Article #2...Creative Customization
How many times have you seen a vintage garment
and loved the fabric but were not crazy about
the style? Or perhaps the design was wonderful
except for one or two elements. Sewing and
altering clothing is fast becoming a thing
of the past for most consumers. Sadly this
eliminates a huge area of fun and creativity
in vintage fashion.
There has always been a small crowd of young
people out there "deconstructing"
vintage and making it there own. Despite
the fact that their sewing skills are often
self taught and in need of practice. They
have no fear of taking scissor and needle
to vintage finds and transforming them into
new creations. Aside from these kids very
few vintage customers think to explore the
possibilities that a few simple alterations
can bring to a vintage garment. It made me
realize there is an entire area of vintage
fashion being neglected.
I could probably write an entire book on
this subject (hmmm…?) but I am going to limit
myself just now to three suggestions you
might consider when hunting for vintage.
The first is as simple as a hem job. I come
across a great numbers of maxi dresses and
gowns from the 1960s and 70s. The fabrics
are often just gorgeous ranging from rich
brocades and shantungs to wild prints and
flowing jerseys. Unfortunately they can be
a bit dowdy. Necklines are high, sleeves
are long and hems go to the floor. Regal,
but certainly not alluring by any stretch
of the imagination. An instant transformation
for these dresses is to turn them into sexy
little cocktail numbers or cute day dresses
by hiking the hem, above the knee. How high
is up to you! Fabulous, contemporary heels
or sandals will add the perfect finish. Often
the left over fabric is much too nice to
discard so I suggest making a little clutch
bag if it is evening wear or an over sized
satchel if it is a more casual fabric. A
matching head scarf could also be made for
that 1950s "summer picnic look".
My next suggestion is to use trim to add
panache. For example, the 50s and 60s were
famous for beautifully tailored, ladylike
suits. Sometimes a bit too lady like!! I
have found that attaching fur (real or fake)
to the collar and cuffs completely changes
the look from Plain Jane to tres chic and
it is so easy. I have a number of detachable
furry collars and cuffs that I mix and match
with my suits! You can also get creative
with lace or even feathers. There are a lot
of wonderful vintage blouses out there from
the 1960s and 70s. Once again they can be
quite plain (and the sleeves are often just
too short, not ¾ length, but short). A cute
trick is to shorten the sleeve further by
removing the cuff and adding a deep ruffle
of lace or eyelet. There are endless ways
to transform with trim. Just use your own
sense of creativity!
My final suggestion requires a bit more sewing
knowledge but a skilled seamstress should
have no trouble. Once again some vintage
can be a bit matronly and if you are seeking
a gown it can be hard to find one (particularly
from the 1960s and 70s) with allure. Not
everyone wants a strapless princess dress
from the 50s and not everyone can afford
the gorgeous gowns from the 1930s. Here again
you only need to be a bit creative with your
thinking. If a gown has a high neck and long
sleeves one of them has to go. The easiest
solution is to completely remove the sleeves,
and finish off the armscye with matching
bias tape. You can even cut the seam in a
bit which gives a very sexy shoulder line.
If sleeveless isn't for you another suggestion
is to create a lower neckline. This requires
more skill and time but can really come out
well. It is best that the new neckline be
perfectly symmetrical. This new neckline
must be stayed with seam tape before cutting
then finished with a generous facing that
blends with the color of the fabric. If you
do decide to go with an asymmetrical line
make sure the lines are perfectly clean.
Vintage has endless possibilities if you
just try a little creative thinking!