Style Diary: Just Another Day at the Office

One of the best things about working in the fashion industry is that you can take risks when dressing for work. This outfit received so many compliments during the day. When I went home Mr. Anachronistic Style ran for his camera the second I came through the door! I'm wilted after eight hours on my feet so please excuse the flat hair. I love pairing blue and red together for a retro nautical look!




Outfit breakdown:
Blue ponte skirt - NY&Co (similar here)
Blue leopard top - INC at Macy's years ago
Red scarf - Vivcore Pretty You scarf $10
Red slingbacks - Me Too
White sunglasses - kate spade (similar here)
Red lipstick - Avon Red 2000 $7 worn off throughout the day and patted with gloss after lunch

Weekly Expense Report: Vintage Shopping

Mr. Anachronistic Style and I spent a snowy day in downtown Delaware, Ohio trolling through the antique stores. We had lunch at Bun's before visiting three antique stores and one vintage clothing store. We rounded out our day with Babycakes bakery and coffee at Choffey's where I kicked Mr. Anachronistic Style's butt at penny hockey. Good day.



I found quite a few treasures at DPS Antiques and collectibles. I couldn't go home without the pink feather plume pen I scored for only $9 and Mr. Anachronistic Style found some old photographs of infinitely stylish people for only $1-4! I found quite a few bobbles, my cherry pin was only $2 and the green clip earrings and pin set were only $7.


The $3 tray above was also purchased at DPS antiques for my vanity and I couldn't resist sneaking my plume pen in there again. The candy-colored necklace was scored at Sandusky Street Antiques for only $10. I also found some amazing vintage lingerie--peach tap shorts and a romper that would have come home with me if they had fit.



We visited Captain Betty's Vintage and I was very impressed with the selection. Betty herself though is a loon and I may have left a bad review at the link above. *cough cough* I scored the pretty art-deco bauble pictured above with my McQueen-esque scarf for a cool $38. Since she had men's vintage I snapped Mr. Anachronistic Style in his new $6 vintage tie.


After an hour at Betty's I was ready to order my first Vivcore dress set ($132). I love the fact that I can get a vintage look while enjoying the pleasures of shopping new (and actually find my size!) I have so many outfits planned already for these separates.

Weekly Expense Report: A Very Stylish Christmas

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I must have been a good girl this year to get so many wonderful and stylish presents. I will not be listing prices due to the spirit of giving but links are provided for purchasing.


I received the Candy Violet Pretty You 4 piece set in siren red from the in-laws. I can't stop marveling over all the pieces, so cute and easy to wear. The flower pin, hair bows, scarf and bow hat integrate seamlessly into my current wardrobe.


This gorgeous green leopard collar 60s coat is from Asos via my mother-in-law! I love how it looks like the one Andy wears in The Devil Wears Prada.


Mr. Anachronistic Style deemed me worthy of this gorgeous Betsey Johnson tea party satchel! I can't stop staring at it, it is perfect in so many ways. Love the bows, the quilting, the interior. I will carry this for years.


My dream is to have a kitchen full of pink KitchenAid appliances. My wonderful in-laws bought me the first piece with this beautiful 7-speed digital hand-mixer! I will be baking cookies.


Mr. Anachronistic Style's cousin and his wife bought me these mixing bowls to go with my new hand mixer. So thoughtful and much needed!

Thursday's Movie Review - How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

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My Marilyn Monroe sighting in All About Eve (1950) has inspired me to watch more of her movies. I couldn't resist How to Marry a Millionaire (1957) since it also starred Betty Grable and Lauren Becall. Set in New York City the movie is about three models who rent an apartment outside their means to land themselves millionaires.



I love old romantic comedies like this that shoot straight--the movie is unapologetic about women wanting men for money and men wanting women for youth and beauty. The tale is as old as time but the fact that the women are actively trying to trap the men gives a fresh take to the story, politically correct or not. The actresses are endearing and the clothes left me drooling, there is even a fashion show in the middle of the movie! Watch this one with your single girlfriends so you can concoct your own plans to land a man that's "holding!"



Copy Lauren Becall's sophistication with the essential plainweave jacket ($158) and side banded pencil skirt ($60) in navy from The Limited. You can play around in the blue ASOS belted midi dress ($81) paired with a pink Candy Violet petticoat ($49) just like Betty Grable! Or channel Marilyn Monroe's effortlessly sexy style with the J. Crew Teddie dress ($198), Urban Outfitters Risky Readers ($14) and add a faux fur or vintage fur collar from Etsy (prices vary)! Bonus points for referring to a cute girl as a "strudel" or saying "creamy" in a sentence.

Thursday Movie Review: All About Eve (1950)

All About Eve (1950) is a fascinating film that harkens back to when movies had literary qualities. The subtle psychology behind each actor and the fiery tirades of Margot Channing (Bette Davis) punctuate the film with wit and humor. The title character Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter) worms her way into Margot's life and tries to supplant her career and her relationships. The clothes are inspiring and be careful not to miss an early role from Marilyn Monroe's career. One of the movie's themes is oppositions--New York vs. Hollywood, Old vs. Young, married vs. single. One of my favorite scenes is when Margot's boyfriend turns Eve down--"What I go after I go after. I don't want it to come after me." Makes me nostalgic for a time when men had standards. Watch this one with your token-gay-male-friend or an aging fabulous aunt that will quote the movie line by line for you!



Get the Look:

I adore several costume elements from the film but the suit Margot wore to the theater still haunts me. This is the perfect outfit for putting people in their place. You can get this look with the J.Crew Telegraph suit ($306) paired with this New York & Company silky bow blouse ($37). Be sure to add this Vivcore party bow purse ($95) with your basic black pumps. Extra style points for donning a faux mink ($199)!

Clinton Kelly's Must Haves Part 1: The basics

These basics in a well-defined color palette means that your wardrobe is infinitely mixable and matchable. Look for timeless cuts with tiny details so you can embrace your anachronistic style yet still possess basics with mileage.


1. Dark Wash Jeans: Get yourself a pair like from The Limited ($70), they lengthen the legs and make them look thinner. Choose a pair with a medium rise and skinny silhouette so you can tuck them into your boots in winter or flip the cuff a few times for '50's style capris!


2. A pencil skirt: So basic, so essential, but who actually owns one? This pencil skirt from White House | Black Market ($78) is perfectly stretchy and hugs all your curves so you can embrace your inner mid-century secretary. Wear this on the weekend with your ballet flats, a tee and pearls for Audrey Hepburn chic.


3. A Day Dress: You want this dress to be something you can dress up for work with accessories or throw on with your sandals for a quick weekend look. How cute is this one from The Limited ($90) with the little shoulder detail and baby blue color?


4. A Jacket/Blazer: Look for good seaming to create an hourglass figure. This one from Mod Cloth ($59) is a little goth, a little prep, and a little Victorian all at the same time. Love the shawl collar and shoulder details, wear this with the pencil skirt for work or pair it with the skinny jeans worn open for a casual shopping trip.


5. The Cardigan: Choose a basic color with not-so-basic details and a good weave suitable for your climate. The Limited's Bow Pocket cardigan ($50) comes in white and cream for cool- and warm-toned skin respectively. Imagine this with those skinny jeans and ballet flats!


6. A Colored Cocktail Dress: A lady should remember that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed so it is important to keep cocktail wear on hand for gallery-openings, anniversary dinners, evening weddings and more! The Madison Dress from Candy Violet ($165) comes in silver and gold brocade. The elbow sleeves and full skirt make a great 1950's statement!


7. Cotton blouse: Beyond basic, choose a pretty color and pretty details. A woman's blouse is all about making you feel pretty and should never be mistaken for a men's shirt on a woman's body. This one from Banana Republic ($50) promises quality construction and details that are just...well...pretty.


8. The LBD: This is the dress to end all dresses so spare no expense because you will wear it every week. This one from Kate Spade ($355) is perfect with the full skirt, sleeveless style, and waist-defining bow. So many ways to wear it but if you've fallen in love with the pink tights you can pick this up from WeLoveColors.com.


9. Walking Shorts: Summer happens so shorts are a necessary evil, the key here is to make them as lady-like and polished as possible. Choose a short that hits you right above the knee in a crisp, clean white that is easy to dress up or down. This pair from White House | Black Market ($60) will look great with a summer top and heels or a feminine tee and ballet flats.

Can't miss site: Quaintrelle Life!

I've long considered myself a fringe member of the quaintrelle movement whose style and philosophy I've lived by for years. Quaintrelle Life epitomizes this movement through fashion, do-it-yourself projects and enough information and pretty pictures to keep a girl busy for hours. Don't miss the fashion plates especially! See samples below featuring the lovely Vivien, the one woman fashion army and webmistress of the site. Many of her dresses are available for purchase or commission at Candy Violet.

Corsetry and Petticoats, Oh my!

Every lady needs a foundations wardrobe, while Spanx may be effective they won't fill the vintage requirements of an anachronistic fashionista. Enter Vivien Hoffpaur of Candy Violet's retro waist cincher ($36) and petticoats ($39-56) to carve pudgy middles into a sleek hourglasses. The cincher's lace panels, waist bands, steel boning and garters make a girl feel sexy under her lolita frock or retro wiggle dress. Viv's classic fluffy petticoat now comes in four colors--pink, blue, black and white. Perfect worn under 1950's full dresses, lolita skirts or on their own as street fashion (think Betsey Johnson!)