Incorporating vintage into everyday life

Because of what I do as a vintage-inspired fashion designer, I come across many women who want to be styled in a 1940s/1950s manner but are too scared of standing out or not being able to pull it off.

Any women can wear vintage! So I thought I would put together a few little styles for those women who want to add just a touch of vintage to their everyday look-you don't need to look like you walked off during a photo shoot.

Hair can make such a difference to someones overall look. 

Victory rolls are still very popular with those wanting a 1940's style, but as these photos show even having a wave/curl to your hair can make a huge difference.

The photo of me on the right was my first attempt at pin curls following a wonderful tutorial over at Vixen Vintage which you can find here. 

I simply took the bobby pins out after my hair had set, and then took one part of my hair on each side and pinned it back with a single bobby pin.

On other days where I'm in a hurry, I place my hair in heated rollers and save time by doing my makeup while they set.

There are many easy vintage makeup tips out there! These two aren't groundbreaking but I always go with them when I'm having a retro day.

Cat eyeliner is an easy one, you may or may not team this with false eyelashes, and the style you may draw them in can depend on your overall eye shape.

Red lipstick is also very popular, there's a shade to suit everyone but I also find that if I'm wearing a shade of red that I have to make sure that any spots I have are well concealed as the hue of the lipstick can sometimes draw attention to similar colors elsewhere on my face!

I could go on and on about different garments that have a vintage look, but skirts are a fantastic staple with a variety to choose from depending on what you feel most comfortable with.

Pencil skirts are great if you want a more 1940's feel with an hourglass silhouette and are wonderful teamed with a beautiful blouse or fitted jacket.

Box pleated skirts are beautifully feminine and have the fullness of a circle skirt without the need for a petticoat, creating a silhouette all on their own.

Circle skirts are easy to create and find, for a more dramatic look they can be worn with a petticoat underneath to give them more shape.

These are just a few tiny tips! It's all about being comfortable and confident in your look-the more satisfied you are with your outfit, the more your confidence will radiate.

There are many different options for shoes and bags, I personally prefer kitten heels as I find them easier to walk in yet I still get the height I want for my outfit.

Hope you've had a great weekend! xx 

What I'm loving

1. Doris Mayday, I've become obsessed with her look recently!

2. My latest dress design now available at By Design

3. The world is not enough-I actually thoroughly enjoyed the film and Pierce Brosnan's portrayal of Bond.

4. Collecting fashion magazines, I sometimes wonder how I'm going to transport these if I ever move!

5. My wishlist of Modcloth bags has reached unhealthy levels.

6. I've started thinking recently of going into vintage inspired bridal-think more minimalist pieces but still heavy on romantacism.

Baubles

We've had some amazing jewelry come into By Design lately. There are times where I'm still amazed at the difference jewelry can make to an outfit, not to mention someones overall appearance.

I'm personally not a big jewelry wearer and when I do, I prefer to wear only one piece at a time.

Here are some of the pieces that have arrived recently, and can be found at our website By Design

Pearl and wire earrings by Amanda Keir 

 Glass earrings by Amanda Keir

 Vintage style cross necklaces by Julz

 Pearl necklace by Amanda Keir

Peacock brooch by Samantha Wakelin

Costumes: A place in the sun

One rainy night a few days ago I finally slipped in my 'A place in the sun' dvd and promptly fell in love with the costumes.

The costume designer was none other than Edith Head who dressed the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor, Shelley Winters and Montgomery Clift.

The most memorable costume however is Elizabeth's tulle gown which set the tone for many ball dresses in the 1950's, with its tight bodice and full skirt.

Edith's costuming for this film won an Academy Award, she received eight Oscars in her lifetime for her work in film.

Millie

The Diary of Anne Frank is one of my first favourite classic films.

I came across it one rainy day and fell in love with it, especially the actress playing Anne who I found out was Millie Perkins.

She always reminded me a little bit of Elizabeth Taylor with her doe eyes and thick eyebrows, and I always loved how animated yet elegant she came across on film.

Born in New Jersey, Millie was working as a receptionist at a New York City advertising agency when she caught the eye of a visiting photographer, by 1958 Perkins was an international cover girl. 

In 1958, she was vigorously pursued, and then selected, to appear in her first film, in "The Diary of Anne Frank" Perkins had never studied nor sought to be an actress, but George Stevens saw her in Gluck's photo and on the covers of several magazines and tried to convince her to read for the part. Finally, she flew to Hollywood for a screen test and, with much fanfare, landed the role of Anne Frank in George Stevens' 1959 film "The Diary of Anne Frank." Perkins received almost universally excellent reviews for her portrayal of Anne although the film was a notorious commercial flop.

 After her work with George Stevens, Perkins was placed under contract to 20th Century Fox. She was one of the promising young stars of Hollywood, but the studio contract system, which was coming to an end, was a poor fit for Perkins, who had come of age with the Beat Generation in 1950s New York City. 

George Stevens would later state: "Millie did not fit in. She was 10 years too early." 

Suspended for refusing the lead in the 1960 film Tess of the Storm Country - Perkins saw the film as a B-picture and a step back career-wise - Perkins was cast by 20th Century Fox in the 1961 film Wild in the Country, playing the supporting role of the girlfriend to star Elvis Presley; the studio then dropped Perkins.