Fashion Over Fifty: Vintage, Country Style

Hello!  Can someone who IS vintage wear vintage?  LOL!  Just kidding.  I found this dress on clearance over a year ago at Charming Charlies.  It hung isolated and alone in my closet begging to be worn through four seasons.   I gave it some attention.  Occasionally I would pull it out and try it on with various items, but  I always struggled with the nude color against my skin tone, and also the sheerness of the fabric.  It is also short and sleeveless:  two big no-no's for a vintage woman like myself.  But, I felt guilty that I had this never worn dress just hanging out in my closet, even though I only paid $20.00 for it.  So I tried it on with jackets, and tights, and boots, and well, just about everything you could imagine, and I just wasn't happy with any of it.   Finally I decided that instead of going against the grain and trying to make it trendy, I would go with the grain and keep it old fashioned.  I added more neutrals and 'granny accessories', and you know what?  I liked it.  It turned out pretty good.  I didn't feel the vintage look aged me, but actually kinda made me look cute and playful.  And it was comfortable to wear too!  

 To keep me warm, and hide the sleeveless top, I wore a boyfriend cardigan by a.n,a  purchased from J.C. Penney (sold out, but here is a similar option).  I put a bra cami underneath since it is sheer and more low cut than I am comfortable with.  I put a belt around my waist to cover up the elastic and added a simple beaded necklace for jewelry.  On my feet, I wore my granny shoes!

 I bought this dress because I loved the pattern.  Isn't it lovely?

 My granny loafers are from Famous Footwear (sold out).  I love the unique stitching and the lace inlet on these shoes.  They also came with two different types of shoelaces:  the ribbon shoe lace seen below, and a traditional pair of shoelaces.

 My necklace is from Ten Thousand Villages.  It is a non profit company that sells items that artists make in third world countries to help them.

I really ended up loving my vintage, country outfit and I was happy this old dress finally got some attention.  Now I'm thinking of wearing it with tights and cowboy boots and creating a whole new look, what do you think of that?  Well, maybe not cowboy boots….I don't own a pair of those and have no plans to purchase any in the near future.  But, we'll see what else I can come up with so I can wear this dress again.

Until then, Have a Great Day!  Amy