Archives for category: How To Wear Vintage

When it comes to vintage, a lot of us tend to overlook swimwear, but this summer why not mix it up by trying vintage swimwear and stray away from the typical Bandeau Pack?   As I’m sure all of us have heard on multiple occasions “trends always come back in style,” the pieces we put together couldn’t be a better example of that.

1. 1980s Rovi Floral Bathing Suit2.Yves Saint Laurent Fuchsia Bathing Suit, 3.1970s Jantzen Psychedelic Swimsuit4. 1970s Floral Print Velour Swimsuit5. Versace Gold Stem Bikini 6. Lilac Crochet Bikini

The Versace motif revival right now is one of the biggest trends we’re seeing at retailers everywhere.  Why not do right by Gianni Versace by actually donning one of his original pieces!  Our Vintage Versace Gold Stem Bikini is one of those remarkable pieces that while it is vintage, it timelessly looks contemporary.  The piece has magenta & light pink color blocking underneath original Versace floral print.  The gold bamboo shoots in the piece adds a touch of luxury to this bathing suit, perfect for spending a day taking in the sun poolside at Soho Beach House.   Crochet is a great way to stay on trend this summer.  Our Vintage Lilac Crochet Bikini is the perfect piece to try  hobo chic for the summer.  The violet, lilac, and lavender striped triangle top with solid boy short bottoms give you the chance to take on vintage at the beach this summer.   Match this adorable bikini with an oversized, floppy hat for an authentic vintage summer hippie look.

Be daring this summer!  Try something new by putting on something old, do swimwear this summer with vintage! We guarantee  you won’t have to deal with the embarrassing moment when you encounter someone in the same bikini as you!

In honor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit Punk: Chaos to Couture opening May 9, our team gathered an assortment of punk inspired pieces we have here at C. Madeleine’s.  Punk has been a huge influence on fashion since the 70s.  Images of Patti Smith, John Lydon, and Sid Vicious have inspired countless designers to tear, cut, and pin together clothing in the name of punk.

1. 1980s Moschino Black Leather Clutch 2. Plaid Crop Top 3. Jean Paul Gaultier Tiger Vest & Bull Brooch 4. Jean Paul Gaultier Cone Bra Corset Dress 5. Jean Paul Gaultier Tiger Belt & Leather Kilt Purse

The online collection of punk pieces span multiple eras and are a true example of how much a staple Punk has become in the fashion world.  These pieces can not only be worn for a killer punk look, but also mixed into your wardrobe for a subtle hint of rebellion in your everyday outfit.  Our online collection and the collection we have at the store  will make it easy for you to Do Punk With Vintage!

After schoolmate Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed wearing one of Lilly Pulitzer’s dresses made from kitchen curtain material, the shift dresses became a hit!  But Pulitzer didn’t always have aspirations of being the head of an iconic fashion brand.  After marrying former husband Richard Pulitzer and settling in Palm Beach county, the bored socialite opened a juice stand in 1959 to pass the time.  But there was a problem; squeezing the juice left her clothes in ruins.  Pulitzer asked her dressmaker to create something she could wear that would hide the juice stains and they came up with the sleeveless cotton shift dresses in bright prints which would eventually earn the name the “Lilly” dress.  Today Lilly Pulitzer dresses are a staple amongst the American prep style.

1. 1960s Butterfly Shift Dress 2. Sleeveless Sun Dress 3. Chartreuse Dress 4. Golden Yellow Sun Dress

In honor of Lilly Pulitzer’s passing on April 7, we wanted to gather some of our original “Lillys” to share with you.  These amazing dresses are the perfect addition to your spring/summer wardrobe.  There isn’t a more fitting way to pay homage to Lilly Pulitzer then to “Do it With Vintage” in one of her original pieces!

There is no denying that Macklemore’s style is fresh, but his get up at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards was fresh to death.  The “Can’t Hold Us” singer in his cobalt blue Logan Neitzel cape was giving us a cross between matador & marching band leader and we were loving every minute of it.  The gold-fringed cape with opulent printed lining reminded us of an amazing piece we have here at C. Madeleines, our Marcy & Co Nautical Military Skirt Suit.

This beautiful suit is the perfect way to recreate an understated Macklemore look of your own. You can wear this with our Gianni Versace Loafer Pumps for a classic look or match it with some kicks to keep it funky like Macklemore!

We are currently obsessed with one of the newest pieces to our collection here at C. Madeleine’s, our Camilla Skovgaard Wedge Saw Sole Booties.   Black booties are a staple that every girl should have, but these Skovgaard’s are beyond any typical pair of black shoes.  The saw-edge sole are Danish designer’s unique signature on most of her shoes. Skovgaard’s shoes are unique but extremely wearable. The designer’s versatile shoes have become a household name in Hollywood.  These booties have been seen many a time by the paparazzi.  So who have we seen wearing these killer shoes?

Chloe Moretz was seen wearing these beauties with black tights and lots of layers.

Style icon and official Bad Gal, Rihanna has been seen performing is Skovgaard shoes on multiple occasions.  Here she is wearing the saw sole wedges in black.

Repeat Offender Whitney Port has been seen wearing these shoes on multiple occasions (and in different colors).

Even Camilla Skovgaard herself has been seen in her genius creations! Skovgaard has been quoted saying her shoes are for the “intelligent fashionista”, we definitely agree.

So now the real question is, how would you wear these killer booties?

Some trends may seem more daunting than others, for example staying on trend with some blue eyeliner might be a little easier than rocking some leather in the spring.  Metallics were a huge hit this year for Spring/Summer and for most of us mixing them into our closet can seem a like scary job.  With a little help from this guide we hope that we can help you swallow the metallic pill and enjoy working this bold trend into your everyday look.  We put together a few outfits that are on trend, wearable, and of course we did it with vintage!

Working metallics into your accessories is a good place to start for beginners and will still have you looking like a total fashionista. Try out a pair of metallic shoes like these Pierre Hardy Snakeskin Heels to give your everyday office wear an extra pop. We outfitted these killer heels with aMarc Douglas Sleeveless DressAlaia Bowler Handbag, and this stunning Pamar Necklace for a perfect 9-5 look.

Dress these Jean Paul Gaultier Teal Metallic Pants with black pieces so that your look isn’t too busy. We matched these pants with our Dirk Bikkenbergs Sleeveless Tank, Chanel Black Leather Quilted Handbag, YSL Large Bangle, Karl Lagerfeld Clip-On Radish Earrings, and Stella McCartney Leather Boots for a look that lets these metallic pants shine.

To incorporate metallics into your daytime look try this Yves Saint Laurent Gold Lurex Top with some of your favorite staple pieces. We styled this top with our YSL Tapered Pants, Salvatore Ferragamo Black Satin Flats, Ray Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses, and MCM Cross Body Bag. This outfit is perfect for running errands or going to lunch, the vintage Ray Bans add a fun pop of color to this look too!


The annual festival Coachella is know for two things; the music and the fashion.  Over the years, Coachella has become a place to see the very best in festival style.   Everyone from hipsters to hip hop heads to celebrities alike head out to show their support.  This fest in the Valley is the perfect place to showcase your wildest outfits, so why not Do it With Vintage?  We handpicked some pieces from our collection that are perfect for your time spent out in Indio.  Mix them with items from your own wardrobe or have a vintage moment from head to toe.  Any way you cut it, you’ll be ready to tear it up Coachella style in all of these pieces!

1. 1950′s Lace & Gold Strapless Dress 2. Christian Lacroix Sheer Lace Floral Top 3. Edwardian-Inspired Lace & Silk Skirt

1.1960′s Orange Velvet & Lace Babydoll Dress 2. 1930′s Orange Celluloid Choker 3. Chanel Leather Skinny Belt 4. 1980′s Anthony Muto Iridescent Balloon Party Dress

1. 1960′s Lilly Pulitzer Floral Skirt 2. 1950′s Floral Pink Dress & Belt Set 3. 1950′s Mint Green Brooch & Earrings Set 4.  1960′s Peach Chiffon Party Dress

1. 1980′s Gold Metallic Clutch 2. 1960′s Daniel Green Flats 3. 1960′s Frank Usher Lurex Dress 4. 1960′s Gold Brocade Dress 5. Givenchy Silver Metallic Pants

1.  Calvin Klein Black Bustier 2. 1970′s Giorgio di Sant’Angelo Purple Cropped Top 3. Jean Paul Gaultier Cropped Vest

1. Philip Treacy Campbell’s Soup Baseball Cap 2. Philip Treacy Marilyn Monroe Baseball Cap

1. Chanel Lilac Sleeveless Top 2. 1960′s Geoffrey Beene Psychedelic Op-Art Dress 3. 1970′s Graphic Maxi Skirt 4. 1980′s Balmain Swirl Print Dress

1. 1980′s Pastel Gaucho Pants 2. 1950′s Bubble Gum Sequin Capris 3. 1950′s St. Simon Cotton Capris

1. 1950′s Schiaparelli Poured Glass Bracelet & Earrings Set 2. 1950′s Lucite Gold Confetti Cuff 3.  Floral Rhinestone Earrings 4. 1950′s Multicolor Gem Set 5. Blue Rhinestone Dome Brooch

1. 1960′s Jerry Yates Mod Beret 2. 1960′s Blue Skirt 3. 1960′s Jamison Op-Art Dress 4. 1960′s Yellow Beaded Purse 5.  1960′s Roger Vivier Patent Leather Pumps




1. 1960′s Swirl Brocade Pantsuit Set 2. 1960′s Hanae Mori Knit Skirt Set 3. 1980s Betsey Johnson Tank & Leggings Set 4. 1960s Eloise Curtis for Happenstance Tunic & Pants Set 5. 1990s Moschino Yellow Pages Blazer & Pants Set 6. 1970′s Animal-Print Palazzo Set 7. 1990s Moschino Grass-Print Pants 8. 1970s Magazine-Print Pants 9. 1970s Floral-Print Pants



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