Velvet by Graham and Spencer Ruz Poncho

Velvet by Graham and Spencer is one of our favorite designers at Vintage Fringe.  Today we wanted to spotlight a few of our favorite pieces in their latest collections and highlight some of the reasons why we are such big fans.

At its core, Velvet’s line centers around staple jersey cottons and comfortable casual styles; however, they have also expanded their collections to include elements of faux fur, lace, vibrant patterns, cashmere, and so much more.  Consider a few of our latest favorite pieces as examples of their fabulous wearable fashions.

Consider the Ruz Faux Fur Poncho/Cape.  This jacket truly typifies a modern approach that incorporates a gorgeous vintage style.  The Ruz poncho really reminds us of something you would see on any of the ladies in Mad Men.  It also feels as luxurious as it looks and in a sleek black color makes for a true statement piece.  True to the poncho style, the Ruz jacket is a pullover jacket and flares toward the waist.  This piece is a true paradox as it is bold and yet classic simultaneously.  Elegant ponchos are a big fashion trend this season and a great way to add a new distinctive feminine piece into your wardrobe.

Next the Odet Asymmetrical Hem Skirt features another fashion trend you will see this season with the asymmetrical hemline.  The skirt flares out at the knee with the cascading hemline and off-center seam that gives this skirt added depth and texture.  The Odet skirt also features a gathered waistline that is fitted, but not tight.  The sister to the Odet skirt, the Pia Long Asymmetrical Hem skirt features the same style, but with a longer length. Both skirts are comfortable, sophisticated and feminine which makes them great staples for your wardrobe his season. These skirts are also great options for dressy events as well as casual and I love pairing them with a top like the Giann Cowlneck top also by Velvet.

Velvet Kayin Scoopneck Dress

Finally the Kayin Scoop Neck Dress is another great example of Velvet’s expanded collections.  This dress, like the Odet Skirt, features a rayon blend which feels super soft and adds to the comfortable feel.  The Kayin skirt features a loose gathered waistband and a wide short sleeve.  This dress looks stunning with boots and can also be paired with a belt.  It is available at Vintage Fringe in Charcoal and Navy, and is a great option for your fall wardrobe.

As you can see, Velvet by Graham and Spencer’s latest collection features a variety of distinctive clothing options incorporating the latest in fashion trends in a stylish and wearable way.  These few pieces are just a few great examples of the depth of style and fashion that Velvet’s lines have to offer.  Best of all, all of their clothing is Made in the USA, in Los Angeles in fact which in the current economy is a great advantage.

One of our favorite pieces is a jeweled cardigan by an up in coming designer, Joy Joy Clothing.  The Heart Button Cardigan features tons of detail which we love!  First it has heart shaped buttons with bows on them.  Then there are the puckered ¾ length sleeves which look so girly and feminine.  Finally, last but certainly not least the heart shaped accent in place of a pocket on the lapel, featuring a variety of different pattern covered buttons literally sewn on in a heart shape. You don’t often find something this perfect and this piece is sure to become one of your favorites too.

When you are shopping for distinctive styles of cardigans like a jeweled cardigan, you will also find cardigans in a variety of fabrics which can make all the difference in terms of how and where you wear each cardigan. For example, the Satin Trim Cropped Cardigan features satin trim with a satin tie around the neckline.  This is a detail or trim that you don’t see everyday on the basic cardigans.  We love finding these gem cardigans that are full of detail and distinction.  These pieces are really investments in your closet and a great way to add vibrant, unique pieces to your closet.  Alternatively, the Pleated Paisley Front Ruffle Cardigan features a bold paisley pattern with a cascading ruffle down the front.  This is a great elegant cardigan that would be perfect paired with a black tank and skirt and is a great addition for summer.

We love the cardigan because of its versatility and utility in our closets.  A great piece to dress up a simple tank top and something that can be worn to work and casually too.  Finding a way to elevate a wardrobe essential is always something so satisfying and really is an investment in your wardrobe.  Whatever details suit your personal preferences, you can find a number of great cardigans that do amp it up and really add a lot to that basic cardigan and they don’t have to break the budget.  You always need a few basic cardigans too, but we think that every closet needs a few great statement cardigans that can help transform that simple black dress or tank into something even better.

Finding similar vintage style pieces has really been made easier with the advent of online shopping as many online boutiques and other online sites make vintage styles far more accessible and available.   You can search by color, by style elements like polka dots, patterns or empire waist tops all via the internet as a whole or via more targeted sites such as like.com, boutiques.com, pronto.com and so many other search portal sites.  In fact, you can even find clothes now available at major search sites like pricegrabber.com.

Note that we are not including used vintage pieces in this definition.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with finding great second hand pieces it is just far more difficult to do and shopping for such pieces is typically best done in person shopping at consignment stores or great second hand stores.  We suggest shopping for second hand pieces in person so that you can personally examine the quality of the piece and the fit.  There are lots of ways to get ripped off buying used clothing online.  Accordingly, at Vintage Fringe we only feature clothing that is brand new, of high quality and from designers which feature standard sizing.

Now that you know how to find great vintage style pieces, how to incorporate it into your wardrobe is another matter.  This is actually really the simple part once you have found that perfect vintage style piece.  The current fashion trends are so inclusive of vintage style that it actually works great to blend your vintage style pieces with modern trends.  That Mod Retro Tunic top looks great with leggings or boots.  A couple of good rules of thumb are be careful not overdo it with mixing patterns and styles unless you are really going for a bold look.  We also suggest that you should try start building out your vintage style wardrobe with a few key pieces that you love.  Work them into your wardrobe an then keep picking up great vintage style finds that you can include with your overall wardrobe over time.  Great vintage style clothing is like finding a great souvenir on that amazing trip you took last summer.  You can often find great styles and pieces that will have a great memory or association with them.  In short, we hope you will find that shopping for fabulous vintage style pieces is a great way to spice up your wardrobe and incorporate great styles that you may not see at the big box retailers every day.  We love it because it allows you to really add individual style to your wardrobe which is really what makes a difference in your closet.

We love the look of vintage inspired clothes and the frequently frilly, feminine elements that have made a comeback into so many modern styles and pieces.  Here are a few examples of great vintage inspired pieces that are all brand new.

La Befana Polka Dot Tie Tank – What is more vintage than a great multi color polka dot pattern with light pink, blue and green polka dots? With a great scoop neckline featuring an off center bow tying the neckline together, this top has such a feminine look and distinctive style.  This classic tank is also available in solid blue if you don’t love polka dots.

Sweet Pea Mod Retro Tunic – This top screams vintage style.  Made by Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati, a designer that loves to work with patterns, this print is totally retro with bold colors and patterns.  In addition, the style of this tunic looks like it just walked out of the 60s and yet today would look so hot with tall boots to really bring a vintage style to the modern day.

Ella Moss Dita V Neck Ruffle Dress – We often hear that this top looks like it should be in an episode of Mad Men and it really does fit with that vintage style.  We could easily see Betty Draper wearing this dress to a dinner party.  Don’t you just love the feminine touches like the ruffles around the v neck and the fitted waist on this dress?  Again you see the polka dot pattern.

Velvet by Graham and Spencer Doreen Cutout Dress – the Cutout was such a popular clothing trend back in the 70s and you’re seeing a resurgence in current modern fashion trends.  The Doreen dress by Velvet features a cutout in the sleeves around the shoulders and with a fitted dress style this dress again invokes that 70s era mini dress with boots.

We think you’ll find that lots of vintage inspired elements have surfaced in so much of modern day fashion that it really has become a lasting trend.  The best of all of it is that you have the opportunity to take these vintage inspired pieces and truly make them fit with your own modern individual style and wear them with leggings or boots or other modern trends that really do help blend the past and the present.

Sweet Pea's Sleeveless Front Tie Tank

Life is sweet for Sweet Pea’s designer and brainchild Stacy Frati.  This Miami based designer launched her first mesh top over 10 years ago because she felt “there was a void in the market for something very beautiful that could just be a day-into-night style blouse.” Few knew then that Staci’s nylon mesh line she titled “Sweet Pea” would become a landmark of feminine vintage-inspired clothing that could “fly by night”.

It's easy to go from day to night in this short sleeve v-neck by Sweet Pea

At Vintage Fringe we love how Sweet Pea designs can be worn not only in the boardroom with a suit but also on the beach with sandals.  Sweet Pea has also crafted its own niche with very feminine and flirty prints and designs that also have that Miami-inspired bohemian vibe as well.  The center of Sweet Pea’s trademark look is the nylon mesh fabric that transcends seasons as well as easily slipping from day to night.  At Vintage Fringe we love Sweet Pea for it’s bold colors and vibrant prints.  Pick your Sweet Pea designs at Vintage Fringe and get in gear for spring.

Sweet Pea's Dolman Sleeve Hoop Top

Sweet Pea's Orange and Black Dress

A total standout of the night was  Mary J. Blige in a long fuchsia gown designed by Gucci.

Mary J. Blige in Gucci

Gucci is a typical pick for Mary J. Blige, but this dress is a daring choice for her.  I love the fuchsia color, but most of all I  love the detail on the neck that adds just enough detail to make the dress interesting yet classically beautiful. My choice for an everyday look that encompasses the same style as this look is the Margarethe Scoop Neck Twist Top by Velvet.

Velvet Clothing Margarethe Scoop Neck Twist Top

While this everyday version of Mary J. Blige’s dress pick does not come in fuchsia, it does come in Sunny (yellow), Black, Stardust (purple), and Sprig (lt. brown).  I love how sultry the twist top scoop neck makes me feel and look.  This top is a perfect choice for a date or any night on the town.  I also love how this look works for any body type or shape.

My next pick for best dressed at the Grammys was Jennifer Nettles in a fierce cut out gown designed by Victoria Beckham.

photo courtesy of Getty Images/ GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images

Sugarland’s leading lady looked like royalty at the Grammy’s last night dawning a red and black cut out gown.  I love how the black out lines and cut outs give a completely flattering and classic look a bit of a modern twist.  I also applaud Jennifer for being such a trendsetter and picking a relatively new red carpet designer.

My everyday translation of this look is an adorable cut out top designed by Ella Moss.

Ella Moss Blaire Puffsleve Top

The Blaire Puffsleeve top features a  3/4 length sleeve with cut outs near the shoulders which are lined in white.  I love how this cut out exposes skin right where the collar bones and the shoulder connect.  I also love that Ella Moss carries this top two bold colors: Candy Apple (red) as well as Admiral (Navy Blue).

Find these everyday styles and more designed by Velvet, Ella Moss, Sweet Pea, Alix K. and more at Vintage Fringe everyday and of course comment on this post with your own best dressed picks from the Grammys.

Nude colors just aren’t for your bras and underwear anymore.  Neutrals, buffs, and nudes are all over the place this spring.  For many of you fair fashionistas a nude color palette may be something you think is not at all flattering for your fair complexion.  So here are a few of my suggestions on how to wear nude and not  get washed out.

Velvet's Freda Gathered Waist Dress in Fog

Instead of matching your new wardrobe with your foundation colors instead look to incorporate subtle neutrals to your wardrobe.  For those especially fair ladies  make sure you pick a neutral hue that doesn’t bring out the yellow undertones in your skin.  A perfect example of this is Velvet’s  Freda Gathered dress in the “fog” color.  This very neutral almost lavender color is great for the fair ladies who can get easily washed out in other colors.  This fog color introduced by Velvet will highlight the pinks in your skin tone.  I also really love how this neutral color with a hint of gray really makes the model’s blue eyes pop.

The Melbourne Puffsleeve Front Tie Top by Ella Moss

To follow the fashion trend of nudes and neutrals you don’t always have to wear all nude.  This cute nude and white striped shirt by Ella Moss is adorable and allows you to accessorize with bold colors which is oh so perfect for spring.  I love how Ella Moss added a neutral stripe to this puffsleeve front tie top which adds a bit a flair to an already trendy top.  This top also has elastic in the sleeves and the waist which gives you a perfectly tailored look.

These designer looks are sure be strong this spring, and don’t forget at Vintage Fringe you can always shop by color or designer.

Sweet Pea Mod Retro Tunic

So what do we at vintage fringe recommend to turn your mod on? First we love this Mod Retro Tunic from Sweet Pea. Pair this bold and colorful Rupert patterned tunic with leggings, chunky jewelry, and a darkly lined eye and you’ll capture the look of the modern mod.  If sleeveless isn’t your thing I adore another variation on this fabulous look, at Vintage Fringe we also love Sweet Pea’s Retro Boatneck Dress also in the Rupert pattern.

Sweet Pea Retro Boatneck Dress

This dress is a bit longer than the tunic and would look great with high boots, leggings, or even dark colored tights.   Both looks are fun and flirty and will keep you fresh and modern this fall.  To find designer dresses for fall just visit us at Vintage Fringe.

Splendid 8 Button Cardigan

It’s an undeniable and unexpected fashion trend that has become a must have for every wardrobe…the long cardigan. Today’s cardigans are not the cardigans we used to see on Mr. Rogers or your Grandpa, they are actually the perfect layer for almost every occasion. Some of our favorite summer/fall cardigans have more of a lightweight feel than a jacket and are certainly more versatile. Cardigans can also be paired with so many accessories from scarfs to leggings to skinny jeans.

At Vintage Fringe we have numerous cardigans to choose from. My favorite cardigan is Splendid’s 1×1 8 Button Cardigan. What I love about this cardigan is the waist band at the end of the long cardigan. This added detail flatters every body. I can wear this cardigan anywhere with anything. I actually wear this cardigan every time I fly because it is the perfect fashionable and lightweight layer that can cover some of my midsection flaws and let’s be honest, most of us have a few flaws we would like to cover up.

Splendid Cotton Bamboo Cardigan

Another favorite cardigan I also adore is the Cotton Bamboo Short Sleeve Cardigan also by Splendid. What I love about this cardigan is the added seam detail which is so hot this season as well as the flared cut to the short sleeves that actually slims the look of my arms. This cardigan is fun to wear and especially with the pocket detail that only looks cute with a cardigan this length.

Ella Moss Clothing

Ella Moss Clothing may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are bargain shopping these days.  However, a great way to get more for your money this year and still get quality designer clothing is to buy a top you can wear anywhere and with anything.  Versatile tops that can be worn at the office, home on a Saturday, or at night on the town are a true asset to any girl’s wardrobe.

One of our favorite examples of this kind of versatility is the Blaire Puffsleeve Scoopneck Top by Ella Moss. Consistent with all Ella Moss tops, this top has all that Ella Moss clothing is famous for, being both high quality and super stylish, but best of all this top is so versatile you will really get the most out of your money.  Available in Candy Apple (Red) or Admiral (Navy) this elegant scoopneck top with the added cut out trim at the shoulders looks great with jeans, a skirt, or capri pants.  We love the white trim around the collar and cuffs giving it that added bit of “fringe.”  Plus remember when you buy Ella Moss online at Vintage Fringe you will also save with FREE SHIPPING and Reward Points that can be used for future purchases!