is none I reach more often or with greater pleasure than a well fitting pencil skirt. I own at least one in most colours of the rainbow, from lipstick red to navy blue, dusty rose to midnight black and delight in putting them to work in both my 1940s and 1950s ensembles alike. If I could only wear one type of skirt for the rest of time, it would be the perpetually stylish pencil for sure.}

{Princess coats}

{As someone of modest height, relatively slight build, but with plenty of curves to go around, it's all too easy for many styles of winter coats - especially those that hit below the hip, to look like they're swallowing me whole. Swing and boxy styles are the bee's knees on some gals, but rarely do me any favours, so I stick loyally to those with fitted, expertly tailored lines, my absolute favourite of which is the classic (marvelously feminine) princess coat, at least one of which I've owned every winter since I was at eighteen years old.}


 

{Pumps (court shoes)}

{Assuming one is wearing a dress or a skirt (and sometimes even well tailored, dressier slacks), there are exceedingly few vintage outfits where a classic pair of pumps doesn't work like a charm. They can be as plain or as fancy as you like, are available at all manner of price points, are often quite comfortable to walk in (due to their, typically, sensible heel height), and are a true must in my wardrobe. I reach for my brown, black and white pairs with almost the same frequency, and could scarcely imagine getting dressed without all three of them standing by at the ready.}


 

{Seamed stockings}

{Few garments so instantly conjure thoughts of the mid-twentieth century as seamed stockings do, nor will many inject a classic look into your wardrobe with the same kind of lightning fast speed. Whether you opt for genuine vintage or modern replica styles, keep your heels (if wearing styles with Cuban or other types of visible heels on the back of the ankle) and seams straight and you're good to go, anywhere, anyplace, anytime on the old school hosiery front.}


 

{Shirtwaist dresses}

{Equal parts practical and polished, the shirtwaist dress was a true wardrobe staple for many women in decades past and its classic lines, wide spread availability, (commonly) inexpensive price tag, and versatility helped to make it one of the most popular and iconic garments of the 1930s – early 1960s. My own wardrobe is peppered heavily with 1940s, 1950s and 1980s does 40s and 50s shirtwaist dresses, both short and long sleeved, in a wide spectrum of hues, and they get worn with great frequency (in outfits such as this, and this, and don't forget this :)).}

 

{Skirt suits}

{Sophisticated, hard working, and so incredibly becoming, a skirt suit that fits you well is one of the best investments in your wardrobe that you can ever make. Whether you're mad for the streamlined, long lined styles of the 30s, adore the broad shouldered looks of the early 40s, go gaga for the wasp waist, full skirted (Dior inspired) look of the tail end of the decade, or swoon over the curve hugging - or conversely, boxy - styles of the 1950s and 60s, there is a skirt suit out there for every vintage loving lass. Though I do find that it can take a while to unearth one that fits me well - or can be altered to fit properly - when I do, it's like hitting wardrobe pay dirt!}


 

{The right underwear and foundation garments}

{This entry really is a whole post (or series of posts) unto itself, and is one that many vintage bloggers have written at length about before - and for good reason! The right underpinnings are of great importance when it comes to ensuring the proper lines of your vintage ensemble. Most yesteryear garments were not designed to be worn with today's high tech Victoria's Secret offerings, they were created to be partnered with the bras, panties, girdles, slips, garter belts, crinolines (petticoats), and even, in some cases, corsets of their day.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you must buy and wear vintage undergarments, lovely as they are, but rather that you should strive to find modern brands that still, or intentionally (as in the case of sellers such as What Katie Did}, create such garments that are in keeping with classic vintage styles from your decade(s) of choice. I almost always wear vintage or vintage appropriate undergarments beneath my clothes and can tell you, it really does help just about any mid-century garment fit and lay better than if you had modern counterparts on instead.}

{To learn more about a specific image, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

♥ ♥ ♥

This list is one that works really well for me, my body type and my lifestyle (there are other garments and accessories in my closet of course, too, such as high waisted repro jeans, wedge shoes, bangles, sundresses, shrugs, black tights, and oxfords, but again, these are some of the really key players that you've seen - and will continue to see - time and time again in my vintage outfit posts).

Many of the items on it will likely work for you as well, but do not fret for the tiniest of moments if not all fifteen of them do. By the same token, you do not have to look at this post like a shopping list to be followed to the exact letter. Embrace instead the categories of garments listed here and find the best one (or ones) in each for your own body and lifestyle.

On of the best wardrobe tips I can ever bestow on anybody the world over is is this: don't feel like you need to own a thousand and one different types of garments and accessories, instead find the ones that truly look fantastic on you and then buy multiples of those in different colours, fabrics, slight variations, and seasonal weights.

If you know that at least 90% of what's hanging in your closet and tucked away in your dresser drawers fits you well no matter what items go into creating a certain look, you can honestly get by with far less than 15 different must-haves.

The more you fine tune the selection of items that look the very best on you, the more your own signature style emerges. This style will help define your appearance and guide your future shopping trips. It can can reduce the number of "mistake purchases" you encounter, speed up the daily process of getting dressed, and even help you grown considerably more confident in your own appearance (because you love how you look in your own group of vintage wardrobe essentials).

Don't get overly hung up on whether a piece is vintage, repro, or vintage appropriate. I will never thumb my nose at any of these and highly recommend that you don't either - why limit your wardrobe's maximum potential by excluding one or more of them just because you might think that you have to wear all genuine vintage or all vintage reproduction?

There is a vast world of garments and accessories out there for those of us who love old school fashion to choose from. Avail as much as your budget, closet size, and other circumstances will permit. Each of these three categories offers a huge abundance of items to choose from, and chances are there are many in each that could - and will - work splendidly for your own wardrobe.

Thank you very much, dear Uila, for your wonderfully nice post request. I hope that my reply here has helped to show you that one doesn't necessarily need a wardrobe with 25, 30, 50 or more different types of garments (though of course, it can have that many, if you so desire, don't get me wrong), but instead that one of the best ways to create a killer wardrobe is with different multiples of the kinds of pieces that look best on you and which channel whatever kind of vintage look you're after.

To Uila and one and all, I enthusiastically say have fun, experiment, do a bit of closet editing, and some more shopping, if needed, my dears, and wholeheartedly embrace those items that are absolute must-haves in your own awesome vintage wardrobe!