Saturday, July 30, 2011

How To Pack a Suitcase Easily and Efficiently and Be Overly Fashionable

Going on a vacation or going on a business trip can be stressful if you are not prepared nor have a model/ formula for fashion ensembles worked out in advance.
So come along with me on this easy to follow format/ outline and modify the details as you wish in order to make your travel smooth, exciting, efficient and fashionable.



You want to be prepared and also look your best, so planning saves time and takes the place of trying on multiple outfits to find the best or most comfotrtable one, since from the suitcase, what you have packed is now your mini travelling wardrobe. Unless you have packed a huge trunk ala 1930 and 1940's for ocean liner holidays.



So dear vintage reader, take a moment, breathe out slowly, wave your arms, roll your shoulders and wiggle your feet and knees, just like the soon to be exercises you will attempt on the jet going towards your destination. Now cover the bed with the spread so you have a full and neutral surface to work with and let us begin....



We are going to create a coordinated, comfortable, versatile mini wardrobe in which each element goes with all items. Also this is designed and planned by you to work for daytime or evening, casual to more dressy, aided by the jackets, scarves, and other accessories.
Choose your favorite color as the basic pallette of the wardrobe, adding white, navy blue or black for the secondary color.




  • Sheath dress- sleeveless or short sleeved



  • jacket



  • blouse



  • basic tailored long pant



  • camisole/ sports top in camisole style- black, grey, white, navy, creme



  • leggings-capris or full length,without feet,same color as camisole



  • pair of jeans or jeans type leggings or pair of capris pants



  • 2 Tshirts



  • 1 white blouse with long sleeves or tuxedo shirt with pleats



  • bolero length jacket or vest



  • 1 skirt



  • 2 belts- one wide which fits over all garments chosen including coat and jacets.and one skinny belt which fits in loops of pants, but could double up as belt around jacket or dress



  • 2 scarves or shawls- 1 scarf is an accent and has colors you have chosen above and1 scarf or shawl has glittery threads, sequins, beads, or embroidery and is dressy. This scarf should be longer and wider



  • 3 pairs of shoes-evening shoes, work shoes, comfortable shoes for walking, exercising, (do not forget socks with these)



  • pair of flip flops ( can be worn as slippers)



  • personal under garments ( always pack and extra pair for emergency or delay)



  • personal toiletries



  • Jewelry and Accessories-
    travel bag, basic purse, evening clutch or long strapped small metallic purse, eco shopping bag



  • 2-3 necklaces



  • 2 pairs of earrings- one basic, one glitzy



  • wrist watch - plain or glitzy



  • 1-2 bracelets



  • Assorted hair ornaments, scrunggis, bobby pins

    Please spend the time to try on each garment, play with all of the combinations of looks with these few elements.

    You know your comfort zone. If you tend to be cold often, even in air conditioning, add a trench coat, longer length coat or jacket, boyfriend jacket or one button coat.
    If You tend to be hot and flush often, then pack a small paper hand fan and additional sleeveless lacey blouse or top. A longer length top serves double purpose if belted, as top/ short dress with skirt and pants.

    And finally, do not forget the work out, adventure, festival outdoor attire possibility:
    mini flashlight, bandana, bug spray, sports top, sports pant, swim suit, long sleeve zipper outer shirt(look for shirts with bug spray already on the fabric), floppy hat/baseball hat

    In a pinch, you can even utilize these work out items as basic under garments if you need.

    These all should fit into a small suitcase.Need more assistance with this plan? Visit us at our Vintage Mirage store in Alexandria, Virginia and we will help you further.

    So now go and Happy Voyage!!
    Elinor







Friday, July 22, 2011

“ Keep Cool with Stylish Summer Looks'

Oh summer, hot and humid. We wish to feel and look cool, refreshed and relaxed in essence, but also put together. Covering up to guard against the sun rays but flowing enough covered up to permit a breeze or air to circulate so we are cooled and do not have clinging fabric. Here is how to look and feel cool; prepared to cover up when in the overly air conditioned rooms as well.


Gather your lacey, gauzy cotton, linen, flax, bamboo, rayon fabric garments regardless of color, pattern, or texture. Next locate your cotton, open weave shawls, scarves, assorted belts, woven belts/sashes.


Although you might expect me to start with a frilly bra of lace or embroidery and lacey underwear in general, try on an alternative next to the body layer as an experiment, the camisole style sports bra and capris length leggings. Therefore the torso to the thigh is one solid color and becomes the basic canvas or ground for your look: white, black, cream, beige, brown, pink, violet, or any color you choose.


Now add lacey, gauzy, flowing textures of varying lengths- the longer lengths on first, shorter lengths on top. Then try shorter and fuller lengths on first, then a long open layer over all.



Take some time here at this stage so you will want to experiment little and see if you can come up with 3 different combination outfits. Mix and match garments regardless of pre- purchased sets.


Next for the fun of the vintage eras, go looking through the lingerie drawer, swim wear collection, exercise clothing drawer, boy friend’s closet, Grandmother’s or Mother’s closet- negligee, bed jackets, lacey slips, nightgowns, dressing gowns, tuxedo jackets, cumber buns, tuxedo shirts, swim suits, lacey fabrics to be worn over swim suits.



Now go to the full mirror and try these garments with the other clothing you pulled out and mix up the 3 different looks with all of these elements. With the infinite combinations possible try mixing up textures and patterns. Remember that this next fashion focus will honor the tattoo and the peek through of the silhouette of lights.



Create now a belted look using a scarf or try on a belt as a waist accent at the hip, waist or rib cage, making an empire look. The belt wherever you wear it adds an accent, and brings the eye to a waist or mid section of your figure, so try several places and see how your look shifts emphasis. the belt will define the midline and show you in balance from the head to the toe.



Look for some crystal, pearl, glass, Bakelite, or resin jewelry pieces which are inherently great materials in the summer, as they cool the body down. Summer fun jewelry accessories are necklaces, chandelier earrings or crystal sunbursts on clip on earrings, a row of bangles, or elastic bracelets which are quieter and fit more snugly on the wrist.


Purses can be so heavy as we all overstuff our bags. Summer can be an opportunity to pare down what we carry, or try a small clutch for the very essential items. Then if you still need all the rest of the kitchen sink, add a flowery tote or beach bag. This way these two elements can be separated.



Focusing on the theme of the gauzy layered look, add a vintage white or crème beaded or straw bag for your new outfits. In the 1940-60’s there were many styles, shapes, materials, and textures from which to choose.



Foot ware is all so personal. So you choose what you feel is most comfortable and lovable to show off your pedicure, or keep your feet happy any way you wish. The comfort and health of the feet are essential elements for a healthy and happy body.


Since we are trying new combinations for our wardrobe, the old fashioned rule of the purse and shoes must match in color and texture is not to be followed this time round.go on and mix them up. Let your toes feel free.


Now it is time for the hair. For summer coolness, having the hair off of the face and neck give the body an area for fresh flowing current of air and you will feel cooler. So put your hair up into a pony tail with a crystal enhanced scrunggi, pin back your hairdo with crystal bobby pins or a crystal enhanced French clip, or flowery head band or flower clip. Yes the new royal look is mini hats. So you can have fun experimenting with chignons and feathers too.



So enjoy the time in the sun and experiment with your wardrobe. Have a Great Summer. Elinor





20 July 2011 Check our Twitter Feed for photos! http://www.twitter.com/vintagemirage