Add “fantastic downtown shopping” to the list of great things about Mizzou. I found this week’s Fashionista in a vintage boutique. The first thing I noticed was her fabulous eyewear. Vintage frames aren’t easy to pull off and this girl was rocking them! I don’t wear glasses but if I ever need to I hope I’m courageous enough to try some funky frames like this Fashionista’s.
As if this weren’t already enough inspiration, her kimono-esque top was printed with a floral print that featured birds. This kind of print dates back to ancient China, where birds and flowers were embroidered onto textiles to represent wealth and honor. A perfectly quirky compliment to her glasses, this free-flowing layer to her outfit hit the versatility mark. I could picture it over a simple sundress with a pair of leather wedges or over a simple tee with a pair of jeans. Today’s Fashionista wore it over a camisole tucked into a pair of tan soft shorts.
The whole ensemble was light and breezy. All the way down to the retro inspired sandals. This particular style of sandal was popular in the 1950s and were coincidentally promoted as being versatile. It’s not hard to imagine this nude colored pair with a midi-length skirt and crop top. They are recognized as closed-toed gladiator sandals or “goddess sandals” as they called them in the 1950s when the Grecian style were trending.
The overall look was a great representation of who our Fashionista truly is. Personally, I admire her ability to seamlessly work vintage inspiration into such a casual daytime outfit. Her addition of the crossbody purse gave the ensemble an on-the-go feel perfect for shopping in dowtown Columbia, Missouri.
How To: First, visit vintage stores near you and search for one of a kind pieces that could be paired with fast fashion items to create a perfect balance of modern and vintage. You could also try www.etsy.com or even Goodwill. For example, the funky frames the featured Fashionista (say that five times fast) is wearing. If you like the idea of the versatile kimono top you can find a ready-to-wear version here. Finally, don’t forget your footwear fit for a 1950s goddess!
