SCGs, there is probably a fashion resource you haven't even begun to tap into – your mom's closet.Over the years as mom has slowly and sadly outgrown her exquisite designer dresses, be it in size or style, her designer pieces have probably been placed somewhere in her closet and forgotten. Or they are being saved for the day when, presto! she has lost the 10 or 15 pounds that she complains about (and by the way look fabulous on her) and she fits into them again. Let’s face it, as we age our bodies and their proportions change. So what about the dress she wore to aunt Mildred’s wedding in 1972 that was so stunning relatives are still talking about it? It’s been cleaned, bagged and is holding a spot somewhere next to the cashmere fitted mini-dress from the same year.
If your mother is anything like mine, she did a great job of choosing well-made, stylish clothing and accessories throughout her lifetime - most likely while on a budget. While not every item in her closet was an impeccable work of design and craftsmanship, she could recognize a good piece and a good value, and when she could splurge, she did.
My mother was amazing at choosing which pieces to set aside in her closet for one of her four little girls to inherit, and which to give to charity or toss altogether. It turns out that I am closest to my mother in size, so as luck would have it, raiding my mother’s closet for pieces from the 1960s, 70s and 80s was something that I did with great satisfaction and success. Pieces she bought in her twenties are still in my closet holding their own almost 50 years later.
I am often reminded of the Asian print blouse that I found in my grandmother's closet while helping my mom clean it out after she had passed away at the age of 85. I loved the print as soon as I saw it, but had little hope of adopting it. You see, my grandmother was about 4'5" tall and 140 lbs when she passed. I was 5'8" and 120lbs. How could it possibly work on me? So, I tried it on. The fit was perfect. I had to replace a failing button, but to this day I still get compliments on this blouse every time I wear it. And I think of my nonna each time too.
Recently, I sported a beautiful tan wool Victor Costa cocktail dress that I had seriously doubted each time I pulled it out of stowage in preparation for the fall season. It had been 20 years since my mother gave me the dress, and it had made cut into my winter wardrobe only twice. I had worn it once. Back in the 80’s and 90’s I was too young for such a mature piece or it just never seemed right. That is, until now. After trying on the dress, throwing on the matching belt, black tights and black suede strappy studded open toe heels, I was sold. It was the perfect combination of style and elegance. The planets were aligning…
But upon closer examination I spotted a small but noticeable hole in one of the sleeves around mid arm. I was bummed. I had finally found the perfect dress in my own closet only to lose it a minute later. Then the savvy city girl in me kicked in. A hole in a sleeve? Big deal. Who needs sleeves anyway? I pulled the sleeves in, pinned them into cap sleeves and turned a very nice vintage designer dress into a hot little number that looked like it just stepped off the runway. My seamstress (who happens to be my evening babysitter of choice and who also attends FIT full time during the day) came that evening to finish the piece. She hand stitched that cap sleeves, then added a two inch gathers that happen to match the pleats at the front waistline of the dress. The final touch that took the line and style of the dress beyond the designer’s vision some 50 years ago.
Maybe your mother (or mother in law) didn’t know anything about fashion and never shopped for special occasions. But with a few simple pointers, you can raid your mom’s closet with success and style.
TIPS ON HOW TO RAID MOM'S CLOSET
What to look for
- Craftsmanship, tailoring
, materials, overall quality
- Interesting details, whether they are trendy or not
- If mom says she spent a fortune on a piece that you overlooked, give it a second glance. So often you get what you pay for, so there’s a reason it was so expensive.
What to Ignore
- Current trends are irrelevant. In a lifetime of dressing, trends come and go. Don’t get sidetracked by trends when looking at exquisitely cut flare leg pants in the age of peg legs. The flairs will be back despite how foolish they may feel right now.
- Minor wear and tear. Re
pairs are easy and may actually get your imagination rolling.
I found something that might be nice. Now What?
- Try It On. Let me rephrase that: Try it on with a great bra that fits and seamless panties.
- Edit It - Think, ‘what don’t I like about it?”
Quick Editing Tips
- Full length sleeves go three-quarter, long-short sleeves, cap sleeves or sleeveless.
- Bell sleeves get tapered
- Collars that feel very dated get deconstructed and come off altogether
- Elastics get replaced that have lost their elasticity
- Old buttons get replaced with something unexpected (and those old buttons go onto something in your closet that feels like it’s missing something!)
- Belt it at your waist or hips.
- High necklines get tailored a little deeper
- A loose fitting print moo-moo becomes an adorable little mini dress to wear with leggings
- The waist comes in with darts
- Black front zipper on a classic black jacket gets replaced with a red zipper
- Boring dress pants become classy shorts
Get the Right Fit
If mom had bigger hips than you or longer arms, an alteration will fix that. Find a good tailor if you don’t already have one. They will pin you and may even give you some editing suggestions. Fit is everything, so this is where and when you will want to invest some of that hard earned cash.
Accessorize
Accessorize with NON-vintage items (this is where the trends factor in). Don’t let your mom talking you into the necklace, hat and shoes she wore with it. It will make you look dated.
Want More Ideas?
- Go to CHICDOWNTOWN (sign up for the email list - it's a must for all savvy city girls.) Amy will show you some of the hottest styles vintage and current pieces. Borrow ideas from her. When you're ready to splurge on the perfect accessory, she has it.
- Some pieces will work just as they are and require no editing. If you love it as is, leave it.
Editing No-No’s
- Hemlines are easy, but in a really well designed piece you should only change the hem if you are considerably taller or shorter than the previous owner. A hemline edit should be a last resort.
- Anything structural is a no-no. That means do not mess with the straight shoulders with massive pads. And don’t try to change a pin stripped zoot suit into a fitted fem tux. Just wait for the trend to come back (trust me, it will).
So, why bother?
- Where else can you get amazing, original designs in beautiful fabrics that have stood the test of time and that you can edit to make completely your own, all free of cost?
- You're saving money. Even if you spend $100 in tailoring, you’ve still saved a bundle on buying a new cocktail dress.
- You’ll get a great sense of family and history from wearing your mother’s vintage pieces and may end up with a great story to tell your girlfriends.
Now that You’re Done
Now that you know what to look for in fashion that goes the extra mile, you may want to take your new-found skills and start looking at your own wardrobe for pieces that aren't getting the mileage they should. Look for the same things and keep in mind, that some simple editing can make a world of difference!
When it's time for you to store and care for your fabulous new found vintage pieces, go to Clothing Tutor website for tips on how to safely store them.
Wow! I can't wait to raid my mom's closet! I'll be visiting at the end of the month and will let you know how it went.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice!