The longing started a while back… I can’t tell when it happened, but it did. All the experimental clothing that’s been taking over fashion has been so delightful to watch, and dabble in, I loved experimenting with my clothes, turning things upside down, wrapping, draping, pushing comfort to the next level. But then it happened. I missed simplicity, I missed formality.
Back in February, I visited this vintage shop Alan & Suzi on the Upper West side in New York City, and tried on a ton of dresses and walked out with this beautiful silk chiffon 50′s dress that fit so unbelievably well, it might had been made just for me. That set it off. The day I wore it, I said over and over, I have to get more dresses like these, I have to get more dresses that fit. That really, really fit. And I’ve looked around, tried on many dresses, but for some reason modern dresses haven’t been fitting me like the ones from the mid 20th century, either that or I’ve been watching too much Mad Men, or I’ve just had an extreme amount of luck.
This is the newest dress to my ‘new vintage’ collection. I had done some work for Violetville Vintage (not related to The Coveted) and since I just love her shop so much we agreed to do an exchange. I picked out two dresses, and worried that they would be too small. The measurements were right, but I felt I couldn’t be that small, because all the modern clothes I’ve been wearing lately made me look huge. But wouldn’t you know it…the dresses fit like a glove. Perfectly. This coral wool dress has got to be one of the most perfect dresses I’ve ever come across in my life. Honestly, I have to say..and can confirm this with my friend who was there when I opened the package…the vintage sold in Violetville is perfect, like, unbelievably so. I’ve seen vintage at these prices before with about half the quality, and I’ve bought from Violetville before, and every time it surprises me the level of quality. It’s unreal.
Anyway, the thing I’ve noticed about vintage dresses is that they fit in a way that encourages things like good posture, to walk with grace, and also not to gorge on chips n’ salsa. The comfort is truly there, but it’s amazing how different the fit encourages good behavior, as opposed to say… leggings and cotton jersey tunic with a chunky sweater. <–That’s just asking for slumping at the computer!
Anyway, this is my new favorite dress…this and the yellow polka dot one. Where I was lagging in inspiration, I think I’ve found it again, not in something new, but in something needing to be reborn.
Oh! Separately, but not really… I didn’t see the Marc Jacobs show because I was working that day, but going back and watching the video on Style.com last night, it was interesting to see how they were talking about a return to the classics, the sentiment really resonated.
Do you think fashion classics will make their return?
Dress: Violetville Vintage • Handbag : Mascara Vintage • Shoes : Mia • Flower: H&M • Glasses: Cynthia Rowley
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What a pretty dress! I love simplicity. I agree that well-structured dresses just demand that you stand up straight and sit pretty instead of slump.
.-= Angeline´s last blog ..This time, for the guys =-.
it’s amazing? i was trying to improve my posture for ages, and this has been the most helpful… because, man, i spend wayy too much time on the computer.
I love classics and wear skirts and heels almost every day. But that’s just me. I have a good amount of vintage shoes and accessories but need to work on more actual clothing pieces.
.-= Poochie´s last blog ..Ensemble du Jour – 4-14-10 =-.
oh yes, i do love me some vintage shoes.
I love classic pieces like this. I miss the formality that women used to dress with: hair, makeup, dress, heels, gloves, hats, etc. There is something so chic about a real put-together woman.
Also, there is NO such thing as too much Mad Men.:)
.-= Krameymartin´s last blog ..OOTD (04.16 and 17.10) Stripes and shirtdresses. =-.
haha, i can’t wait for the new season to come out!
but yes, i do miss the formality as well!
Jennine, you look stunning! I will never be able to take your ‘I’ve put on weight’ or ‘I don’t always feel beautiful’ posts seriously again
No, seriously, I love this outfit so much! As you said, very Mad Men. xx
haha well, i DID put on wieght, and my clothes aren’t fitting me so well. this thing just happened to work out.
As someone who looks better in tailored clothes because of my curviness, I think we ALL should return to the classics. You look so fantastic in this dress! Something like this is So sexy, but classy and ladylike at the same time. I say you can’t go wrong with that!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Daniel’s Duds: Double Denim! =-.
yeah, i’m really getting the tailoring…it’s great, and we should wear more tailored clothes that’s for sure!
This look is so lovely and ladylike. I love the sunglasses! They look fabulous on you.
Just lovely, Jennine! These classic dress silhouettes fit you so well. I don’t know, I always feel a bit dwarfed and overwhelmed by experimental drapey clothing shapes that don’t fit my body, so I go for the classic dress shapes every time. Nothing makes me feel girlier in the spring and summer.
.-= lisa´s last blog ..VFW FW 2010: Drew William =-.
oh yes… i know what you mean, i wanted to try them so badly but i just looked like a balloon. it took some time though to find the right clothes and the right style to fit!
This dress is absolutely stunning on you! You can never beat the classics.
.-= Diana´s last blog ..“Shopping at the shop-o-rama” =-.
exactly.
I love this look…so simple yet classy!
.-= Ashley J´s last blog ..It was a Mexican Cowboy kindda day… =-.
Adoring the colour of this dress. It’s my favourite this season! Soft but bright. It stands out especially well against the grey buildings in town. Beautiful!
Wow, that color is PERFECT on you. And the cut is amazing! Great inspiration
.-= Maria at BachmansSparrow´s last blog ..Friday Fave: Deer Tick =-.
whoa… hot tamale.
haha
You look absolutely beautiful! Like a vintage Barbie. There is something so nice about good quality vintage, it can fit like a glove
vintage barbie is the best!
This kind of stuff always ends up making it to the front of my closet. Tailored and ladylike.
So funny, my outfit today is totally along these lines … highwaisted pencil skirt, tucked in pink shirt with a little bit of lace, heels. I felt like such a lady.
I love that dress on you. The color makes me happy.
.-= |tex| fashion butter´s last blog ..Pink and lace =-.
You look wonderful in the dress. I like to have days where I am simple and formal and thus wear a vintage dress (or retro modern version) and then other days I still enjoy experimenting. For me, the return of the classics has really been about the shoes. For years, I wore the kookiest shoes and now I seem to love either stylish classics (spectators for example) or very ortho-looking ones often in a whiskey color. Black, black, black use to be my mainstays.
.-= Em´s last blog ..Holy Toledo! =-.
Wow, Jennine, that dress truly does look as if it were made for you!
.-= Sally´s last blog ..Makeup 101: Cheeks and a Healthy Glow =-.
You look absolutely stunning. That dress and you are a match made in heaven.
i don’t think that the classics really went anywhere –
the color and fit looks great on u,
.-= Veronica´s last blog ..Bryan Boy for Hudson Jeans =-.
What comeback? As if they ever went away?
Your dress is fantabulous!
.-= Prefecta´s last blog ..Lastenkutsut =-.
Absolutely- I’ve always hated casual dressing. Have never been into jeans and tee shirts. Bleh. As for the modern day fashions right now- not a fan. Funny how something like Mad Men forced people to truly see classic sophistication in dress. That dress is very pretty!!
sometimes i do like jeans and tee’s but there is really, really, something about the way clothes fit now that doesn’t work for me, i don’t know what it is. a modern dress like this would be super wide in the hips, or not tight enough in the waist. it’s crazy… but yeah, mad men realy brought to life the new look which really looks surprisingly relevant.
You look so Sex-ay! Yes, there is a lot of buzz about feminine, classic styling from the 50′s/60′s a la “Mad Men.”
.-= stacy´s last blog ..On Trend =-.
One word- STUNNING.
.-= Nickie Frye´s last blog ..14K Clutch =-.
It’s so funny you mentioned Mad Men ’cause that was the first thing I thought after skimming through your pics, too! That dress looks great on you and paired with nude heels, oh man!
You look so classy and sweet! xx
.-= Annie Spandex´s last blog ..Au Printemps =-.
You look lovely! Classic dresses work really well for you.
Love it. You look so beautiful.
You look stunning, that style suits you so much.
I have the same problem with modern clothes not fitting, especially pencil shape dresses. Always huge on my waist and tight on my hips!
.-= Retro Chick´s last blog ..GIVEAWAY: Happy Blogaversary to Me…And Pressies for You! =-.
Yes, classic are coming back and I love that
Good mixture of new and old keeps things fresher longer or at least thats my point of view 
.-= Gerdur´s last blog ..Illustration photography =-.
conservative and classy doesn’t have to be stodgy…or mumsy…as you prove!
Beautiful dress! Love the flower in your hair!
.-= gina´s last blog ..Suit Week: Day 3 =-.
you are an absolute bombshell in that dress.
.-= Shay´s last blog ..Deep Blue =-.
That dress is simply stunning on you. Very Grace Kelly! That was why I loved the Marc Jacobs show so much – a return to simple elegance is like a breath of fresh air.
.-= ThatGirl39´s last blog ..Nailing The Topknot (Or Nice Buns) =-.
Fabulous. Sexy and serious all at once. I’m glad Allan & Suzi inspired you!
.-= WendyB´s last blog ..Book Club: A Distant Mirror, the Finale =-.
That’s such a pretty pink!
This outfit reminds me of Rachel McAdams in the Notebook. Romantic, summery and fun!
.-= Abby´s last blog ..The Dead Sea Scrolls =-.
I think classics will always be relevant. And that dress DOES look like it was made just for you!
Bonjour
Je visite souvent votre site que j’apprécie beaucoup.J’aime aussi de plus en plus les vêtements vintage:leur coupe,la qualité des matières font une belle silhouette,féminine et gracieuse,ce que l’on attend d’un vêtement!Votre robe est superbe et vous la portez à merveille.
Cordialement,Isabelle.(France).
Classic style on a classic beauty!
I don’t think classic style ever left. That’s what enables it to be defined as “classic”.
Some situations in life just call for classic design. Plus it takes a lot of effort to be avant garde every second of every day.
So yes, classics are here to stay.
The dress is great but I am loving those glasses! They look like new ones I saw from Tom Ford.
Gorgeous!!!
.-= Make Do Style´s last blog ..Like buses three come along at once… =-.
I absolutely believe that classics are making a come-back. Not that they ever went away in the first place, but my friend and I were just discussing how we had realized that we were so caught up in buying the next unusual piece for our wardrobes, that we had an embarassing lack of updated classics, like a black skirt, brown skirt, plain black heels, and ordinary black pants, to tie our wardrobes together. But then we all know those people who wear only the basic classic pieces, making them bland and something we want to avoid.
.-= Sarade´s last blog ..Diamond Moonlight Necklace =-.
Oh my goodness, Jennine–that dress fits you like a glove! You look gorgeous; the style and color suit you to a T.
I just adore the classic styling of a vintage dress (but then again, you know that already). There is something so fun about dressing up a bit in a garment like this; they seem to have their own magical powers of transforming one’s mood instantly. 
♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
I couldn’t agree more! You look stunning in that dress!
And yes, clothes that fit and have a shaped definitely encourage good habits & good posture. Yay for vintage!
Hheart this dress, heart you & heart Tina – what a gorgeous color & classic style! LOVE IT <3
Retro amazingness! You look like you came right out of Mad Men!
.-= jordana´s last blog ..C22 Quoted in the Inside Source =-.
yes! The classics always return. You look fabulous and I love the little green earrings! …I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I think you’re truly happier in SF!!!
.-= …love Maegan´s last blog ..Completely Gratuitous Outfit Post =-.
Wow, Jennine, you look so womanly! (Wenn ich in deinem Alter bin, hoffe ich sehr, dass ich so toll aussehe wie du.)
This is so gorgeous, and truly so classic. I love it!
.-= Clare´s last blog ..There’s Nothing to It =-.
You look amazing Jennine! This is truly a classic piece and fits you like a glove. I love seeing you in vintage! I can attest to Tina’s taste. She has an amazing eye and buys only the best for her customers.
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