Five Ways to Wear Vintage Jeans (Vintage Fashion)

Vintage Denim and Button-downs

There are so many brands and styles of jeans on the market you could spend a whole year trying them on. Despite my fondness for the Mossimo jeans I bought this Spring at Target, the white skinny jeans from Ross, and the Blue Desire Midrise with the distressed hems from T.J. Maxx, my all time favorite type are pre-owned and vintage. Soft, worn in and characteristically inexpensive their main attribute is timelessness.

Paired with a feminine Ralph Lauren blouse they’re “shabby but chic” or with a pristine white tee and menswear blazer, they’re ’80s street. In homage to one of my prized separates, today’s post is all about how to coordinate them five different ways.

Mixing It Up with Florals and Stripes

Painter’s jeans are considered serious work pants when worn with a flannel shirt and steel-toed boots, but they can also be playful when worn with a blue floral jacket and a navy-blue and white Breton (sailor top). Perfect for a quick jaunt to your neighborhood Farmer’s Market or local art gallery, museum or used bookstore they’re tidy and chic.

Farmer’s Market: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (Farmer’s Market, every Saturday 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.,seela.org 3650 W. MLK Jr. Blvd., L.A., CA. 90008, 323-290-6636).

The Museum of African-American Art: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza (Macy’s 3rd Floor, 4005 Crenshaw Blvd., Thursday-Sunday:12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.,maaala.org). Please call about exhibits and special events.

The Whole 9 Gallery: 3830 Main Street, Culver City, CA. 90232, 310-836-4600. Please call for more information about hours, exhibits and special events. thewhole9gallery.com.

Cool Errand Gear

Distressed and faded Levi’s can still be stylish and versatile when mixed with a vintage white cardigan, statement belt, and shades. The patina and wear of both items also give them a modern elegance. Slip this outfit on when running out to McDonald’s for a quick lunch, bank for much-needed funds or the cleaners with your suit for a job fair. Comfortable enough to be laid-back, but not so sloppy you’ll have to hide behind a nearby bush if you run into an old boyfriend, the structured lines of the jeans and sweater prevent it from being slovenly.

Baggy Hip-Hop Swag

Loose, baggy jeans add an extra saucy edge when coordinated with an oversized white Ralph Lauren shirt, vintage Levi’s jacket, and suede sandals. Then accessorized with a vintage red, white and black print vintage 1940’s doo-rag and oversized shades, it exudes a feminine allure to an ensemble comfy enough for a morning matinee at the Cinemark, artsy afternoon at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) or craft and school supply haul at the Dollar Tree,  JoAnne’s or Michael’s.

Distressed But Louche

If you buy a naturally worn and paint splattered pair of jeans from Timeless Treasures or another local thrift store, you can always dress them up with a knock-off Chanel-esque blazer to give them that high-low appeal that’ll take you to school and studying at the library afterwards, or dress them down with a grey retro Aerosmith tee from Ross, for a personal field trip to a Saturday yard sale. Brimming with lively backstories, if you’re lucky enough to find ones this authentic and beloved, they may soon accompany you on your own adventures, and collect tales picked up along the way, for the next owner to ponder over.

Streamlined Blue

Sometimes it’s not just nice to comingle prints and patterns, but layers too. A cropped cardigan can be very smart when placed over a striped blue and white blouse then accented with a navy-blue and white polka-dotted scarf tie and cuffed vintage Levi’s. If you work somewhere semi-casual, arduous, yet with exposure to the public in a school or library this combo is just right for long shifts and hard physical tasks that would render nicer duds torn and tattered in minutes.

As you can see, the ways to coordinate vintage jeans are as varied as the occasions they can be worn too. With a little ingenuity and self-analysis, you can easily include them in your wardrobe and use them to add uniqueness and classical styling any time you need to.

The True Story of Jeans

1) “What textile are they made from?”

They are made out of a material called “denim”. Its name comes from the French term “Serge de Nimes” where they originated in Nimes, France.

2) “How is denim created?”

Denim is created from the weft of the “cotton twill” which goes beneath the warp “threads” before they’re woven together. To get the distinctive blue and white shade of traditional jeans, the warp is “dyed indigo” while the weft is left white.

3) “When were jeans first invented and by whom?”

Jeans were first invented in 1873, by Jacob W. Davis a Reno, Nevada-based tailor and Bavarian native, “businessman/entrepreneur” Levi Strauss.

4) “Which group first wore “blue jeans” and why?”

Cowboys and miners were the first groups to wear “blue jeans. They wore them because they were sturdy and held up well over time.

5) “How did they become so popular with the mainstream?”

James Dean in the film Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956) made them popular and okay for anti-establishment males to adopt them as an alternative garment that signified youthful rebellion and allegiance to a sub-culture separate from their 9-5 fathers. Marilyn Monroe in the 1961 film The Misfits did the same for females.

References Cited

    1. historyofjeans.com, History of Jeans and Denim
    2. historyofjeans-making/how-jeans-are-made
    3. www.racked.com/2015/2/27/8116465/the-complete-history-of-blue-jeans-from-miners-to-marilyn-monroe, Wright, Jennifer. The Complete History of Blue Jeans, From Miners to Marilyn Monroe

 Places to Buy Vintage Jeans in Los Angeles, CA.

  1. Goodwill Southern California Store and Donation Center, Culver Junction, 3340, 8950 Venice Blvd., L.A., CA. 90034, 310-845-9327. Hours: Sunday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Monday through Saturday (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.), www.goodwillsocal.org. Online store (www.shopgoodwill.org), Ann Taylor Loft, Tommy Hilfiger, Lucky Brand, etc., (Under $50).
  2. Etsy.com, Levi’s vintage jeans (Various prices, under $100), www.etsy.com
  3. Timeless Treasures Thrift Shop, 9441 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA. 90232, 310-559-8338. Hours: Tuesday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  4. Out of the Closet Thrift Store, 8224 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA., 90046, 323-848-9760. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

A Lovely Pair: The Tunic Dress and Leggings (Fashion Coordination)

Layered legging look: Pink top, yellow mini skirt, navy-blue leggings, and green and white polka-dotted blazer. Access. with a striped belt and green tie belt.

If I were to judge a trend that’s traveled the chic spectrum, by the women I see wearing a top and leggings on my job in Koreatown, I’d say it’s more a matter of comfort than innovation.

You could even look at it as a class division, where those who’re on the lower end of the economic scale view it as an inexpensive way to dress while those on the upper end view it as pricey athleisure. Unfortunately, nothing shows the economic separation more than its interpretation.

Disney By Junk Food Collab with Target

Target, that great mecca of budgetary gear, has updated the tunic dress legging style again, with another collab that will probably go down in retail history, especially for shoppers who remember their collaborations with Lilly Pulitzer and Marimekko. This time it was with Disney, and what makes this pairing so fun is the collection has a slightly retro 1960s-1970s vibe that can be updated for 2018. In other words, what would’ve worked as a mini back in 1965, can work equally well today with a pair of leggings.

Once coordinated with either solids or prints, the ensemble can then be topped with a structured blazer, soft sweater or denim jacket and worn either to work (on Casual Day), or out and about on dates, errands, and trips, without being too casual. In fashion, one of the most popular and iconic prints is stripes, which you’ll see worn by actress Jean Seberg in the 1960 Jean-Luc Goddard French New Wave film Breathless. 

When I went to Target and shopped at their Disney x Junk Food collab in the Trend Spot section the breezy mod vibe of the collection reminded me of her. Then when I saw the striped, sleeveless hooded tunic dress I thought about all the years I’d worn a navy-blue and white sailor Breton with jeans, khaki’s, black men’s trousers and shorts. Cool and youthful, with a Mickey Mouse insignia, I figured I couldn’t go wrong for $26.

Instinctively knowing I could wear the tunic dress with my solid colored black, white and navy-blue leggings when I experimented with my black floral, black-and-white polka-dotted and multicolored ones its true charm came out. With just a little courage, research about how to wear today’s trends and time I added new life to an old standby.

How to Mix and Match Leggings with a Tunic Dress

  1. Look for prints and colors, in the tunic dress, that will enhance the leggings you want to match (i.e., a blue floral Marimekko x Target tunic dress with navy-blue or white leggings).
  2. Choose either flat soled sneakers, like Keds, Vans or Converse to maintain the comfortable ease of the overall look.
  3. Whether you choose a blazer, lightweight trench coat, denim jacket or sweater make sure the color compliments both the tunic dress and the leggings to pull it all together.
  4. To add that extra spice, a colorful bandanna or silky neckerchief, floppy hat, beret or baseball cap will do it effectively.

Wonderful Outfits for a Steal!

You don’t have to spend a lot to look beautiful. I put together a black and white outfit- a black and white houndstooth coat I discovered at Forever 21, a black and white swirl print long dress I found at Ross Dress For Less, and a black and white African necklace made out of recycled flip flops I found at the Pan African Film Festival and wore it on the day I saw Shen Yun 2018.

When I saw how well the black and white palette worked for me I later began collecting dresses with different black and white prints to experience various effects.

Black and white dresses

Are African-American Women An Endangered Species?

medium.com/@victoriamoore_75987/are-african-american-women-an-endangered-species-by-victoria-moore-c4bdac723e87

Here’s a link to an article I wrote for http://www.medium.com, Are African-American Women An Endangered Species?. I was inspired to write it while reading the book the book The Grim Sleeper: The Lost Women Of South Central, by Christine Pelisek.

Everyone Can Look Good Now

It’s not necessary to travel far out of the neighborhood for good looking finds.

For $20 you can visit your local Fallas, Ross, Dollar Tree and “Walmart” and stay on trend with today’s hottest looks.

Below I’ve included three of my favorite finds:

  • Gold necklaces from Fallas
  • Black and white short-sleeved top from Ross
  • Pink and turquoise bandanna set from Dollar Tree

Stripes are always fun, and always in.
These necklaces would dress up anything, from a plain tee to a lovely shirt dress.
The colors in these bandannas would any outfit pop.
www.walmart.com/ip/Time-and-Tru-Women-s-Linen-Capri-Pant-with-Drawstring-Waist/335027681

These necklaces would dress up anything, from a plain tee to a lovely shirt dress.
The colors in these bandannas would any outfit pop.
Stripes are always fun, and always in.

Christmas Chic: Who Said Holiday Clothes Have to Be Tacky?

Christmas Outfit Collage

Evolution of an Outfit

If I could’ve asked for any pre-Christmas present from Santa Claus, this year, I would’ve asked for a stylist to help me coordinate my holiday gear. Two years ago I bought a pair of red and white fleece lined Christmas leggings from Ross so I knew that part of my outfit was taken care of.

Now all I needed was a top or sweater, and accessories, to complete it. Believe me there’s no shortage of kitschy tops to choose from, including tees at Albertson’s and fluffy pullovers at Fallas. My challenge, however, was to choose something fun and classy enough to warrant its cost and timeless enough to earn its place in my closet.

After going back to Ross again, hoping luck would strike twice, when it didn’t I headed to Fallas. Unimpressed with their joyous offerings, I finally went to Target. and found the perfect sweater to match my leggings and join my small collection of holiday clothing. Emblazoned with an adorable pug in a red Christmas hat, my Bah Humpug sweater helped me pull off a vibrant ensemble that lightened my mood and earned a lot of compliments.

While a stylist would’ve made this process easier, learning how to create an evolving thematic look with a strong subject matter, was the best Christmas gift I could’ve ever received.

Below is my Christmas gift to you, a descriptive list of the various ways I coordinated my holiday outfits over the past three years and some tips on how you can create your own outfit. If you want to see what my ensembles look like check out the collage above.

Keepin’ It Classy for Christmas:

Where Did You Get Those Cool Christmas Pants?

  • Date: December 2015
  • Place: Beethoven Elementary School
  • Outfit Breakdown: Black leather motorcycle jacket + hand-knit white floral cardigan over a white blouse + red and white print Christmas leggings.

Miss Moore, Miss Moore Is That Your Coat?

  • Date: December 2016
  • Place: Baldwin Hills Elementary School
  • Outfit Breakdown: Red vinyl coat + light blue pullover sweater over a blue and white striped button-down shirt and red and white print Christmas leggings.

You Look Very Festive Today!

  • Date: December 2017
  • Place: Leo Politi Elementary School
  • Outfit Breakdown: Green corduroy pea coat + black pug Christmas sweater+ red and white checked button-down shirt, patriotic cat scarf and red and white print Christmas leggings.

The Christmas Sweater Goes Back Into the Closet Until Next Year After This 

  • Date: December 2017
  • Outfit Breakdown: Beige corduroy blazer over white button-down shirt + cream long dress and pug Christmas sweater.

How to Create a Fashionable Christmas Outfit:

  1. Look for Christmas clothes in styles and prints you’d wear the rest of the year instead of disposable, inexpensive garments you’ll be tempted to dispose of easily.
  2. Pair your items with classics, like button-down shirts, nice pants or a simple skirt, then further accessorize with colorful scarves, jewelry or other accents that have holiday prints.
  3. Decide on a color scheme, ahead of time (i.e., red, white, green and black) and work around that as you would any other outfit you would wear for work or a special occasion.

Inexpensive Doesn’t Have to Mean Cheap

I had an interesting conversation with a co-worker yesterday about inexpensive clothing. I told her my instructor, for my FSH 619 class Developments and Current Debates in Fashion at Academy of Art University, asked if we’d seen any changes in fast-fashion recently? When I told her, I’d said, “Yes,” and pointed out the new day from Target plaid jacket and blue and white striped shirt dress I was wearing while stating it was a real bargain, she flew into a thinly veiled rage.

“People in this area, of Koreatown, would rather buy as many pants and tops as they can at Ross, then spend more money on one thing that might be “longer lasting” at Target, she said. “Besides their clothes are too expensive.”

Laughing I told her that I didn’t blame them because the skinny jeans, Harajuku Lovers sneakers I was wearing and the Betsey Johnson purse I carried that day were all bought at Ross over two years ago. It’s true that I’ve been mistaken as an extremely wealthy fashionista because I know my way around an outfit, and I always try to upgrade whatever I wear to emulate a Vogue, Porter, Nylon, Elle or Marie Claire layout, but my ultimate goal is to find quality items at a great price with great style.

Still reeling, from both the derision of my outfit and later a compliment about it from a woman on the bus home, I took my trash out the next day and saw a sordid display of discarded garments. On the one end of this issue, I was insulted for treating my fast-fashion with pride while this unknown culprit was applauded for being “poor”. Which one is right? The consumer who thinks about tomorrow or the person who could care less.

As this drama goes on, with both sides fighting for position, the only resolution I see is to realize we have a longer way to go to get back where we should be.20171110_163741-COLLAGE-1.jpg