Women went dotty for the Zara polka dot dress this summer. This voluminous spotty dress and it’s imitations were seen all over London. It was the dress described as suiting everyone. Everyone? Who wants a dress that suits everyone? Not only did it dominate the summer wardrobe it made the press and even has its own Instagram account.
But If you buy vintage or mix and match vintage pieces with modern you can avoid walking into a bar and seeing three other women in the same dress and you can choose garments that suit you and not half the female population of London!
Or teaming ‘that dress’ with some vintage pieces can make it more individual.
We asked Carla and Gabriella from Ruby and Pearl vintage what’s hot right now in vintage fashion and their tips for embracing retro attire.
It's back to the 80's/90's with sportswear right now. On the catwalk there’s been a real revival of the 70's/80's for Autumn Winter. Go brown and orange!
Carla and Gabriella’s advice for embracing a retro look is to:
A - Trust your own judgement (too often we ask other people for their opinion as to what something looks like)
B - wear your look with conviction
C - Don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd
D - You can always mix and match vintage with modern. You don’t have to adopt an entire look. Pick elements you like.
E - Think of clothing as being unisex, it allows more freedom and less rigidity
F - Just because a piece of clothing is too big for you doesn't mean you cannot wear it, use your imagination...belt it, tie it turn it into a dress!!
G - Don't’ get hung up on sizes. Body shapes have changed dramatically over the years so sizes don’t mean a great deal. This can actually be quite liberating so just try things and if you like it BUY IT!
Final thought….I wonder how many of those spotty dresses are destined for landfill because who is going to want to be seen in it next summer? At least with vintage you are recycling something preloved as well as unique.
Ruby and Pearl vintage along with other vintage clothing traders will be at PG Vintage Flea on 16th-17th November.