My Vintage Wardrobe: Using Your Accessories To Define Your Color Scheme

The other day I was talking to Brittany from Va-Voom Vintage about my desire to really understand where the heck my wardrobe is going. I say that because it seems so easy to just keep collecting things and adding to your stash. My dilemma is that since space and funds are limited, I really want to feel like I have a wardrobe that I can mix and match and make the most of. Not just some random pieces, know what I mean?

After our chat  I had a huge "A-ha" moment and decided to take photos of all of my accessories. I bunched them together in similar groups of colors as best I could. I was happily surprised my two year old didn't find any interest in touching them while I was taking the photos, but very happy he did not hehe

I took photos of my earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, hair flowers and clips, hats, gloves, snoods, and scarves. I HIGHLY recommend this exercise especially for vintage beginners who may not know what colors they should focus on or what looks best on them. This exercise totally worked for me.

I suppose it may be because I am a visual person but after looking through all of my photos I was able to see what colors I really don't want to collect at this moment, the main ones I do want to collect, and the ones that have potential. And what I mean by collect I mean via clothing and accessories for my vintage wardrobe.

Holly from Veronica Vintage wrote one of my favorite posts about Dressing for Your Skintone. According to the chart I am a Winter since I have dark hair, dark eyes, and fair skin. The best colors for me to wear would be; dark pinks, maroon, red, black, royal and navy blue, cream, grey, dark green, shades of aqua/teal, white, and purple (the colors I want to have in my wardrobe).

I read that post back in August but things didn't click for me until after I viewed the photos of my accessories. I love it when things finally click though! Now I know exactly what colors I want to focus on right now, which I will focus on later, and those that I will consider never focusing on.

Here are a few of the photos I took:

After looking at everything together I decided my main focus right now will be to focus on patriotic colors. Not everything has to be literally red, white, and blue but rather all red accessories, all white, all blue (navy rather). I know now I defiantly need to add a few white blouses into my wardrobe. At the moment I only have one. I also want to add a proper navy and black 40's/50s styled skirts. I also realized that although it may be hard to find clothing that has teal or aqua in it, I would like to add more pieces of these colors into my accessories collection that I could wear perhaps with brown dress? or a coral dress? Teal/Coral, Aqua/Brown, and Mint Green/Pink are great color combinations that would look great with a 1950's feel especially during the summertime.

I don't own a lot of black but that was done on purpose because my everyday wardrobe has A LOT of black in it. It's just a very New York thing to do. Black and Grey are everywhere so I have ignored those colors in my wardrobe but I would like to add some basic black accessories to my collection as well as a proper 40's and 50's simple styled black dress.

I realized I had a lot of brown, yellow, and orange pieces (via scarves, brooches, etc) and I am not really an orange kind of girl. I like yellow and orange but I suppose it would have to be a dark shade for me to consider wearing them. As for now I decided they will not be a part of my main wardrobe. I love sparkly things but my lifestyle doesn't allow room for those things, not now at least. I would like to one day own a fancy 40s and 50s dress to wear somewhere extra special but as of now it isn't on the top of my list. Pearls are the same-although the great thing about pearls is that you can wear them with jeans if you pair them with the right top.

Another "A-ha" moment came to me when after reading all your amazing and thoughtful posts on my The 1940's or 1950's: Which to Choose ? post that what I meant to also say is that why I felt the need to choose is because although I do love the eras from the 1930's-1960's very much, I really want to make an era really a part of my own personal look and vintage style.

I am passionate about the 1940's so the 1940's will be my main focus. I will continue to dabble in all the other eras as well though. I do love dressing up and its such fun to recreate those looks! I am going to focus on putting together some during the war looks ('41-'45) but I am looking into focusing on the late 1940's to the early 1950's as the cuts and style seem to flatter my figure the best. At the end of the day I am a housewife and so my looks need to be easy to put together and I think that focusing on the colors that suit your complexion best, knowing what cuts flatter your figure best, and yet still sticking to the times you are passionate about will lead to an outstanding vintage wardrobe.

I am beyond excited about this next stage in my vintage life. I have been going through what I have and purging what isn't right for me or doesn't fit best and hoping to add back some pieces that will really help me create some great outfits for outings and future posts. I cannot wait!!

Thank you all for sticking with me on this incredible journey-now I see why you girls find clothes so much fun! Geesh, what have I been missing out on!!??? hehe

xox