Fashion etiquette demands we employ cyclical or seasonal colors in our wardrobes. Fashionable women of bygone eras wouldn’t be caught dead transgressing the seasonal color codes. One must remember that from its inception, the concept of fashion was really only in the domain of the wealthy and well educated. Except, of course, for their cast-offs that were treasured by those less fortunate – but fortunate enough to be the recipients of these typically well designed and well made apparel items.
Winter colors are traditionally dark, warm and rich. The serious vintage enthusiast should know and follow these rules and apply them when selecting one’s seasonal wardrobe.
Once understood, the rules are not difficult to follow. It truly is just common sense infused with a bit of pretension, for good measure.
However, there are some less obvious rules, take white for example. One shouldn’t be seen in pure bright white after Labor Day. After Labor Day, fall colors are worn. So in winter, which ironically always follow fall, wearing a white suit or dress (except for bridal gowns, if you’ve earned the right to wear white, which I’ll discuss in my June post) is just plain gauche. But a crisp white shirt or blouse under a dark suit is not only acceptable – but de rigueur. Entre, winter white. Not beige, winter white. Beige is the lightest of browns, where winter white is like fresh cream, sometimes with a hint of a yellow undertone.
Seasonal Colors:
Winter hues take their cues from those found in nature. Think about the colors of a threatening sky, from the palest of grays to deepest black. Rich jewel tones are perennial favorites – emerald green, ruby red, sapphire blue, topaz with streaks of gold. For inspiration take a look at the photos in this post, of gemstones that I’ve paired with items from Leta’s Vintage.
Now you get the picture, right? Once understood, the rules are not difficult to follow. It truly is just common sense infused with a bit of pretension, for good measure. So look for these timeless colors when shopping for vintage. Or find them in your own closet whilst organizing it by seasons. Don’t forget to mix things up a bit by incorporating vintage finds into your contemporary wardrobe. Okay, run along and get started!