Vintage dress: how to choose the right one to be chic?

If you are interested in vintage fashion, there is a good chance that elegance will play an important role in your choice of outfits. Combining femininity and comfort, the dress is an essential piece in all wardrobes , from the most casual to the most sophisticated. But how exactly can you be elegant in a dress ? Which cuts, colors and patterns to choose? This is what you will discover in this article.

You will also see how to properly accessorize your outfit. Follow the leader !

How to be elegant in a dress? Some basics to know

To be elegant in a dress, you need to pay attention to the shape and patterns of it. You must therefore know your body shape well, because it is based on this criterion that you will determine whether it is better to opt for a wrap dress, a trapeze dress or a straight dress for example.

Next, make sure to always buy a piece that fits your size. Indeed, the impression that you are floating in your clothes or, on the contrary, that you are in a straitjacket, will completely undermine all your efforts to be chic! So remember that above all, to look good, you must not neglect the basics, namely, wearing clothes that suit you well.

Furthermore, if you're afraid of making a mistake, start by looking at dresses from the 50s and 60s . These are, in general, the most elegant, and therefore constitute a very good base.

50s dresses

Among the dresses of this decade, you will mainly find flared or straight dresses. The necklines are often not very plunging, we find shirt collars, Peter Pan collars, boat necks or bustiers. The latter two are, of course, very sophisticated, however, be sure to save them for special occasions.

The best is the enemy of the good, and looking your best when you're just going shopping is a bad idea! Adaptation is one of the keys to refinement.

Concerning the length, they often reach the knee, or even the calf, the mini-skirt being invented only a few years later. These dresses are a sure bet for elegance . Indeed, their cuts are rather wise and sober, with finesse and no frills . And precisely, note that to succeed in cultivating sartorial elegance, excesses must be banned, simplicity must be your watchword.

Furthermore, you will have no trouble finding dresses in neutral colors, such as beige, white, black or brown. Many, too, sport darker, deeper shades such as navy blue, emerald green or burgundy. All these colors allow you to have an excellent base for an elegant outfit.

We will see later which accessories to adopt to amplify the chic side of these dresses.

60s dresses

A colorful decade full of upheavals in the world of fashion, the 60s saw the birth of many exuberant clothes . So, you will find lots of bright colors, floral patterns, polka dots, stripes, houndstooth ...

These years are full of original pieces. The risk, on the other hand, is to fall into the trap of the profusion of colors and patterns, which lacks elegance. To avoid this pitfall, limit yourself to two designs per outfit maximum:

In terms of colors, black and white is a combination that is not only timeless but also very chic. If you want to focus on bright colors, opt for dresses that partially feature this type of shade and also include a neutral color. Beige, strawberry red and white go very well together for example!

In addition, opt for straight cuts or shirt collars . This way you keep that little touch of essential chic.

Accessorize your Vintage Dress

Accessories play a key role in the vintage look. Opt for period jewelry or faithful reproductions to complete your outfit.

The vintage bag

Now that you know how to wear a beautiful chic dress, let's move on to accessories! The bag is an essential. Fulfilling a function that is both practical and aesthetic, it is important to choose it carefully.

Once again, you must take your morphology into account first and foremost. Indeed, bulky bags will tend to compress smaller silhouettes . Conversely, mini bags are not recommended for tall women, as they risk appearing poorly proportioned.

Once these considerations are taken into account, you can start to look at the type of bag you want, its shape, material and color. If you want to opt for a backpack for example, avoid school or sports models, they are not sophisticated enough and could clash with the dress. You can choose a pretty bag in camel, brown or black leather for example. The same goes for the handbag: leather is a very good choice of material because it is noble and timeless .

Finally, in terms of shape, favor sobriety: square, rectangular, or slightly rounded. In short, whether in terms of colors or style, always favor simplicity and beautiful materials.

Vintage shoes

When we talk about elegant shoes , the first to come to mind are often pumps. It is a timeless classic, which has the merit of creating a pretty silhouette and giving a real touch of femininity to outfits, including the most ordinary ones.

If you are not comfortable with high heels, leather or velvet loafers will bring a “preppy” touch to your style , so it is a very good choice to be chic! Let's not forget ankle boots, which can also make an outfit even more elegant.

Regarding colors, several possibilities are available to you. You can match them to your handbag , which creates a rather interesting reminder. You can also match them to the color of your dress. If it has patterns (a white dress with red flowers for example) you can definitely select red shoes for example.

Finally, neutral colors will go with everything, so you can make this choice if you prefer to stay in a rather conservative ensemble.

Remember that to be elegant in a dress, it is above all necessary to choose a model that flatters your body shape. Opt for sobriety, for pieces that are both simple and beautiful. These are, moreover, timeless that you can still wear years after their purchase.

If you want to stock up on ideas for retro outfits that are both splendid and elegant, read this article!