Retro | House of Rock and Roll

There are two looks – Retro Glam and Collegiate Charm – that seem to be the benchmark of Fall trends from year to year. Slight variations like plaid, bubble skirts, short boots, high boots, colored tights, black tights and the like only enhance those basic looks.

Here’s what to look for when you shop for a retro glam or collegiate charm look:

To dress retro glam, don’t be afraid to wear vintage cuts in new and unexpected ways. If a print is a little too old-fashioned for you, have the dress, skirt or blouse altered into a more modern shape. On the other hand, if the cut of the item is very vintage, pair it with modern accessories to avoid a costumed appearance.
Jewelry is key to a retro glam look. A little goes a long way, and try mix up what you wear so as not to appear straight out of Grease, for example. Pearls would be too much with this outfit, so I paired the retro-fitting dress with a long, rock-and-roll chain necklace.
When it comes to retro glam, the bigger the sunglasses, the better.
Here’s what to look for in shoes: a chunkier heel (no stilettos), buckles, round-toes, vintage (gold, red, etc.) or muted colors, mary-jane styles or classic peep-toe pumps.
A scarf completes the retro glam outfit. Tie it loosely, or with a more retro-flair by flipping one end over your shoulder.
For a bit of authentic ladylike coordination, use a clutch instead of your huge, leather tote.
A 50′s/60′s style jacket finishes off the outfit. A bit of boxiness is a must. Look for large buttons or a peter pan collar. With longer dresses/skirts, try a cropped jacket. If you’re wearing something shorter on the bottom, then make sure your coat falls slightly above your hemline, but not too far.

Like what you are reading? Then, here are some tips for your next fall shopping spree:

Start off with an interesting blouse. It can be longer, like a tunic, or a bit shorter. Ruffles are preferred, but not required. A print is good also, but a solid color is easier to coordinate the accessories with.
Every collegiate girl worth her salt knows that some plastic-framed reading glasses add a bit of quirky charm.
A few bright-colored items in a coordinating color family add some conversation pieces to the entire outfit. See how well the colored pants, bracelet and blue cardigan look together? The yellow on this bracelet is a bright color, yes, but is also surprisingly neutral.
A long, grandpa-style cardigan worn over the blouse helps keep you warm, but that’s not the real reason I included it. Skinny jeans are tricky to proportion: if your top is too short, you end up looking very “hippy,” or bottom-heavy, without balance on your upper-half. Use a longer cardigan to correct that and balance out your collegiate charm look.
A big, leather tote bag serves two purposes: one, it has that collegiate – and somewhat scholarly – look we are aiming towards without seeming like a briefcase. And the second reason is that the bag adds a good neutral base for the entire outfit.
Interesting, comfortable shoes with a slight heel to accentuate the skinny pants: these are exactly what I’m talking about.
An outfit with a bit of quirk would not be complete without a standout piece of jewelry, like this snake bracelet.
Skinny pants with color, instead of the classic denim washes, are fun and easier to wear than you might think.

Interested in seeing some great samples of retro glam & collegiate charm? Check out my personal Stylefeed at http://www.stylefeeder.com/profile/jaclyndwile. For a full version of this article, with images, check out http://blog.stylefeeder.com/2008/08/12/retro-glam-collegiate-charm-two-looks-for-fall/.

Posted in 60s Rock and Roll

Tags: Charm, Collegiate, Fall, Glam, Looks, Retro

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Retro Bowling Shirts: Bringing Back the Vibe

Aug
18

Retro Bowling Shirts: Bringing Back the Vibe

There is something about wearing unique clothing that give off the vibe of a time where things seemed to be slower and where life was a little less complicated and more stable than our own. This was a time where families seemed to spend more time together, change did not happen as fast, and the radio played timeless songs that set up the atmosphere for the rest of the night. Retro bowling shirts brings people back to a more tranquil America where rock and roll first made its appearance and school dances were still a significant event in the young people’s lives.

“Retro (post-1960s) and vintage (pre-1960s) clothing, no matter which way you look at them, will always be in style.” The hard part is not finding an item that you like, the challenge is sometimes choosing the right pieces for yourself and your wardrobe. Some might say that searching for the right clothing piece is worth the time and every minute that you spend looking for it. However, I think that it is even better when you find a comfortable way of buying your favorite styles. When you’re first looking into vintage and retro style clothing, consider the trends. A good way to update your look and add interest is to wear a vintage piece that nods its head towards current fashion trends such as retro bowling shirts. The retro style has made a huge comeback in the fashion industry and now more than ever it has been featured in movies and TV shows. Designers are now looking to the past for inspiration and finding the public loves the vibe that 50’s clothing gives off.

The best bet for vintage clothing is to choose simple basic pieces that anyone needs for the basic building blocks of a retro wardrobe. These pieces include retro bowling shirts that you can see wearing again and again. Retro shirts can bring you back to a time of hot rods, jump and jive, swing dancing, and lounges full of energy. Their loose fit was perfect for the movements bowlers made buying the pizza or rolling strikes, these shirts rarely saw service outside of the hardwood confines of the lanes. Bowling teams wanted similarly colored or styled shirts to adopt a uniform to make bowling appear more like a sport. Retro bowling shirts have a great fit and they come now in different styles and designs. They can be personalized and custom bowling t-shirts make great wear for bowling leagues and bowling gifts. But these styled shirts are making a comeback, for many reasons. Their cut is complimentary for any man’s shape.

The most important thing to remember with any wardrobe is that you’ve got to feel good and after that, looking good is easy. Enjoy the compliments your new pieces bring you, and don’t forget to experiment with different looks. Vintage and retro style clothing can require a touch of confidence. You need to pull off your style with knowledge, flair, and self-esteem.

Posted in 50s Rock and Roll

Tags: Back, Bowling, Bringing, Retro, Shirts, Vibe

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