HaoJan via photo pin cc

If you are going to be a collector of vintage fashions, it would be helpful to have a basic knowledge of the various styles and the time periods in which they were first popularized. This type of information is especially useful when shopping online—you want to make sure that you are purchasing what you think you are purchasing and pictures alone just might not be enough to tell the whole story.

To that end, I will periodically share posts focusing on one style, type or trend and provide you with some foundational information to make you a more informed shopper.

Today, it’s all about the skirt.

Jesslee Cuizon via photo pin cc

Modern Skirt Styles Defined

The Pencil Skirt – a tailored skirt that is fitted at the waist and hangs straight from the hips. Can feature kick-pleats or a slit. A very form-hugging design. Length is at the knee or just below.

The Full Skirt – a skirt with lots of voluminous fabric that is gathered at the waist. Length can be long or short.

The A-Line Skirt – fitted at the waist but then the skirt flares away from the body similar in shape to the letter “A”. Seen in both short and long styles.

The Pleated Skirt- a full skirt that is reduced by pleating or folding the fabric. Fitted at waist. Pleats can start at waist or at hips. Can be short or long.

The Circle Skirt – the circumference of the hem makes a circle. Often seen with panels. Features a fall and drape effect and is fitted at waist. Length can vary.

Various Modern Skirt Fads and Trends

1940s

Miss Betty’s Attic – Etsy

The Pencil Skirt

The French designer Christian Dior introduced the classic pencil skirt in the late 1940s. It remains popular today.

Vintage Sewing Patterns – Etsy

The Ballerina Skirt

A full skirt often made up of multiple layers of fabric and reaching to mid-calf or to the ankles. First introduced in 1947 by Christian Dior.

1950s

The Bubble Skirt

A voluminous skirt that billows out at the bottom to create the effect of air being blown into a bubble. Created by Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga in the 1950s. The trend reemerged in the 1980s and from the mid 2000s on.

Miss Betty’s Attic – Etsy

The Poodle Skirt

A solid colour circle skirt featuring a poodle appliqué. Later designs included flamingos, flowers and hot rod cars among others. First designed by Juli Lynne Charlot. Length was below the knee.

1960s

Retrogressive – Etsy

The Mini Skirt

A skirt with the hemline well above the knees. Most often mid-thigh length, but micro-minis are even shorter than that. First introduced by London designer Mary Quant in 1964.

1970s

Treazured Designz – Etsy

The Prairie Skirt

A flared skirt with one or more flounces or tiers. Introduced by designer Ralph Lauren in his 1978 Western-themed collection.

The Maxi Skirt

An ankle length skirt first popular in the early 1970s. The style has made a comeback in the 2000s.

The Wrap Skirt

A skirt that wraps around the waist and is secured by tying. Popular in the 1970s. Either influenced by Diane Von Furstenberg’s wrap dress or by the sarong, which is worn in various locals around the world.

1980s

Victoria Crafts – Etsy

The Broomstick Skirt

An ankle length skirt made with lightweight fabric and featuring many crumpled pleats. The effect is formed by twisting the garment when it’s wet. Named after the original method of creating the pleats, which involved twisting the fabric around a broomstick. First popular in the 1980s.

The Rah-Rah Skirt

A short flouncy skirt. Based on the cheerleading skirt it became fashionable in the early 1980s.

By Jen Wallace

Photo Courtesy of Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC 'Mad Men Season 5 Cast Photos: Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks) and Lane Pryce (Jared Harris)'

A lot of planning goes into the va-va-voom of Joan from Mad Men

To get Joan Harris née Holloway (played by Christina Hendricks) of Mad Men’s look, one must be genetically lucky enough to have a curvacious figure, have access to lots of “wiggle” dresses and be committed to wearing form-shaping undergarments designed to create that va-va-voom silhouette. Most of us aren’t endowed with such a prominent hourglass figure, and find our lumps and bumps to be more or less. That said, we can definitely do something about the underthings and the wiggle dresses.

The Fashion

With such overt sex appeal, Joan has no need for bells and whistles and she prefers to wear simple, yet form-fitting fashions like sheath dresses, skirt and blouse or sweater and skirt ensembles. She often wears pencil skirts, with or without slits, and wiggle dresses. A wiggle dress is a dress where the width of the hemline is narrower than the hips and typically does not have a slit or kick pleat. This design forces the wearer to wiggle when she walks—and that sure describes Joan!

Here’s a collection of dresses to answer that question, “What Would Joan Wear?”.

Joan Harris Lookbook #1 The Fashion

From left to right
Modcloth – Eva Franco Master Mixologist Dress
Nordstrom – Valentino Side Drape Stretch Cady Dress
Matches – Diane Von Furstenberg Alegra Dress

Joan’s colour preference is for jewel tones (especially red) and she favours solids, although she does tend towards some floral prints. She is fond of the scoop neckline (but not too low) and generally her hemlines fall to just at the knee or just below the knee.

The Accessories

She also tends not to over accessorise and usually wears just one or two items of jewellery, e.g., a brooch and that signature pencil necklace of hers or just a pair of earrings. It is true that with a curvacious figure such as hers, too much can be a good thing and overly frilly clothing or too many accessories just might diminish her natural assets.

A word about that pencil necklace. According to Janie Bryant, the costume designer of Mad Men, it was a vintage find purchased at a flea market in Pasadena.

If you are like me in that you love that piece and wouldn’t mind owning one of your own, here are some suggestions:

Joan Harris Lookbook #2 The Accessories

From left to right
Anthropologie – Vintage Pencil Necklace
1928 – 1960s Vintage Inspired Gold Tone Pen Necklace
Etsy – Ball Point Pen Necklace

The Undergarments

To get Joan’s look, and any woman’s up until the late 1960s for that matter, a series of body shaping undergarments must be worn. The favoured silhouette of the 50s and early 60s was one a pronounced hourglass shape, so women wore undergarments to create that silhouette, whether they had that shape naturally or not. Additionally, undergarments provided a smoothing effect, so there were no unsightly bulges. Favourites of the time period included: the longline bra, which smoothed the back as well as defined the bust; and the girdle, whose job it was to trim the tummy, hips and derriere. Add a slip and garters and stockings and your foundation is complete!

Joan Harris Lookbook #3 The Undergarments

Lace Mirage Bullet Bra and Girdle from Lucy B
Harlow Narrow Garter Belt from What Katie Did
Fifi Slip from Agent Provocateur

Whether you’ve got the natural curves or not, hopefully you now have the tools you need to channel Joan and to have your own va-va-voom moment!

By Jen Wallace

All images uploaded are copyright © of their respective owners.

Much of that change has to do with the real practicalities of women demanding and receiving more rights in the political, cultural and familial spheres, as well as their move away from a purely domesticated role out into the workforce, but there’s also a fair amount of serendipity at work too. Fashion is a fickle business, trends must change season to season for the industry to be successful after all.

Of course, that doesn’t address the artistry and the envelope pushing of the designers themselves who have a hand in defining our culture through their creations. Think of those influential designers like Coco Chanel (recognised for introducing menswear into women’s fashions), Mary Quant (credited with creating the miniskirt) and Diane von Furstenberg (known for designing the wrap dress) and how each one of their contributions defined a generation.

It is important to note that prior to the 1970s the skirt (or a dress) was really the only acceptable public dress for women. Trousers were considered déclassé and it was only acceptable for them to be worn for specific tasks for which skirts were impractical, e.g. horse-back riding or physical labor.

It is also significant to mention that skirt lengths changed most drastically from the period of the turn of the twentieth century to the 1920s. After, literally, centuries of stagnation, hemlines went from floor or ankle-length to mid-calf and jumped again to knee length in a period of 15 to 20 years. Since then, they have shortened with each successive generation, with some back and forth in popularity.

So, what have been the prevailing hemlines of each of the modern fashion eras?

Mid-Calf – 1920s

Art Deco Society of California Mid-Calf – 1920s

Hemlines made their first dramatic jump from floor and ankle-length in this decade. Flappers wore even shorter skirts (at-the-knee), but most women stuck with the mid-calf length. The ankle was daring enough without showing the full calf!

Below-the-Knee – 1930s

Women of the Harlem Renaissance Below-the-Knee – 1930s

As the 20s turned into the 30s, hemlines continued to shrink and bearing calves became less shocking.

At-the-Knee – 1940s through the 1960s

Sensibility.com At-the-Knee – 1940s through the 1960s

Acceptable hemline length remained the same for a period of time from the 40s through the early 60s. For the most part, at-the-knee was as short as things got.

The 60s were a decade of change in many arenas, including the fashion world. Skirt length made the biggest change since the 1920s and made a move to above-the-knee in the early 60s.

Mini-Skirt – 1960s

Life Magazine Mini-Skirt – 1960s

Of course, nothing was as dramatic or as shocking as the mini-skirt that appeared in the mid-1960s and which got shorter and shorter as the decade progressed.

Below-the-Knee Wrap Dress – 1970s

Bonaza Below-the-Knee Wrap Dress – 1970s

Once the shock of the mini-skirt wore off, hemlines seemed to reset and during the 1970s the attitude was “anything goes”. Below-the-knee and mini-skirts were both equally popular.

Ankle-Length Maxi Dress – 1970s

Stitching by Numbers Mini-Skirt – 1960s

As were long maxi dresses!

Mini-Skirt – 1980s

Lucky Vintage Mini-Skirt – 1980s

During the 80s, the prevailing hemlines included both shorter styles….

Mid-Calf dress – 1980s

Stitching by Numbers Mid-Calf dress - 1980s

and longer ones.

Pleated Mini-Skirt – 1990s

Clueless - Paramount Pleated Mini-Skirt – 1990s

During the 90s, the predominant skirt lengths were short. Pleated, plaid, schoolgirl skirts were very, very popular.

While the TV show Ally McBeal popularized the mini-skirt suit.

Since the 1960s, the trendiest of hemlines have gone up and down, but most styles are still worn with varying degrees of popularity and depending on the occasion. Long hemlines are worn at black tie affairs, while micro-minis are found on the dance floor. Hemlines are mainly determined by individual choice as well as appropriateness for the time and place, because designers are offering pretty much every length imaginable!

By Jen Wallace

All images uploaded are copyright © their respective owners.

Inspiration: Mad Men

Por Homme: Mad Men Season 5 Premieres Tonight

The trend toward classic vintage fashion is due, in large part, to the television show Mad Men. Although the current season has dipped its toe into the 1970s this season, the show’s characters originally showed up in the mid 60s. The Mad Men creators and stylists have been impeccable about staying true to the fashion and decor of that era. Mad Men style has spread like wildfire, proving that the chic style is still relevant on the streets today. Banana Republic has even successfully launched its own Mad Men-inspired line of clothing. The result: dapper clothing and accessories that skate along the line between business and pleasure.

Vintage Fashion Accessories for Men

Watch

Today, we’re rarely without our mobile phones or computers, negating the need for watches — almost. Watches are the place where style meets function, providing both the time and a boost to any man’s wardrobe. When choosing a classic vintage watch, look for simplicity. This piece by Timex stays true to the vintage vibe with a leather wristband and timeless face.

Hip Flask

Whether you’re going out for the night or headed out of town, a flask is a gentlemanly accessory that great male leads always seemed to have on hand in films of the 50s and 60s. Red Envelope’s leather bound flask can be monogrammed with your initials. The level markers imprinted into the leather keep things humorous, with a marking labeled “damn fool” for a completely full flask.

Sunglasses

Look at photos of 1950s movie stars, and you’ll likely see sunglasses that look very much the same as what’s in style currently. The tortoise shell accent on these Ray Bans gives the impression that you’re about to drive into old Hollywood with the top down on your convertible.

Shoes

Every man needs a good pair of dress shoes, and while the styles don’t vary greatly and haven’t changed that much over the years, the devil is in the detail. Classic vintage-style oxfords, like these by Gordon Rush, have the sleek, angular quality of manliness. Avoid anything too rounded or bulbous in the toe, and stick with shoes that elongate the leg.

Hat

The fedora is a must have for any man’s closet, whether or not he’s playing with vintage fashion. Goorin Brothers is one of the best small-scale designers for vintage hats, and their Allen fedora is no exception. Like all of these pieces, the fedora adds just a touch of class to everything from a shorts and t-shirt ensemble to a tuxedo.

By Joy Uyeno

All images uploaded are copyright © of their respective owners.

Photo Courtesy of Yes & Yes Designs

Laura Bruland from Yes and Yes Designs has combined two of my favourite things—jewellery and books. She creates laser cut jewellery pieces that are cut from old books and inspired by vintage fashion imagery, but with a modern twist.

Instilled with valuing handmade gifts over manufactured ones as a child, Laura got her start making jewellery as Christmas gifts for family and friends. She first started making fabric jewellery from vintage wool inherited from her grandmother. At a certain point, she incorporated laser-cutting into her designs. Last winter, she stumbled upon San Francisco’s TechShop, which is a membership-based workshop that gives her access to laser cutters (as well as a host of other machinery). After that, she was hooked.

When doing research for her laser-cut designs, Laura saw a lot of wood, acrylic and leather laser cut jewellery on the market and she wanted to do something completely new. After experimenting with other materials, she realized just how much potential there was with old book covers. Not just that book covers are a novel (no pun intended) medium, but also because there is so much meaning caught up in books. It adds another dimension to the pieces as an artistic statement.

The pieces that I love the most of Laura’s work are the Little Lady Pins. They are silhouettes of fashionable ladies from about the 1940s through the 1960s and are inspired by illustrations from old sewing patterns and fashion catalogs. These ladies are so retro chic, vibrant and look straight out of the pages of old catalogues. One of the really interesting aspects of the pins are the abstract “fashions” that develop based on how the pins are laser cut from the book covers. When figuring out how the ladies will fit, Laura tries to use up the most possible space rather than trying to get the designs to fall in a certain way. That way, the patterns happen totally by chance.

Photo Courtesy of Yes & Yes Designs

Laura also creates other designs that have a definite retro feel to them. Like the Humdinger Earrings, which are very art deco, and the Bow Necklaces, which give a nod to their ‘storied’ past but are completely modern.

I asked Laura what type of woman she pictures wearing her design and what else she would she be wearing. She answered:

“My ‘dream gal’ is of indeterminate age—mature, and yet playful. She’s sophisticated in a casual kind of way, but not afraid to take a chance with her fashion. She tends to wear classic styles, and loves a good vintage piece, but more than anything she has fun getting dressed.

“She would wear one of my Little Lady Pins on a cardigan over a button-up shirt. She’s also sporting a fitted high-waisted skirt and heels. Her hair is pulled back, which shows off my dangly Dilly earrings.”

If you like Laura’s designs and you are lucky enough to live in San Francisco, there are few locations you can find her work for sale there. For a full list of stores that carry her work check her website.

Photo Courtesy of Joseph Schell

For the rest of us not in San Francisco, online is an option. Right now, the best way to purchase her designs is actually through Kickstarter. If you aren’t yet familiar with Kickstarter, it’s a new funding platform for all types of creative projects. In a sense, it’s a new form of the very old tradition of patronage of the arts, just updated for the digital age.

Laura will be heading to her first trade show later this year. Trade shows are actually one of the places where buyers for stores find new brands to carry and when they place orders, they place big orders. The workshop where Laura currently makes her jewellery limits her laser time to just 6 hours per week, so she put together the Kickstarter project to help fund the purchase of her own laser cutter.

You can see Laura’s Kickstarter video below. It actually shows the process for creating her pieces and is pretty fun to watch.

by Jen Wallace

Two iconic British designers come together for one epic collaboration, Dr. Martens x Liberty Of London. Of course, the retro-grunge look of Doc Martens combined with the vintage flower-girl 60s feel of Liberty of London prints makes for a perfectly vintage shoe that pairs well with floaty dresses and gauzy peasant tops .

Doc Martens were originally designed as military boots, the creator needed something comfortable for his injured foot, and standard issue boots weren’t doing their job. The first pair of Dr. Martens sold in 1960, and since then they have been a staple in wardrobes around the world. They have been worn religiously by a multitude of “groups”. Today, Doc Marten shoes are not only made with leather, but there are also vegan-friendly alternatives .

Liberty of London is an upscale department store that was founded in 1875. It is a well-established source of fashion and well respected around the world. Their designs are known for Art Nouveau style and vintage floral prints. Liberty frequently pairs up with famous companies, such as Target and Nike. These collaborations bring the famous British company to North America through unique concepts .

The collaboration between Dr. Martens and Liberty of London shouldn’t come as a surprise. They are a match made in heaven. The rough-around-the-edge feel of Doc’s, plus the dainty patterns of Liberty provide a vintage but tough feel for women and men.

But what would such an odd patter and style match? With fashion, matching doesn’t exist. It’s more about pairing combinations that are aesthetically pleasing. A short dress with a solid print would look perfectly summery with these boots. Jeans and a top would also work just as well. A favorite style of many is to dress up elegantly and plop on a pair of untied Doc Martens. These sweet floral prints just make everything so much lovelier .

The best part is that these prints are reminiscent of truly vintage prints. The “Strawberry Thief” shoes come from an 1883 original design by William Morris. Flowers and birds make the eclectic print. “Martens Flower” is a revamped design that is from the 1930s. There are other prints in the collection that also draw from floral prints reigning from the early 1900s, 50s and 60s. Vintage shoes can be smelly and hard to obtain in good quality, but a brand new pair of Doc Martens x Liberty of London is like having the vintage without the feet smell .

Liberty of London certainly makes a brilliant shoe even better. You can easily pair vintage with modern effortlessly with this new collection, there’s no doubt that it will be well-received and loved by all fashion devotees.

This brand new collection was announced April 15^th, and it will be officially released May 1^st. If it is anything like previous collaborations, then you better be prepared to buy the day of release. High-profile collaborations sell out fast, and these shoes quickly become a lusted after collector item. Expect each pair of 8-hole boots to be a bit pricier than the standard pricing, and flat 3-hole shoes to be cheaper than 8-holes. Additionally, this collection includes adorable leather satchels.

By Callie Oliver

High-Drama Victorian Era Pieces

While Alexander McQueen’s inspiration comes from a plethora of vibrant and thought-evoking sources, he loved Victorian era clothing, and often created pieces with drama and elegance to celebrate the era. One example is this ocelot print dress. Silk chiffon meets bold prints in one this elegant piece. Flowing length provides glamour and sensuality. There is no waist emphasis, but the bust is a beautiful curved neckline to accentuate a full or small bust. To complete the look, fashion lovers would pair it with a Victorian inspired clutch and dramatic jewellery. Elegant hair is a must .

Alexander McQueen Ocelot Print Dress

Alien Film Retro Inspiration

Believe it or not, the famous Pincer shoes were inspired by the late 70s film, Alien. H.R. Geiger has long been a source of inspiration for McQueen, and he vocally expressed this during his last interview. These shoes were made in a number of styles, colours, textures and with various materials. Shocking and dramatic, they seemed impossible to walk in, yet many models did. Alexander had a special talent of taking something retro or vintage and creating something impossibly modern and futuristic .

Alexander McQueen Shoes

Corsetry And McQueen

Aside from the countless types of shoes that he designed, McQueen was also into creating some of the most shockingly breathtaking corsets the world has ever seen. One such corset was the Dante lilac silk faille corset from autumn and winter 1996-97. It was embroidered with black silk lace and jet beads. The vintage inspiration comes from the Victorian era, where these colours symbolized mourning and death. Tragic yet jaw-dropping, this corset was a piece of symbolism and brilliant art .

McQueen’s 70s Inspiration

Aside from Victorian era garments, McQueen was fond of the 70s. Numerous suits, jackets and dresses he designed have a 70s vibe and inspiration. This includes wide-legged pants, androgynous designer wear, especially platform shoes, leotards, fringe and short skirts. McQueen dabbled in everything that drew from the 70s and onwards, making each of his pieces unique, vintage but also with a taste of modern flare.

McQueen’s Legend

The late Alexander McQueen passed away in February of 2011. He left behind an immense legacy and legendary pieces. He drew inspiration from a multitude of time periods, and often created some of the best pieces in fashion history. Hailing from London, McQueen is definitely a star to add to the long list of fabulous designers that come from London. Sarah Burton is now the primary designer behind his label, which will live on for decades more .

By Callie Oliver

Photo Courtesy of Michael Yarish/AMC 'Megan and Don Draper in Season 5 Episode 3'

One thing that is sure about Megan Draper, she is a new breed of woman. One who is not afraid to be bold, say what she means and let her sexuality shine… not that she flaunts her sexuality, but more that she isn’t afraid of letting it show. Unlike other female characters who wield their sexuality like a weapon (Joan) or others who only feel comfortable hiding it behind the doors of the bedroom—or the office (Betty and Peggy)—Megan is indicative of a new kind of American woman. This new breed experiences her societal adolescence during the 1960s and really comes into her own in the 1970s. This is the beginning of the sexual revolution of which part included challenging traditional gender roles. It was truly the beginning of a new era. And Megan Draper is on the forefront of that .

You can take the cues from her fashion sense that she is different from the other female characters on the show. I think her style can best be described as part French sex kitten, à la Bridgette Bardot, and one part mod. The clothing she wears is the most different from the others as well as the most different from the previous era of poufy skirts and pearls .

Megan Draper Lookbook #1 Zou Bisou Bisou

Most notably, of course, would the sexy outfit she wore at Don Draper’s fortieth birthday party while singing the French pop hit, Zou Bisou Bisou, in the Season five opener—a black mini trapeze dress with sheer, butterfly sleeves and embellished with a sparkly rhinestone collar and wrist trim. French-inspired, the dress Megan wore was a real vintage piece, but with reconstructed pleated silk chiffon sleeves, according to Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant .

See the original below in this video of Megan singing.

And, if you want to get the Megan Draper’s Zou Bisou Bisou look, here is a modern reinterpretation.

Megan Draper Lookbook #1 Zou Bisou Bisou

Dress: Kensie Sheer Sleeve Dress is available at Zappos.
Shoes: Franco Sarto Uri Pumps at Macys.
Hosiery: Commando Everyday Black Crochet Tights are a must and can be found at Bare Necessities.
Earrings: Nina ‘Maegan’ Filigree Chandelier Earrings are at Nordstrom.
Ring: Judith Jack Sterling Silver Marcasite Luminous Crystal Cocktail Ring can be found at Bloomingdale’s.

Megan Draper Lookbook #2 Chevron Chic

Another show-stopping and unique to Meghan look was the coral and white chevron coat and coral shift dress ensemble that she wore in the same episode as the party. Sadly, I wish I could say that I am able to share a modern version with you, but I was unable to find anything quite like that gorgeous coat .

I was able to create this look, which I hope does pay homage to the original.

Megan Draper Lookbook #2 Chevron Chic

Dress: Missoni Boatneck Chevron Dress at Saks.
Coat: Seamed White Coat is from Zara.
Shoes: Tokyo Heel Cobalt Suede Shoes are at ModCloth and not quite the same as the neutral ones Megan wore with her outfit, but certainly more fun.
Hair: Stone Petal Clip is from Anthropologie and is a nod to the jelly bean pin wore on the show.
Earrings: Empress White “Belknap” Earrings are available at Tarina Tarantino.

Megan Draper Lookbook #3 Racing Stripes

This is outfit, also based on one Megan wore in the first episode of Season 5, is probably my favorite from all the ones I put together for you. Megan wore a sexy racing stripe pencil skirt with a flouncily ruffled and polka-dotted blouse. If you want to get the look….

Megan Draper Lookbook #3 Racing Stripes

Skirt: Navy “Scuba” Skirt is from Rag & Bone and is at Neiman Marcus.
Blouse: Yellow Ria Polka-Dot Blouse can also be purchased from Neiman Marcus.
Shoes: Yellow Evie Oxford Peep-Toe Pumps are from J. Crew.
Sunglasses: Striped Salmiakki Sunglasses at Modcloth.

Megan Draper Lookbook #4 Short Chevron

The last look I am going to share with you is not based on one of Megan’s outfits from the show, but more inspired by what I imagine her wearing. It’s bold, sexy, flirty, mod and smart looking, just like her.

Megan Draper Lookbook #4 Short Chevron

Dress: Swell Fayette Dress from Swell.
Shoes: Bass Glenbrook Heeled Saddle Shoes are from Bass and at Zappos.
Necklace: 25th Floor Bali Choker Necklace at Urban Outfitters.
Earrings: Nanni Sterling Silver Tassel Earrings are at Overstock.

By Jen Wallace

All images uploaded are copyright © of their respective owners.

My heart skipped a few beats. Perhaps I got such a good view for the high waters the owner was sporting as well. Either way, my eyes followed her footsteps from her work station to the children’s section. And back again. I resumed my work but my peripherals were dedicated to watching the different vantage points the librarian was offering as she filled bookshelves and helped young students find their way in the small historic library .

I had been on the search for some interpretation of these vintage inspired shoes for months now. Heels, flats, two tones, there were so many variations on this original men’s shoe wear design I didn’t know where to start. All I knew that was when I finally found them I was going to break out in a foxtrot freestyle.

What makes the brogue a brogue and set apart from is its multiple pieces of layers and unique, beautiful perforations. These small holes – also known as broguering – create an intricate visual that not even the shoemaker’s elves could achieve. While the brogue often gets confused with oxfords their similarities lie within the style of wingtips and capped toes. Between these two distinctive character traits of the “brog” have been implanted in many trends of our fashion industry today .

In the prime and conception of their history they were considered outdoor shoes. They were exceptionally made thus could endure hiking and working in rougher environments They were a country man’s shoes, while today, however we have made them dress up staples, especially the styles catering to the men.

While Audrey Hepburn helped make these leather shoes famous they have come back with a vengeance over the past two years. Several years ago the Queen of England herself slipped on these shoes bringing the momentum and awareness of the brogue back to the forefront.

These unisex universal shoes appear on the virtual storefronts of Brooks Brothers, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gobana, Michael Kor and many other designers for which we create a lifetime savings to allow our feet to slip in just one pair.

But many companies have designed and produced more affordable adaptations of the brogue. The UK’s Mr. Shoe is a fun experience for brogue shopping as your discover your style in an array of colours and designs for both men women.

A Selection of Brogues from Mr Shoe

A true brogue offers ultimate comfort and style tailored in high quality leather but you can find your favorite textiles that have adopted brogue features in suede, chera wax canvas, crocodile and even fish skin.

From vintage shops, to online shopping, rummage sales and your grandmother’s attic you will hopefully find a pair (or even two) that embrace your feet like a gentle lover. And all the rogue brogue wants back is a little love, too.

By Momina Khan

Despite the claims of so many companies stating that they can blend into your true tone, cover your blemishes, restore moisture, dissipate uneven skin tone and past blemishes, eliminate large pores and defy and rewind the signs of aging I have yet to find one that really catapults itself off the shelf and lands my cart saying, “I am yours, I belong all over your face and I am so worth the price tag.”

When all the commercial rhetoric is written out like that, it’s a joke. No makeup can do that, right?

Maybe not one specific foundation or product can help us in such tremendous strides, but sometimes a look can achieve the sparkle in your eye no eyeliner can produce. It takes combined effort to make anything work. And the team of multiple cosmetics endeavor to give what every girl desires: A beautiful face.

The vintage style of makeup is one of those looks. With bright blushing cheeks, winged cat eyes, eyelids contrasting with natural hues and just bitten cherry lips there’s a smashingly successful combination of little girl in a grown ups body that creates a mischievous woman exhibiting a timeless appearance.

Classic Vintage Make Up

Take for example internationally renowned artists and actress such as Katy Perry, Adele and Angelina Jolie. They have made the vintage look their own by adopting the panache of old and reproducing it into something accessible, modern and reviving the retro makeup into something we all want to emulate. It’s the trend that never dies.

Jolie embodies the sleek sophisticated heiress of the twenties with her vivid, lush lips, her deep velvet milk chocolate brown hair in sleek buns, and enviable clear skin. While her face may not be overdone, it has an elegance that draws the eye again and again.

Pouty lips just dying for some bright red lipstick and a head of glorious hair styled intricately Adele walks, talks and looks like a vintage doll come to life. Perfect porcelain skin with huge cat eyes she exemplifies how her everyday style is tailored off a vintage runway.

Katy Perry brings to mind a little girl left loose to explore a makeup vanity and discovers old looks and makes them futuristically new. Her amazing eyes that seem to change with each new shade of eye shadow and dark hair caught in tight waves with innovative streaks of purple and pink conform to a 1920’s era look.

With these starlets and many others following along we don’t have to look that far back to see how we can step out tomorrow with a beautiful vintage face.

By Momina Khan