Mixing Old With New
How To Style A Vintage Handbag Contemporary
You may have seen on the runways this Spring/Summer that vintage style framed handbags were all the rage.
Mixing old with new is a great way to dip your toes into the pool of wearing vintage.
Vintage handbags are easy to combine with contemporary pieces.
Céline has recently devoted a whole new line to basically replicas of 1950’s framed handbags. Everything old is new again.
Don’t be a sucker!
Buy an authentic vintage handbag. You can find brilliant ones that are better quality at a fraction of the cost, have some real history and as an added bonus you’ll be helping save the environment.
Win win my friends.
I have a few in my vintage store for sale including a great oversized embroidered raffia wicker handbag/tote.
This outfit is a rarity for me, more contemporary than vintage.
I’d been craving a pussy bow blouse in pastel pink and gave in when I spotted this one.
The gingham pants were an impulse buy when I was shopping for hangers for my Etsy shop. Truly I need to wear blinders when I shop. I have a bit of ADD when it comes to “just running in to pick up one thing”.
There is textured dots on the blouse, visual texture with the gingham pattern, the shoes have a faux alligator texture and the handbag has what feels like velvet embroidery. The small textures read as solids to the eye but each little layer adds a bit of depth to the outfit.
Of course the best thing about the whole ensemble is the oversized structured framed vintage handbag.
Something unexpected is always a welcome addition.
I will admit this outfit made me feel pretty darn fierce.
I have a love of vintage framed handbags, especially embroidered ones, a few of which I’ve featured in the outfits below.
Mixing Old With New How To Style A Vintage Handbag Contemporary
My dream vintage handbag would be this one in a caramel colour. {sigh}
Who needs a house or a car when you can just have a handbag instead?
Are you attracted to vintage handbags?
Linking up with the lovely Patti over at Visible Monday.
I never used to think of my handbag as part of my outfit (maybe that’s because I was working, so the bag was under my desk??). But now I’m hooked!!
I’m sure my mom (the 70+ model on my blog) has vintage handbags that were hers since she never throws things out!! LOL
And your outfit—perfection, Suzanne!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
You need to have a post of your Mom’s old bags! I’d love to see them!
Ahhhh…that’s brilliant!!
I love all those bags! Last year’s summer bag was an Enid Collins (Strawberry Roan) but it’s a tad heavy this year–but I did recently find a small, delft blue embroidered frame bag that might be ready to take over the job. Great post!
I have several Enid Collins bags – I was collecting them for a while. I find them to be very stiff and heavy so they don’t get used, but they look very nice hanging on my kitchen wall.
Fashion is great for interior decorating! : )
I like how you’ve picked up some decent sized bags, they’re not all tiny ones! I’m like Mary Poppins, carrying around loads of stuff all the time. That blouse is gorgeous too – a really lovely outfit, it has so many interesting textures like you say, that you don’t necessarily see at first glance x
I do like a big bag but I don’t like to carry them around if I’m going to be walking forever or out all day. I can only take very small cross body bags. I have a couple of vintage ones that literally fit my iPhone, lipstick and wallet and those are what I take out when I know I’ll be walking all day long. I love the look of the bigger bags but my fibromyalgia doesn’t like to carry them.
I adore your bag collection, and agree that secondhand or vintage is a fabulous way to grow a collection! I love the gingham pants and pink bow blouse, a fabulous outfit that looks on point and of super good quality. Love your statement bags.
I do own a version of your dream bag ,It has everything but the name, and was made I Italy with glossy skins just like Hermes uses., and not France , also th skins were ethically sourced, I was told..
you can look second hand, a I did. I wear these more than my Hermes bag, which I was so lucky to get as gift. Just saying..search eBay for Kelly and not Hermes Kelly… you might be surprised . And of course don’t buy anything made in China.. the good Kelly’s are cheap, but they are a beautiful classic, more along the price of an expensive bike that an car..
Have. A good week. !
Ps, I mentioned you in my post, the one from last week, and I believe my bloglovin account is fixed, thanks so much for that!
X, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
Oops, please excuse the typos , ?and I meant to stay
The good Kelly’s are not cheap…?
Freudian wish, slip!
???❤️❤️❤️
Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
Ha ha! : )
Your bags are fabulous and a great size, too. I’m not into those dainty ladylike vintage bags, they aren’t practical!
The design of those Kelly bags are fab but the cruelty behind them is truly ugly. xxx
Let’s just say that a bag wouldn’t be the first thing I’d buy if I won the lottery.
I’d be travelling the world.
Great bags! And great styling, Suzanne, as usual. I love the brown wicker one. I’m afraid I’d bust it up with all my stuff inside. I’m a bag slacker for sure.
There’s a Delvaux brand bag at Nordstrom, which says, “Ceci n’est pas un Delvaux” – a mere US$17,000, a price which I didn’t find out until after I had been swinging it around the shop. Breathlessly they told me it was one of only two in the entirety of NORTH AMERICA! I didn’t buy it but I bet it would hold an extra pair of shoes.
Yes, you introduced me to that insanely expensive brand of bags. It goes to show how totally out of touch I am when it comes to new luxury brands.
I have a few vintage handbags but don’t use them often because I like having both hands free, and I find it hurts my back to carry things for long periods of time. It wouldn’t be a problem if all I put in my purse was a small wallet and my phone, but I carry way too much stuff around with me. The embroidered ones are so pretty though.
I totally agree with you. These handbags come out when I know I won’t be walking around all day long.
I think you may remember I choose small cross body bags when I’m out and about.
I adore a vintage bag – esp a needle-point or embroidered one. They do have so much more style than a plain leather bag, just off the presses. You’re looking marvelous as ever – love the pink pussy-bow blouse. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I do love an embroidered vintage handbag! You have some marvellous ones – and some fabulous outfits to accompany them.
I also like your contemporary outfit – the handbag looks perfect with it.
Hope you’re having a great week…
I wondered when these would come back in fashion!
I adore your first outfit. A departure for you, but still amazing. You can see you feel fierce!
Xo Jazzy Jack
That pink blouse is so pretty! I’ll admit, though, I’m not the biggest handbag girl. They look very pretty, but I don’t like carrying them, so usually I’ll only own one at a time, total, and half the time it will end up on Angel’s shoulder when we’re out.
Ha ha! I also will sometimes to get my husband to carry my bag. Of course now that he is in Hong Kong that is impossible.
Your vintage bags are really wonderful. I LOVE the needlepoint because they are so classic looking and artisan inspired. You have styled them in creative and convincing ways here which has caused me to crave one of my own.
Texture is also something that I find very compelling in a fabric. I think texturing woven fabrics was more commonly done in the past (correct?) and it’s probably an expensive aspect of the manufacturing process.
You’re just lovely in the pinky blouse and checked pants.
Yes I agree woven fabrics are a thing of the past because of the labour involved in creating them.
I knew an artisan that owned two large looms that were foot pedal operated and she made her own fabric. It was insane! Plus just one loom took up her entire living room.
It did have a very meditative quality to it though when she was working on it.
I like this parade of your vintage handbags. Together with your outfits they give a clear view of your unique style. As for the pants, they look great. I ordered similar ones when I was slightly drunk in the south of France. Like you I just had a quick look.
Had to send them back as they were funny around the knees.
Greetje
Ha ha! Drunk shopping. I need to see a video of that!
Luckily there is no evidence… Well actually, nothing really happens. It is still me.. times 10 haha.
I really like the looks!
Keep up with the good work and check out my blog if you have time,
xx, Kris
https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com/
Love your handbag collection!
I love it how you’ve made these embroidered vintage bags your signature accessory! They’re very pretty, and go with your fun and quirky personality. Hah! There’s a blog post idea: “what does your handbag say about you?”. Hmm, I’ve always been partial to expensive luxury bags, I guess that means I’m a bit of a snob…
You are definitely a bag snob! And I say that in the most endearing way possible ; )
Oooh!! This first outfit is delightful! I want to be buried in this blouse.
I totally agree with you about vintage bags. While one can argue that retro-styled new clothing is preferable to actual vintage clothing because of wear, that argument doesn’t apply to handbags. Let’s give these puppies new life!
The blouse is quite lovely, I just wish it wasn’t so dang hot and didn’t require a camisole underneath. That’s what happens when you order something online…you have no idea what you’re getting.
Well, I’m not interested in bags anymore because I have to use a special(stupid looking) bag to carry my oxygen concentrator, do I will say something about the outfits! I don’t often see you wearing trousers, and as I’m loving gingham, I’m wearing it on my blog today, I’m totally in love with the trousers! But I’ve said it before, what I always love about your outfit pictures is that you create such different vibes, styles, atmosphere(do you know what I mean?) with your looks. I absolutely love it!
That sucks about the whole bag thing although when it comes to our health really fashion and everything else becomes very superficial.
I can vacillate between very quirky styles vintage boho style to almost office attire to rocker chic. This outfit still kept a bit of the quirk for me which is ultimately what is the most important.
PS…I mostly wear dresses because they are so much more comfortable than pants, especially since I’ve put on some weight. If I could drop another 10 lbs I’d be more apt to want to wear some of my trousers.
That pink blouse is adorable. Love it paired with the gingham. And I’m coveting your purses!
Your post is reminding me that I need to get me some more vintage bags. I realize now that I did not pack nearly enough of them when I ventured north for the summer. So good excuse of another shopping excursion.
I’m partial to vintage purses with patterns and textures, so needlepoint, tapestry, straw, raffia, etc. And I love those seashell encrusted wicker ones that they made in Florida in the 50s and 60s. So kitschy cute!
Totally relate about not carrying a large heavy bag around. That’s another reason I like vintage, as they tend to be smaller, forcing me to carry less stuff. Definitely helps with the stiff neck and shoulder pain!
Theresa
I adore vintage and antique bags, I used to trawl estate sales for Victorian mourning pieces. One of my more recent acquisitions is similar to the third one you’re carrying in this post, Suzanne. I bought it from Cherie of Style Nudge 🙂
Your vintage bags are some of the best that I’ve seen. They add so much to an ensemble, and you know how to put it all together with so much class. It’s a thrill to visit your world!
I love your needlepoint bags! They are so pretty. Also- I wish I could have that Kelly bag too- just a tiny bit out of my price range though!!! 🙁
You do look fierce, Suzanne, in all of these outfits with your awesome vintage bags. And you’re so right–win-win when it comes to buying vintage. All your outfits are case in point how good someone can look and feel when they incorporate unique, often one-of-a-kind vintage pieces into their wardrobe. Each bag you showed looks like a little work of art right on your arm. So cool.
Hugs,
Sherry
Wow, so many cool handbags! You sure know how to pick ‘m.
I love your outfit with the pink blouse.