I know I have being terribly unserious with blogging but I have a perfectly good excuse. Y'all know I work full-time, 8 to 5 during the week so the only time I get to do any proper blogging is at the weekends where I write up as many posts as possible and save in my drafts to use throughout the week. Well unfortunately for the past 3 weeks or so I've had to spend every weekend out of town so have had zero time to do any TWP work.
I'm really trying to remedy that though and manage my time better. My sincerest apologies.
Throwback - Doing Vintage Right
The past is always in vogue; from music to films; nostalgia
is at an all-time high and nowhere is this more evident than in fashion.
Fashion is such supreme art that a shocking pink Schiaparelli
suit which would have been the height of fashion in hideously stylish Paris of
the 20s and 30s would not be out of place in the mean fashion streets of 2013.
Vintage clothing is currently so widely beloved that
thrifting, the American cousin of the Nigerian bend down shopping, is pretty
much the done thing, carrying with it a distinct air of bohemian cool to be
adorned head to toe in someone else’s sometimes musty, definitely used old
duds.
Or to give it the more politically correct name; pre-loved
items.
How to define vintage clothing from mere old, used clothes,
Tracy Tolkien gives us a near accurate guide. Clothing produced before the
1920s is referred to as antique clothing and clothing from the 1920s to 20
years before the present day is considered vintage. So in present day 2013, any
item of clothing produced before 1993 can be considered vintage.
However vintage can be hard to pull off if you’re not Temi
Dollface, Chloe Sevigny or Zoe Kravitz. Following these few simple rules, you should
be able to rock vintage like a pro.
Less Is More
If you’re a vintage virgin, it is advisable to start small. Ease
yourself into this brave new world by wearing vintage accessories like scarves,
hats, jewelry, handbags, or belts; but only chose one accessory at a time. Your
unique vintage accessory will stand out even more if it isn’t squabbling for
the limelight with a bunch of other treasures.
Head To Toe Vintage Is Not The Done Thing Dah-ling
Do not dress entirely in vintage or else you’d end up looking
like you’re going to a Halloween party, plus you run the risk of looking
extremely dated. Mixing one focal vintage item with core pieces of your
wardrobe like jeans, a simple blazer, or with a tee shirt will make your look
modern instead of looking like you stepped out of a time machine. Pairing a
great vintage piece with something modern, gives a vintage touch that sets you
apart. For example, if you’re wearing a great vintage dress carry a modern bag
or wear a modern pair of shoes.
Free Your Mind
I’m the first to admit that I had difficulty boarding the
vintage train initially, vintage items look very strange on the hanger, and I
always thought "I could never wear that!" If you’ve ever had this
thought, try it on anyway, you might be pleasantly surprised. Don’t forget that
vintage is an adventure! You’re looking to add excitement to your wardrobe, and
you’ll never get that effect if you play it safe or rule things out with one
glance.
Stay True To Your Style
As is true with any trend or style, it is best to stay true
to what you are most comfortable in and what looks best on you. Realistically,
a kaleidoscope print silk Pucci jumpsuit is not going to look good on most
people no matter how fantastic it would be to find. This is another example of
how mixing vintage with your standby wardrobe is essential to a successful
ensemble.
Now that you have the basic rules down pat, the next question
will be “but where on earth can I find vintage clothes in Nigeria?” Fret not,
we are living in possibly one of the greatest fashion eras the country has ever
seen and everything is accessible now, from basic to luxury and yes….even
vintage.
Vintage Clothes: Where
To Shop
Balogun Market
Balogun Market is located in Lagos Island, right at the end
of the Marina road and is a fantastic resource for vintage shopping; in fact
the whole of Lagos Island boasts some very hidden spots where one can make
amazing buys. From vintage leather accessories to jewelry to clothes, it is
boho heaven.
For those who refuse to have their Ferragamos stepped upon by
over-eager market goers, one click of a mouse can have your vintage item
winging its way down to you by brilliant online vintage fashion retailers.
Toséki Vintage
Toséki Vintage is owned by Tolu Onabanjo, Oluwaseyi Fadase
and Kikelomo Akinyosoye. They offer affordable unique vintage clothing and
accessories at www.tosekivintage.blogspot.com.
Elsie Vintage
Elsie Vintage is a retail brand dedicated towards selling
trendy hand-picked one-of-a-kind vintage pieces owned by Onyinye Fafi-Obi. You
can purchase Elsie Vintage pieces at their monthly blog sales on www.fashionphoenix06.blogspot.com
However if you prefer to browse in a uniquely old time
atmosphere, Retrospective is for you.
Retrospective
Retrospective holds the honour of being Lagos’ first vintage
treasure trove, presenting one-of-a-kind garments, jewellery and accessories
handpicked from the vaults of time made anywhere in time from the Victoria era
to the nineties, including designer pieces for the discerning, fashion-forward
man and woman who aim to interpret the tastes of the past while incorporating
the style of the present.
You can find Retrospective in Surulere at 2 Aderibigbe
Street, Ikate, Surulere off Alhaji Masha, near Ogosco bus stop, Lagos, Nigeria;
and in Victoria Island at Shop 8, Prime Shopping Complex, 24 Muri Okunola
Street, Eti Osa LGA, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
You have the rules and you know where to shop, you are now
ready to rock your cloche hat or poodle skirt like it’s an MGM spectacular.
