Less is More! More is More!

When it comes to accessories, I am often caught between two different mantras. The KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) and The Go Big or Go Home principle. Both are illustrated here by one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil.

I started fooling around in the store with purses, baubles, and belts to see which style I favored. I'm still undecided but had a great time with both looks. Check check it out!

In the Go Big or Go Home look, I went for bold reds and golds. It features a red leather Paloma Picasso belt (styled as a bracelet), Whiting pitted gold hinged bracelet, a gold Monet hinge bracelet, and a red and gold chain purse.

In the KISS look, I used a beautiful brass women's vendome watch complemented by a beaded Walborg Evening purse.

Nothing says effortless beauty like the 50's double strand of pearls pictured here.  But if you are in the mood for some drama, a statement necklace says it all. Check out our porcelain lattice or 1920's Citrine Floral necklace.

To top it all off, however, a pair of sunglasses is absolutely necessary. They can hide sleepy eyes and pull an entire look together. We have featured here a pair of oversized Laura Biagotti sunglasses vs. the more delicate Christian Roth look.

Large and in charge or small and debonair, we have both looks to choose from at 1 of a Find!

Color Blocking or Prints?

This is the second season we've seen color blocking down the runway. Bold colors are so great for summer because with two simple pieces in complimentary colors you have an ensemble that is simple, chic and sophisticated. And the pop of colors add a helpful dose of fun. But what about all these great prints?? I love all the layering of stripes with florals with plaids, but sometimes it's a little easier to pair it with a solid, but with colors like these it's in now way pairing it down!

Marilyn: Buxom, Blonde, Bombshell

In the last blog post, I examined the style of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, first lady of fashion. In this one, I am going to lend my sartorial eye to Marilyn Monroe's fashion.

Marilyn dressed to please men but in the process, became a style icon for women. She was an expert at toeing the line between sexy and leaving enough to the imagination. She favored tight fighting pencil skirts and blouses that showed off her small waist and large chest. She rarely wore prints and instead relied on the cut and fit of the pieces. Many of her dresses and tops were designed to be worn with a bullet bra; a bra that literally made the wearer's breasts look like bullets. Check it out:

I have put together a Marilyn-inspired look from the lovely goodies at 1 of a Find Vintage. The look features a 1950's black wiggle dress with a satin bow, a 1960's Nettie Milgrim Bolero, a black lizard and gold handbag, white Christian Roth cateye sunglasses, gold bead and pearl strands, and Bruno Magli patent leather heels.

So which one are you, a Jackie or a Marilyn?

Are you a Jackie or a Marilyn? Jackie

I recently watched a Mad Men episode, in which Don Draper pitches an ad campaign on the premise that all women want to be either Jackie, Marilyn, or both. I am not quite sure which side I fall on, so I've decided to a little inquiry into both looks.

Jackie, the ideal first mother and first wife, always acted with the utmost composure and grace as reflected by her style. She effortlessly transitioned between the polished looks of a stateswoman and the more relaxed look of Cape Cod. She commissioned one of her favorite designers, Gustave Tassell, to outfit her on her state visit to Pakistan and India. Here she is, addressing a crowd and riding in an elephant, in Tassell's designs.

Tassell's designs boast an intricate simplicity, with a focus on the seams and fastenings. This is beautifully exhibited in the buttons and ribbon on this eggplant jacket, which is a recent addition to the store.

A second, Jackie inspired look, features a structured black and white Balenciaga jacket.

Both looks are shown with a black Akris dress, a Black Bellstone alligator purse, 1950's double string of pearls, and Nina Ricci black pumps.

Come in to 1 of a Find for these looks and more Marilyn/ Jackie styles!

1 of a Find Does Seventies!

I dunno about you, but we're feeling the seventies vibe pretty strong right about now. Long flowing skirts, a little leather and lace combo with a vest and and Gunne Sax blouse. Screams seventies Bohemian! Just in time for Spring! Got me looking to some of my favorite seventies muses:

It's Almost Valentine's Day...

... And what woman doesn't love jewelry? We're currently featuring 10% storewide and 15% off jewelry, so get her something that lets her know how sweet you are on her! Whether it's for mom, your sister, your girlfriend, we have something for everyone and with pieces that start at as little as $10!

Manhattan Vintage Fashion Show « CBS New York

Manhattan Vintage Fashion Show « CBS New York

Another attempt to bring spring in a bit early. Floral chiffon with a green 70s motor cycle jacket. This is a look we really love. Both in the store as of Sunday. Don't miss out! 

Day 2 MVS... If you missed us this time the next show is at the end of April! 

This local Brooklyn has style we like! 

Vintage Manhattan Show!

Only two days away! Let pulling frenzy begin! This year, in keeping with Spring 2011 runway trends, we will be bringing to you a prime selection of our Bohemian chiffon, leather and lace, Minimilist white, blacks and neutrals, and of course, our specialty, Vintage Designer pieces!

Here's a selection small taste of what's to come:

 BOHEMIAN

We saw variations on this theme from Marc Jabobs/Louis Vuitton, to Roberto Cavali to D&G. The seventies are here to stay! Long flowing skirts in bright bold colors paired with killer boots or strappy platforms were all over the runway this spring!

Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 

(images courtesy of style.com)

 Our version starts out with a colorfully printed, flowing chiffon dress, topped with belted chiffon lace and hand tooled leather and suede jacket. I don't even know what to say about these amazing stacked wooden platform boots. New York Dolls anyone? Oh, and let's not forget to mention the many strings of turquoise, coral and silver, because you can't pull off bohemian without a piling on a ton of jewelry.

MINIMILIST

Seventies keep going here. Wasn't that the first time we got that paired down aesthetic from Halston? Now we get our streamlined runway inspiration from Helmut Lang, Chloe, Jill Stuart and Celine. Clean, crisp lines feel particularly fresh this Spring in stark white. Nothing to take away from your natural Spring glow beauty!

 Chloe Spring 2011 

(image courtesy of style.com)

 Helmut Lang Spring 2011
(images courtesy of style.com)

Nothing says minimilist like a simple white dress with clean soft details and a classic, utilitarian trench. Of course, go ahead and throw a fabulous fancy cuff and a pair of killer heels to put a little pep in your step! 

 FABULOUS DESIGNER

Ok, so this one is a little harder to pin point. We saw even more seventies on the runway this time in bright lux fabrics that recall the high times of  studio 54 and the designs of Yves Saint Laurent and Oscar de la Renta. Big hair under big floppy hats, big platforms under long flowing skirts and slacks, and big glasses.

Prada Spring 2011 

(images courtesy of style.com)

Ok, so this look may not scream 70's, but it screams PRADA!! And designer lux! Geoffrey Beene shift dress, Gianni Versace green suede jacket! Backelite bangles and Christian Roth shades, ya know, to shade you from the paparazzi.