1970s Maxi Dress
Another dress from the most recent estate sale I attended is this 1970s maxi dress which I styled in what I’m dubbing, “1970’s Boho Hipster Style”.
You heard it here first folks.
I wore this before the heat and humidity came to Toronto. Now I would be ditching the velvet duster, hat and boots for some sandals, a straw hat and a big squirt of #45 sunscreen.
It came with a matching bolero jacket with sheer black sleeves.
When I wear it with the jacket it looks very dressy. I think the jacket could be quite nice on its own with some high waisted palazzo pants or with my black jumpsuit.
I know quite a few people are turned off by vintage because they say it looks too much like a costume. The trick to styling vintage pieces is that you need to style them in a way that compliments your own style statement and makes you comfortable. Vix , Judith and Melanie are a few of my heros for adapting vintage items to suit their own contemporary needs. They carry it off easily with conviction and confidence.
Personally, when I look at vintage pieces I am not drawn to one era, I’m drawn to an item of clothing that just so happens to be from a previous time. I’m not fussy about the age of the item, I’m fussy about the quality, cut, fit and colour of the item and whether or not it works with my own personal style sense and body.
If we all looked past the numerical age, whether it be people, clothing or household furnishings, and instead looked at how the person or item is still of value in the world our society would be less destructive, more inclusive and much more sustainable.
Old shouldn’t be a dirty word.
I am being whisked off to a mysterious secret getaway tomorrow. I’ll see you all on the other side of 50 later next week!
Linking up with Hat Attack
Have fun hipster. Happy birthday GORGEOUS! Have an awesome secret getaway. Yeah 50☺
I’m a pushover for a maxi dress, but a 70’s maxi is fab. The colours are perfect for your complexion, and I do hope you’ll show us the summer styling version as mentioned. Another great buy, you lucky girl. Talking of which, hope you have sensational birthday surprise. I suppose you’ve heard that 50 is the new 30, so you’ve not nothing to worry about!
Anna x
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Happy Birthday again—it’s about time you joined the better age group!! Because you certainly have the right attitude—old is definitely not a dirty word!!
Even just the bolero jacket is quite a find…I’m assuming the dress is sleeveless? The print is so fun and it fits you great!!
And since maxis are everywhere now, I’m not sure anyone would realize this is vintage!!
Was it a great deal?
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It is pretty much always a great deal at estate sales. That is why I find them so addictive.
Yes, it is sleeveless.
Of course you are right, the only thing that gives this away as vintage is the tag on the inside and the fabric and finishing which are much higher quality than today’s standards.
Thanks for the birthday wishes : ) The “better” age group sounds fun!
Suzanne,
This outfit is so perfectly balanced with color, pattern, and style! The handbag and the dress were made for each other. The post itself inspires me to continue my own search for vintage pieces I can incorporate into my modern style.
I got goosebumps reading this:
“If we all looked past the numerical age, whether it be people, clothing or household furnishings, and instead looked at how the person or item is still of value in the world our society would be less destructive, more inclusive and much more sustainable.”
In honor of your birthday, I raise a glass of my favorite cocktail (Moscow Mule) and cheer your new decade with only the best wishes for satisfaction and fulfillment in life and creativity. Cheers for success in whatever form you desire it!
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
Great dress! It looks great with the duster!
Have a fabulous getaway! Happy, happy Birthday!!!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
Loving the bold colors in that maxi dress! Green is one of my favorite colors to wear.
http://www.thebeautybeau.com/style-puma-rihanna-fenty-trainer/
That dress is great! You have such a knack for finding amazing vintage pieces and styling them in a way that is fresh.
I’m toasting you along with Sherry. Your philosophical moment really was quite moving and left me wondering; if we don’t need to croison (sp) just like a fine wine to just about the age of 50 (or beyond) before that philosophy finally rings true?
Enjoy being whisked away Suzanne. I think 50 is the “Whisked Away ” birthday. How lucky for you!!
When I grow up, I want to dress like you. 🙂
Hope you are having a most amazing birthday celebration! You styled this dress perfectly so that it looks very modern. You have an impressive talent for incorporating vintage pieces into an outfit so that it is timeless and funky.
Thank you so much for the mention, Suzanne. I’m honored to be included in such impressive company. I agree with everything you have to say about vintage. As an avid estate sale person myself, I adore your maxi dress. Your ensemble is very creative and beautiful.
Thank you also for participating in Hat Attack! It means so much to me!
Happy Birthday!! I need to check out estate sales. Love this ma I, very flattering and love the blues and greens on you
Xxjess
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
First of all, happy birthday, friend!!
And like you, I don’t really care which era an item of clothing came from so long as I love it. I haven’t been able to pair many vintage pieces in my wardrobe for the simple reason that I haven’t been trying and I really ought to. The provenance behind each piece is so rich, it’s a shame to not keep creating memories with them 🙂
p/s I LOVE that you wore this dress with that duster cardigan, so divine.
Hope you had a wonderful birthday my friend!!
I have always admired how well you wear a vintage piece and make it so current looking. This is a very pretty dress and I like it with the duster.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Gorgeous print!!! kiss kiss
stylentonic.com
I’m seeing more hipster Bonnie (as in Bonnie and Clyde) <3
That looks amazing on you! I LOVE it with the hat. You look like a Bohemian artist who should be sipping Absinthe in a Parisian bar!
Happy birthday and I hope you enjoy your getaway!
I hope you have or had a nice time (I say this, because I subscribed to your blog some time ago, and sometimes subscriptions tend to deliver the posts a bit late, 2 3 days sometimes, so you may have returned from the getaway 🙂 I loved your outfit, I liked really all – I am a fan of the length and colors 🙂 But what I really really liked was what you wrote about age, no matter who or what. I would love to use it one day on my blog, but surely will quote you if I do! Hope you have a nice week!
DenisesPlanet.com
Thanks for the birthday wishes Denise.
I stopped offering daily updates for the people that subscribe to my blog as too many people complained or unsubscribed after receiving too many emails. I now only send them out once per week with an additional one of the monthly newsletter. That way people know they only get 5 emails per month from me. It might not be the best solution, but I’m losing fewer readers that way.
Oh gosh, I have stars in my eyes over this outfit, and of course the awesome dress!!!
JJ
I LOVE this! Happy Birthday! I’m so glad another bloggy friend has joined me in the 50+ category. I was getting lonely! lol
Such a fabulous maxi – and what you wrote about age is so spot-on true! I am counting the days (soon, the hours) will we have our cocktails! xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Yay, thank for the shout-out, girlfriend!
You are the poster girl for 50!! You look absolutely stunning. That dress would have been mine if I lived on the same continent – I bloody love it. Dying to see that bolero with your jumpsuit.
Spot on about wearing vintage – I love it when people ask which shop I bought my clothes from, assuming I’m wearing second-hand designer gear rather than 40 year old clothing. I have no desire to replicate an era, I just wear clothes I love and that nobody else has.
Have an absolute blast of a 50th! I hope you’e somewhere gorgeous, sunny and tropical with topless barmen bringing you mojitos at the click of a finger. xxxx
My husband wouldn’t agree to the topless barman nor would he agree to a well muscled tattooed hottie for my massage ( I had a spa day as part of my gift). My husband is a serious spoiled sport.
Suzanne, that dress! If I had been at that estate sale I would have planned a diversion so I could snatch it away from you!!! Love it with the duster, but that little bolero is adorable and certainly will look great with some palazzo pants. Can’t wait to see how you style it.
You’re certainly looking mighty fabulous at 50. Hope you had a fantastic birthday celebration 🙂
Happy Birthday beautiful friend! A secret getaway? How mysterious and romantic! I’m loving this dress so much, even more so with that beyond my wildest dreams velvet duster. Well done my hipster boho hero!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
The other side of 50? Oh. You are going to like it over here. It is the “I don’t give a f#%k” era of life. Meanwhile, you look as though you should be wandering down the Champs Elysee, going café to cabaret.
The duster coat is out of this world. <3 The dress is really gorgeous. I love that particular color scheme. I have dress very similar to this one. This inspires me to try to wear it more often. Beautiful!
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
Hope you’re having a fabulous birthday getaway! You look gorgeous, and tall, in this dress too!
Maxi dresses make me look taller. Took me 50 years to figure that out. LOL
Gorgeous, I love the turquoise, green and black motif…and your unique style. Thank you for your fabulous blog.
Elizabeth.
Thanks for popping by Elizabeth : )
Loving all that “1970’s Boho Hipster Style”, particularly loving that it involves a big floral print, a velvet coat and lots of fabulousness!!!, Gorgeous!!
besos