The Roaring 20s at Modcloth!

The Roaring 20s at Modcloth!

Happily Ember After Hat

I have a few friends in mind for this post (Erika, Colleen, I'm looking at you!), but I really surprised myself with how much I loved these pieces from Modcloth. More than that, I love that you can search by decade on the main page (lower right). There's something so appealing about seeing items spinning off the same decade all together. I started with the 20s and fell in love! Especially with the shoes. I love the feminine heels with masculine details-like these!.

Altogether Unique Heel

That's So Maven Heel

This search feature seems perfect for Halloween season if you're looking for a vintage touch to add to your outfit. I also instantly wanted to host a cocktail party after looking at all of the sparkly 1920s hair pieces and perfect tie-front shoes. Maybe it's because I was born on Halloween, but I've always loved the idea of hosting a party around what the guests will wear!

These wide-leg pants would be perfect for work, and they've got tons of other wide legs, too. Having a whimsical town hall wedding? Please wear these shoes as your something blue! And crack yourself up with a visit to the 90s-inspired section, clog shoes, plaid, and velvet skirts and all. In plus size, you can't shop by decade, it seems, but you will find way better dresses than the other section has!

How to Make Mad Men Modern

I had a reader friend ask me a question the other day that really got me thinking: how can she make Mad Men-inspired fashion modern? For those unfamiliar with the show, it has so far focused on vintage looks with high waists, covered arms, and curve-hugging dresses. It's a fun style to play with because it's very flattering for curvy shapes while at the same time being fairly covered up. That makes it appropriate for a wide variety of settings, including work and date nights!

Here's my take on how to bring that Mad Men flair into the modern age.

Play with Unexpected Color

Take a classic shape, like a full skirt and a cropped jacket, but play with color. Try something from your closet that's the brightest thing you can see, and then build an outfit around it. Here, the skirts are the stars of the show, and the pieces they're paired with are much more modern in fit and color.

Via

Via

Add an Edgy Touch to a Classic Shape

Make Mad Men Modern: A Loft Skirt Preview

Make Mad Men Modern: A Loft Skirt Preview

Those of you who follow me on Instagram may have seen the striped linen skirt that I got yesterday  at Loft during my lunch hour (for 40% off!). Tomorrow I'll be answering a friend's question about how to wear a "Mad Men" look without feeling too costume-y. While putting together options for how to wear this skirt on Tuesday, I realized that I was putting some of my tips for a modern Mad Men into action.

Sorry for the bathroom selfies-my husband was still working last night and unavailable to take photos of me. 

At first, I imagined that the tomato red cardigan on top would be the perfect fit with the nautical striped skirt. I got that cardigan around Christmas, and in my mind it's been stuck as a winter sweater. I wanted a way to bring it into spring, and my office was freezing today so I thought it could work. However, it felt too much like a literal interpretation of a vintage look for my preferences.

On the other hand, the bright chartreuse cardigan on the bottom did just what I wanted: the full, high-waisted skirt is a nod to vintage but feels modern with a v-neck t-shirt and unexpected color. Oh-and I also put on a better bra for the bottom shot since the one I was wearing on top was feeling a bit droopy. I didn't go for the pointed Mad Men style, though, since that should be saved for Halloween only!

What do you think? I can't wait to show off some modern Mad Men looks later this week!