- Hello lovely people!
So lots of you ask me, "Jessica, are you vintage
"all the time, all day, every day?",
and yes, yes I am.
I really, really am.
Don't know modern clothes.
Another question I get asked a lot however is,
"How do I use modern items and make them look more vintage?"
Which is great both
if you're starting out in vintage clothing
and you maybe don't want to spend too much money
or you don't know if it's right for you
and you just kind of want to adapt
the clothes that you've got.
And obviously you're saving money,
it's wonderful because retro clothes
can be really expensive guys, really expensive.
So I thought I would challenge myself
to use the most modern article of clothing
I could possibly think of, the T-shirt
and see if I could make it vintage.
I should probably point out
that since I don't own any T-shirts,
this really was quite a challenge.
I am using one of my merch T-shirts, ta-da!
So you're going to see them in a variety of ways
throughout this video in a variety of different outfits
and I hope it will be really helpful for you
and give you some little hints and tips and tricks
for when you're just trying to start
your vintage wardrobe and your vintage life.
Now let's watch as I attempt to make a T-shirt vintage.
(upbeat music)
We're starting with a standard white T-shirt
and then adapting the neckline
with a pair of trusty scissors.
A lot of vintage looks benefit
from more of an open neckline
and I always think it's incredibly flattering
to show a little collarbone.
But the skirt is the real MVP here.
Apparently that's a sporting term,
it means it's trying really hard.
I'd really advise getting some staples in your wardrobe
that look quite vintagy and thus can make other things
look vintage, but also work for everyday wear
if you don't put a petticoat underneath them.
Honestly, I could wear pinback with this skirt
and still look vintage.
But I don't think I've done too bad a job with the T-shirt.
You might have noticed the little teal accent on the T-shirt
and I'm continuing that into accessories
with these very cute shoes.
They're from Paradox London
and are supposed to be wedding shoes,
which really just means they are comfortable enough
to wear all day long.
Top tip for comfortable yet cute shoes.
If you've ever wondered how I do up my shoes,
the answer is I don't.
Thanks Clara.
To match my shoes I am adding a bag of the exact same color.
Lots of fashion magazines will say that oh,
you shouldn't match your shoes to your bag
because only grandmas do that, to which I say duh!
My entire aesthetic is what would grandmother wear.
And to top off this rather basic vintage look,
add some pearls because you can never go wrong with pearls.
You can quote me on that.
Another vintage staple, this dress is the Matilda,
not that Matilda, from British Retro
and whilst it is 58 pounds,
it is a really great investment piece and very wearable.
It also comes in a range of colors
and just look at that color, oh!
But this outfit really starts with a very attractive
and incredibly soft oversized T-shirt that I happen to sell.
One is the most modern identifiers of T-shirts
is the way the sleeves are cut and fall,
which is lovely if that's your thing,
but personally I'm a fan of the Snow White puff.
Here's a really easy way
to add cute sleeve details without any sewing.
All you need are some tiny safety pins.
I have a lot of them thanks to most vintage companies
attaching labels with them.
I'm not kidding, I'm simply drowning
in mini safety pins, send help.
To make a sleeve puff you merely take the pin
and grab a tiny bit of fabric
in the center of the sleeve edge on the front side,
pick up another tiny bit of sleeve
in the center halfway along
and then finally a section from the center near the seam.
Clip your pin together
and you have a delightful puffy sleeve.
You can repeat this on the back of the sleeves too
in order to create a very puffy puff,
but I quite like this look.
As you can see the collar from the Matilida dress
has transformed the look.
Plus the T-shirt has lavender tones to match the skirt.
Now I am going to attempt to tie the T-shirt around my waist
to keep the 1950's cinched in look.
Awkward.
I said attempt, okay?
Did I genuinely just make a video about
how my hands don't work and then immediately attempted
to tie a difficult knot behind my back?
Yeah, great logic Jessica.
Time for some socks.
Yes, I'm a belly-dancing seven-year-old sometimes,
but bare with, they do actually look great
when teamed with heels
and they bring the white of the collar
down to the bottom of the outfit
so we can be as matchy matchy as possible.
Have I sold you yet?
All right, next up, these cute shoes
to match the navy of the T-shirt.
They're velvety and thus adorable.
A wicker bag sets the whole thing off
and yes, maybe I look like a schoolgirl,
but at least I look like a schoolgirl from the 1950s
so I'm living my best life really.
We're now going to create an item of clothing
that will either be called a sleeveless jumper,
a pullover, a sweater, a vest,
or even a waistcoat depending on where you live.
I'm sure there are many more names for it
so please do leave whatever you would call it
in the comments below.
Make sure to turn your T-shirt inside out when cutting
so you know you're sticking to the seams.
Don't mind, I'm aware my edges aren't perfect
when cutting for the camera,
but I am actually going to neaten them up later.
(upbeat music)
Please meet the most autumnal autumn skirt
to ever autumn autumnally.
And another thing you desperately need
when building a vintage wardrobe,
a beautifully cut shirt.
This one's from a seamstress I found through Etsy,
which I highly recommend checking Etsy, the small companies
and people who sew beautiful things at home.
This shirt is so useful, you will see it again later.
And once we've added our new red sweater vest
you'll see what I mean about how useful the shirt can be.
Once I have finally perfected
the most perfect bow to ever perfect.
Done.
I'm adding a cream belt to tie together the shirt sleeves
and the collar to the skirt.
Belts just complete an outfit for me.
These shoes the new,
so I just had to fit them into this video.
They are made for dancing, which of course means
they are perfectly comfortable for everyday life.
I have very delicate little feet
that always seems to be cut up by shoes
and I also can't feel them,
so finding comfortable yet beautiful shoes is
a really big deal for me and stops the blood everywhere.
And the ultimate accessory a red beret,
which I decided to put on the side of my head
to make the bow stand out because have we mentioned
I'm obsessed with bows?
Oh, and that's just an open door
that won't stay closed, cool.
Hot tip for vintage on a budget.
If you see a high street store selling a circle skirt,
you buy one in all of the colors.
That's why I did with the skirt from Uniqlo.
I think it only cost me around 20 pounds,
but it's very wearable and it has pockets!
For this incredibly simple look you will then need
a T-shirt of almost any description.
Oh yeah, (giggles)
that's very vintage underwear, scandalous.
The T-shirt needs to be large enough
for you tie a knot in the front.
Think Marilyn Monroe on holiday
and then roll up the sleeves.
This is a very relaxed vintagy shape.
Add some heels to match the color of the T-shirt.
Dance around in them for no reason
and then add the perfect I'm on a vintage holiday accessory,
a walking great hat!
Seriously, that's one huge hat.
This hat is possibly my new favorite accessory.
It's from ASOS and came with a black ribbon,
but I thread through whatever color ribbon
just suits my outfit.
And honestly I smack people next to me with it
all the time, but how could you not love
this offensively large hat?
And then because what is vintage
if not weirdly formal in the daytime,
I had this fancy glitzy bag
I borrowed from my sister-in-law years ago,
but I don't think she watches my videos
so I've managed to get away with not giving it back yet.
Having said that, this will be
the one video she watches, won't it?
What a cute outfit!
Get your scissors at the ready again,
we're going to make a super summery look
using this slightly too large T-shirt.
As I said with the white T-shirt,
so much of giving a vintage impression
with your clothes is about the neckline
and a rounded T-shirt one will rarely do.
Okay, I mean there are exceptions to this rule,
do not come for me vintage purists,
I am just on this earth to have fun.
I'm cutting in a boat neck and lord only knows
why I thought I could cut from both sides,
but apparently no, right handed.
Still the end result is lovely.
Add an overly fluffy tulle skirt.
Do I wish I had this in every color?
Yes.
Am I just digging myself deeper into a clearly
wants to be seven year old ballet dancer hole?
Yes, clearly yes.
Fortunately this T-shirt is now off the shoulder
and thus makes it a little more grown-up and relaxed.
As is adding some cute heels.
To everyone who follows me on Instagram asking,
"Are those Claudia's wedding shoes again?"
And yes, yes they are.
This barret with bow is again from Brothers and Sisters
and I have it in a variety of colors,
so look out for them once the weather turns
because they are all I will be wearing on my head.
And of course, the obligatory gloves.
What'd I tell you about gloves?
They make every outfit look complete.
Oops and bag, because there's no way in hell
this skirt has pockets and I need somewhere to put my phone.
Try and tell me this outfit isn't adorable,
because if you think that, you're lying to yourself.
(upbeat music)
Hello and welcome to Jessica dances in her under things,
it's a lot less salacious than that title suggests.
As you can see we've started with the cream shirt
from earlier and it is still looking adorable.
Adding a T-shirt over the top,
trying not to destroy your hair and makeup.
I mean ha, good luck with that
and pop up that adorable collar again.
When it comes to making T-shirts look vintage,
the collar really is one of the main sticking points.
I then considered rolling up the sleeves,
but realized that would be both uncomfortable
and look really weird so ignore me.
To pick up on the tiny teal detail on tee shirt
and the black obviously,
I'm adding this felt skirt from Collective
that I absolutely adore
and start wearing as soon as it gets cold.
It feels like velvet.
Yes, that's how I put skirts on sometimes.
It's a thing, don't question it.
Ooh, had to take a moment affect my bow obviously.
Seriously Jessica, what is wrong with you?
Nothing looks good without a perfect bow.
Make sure when you adjust your T-shirt
that you're pulling mainly from the back
so we don't get material bunching at the fronts and sides.
To properly frame the T-shirt and make sure
the shirt collar ties into the whole outfit,
I'm adding a cream belt.
I am obsessed with pulling colors through the whole outfit,
which is why we're including a black wire headband.
Also it's velvet.
Have I told you I'm obsessed with velvet yet?
It is surprisingly difficult
to put a headband on without a mirror.
I can actually say I'm quite impressed
with myself right now.
After covering my head with black,
I add it to my feet with these lovely vintage shoes
that I either got from a charity shop or clothes mom.
Come back to me on that one when I remember.
And because no vintage outfit is really complete
without that oops, did I make it too fancy moment,
I have added some vintage silk gloves in cream.
Cannot lie, this is my casual.
Let me know what you think of all of these looks
and if you also have a few tips and tricks
that you'd like to share with other people
please do leave them in the comments down below.
(upbeat music)