A Frock For All Seasons: A Look Back at My Vintage Fashion Year

I thought about doing a post depicting my favourite personal moments in 2010, but let's get real: this is a vintage fashion blog, not a family album, so I thought I would instead present a look back at my top 12 personal favourite vintage looks from the past year with only brief musings about the memories and experiences they evoke.  In 2010 and earlier, I did a lot of experimenting with different vintage styles and looks; such experimentation has led to some disastrous and outlandish results, some of which you may have seen on this blog.  However, it has also really helped me to establish a much more cohesive and confident sense of my own vintage style, which is sort of centred around cultivating a better instinct about which vintage pieces in my hoard make me feel like my best vintage mid-thirty-something self.  Those of you who started following my blog more than a year ago will probably recall my dabblings with wartime fashion. In 2010, I feel like I found my fashion "voice" primarily through the fabulous and varied styles of the 1930s. These are the outfits that I know I will wear (and have worn) again and again.  It is only by reminding myself that I have a core wardrobe of items that really convey my style and that I feel happy and comfortable wearing that I am able to continue my constant process of culling my vintage "herd" regularly, while staving off pangs of regret or separation anxiety induced when I sell off some of the other items in my closet which I just don't wear or which just don't fit properly, etc.  

I've acquired quite a few 30s knitted dresses this year and sold most of them off, but this navy one is my favourite "keeper" of all. This photo brings back awesome memories of my first vintage clothing fair!

I love my vintage rayon dresses and this frock has seen me through numerous occasions.  Being black and white, it can be dressed up or down, and the silhouette makes me feel ladylike but comfortable.  Another great memory conjured here: my day at the Fashion History Museum

I can't wait to wear this amazing 30s dress, from Dear Golden, outside of my backyard in 2011.  One of the coolest moments I had this past year was finding a copy of the pattern which the talented depression-era seamstress had used to make this wonderful frock.

This photo not only makes me long for warm sunny summer days to come, but captures one of my top favourite vintage finds of all time: a 1930s sailor dress made of flour sack!

My other "holy grail" vintage find for 2010: a 1930s crocheted evening gown--an absolute unicorn in dress form.

Another great image capturing wonderful summer days spent in our green backyard with my #1 sidekick.  This is my "peas and carrots" dress, my favourite 1930s cotton dress find to date.

A reminder of how lucky I am to live in the Niagara region and an aide-memoire of a fantastic day spent amongst the vines during a summer festival.  I have worn this early 30s sheer cotton voile dress over and over again....

This is my #1 favourite vintage 30s dress in my closet.  Period.  As I have worn it to some of my favourite events (including a fantastic night out with the mr. for dinner and to see The 39 Steps), it truly takes me to my own personal happy place whenever I wear it.  

A highlight for me in 2010: appearing on the Able Grable website in my Vintage Baroness dress (another absolute staple in my vintage wardrobe).

Whenever I wear my Nudeedudee Quinn blouse and skirt (which is a LOT), I get tons of compliments. Wore this outfit out for a fabulous birthday (and the blouse was such a special present I bought myself with b-day money). 

I am a lucky lucky Baroness to own this 30s coat, which I love to bits: thanks Tottie!

I haven't worn both pieces of this 30s suit out together yet, but each piece has gotten a lot of wear on its own this winter.  Expect to see the coat...and the whole suit in many more future posts.  

Whew, I am one vintage clothes-horse, it is true.  Eeks! Happy New Year, kittens!