For me, Middle School was like the Middle Ages–they were very dark years–and yes, it was almost that long ago.   There was one bright light, however:  back-to-school shopping.  I began 6^th grade still wearing Toughskins and Grr-Animals, but by 8^th grade, I was fashionably outfitted in Calvin Kleins and DVF tees.  Going from age 11 to 13 was like jumping millenia, but thankfully, I had shopping to comfort me in the light-speed journey, inspired by the fresh-faced models of Seventeen and Teen.

We were mall-less in our small NC town, so I did what I had to do and turned to the Sears and JC Penney catalogs.  I knew that if I saved my babysitting $, my Mother would quadruple-match my contribution and I would be appropriately dressed for the school year.  How I agonized over my choices each season, progressing from head-to-toe looks to selecting key pieces that could be mixed and matched.   By the time I hit high school, I was a full-blown fashionista, shopping at JE’s, the local boutique, but in the middle years, it was Sears..and denim, plaid and acrylic.

The "look" of Irish Fisherman knits

8th grade...

outfit on the right

7th Grade: Outfit in the middle

aaah, youth

6th Grade

"Love Story" Herringbone coat, size M, $128

FALL 2010—in a way, fashion has never seemed so modern…there are more buzzwords than ever…”Menswear”, “Ladylike”, “Outdoorsy”, “Minimalist”, “Global”, “Eclectic” “Urban Warrior”…It’s all about the ‘Modern Mix’ and that’s what’s so interesting, as well as awfully tricky.

What’s important to note is that many of these looks begin with the classics and evolve from there;  pick and choose trends that speak to your personal style and make them work for you.  If you’ve never “curled up” to leopard in the past, then certainly don’t copycat this big trend – meow!  Mad for plaid, just not on your thighs? Then opt for a plaid coat instead!

Just know that any classic piece can be updated in a subtle or not-so subtle way.  Subtle, eg, adding a chunky caramel patent Marni heel & key necklace to a Fair Isle sweater and Menswear knit coat.  Not so subtle, eg, piling on a fur wrap and fedora, a la André Leon Talley, to the same look.  Visit us at currentVintage, 4 Easy St, Nantucket—we’ll help you make it your own!

Teal tweed Lilli Ann swing coat w/ foz collar, size M, $228

1970s wool wrap coat w/ shearling collar, size S, $174

1960s faux-fur belted trench, size S, $168

1960s brown knit Lilli Ann coat, size M, $146; Cocoa handknit fair isle sweater, size S, $78

VOGUE does “Checks & the City”:

currentVintage does “Checks & the City…or Country”

2010 trends tweed & plaid

2010 Trends: Reindeer Sweater

Mad for Plaid??!  Ready for Reindeer?  We thought you might need a little convincing…

VOGUE says they’re in, but let our photos of how to wear this trend persuade that these retro fabrics and motifs are current, wearable and totally 2010.  Visit us at currentVintage to find your own easy Fall looks… !

Hooded Reindeer Sweater + Vintage Dooney & Bourke Saddle Bag + Bruno Magli heel = Who needs Dolce & Gabbana?

Plaid Pant + Vintage Tee + Modern Denim Jacket & Heel = No Longer Partridge Family & Totally On Trend

Fall Fashion Week is fast approaching- the biggest week of the year for those in the industry and fashion followers. The phone book-size September Issues have just hit the newsstands and are packed to the gills with trend reports and “must haves.” For many people, this information overload is way too much to handle. Will I get it right? How can I possibly pull off (insert ridiculous runway trend here)?!

Take a deep breath! Trends are meant to inspire you, not enslave you. They are not marching orders, but a point of departure, if you will…

currentVintage is packed with pieces that are right on trend. After all–all great designers look to vintage to inspire their collections. Here we show you how to wear today’s trends in fabulous vintage style.–And we invite you to come in so we can show you personally!

Trend Alert: Turbans & Florals

TREND ALERT:

FISHERMAN’S SWEATER!

So Comfy!

TREND ALERT:

TURBANS!

So chic!  So easy!

TREND ALERT:

PAINTERLY FLORALS!

So Refreshing!

TREND ALERT:

BROWN LACE!

Romantic or Sexy–or Both!

Trend Alert: Brown Lace

TREND ALERT:

CHUNKY SQUARE HEELS!

Trend Alert: Chunky Square Heel

So Vintage!

TREND ALERT:

CAMEL & RED!

Classic + POP!

Trend Alert: Camel & Red

Actress and cV Model, Sarah Fraunfelder

NOW: A late-summer glass of Rosé before going out...

LATER: Sequin Dress + Burberry Trench & Boots

The changing of the season is upon us and with it, the ambivalence of what to wear.  September in New England can mean temperatures of 75 or 45…one must be prepared for both.  Here we present several pieces that can be enjoyed in the dog days of summer and in the cold weather that is sure to come.  Versatile.  Transitional.  Packable.  September to December.  Now and Later.  Season-less Chic.

NOW: Zandra Rhodes Silk Ensemble + Metallic Accessories

LATER: Jordache & Ray Bans

LATER: Zandra Top + Suede Boot & Satchel

NOW: Italian Designer Bessi vibrant floral Rib-knit trim dress & Pink flower mule

LATER: Bessi dress + Handknit cap & scarf

Charles Khan lucite purse, sold

Gray Lucite Barrel Purse, sold

1950s Design…Lucite.  Plastic.  Sputnik.  Eames.  Frank Lloyd Wright.  Mies van der Rohe.  Air Streams.  Aqua!

Rare Robin's Egg Lucite Confetti Purse, $795

The 1950s began the age of consumerism, stoked by the American appetite for all that was new and modern.  Nevermind if they were forsaking hardwood for plastic, marble for formica–if it was “modern”, it was good.  Lucite, a plastic developed by DuPont in the 1940s, became the material of choice in, of all areas, 1950s women’s purses.  Designed in New York and Miami they were carried by fashionable women from housewives to movie stars.  Prestigious labels included Charles Khan, Myles, Llewellyn, Rialto and Wilardy.  The prolific Lucite purse styles were influenced by and affected influence on fashion, architecture and modern furniture design, as modernism developed throughout the decade.

Who wants to carry a granite purse, anyway?

Pearlescent Octagonal Lucite Purse, $325

Steve McGarrett

Hawaii of the late 60s & 70s–A little bit of glamour and a lot of kitsch.

Doris Duke's "Shangri-la"

The glamour bit began earlier with the eccentric heiress Doris Duke and her palace, Shangri La…

Then, the late 60s brought Pan Am 747 flights, the fab hotels of Waikiki, Malia fashions and the reign of  the iconic tv series Hawaii Five-O.  Named after the 50^th State, Five-O ran from 1968-1980 and starred Jack Lord as the dreamy Steve McGarrett.  McGarrett and his right-hand man, Danno, fought Chinese organized crime and  multiple felons each episode, with a version of cool merely aspired to by the likes of Miami Vice and CSI:  Miami.  Winner of multiple Emmys and awards, Five-O was filmed almost exclusively in Hawaii and was the longest running detective show until surpassed by Law & Order in the 1990s.

How fitting that, with the return of florals, maxis and the re-luxuriation of Waikiki hotel landmarks, comes a new version of the TV series Hawaii Five-0 this Fall?  It follows the creation of an elite police unit, led by a younger McGarrett, son of the original hunky cop–although it seems unlikely he’ll have as mod a hair-do. Aloha Danno and Five-0!

Hawaii Five-O theme song and opening sequence:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXfyhqXxf3E&feature=fvw

Watch a Five-O episode:  http://www.imdb.com/video/cbs/vi1875183385/ 5-0 episode

Trailer for the new five-O:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruKODTVxy3E

1970s Malia of Honolulu

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Waikiki

I dream of Lilly.  Particularly the Lilly of the 1960s photos by Slim Aarons. They conjure a life of leisure I will never know—and a mood/attitude/way of life that no longer exists…

“Once upon a time, life was not better. It was different. Once upon a time everything was optimism, because nothing was bad for you.”

If you watch Mad Men, this statement by William Norwich makes perfect sense.  The early 1960s were heady times–innovations in business, fashion, culture and lifestyle were occurring exponentially and the nation embraced modernity with open arms, with no time to consider the consequences.

As simple a garment as the ’shift’ dress actually reflected a big shift in womens’ attitudes!  No more “foundations”, ie no more girdle.  The easy, casual shape represented a relaxation of dress standards–even among the upper class, who were early to adopt, much as the flappers did in the 1920s.

These simple shapes were executed brilliantly by Lilly Pulitzer, a free-spirited socialite who quickly went from juice-making to dress-making.

The Lilly Story

“The Lilly” label became the first lifestyle brand–the original resort wear for the burgeoning leisure class. Her prolific original fabric and dress designs (not found at Marshall’s) are still cherished today.  Lilly Pulitzer closed her business in 1984.  The presently ubiquitous “Lilly Pulitzer” label and “In the Pink” stores are produced by a new company formed in 1993, after purchasing the name.

Yes, once upon a time, life was different…

Visit our collection of Original Lilly designs for men & Women at currentVintage, 4 Easy St, Nantucket.

Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer (right)/Slim Aarons-Getty Imges

April 1968: Mr and Mrs Donald Lease with their Rolls Royce and two pet dogs outside their home in Palm Beach, Florida. (Slim Aarons/Getty Images)