Tips from vintage fashion consultant Jasmin Rodriguez
Those looking to add some va-va-voom to their wardrobe can easily vamp up their signature little black dress. For ladies looking to enhance their curves, Rodriguez advises to opt for a “wiggle dress." However, to jazz up basic black couture, choose a vibrant print to stand out from the crowd.
“In the retro scene, leopard is extremely popular,” explains Rodriguez, who suggests pairing your wiggle dress with a clutch purse featuring the print, as well as matching pumps. “It’s just perfect with this dress because we already have the hardware on the bag that matches the steel toes of the shoes,” she explains. For a night of cocktails after a long day at the office, finish your look with a orchid in your hair for a feminine touch.
For those seeking a more conservative look, Rodriguez recommends wearing an A-line dress to the office, which hides any imperfections, while cinching your waist to create curves in all the right places. “You can easily wear a quarter sleeve sweater with a high-waisted skirt and it’s just the perfect retro look for the work environment,” says Rodriguez. The A-line dress allows you to use creativity by incorporating different pieces.
When it comes to taking the retro look out on the town, it’s all about the statement dress. A shimmering silver gown with a matching bolero will make anyone look like a screen siren with minimal effort. “The way I contrasted this outfit is by adding this awesome Bettie Page red bag,” says Rodriguez. “What I like about it is that it balances the color of her nails and also the color of her lips. Just adding red (to this silver look) adds a burst of color.”
The A-line dress easily transitions from work to a night out. “If you’re not afraid to be a little more daring, go with a petticoat to give it that (retro) flair,” she says. Finish your evening wear with classic pearls, a la "Breakfast at Tiffany’s," patent heels, and a bright red pout.
The A-line halter dress is a sexier variation of the classic. It accentuates your décolletage without revealing too much skin. With any retro couture, Rodriguez stresses enhancing your most flattering feature. "I always feel it’s very important to accentuate the waist of a woman’s body,” she explains. “It’s a lot more flattering to the female figure." When wearing a print A-line halter dress, keep your accessories minimal with a small belt of a similar shade, a casual wicker purse, as well as flats or kitten heels. “You don’t want to go with too much color because there’s a lot going on with the pattern of the dress," she adds. "You just want to go with a simple red or black heel.”
For those days you feel like dressing down, Rodriguez advises choosing a cool white button down top, floral capris, and a silver purse for some extra glitz and glam. No matter what you choose to wear, there’s one accessory that’s a must-have for those looking to channel their inner starlets. “Cat-eyed glasses are obviously a signature piece of the ‘50s and ‘60s,” says Rodriguez. “What’s great about them is that it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. If you’re wearing cat-eyed glasses, it automatically makes you look more retro.”