Spring, summer, fall . . . vintage clothes seem to be just made for those three seasons. Light and airy rayons, cheerful floral prints. . . but what about heavy wools, velvets, furs? Those are the materials for winter and are just as glamorous. I remember when I first started to wear vintage, it was so hard to wear it in the winter, I lacked a vintage looking coat first of all and also the necessary footwear and warmer weather clothes. Building up a winter wardrobe was by far the most difficult thing to do in comparison to a spring or summer wardrobe. I think part of the difficulty rests in the fact you need a coat to stay warm and finding a vintage coat can be difficult, especially one that is affordable. If you live in an area where you don't need a winter coat, lucky you, but here it is a necessity.
My first winter coat for my vintage looks was a modern one. I inherited it from my grandma after she passed, and it was from Macy's Department Store. It was not a vintage coat, but it sure looked like it was. Some styles just don't go out of style. And for good reason! It was a stunning black wool coat, mid-calf length with a tie belt to cinch the waist and a large faux fur collar. It gave off the vibes of Old Hollywood. I have worn that coat many times and for a long time, that was my only winter coat for my vintage looks. Since then, I have acquired many vintage coats but the first one, the one that was my grandma's still holds a special place. Another reason why that coat is so special is that although it was new/ modern, many thought it was true vintage from the 1930s!
Finding a vintage or vintage style coat can be difficult, but the best vintage comes from lots of searching. To help in your search, ask others to keep an eye out for you. You might be surprised! Someone you know may have just the piece you are looking for hanging in their closet that they are looking to re home. If not, they can help in the search. An appropriate winter coat can be a serious expense, so save up and shop around. Consider shopping for one "off season" as well. Look for your coat in the spring or summer, that's when most are not looking for them, so the demand is low, and they may be more affordable as a result. When looking for a coat to top off your vintage looks, look for wools in either a solid or a plaid (plaids are very appropriate for the 1940s), longer lengths, and coats that are heavy. I have found that the heavier the coat, the warmer it is. Studying period images in catalogs, photos, or movies is a great way to train your eye to period correct silhouettes.
Looking for "wounded birds", vintage that needs some loving care before it can truly be worn is an option if you are on a budget and can sew. Often these damaged pieces need only new buttons, a repair here or there, or else a new lining. These pieces are often cheaper than coats in better condition so can be a budget friendly option depending on your sewing skill set and what kind of repairs are needed. If only a new set of buttons is needed, that is a quick fix. . . a whole new lining? That's a more expensive repair and can be more costly too. If you are not willing to repair a damaged piece of vintage, then DO NOT buy it! It can be a waste of your hard-earned money.
To look glamourous in winter, I like to look for matching accessories. I think they look so effortlessly chic. My favorite set is a black curly lamb trimmed hat, coat, and muff purse. Together they look so polished. It took me years to get all those pieces, but the quest was worth it. Another matching set that I like that was not so hard to track down was a matching scarf and gloves. My favorite set is a forest green, together they look so nice and are practical as well. A nice thing about the scarf and gloves is that they can be worn in any other season as well.
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