vintage styles

Chunky heels and 70’s platforms for fall 2015

 in General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged 1970s / fall 2015 / runway trends / street style trends / vintage styles / winter 2016 by

chunky heels and 70s platforms for fall 2015

Pictured from top left: Tan platforms / Multi-colored wood platforms / Grey platforms / Python platforms

They’re baaaa-aaack! Platforms are making a huge comeback as the 1970’s take center-stage for fall 2015 as the most important decade of influence over fashion for the cool weather season. As flare jeans, boho-chic, and long, straight hair return for fall, platforms and chunky heeled shoes take center stage as the “IT” shoe trend of the season.

There are two distinct shoe styles in this fall trend; the chunky heel with a flat sole, and the true, 1970’s platform. Chunky heeled shoes are being shown on sandals, pumps, booties, and boots for the fall 2015 season. Chunky heels are paired with a traditional flat sole, and round toe. This is an easy-to-walk-in version of the 1970’s shoe trend we are seeing hitting the streets from the runways for fall 2015. If you don’t want a broken ankle this fall, this is the ultimate way to rock the 70’s shoe trend. Chunky heels can be found in varying heights ranging from 1″ to 5″ depending on what you want to wear! Love that!

If you are feeling more retro and daring, platforms are back with a vengeance for the fall 2015 season. These vintage-styled shoes will look fierce with flare jeans, midi-skirts, and a-line mini-skirts for fall. Platforms are being shown on pumps, sandals, booties, and boots for fall 2015. Many soles are wooden, or made to look like wood. The color to look for is medium-dark brown. This will give off a true, 1970’s vibe. Groovy!

When it comes to platforms, be ready to practice walking in your shoes! These shoes are not for the faint of heart. If you need to do a lot of walking, or chasing of children, platforms may not be the right shoe for you. It is definitely worth owning one pair, which can be worn to events where you don’t need to walk up hills, or walk long distances. They are the ideal shoe to pair with your flare jeans this fall season! So hip 😉

I found a few fabulous chunky heeled shoes, and platform shoes, for the fall 2015 season and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! I have my eyes on a few pairs already! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

1970’s vintage outfit for spring

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion  tagged 1970s / gap / mansur gavriel / outfits / spring 2015 / vintage styles by

1970s vintage outfit spring 2015 mansur gavriel mini bucket bag mansur gavriel mini drawstring bag prada sunglasses spring 2015

Pictured: Sunglasses: Prada / Earrings: c/o Twisted Silver (use code INSIDERS for 15% off) / Lipstick: Chanel 94 Confident / Blouse: vintage circa 1970’s, for current patchwork options, please see widget at bottom of this post / Jeans: Gap / Handbag: Mansur Gavriel / Ring: The 2 Bandits / Nail Polish: Gucci Abyss / Shoes: See by Chloe (past season, also love SAVE or SPLURGE)

After returning from New York Fashion Week, I have become infatuated with 1970’s style. Of course, this is the current “IT” decade when it comes to fashion in 2015. But after seeing the heavy 1970’s influence on the runways for fall, I have decided to try and twist my current wardrobe to reflect a retro, 1970’s vibe.

Since the 1970’s are of-the-moment, I decided to pull my Mom’s patchwork blouse out of my closet and start wearing it again. There is a little story behind this blouse. My Mom first purchased it from a little boutique in Strawberry, a sub-section of Mill Valley in Marin County, in the 1970’s. She used to wear this blouse often. I remember her wearing it with flare jeans, as well as tan suede culottes. She also paired it with a medium brown suede, a-line skirt, with buttons down the front. The skirt hit just at her knees. She usually did not wear the necktie with the blouse. She preferred the blouse neck-tie free. I, on the other hand, love the neck-tie!

I first “stole” this blouse out of her closet when I was in high school. She had not worn it in at least ten years, but loved it so much she held onto it. (I wish she kept that button front suede skirt! Grrrr) I loved the hippie vibe the blouse gave off, so my junior year of high school I snatched it from her closet and paired it with a pair of jeans. Back then, jeans were skinny and had zippers by the ankles. And yes, there was a triangle on my derriere. So very high school for us GenXers! The overall look was not exactly 1970’s, but in my sixteen-year-old mind, it was!

Since I drove myself to school that day, my Mom did not notice I was wearing her blouse. After school, I had swim practice and changed at the pool. The blouse went on a hanger which I hung in the backseat of my car. I came home from practice wearing sweats, so my Mom still had no idea I took her blouse and wore it that day. Oh my!

Fast forward a few weeks and my Mom noticed the blouse missing from her closet. How could she?! After all, she had not worn it in years! Alas, she went straight into my room and checked my closet. Of course, there it was! I was so scared of getting grounded for taking her treasured blouse, instead, she laughed! She was so happy I liked something which was hers, she told me I could keep it! Of course, I was reminded to ask next time 😉

So, ever since high school, this blouse has hung in my closet and I have worn it every-so-often. It came to college with me too! I am thrilled to be able to wear it this spring. I can’t wait to pair it with culottes, after I find the perfect pair, and a button down suede skirt, if I can find which doesn’t break the bank!

Do you have any special vintage pieces you treasure? Please share!

Patchwork options for spring (hot trend!)

Zimmermann fall 2015 New York Fashion Week

 in General Fashion  tagged 1970s / fall 2015 / new york fashion week / vintage styles / winter 2016 / zimmermann by

DSC_0947DSC_0946DSC_0951 DSC_0956 DSC_0957 DSC_0958 DSC_0961 DSC_0962 DSC_0963 DSC_0969 DSC_0970 DSC_0971 DSC_0972Photos: Cathy OBrien/Bay Area Fashionista 2015©

Zimmermann sent their fall / winter 2015 collection down the New York Fashion Week runway on Friday, February 13, 2015. The energetic runway show evoked a 1970’s vintage vibe through prints, silhouettes, and a clear, mid to late 1970’s color palette. The coats and jackets were shown in vibrant hues, which were not too bright, but offered just the right amount of punch. 

Zimmermann mixed soft fabrications on blouses, skirts and dresses with structured pants, jackets and handbags; as well as a jumper and jumpsuit. This juxtaposition offered movement, and attracted the eye to the overall look rather than one key piece. The lacework and eyelets were fresh; offering a sophisticated look which was both feminine and grown-up.

The accessories on Zimmermann’s fall 2015 runway included hats, structured clutches and totes, suede shoes-both platform and flat, and multi-layered gold necklaces. It was a stunning collection and captured the moment in fashion and culture perfectly. This will definitely be a highly sought-after collection for the fall 2015 season.

To learn more about Zimmermann, please visit their website here.