Accessory Basics

There are a few things that every woman needs in her wardrobe, and among them are classic accessories. Today I'm only going to focus on two, because I never want to overwhelm anyone or make them feel like they'll never be able to pull of a classy, vintage, or simply elegant look, just because they're missing a few things that I think of as vital.

So, my first two must haves are simply:

1) A black clutch

2) A classy hat

Now, I know this pic shows a selection of fedoras (and believe me, I use all of them!) but trust your gut and only buy something that YOU love! Hats are one of those accessories that a lot of women are afraid to wear, and y'all shouldn't be! Literally, every time I wear a hat, no matter what style or outfit I'm using it to complete, I get loads of compliments, but I also hear a lot of women making excuses for why they don't think that they can wear a hat. The most common are, "Oh, I wish I were brave enough to wear hats." To which I say, "You ARE brave enough! All you have to do is own it!"
I also hear, "I can't wear hats." Okay, this one has limited validity. Think of all of the period dramas/shows/movies that you like; what do the women almost NEVER leave the house without? You guessed it- A HAT! There are so many different styles, sizes, and colors of hats, and they go widely unappreciated! No matter what your hair color, cut, or length, the shape of your face, or the outfit you're wearing! There's a hat for pretty much every occasion! If you really want to add some flair/standout/make a statement: throw on a hat! YOU CAN DO IT!!! I'll put up a separate blog with wonderful quotes and hat tips and ideas from a vintage book I've been reading, but trust me! You're gorgeous, and the right hat is within your reach!


Clutch: #ASOS

Fedoras (right to left): The herringbone hat I picked up in #London , the summer-weight & brown ones are from the #Buckle , and the #red #jazz hat I picked up on Amazon.

because the right coat can make all the difference...

and you know it's true! (and yes, I know I just broke a number of grammar rules in this post's title and opening sentences, but once you know the rules, you know how to break them ;)

When you're considering coats, it's important to have 2-3 classic staples.
1) a fitted black wool coat (any style will do so long as it fits YOU!)

2) a clean-cut leather jacket (I usually suggest a classic color like black or brown, but it's good to have a fun color like red or a nice grey as well)

3) a classic trench coat (make sure it's fitted!)

For this example, I'm using number three, the classic trench coat. They're actually fairly easy to find, and you can get them used or new, but make sure that it fits you! I can't stress this enough. If it looks baggy or boxy, then find a decent tailor. You don't have to spend loads of money to look great, the important thing is to have a wardrobe that fits your style and your body, not the other way around.

I love trench coats because they're timeless! Plus they have an air of mystery (I blame all of those old Hollywood detective movies ^_^ ) Having a nice trench coat in your wardrobe is an easy way to take just about any outfit and give it a vintage flair! So keep your eyes open and never settle! Be willing to look and casually search until you find the one you love!

Before:

 After:

Dress: #MaxStudio from #NordstromRack

Trench Coat: "Adept Audition Coat" from #Modcloth 

Heels: #AnnTaylorLoft 

Simple, clean, classy

I've found that bold colors and a simple design with clean lines are often the most eye-catching and attractive looks. We all know that an LBD is a wardrobe essential, but what about the other colors out there? I'm a bit of a clothes horse, so it's no surprise that I have a few other fun colors in my dress arsenal ;) I have a delectable blue for my more relaxed days, Kelly green for a bit more of a fun-loving flair, and a bold red for when I'm feeling especially sassy ;D Plus, when your dress is doing all the talking, you don't have to worry so much about the right accessories (I keep it simple with diamond or pearl earrings), and a nice pair of black heels or ballet flats will always compliment your look!

My red dress is probably my favorite example of how quick, easy, and classy this look can be! 

My sassy, classy, #red #dress can be found at #ASOS 

Black, #peeptoe #heels are from Ann Taylor Loft

Lost in Literature

First round of vintage fashion is from a film noir photoshoot I did where the focus was Monster Lighting! It was a ton of fun and allowed me to play around with a 20s/40s look, which is one of my favorite styles!
Literally everything for this shoot I had in my closet! All I had to do was put it together. So, if you like this style, take a stroll through your wardrobe, find something that's similar and play around with the look- it's that easy :D When you find that vintage flair, don't be afraid to show the world! And if you're anything like me, a bit of red lipstick is always the perfect finishing touch Xx

Photographer: Kelly Patrick

The pieces and stores where they were purchased will be listed below :)

#vintage #fashion #film #noir #20s #40s

Head-toe

Hat- #VersonaAccessories
Blouse- #CharlotteRusse
Cardigan- #GAP
Skirt- #JoS. A. Bank
Black Tights- #Dillards
Shoes (something similar to a MaryJane or, as I like to call them, my Librarian Shoes :) - Strictly Comfort (found at #Dillards )

The book is from #Dracula from #Barnes&Nobles

Oh, hello!

So, if you're reading this then you probably have a few questions: the one I hear the most is, "No, seriously, how do you pronounce your name?" Well, quick review for those of you who don't know, it's an old Irish name, and it's pronounced "Sha-von."
Yes.
That bit of phonetic jiu jitsu is pronounced "Sha-von."

Okay, now that that's out of the way, lol ;D

The next question is, "What in the world are you doing here?"
This blog is kind of a catch-all for the things I love! Fashion, usually with a hint or a full-on dose of vintage or retro (especially the 20's and 40's). Make-up (tutorials may happen, but usually I'll just recommend some of my favorite vloggers). #ootd s will happen, because I can't help myself, ha! :) and what's the use of a cute Outfit of the Day if I don't tell you where to find the pieces I used?! So, yes, there will be whole sections devoted to shopping and sharing where I find my favorite pieces. I may also share more personal things, like what I'm learning in Scripture, life, or whatever music I can't stop listening to, movie I've just seen, or new dessert recipe I've just tried, but, rest assured, this is a place for friendly conversation, laughter, and joy.

Thanks for reading

<3