Image by Maegan Tintari via Flicker
Here at Kalmar Antiques we really enjoy the current vintage jewellery craze that is sweeping the planet. It’s hot, sophisticated, and a great way to avoid office wardrobe clones from imitating your style. Authentic antique jewellery is often one-of-a-kind, which can also make it difficult to figure out what piece goes well with which wardrobe.
So if you’ve ever wondered to yourself how to pull off that cute little palace pendant or pearl and diamond bracelet without looking like a grandmother, here is how to do it with ease and grace.
Something Old, Something New
The first trick to pulling off the vintage look without looking like a moth ball is to not go all-in at first. We suggest mixing up vintage clothing with modern accessories, or more contemporary clothing with key vintage antique jewellery accessory pieces from Kalmar Antiques.
Mixing all of your foundational vintage clothing basics with some modern accessories sprinkled throughout is one way to go –the other is to invert it and wear some pseudo-vintage looking contemporary garments, and then peppering on the antique jewellery accessories.
The key here is updating the look with basics. Basics do not steal away too much attention from focal items, so depending on which clothing item or accessory you would like to emphasize, select your wardrobe items carefully.
For example; If you are all about a particular blouse as your focal point, use simple looking antique jewellery to go with it. If you’re all about the vintage jewellery, then wear some basic items with solid colours and simple cuts.
The simplicity of one or two items will lead the eye into the focal point of your wardrobe.
50/50
The absolute goal is to mix it up 50/50. Going too far one way or the other just says you’ve got something to prove and it’s more difficult to avoid the searing eyes and loose lips of catty competitors.
Avoid going over the top. Even a basic outfit consisting of blue jeans that emphasize your natural curves and beauty with a plain t-shirt and one or two vintage fashion accessories can really set you apart while making it look really easy to be so damn good looking.
If one girl says “she tries too hard, ewww-ah”, her fellow fashion critic will emphasize the non-showy aspects to your wardrobe and then call your original judge jealous. Wouldn’t that be great? Your wardrobe has the potential to actually quell gossip and take down disingenuous creeps with it. Bam!
The Hook
A little more risqué, but worth every last bit of it –having one killer accessory that just blows up your whole wardrobe of the day works extremely well. Think of this accessory as your power animal. If chosen wisely, you’ll have some serious presence when you walk into a room. It doesn’t need to completely match your outfit, either.
A good power-accessory will add some colour and interest to your look. Colours can pop, as long as they complement the rest of your wardrobe –but never get too matchy with your clothing and antique jewellery selection.
Too “matchy matchy” says “I shop from a catalogue, and I’m a little neurotic”. However, too out there, and you’ll look neurotic for other reasons.
It’s a jungle out there sisters. Dress for it.