Start with these 10 Essential Vintage Pieces.
Once upon a time, handcrafted items were an everyday occurrence. Vintage pieces are generally associated with a timeless elegance that bridges the gap between history and present day. Today’s discerning woman may find it difficult to find such high quality items at thrift stores as the shopping world becomes more globalized and less bespoke.
A vintage collector is always turning the smallest corners of the world in search of fashion, furniture and décor at antique stores. For those of us who have always appreciated precious pieces of the past but didn’t know where to begin; Ulrika gave us a few pointers. On a recent trip to My Ulrika in Los Angeles, we got a quick lesson from the renowned vintage collector, Ulrika, who helped us navigate from her charming boutique on La Brea Avenue back into a time of old world craftsmanship that blended simplicity and elegance using the finest materials.
Just as every stylist would inform that there are staple pieces in a contemporary wardrobe like the little black dress, there are signature vintage items that every well-traveled woman finds essential. The beautiful boutique, My Ulrika, is unlike the thrift or consignment stores found in Los Angeles. It houses valuable and desirable pieces from all across Europe and is a place where a woman can find those classic finishing touches to her wardrobe or home décor.
The beginner’s vintage wardrobe starts with the introductory 60s alligator Bag in a classic black or brown, which is valued for its exquisite hardware and structure. Vintage costume jewelry is also highly sought after because it is created with a setting and mounted like real jewelry—versus modern day pieces that use adhesive. Beautiful brocade overcoats are also the perfect addition to any closet and a great pairing with vintage dresses. Brocade fabric has been associated with luxury and opulence for centuries in vintage and clothing. Its distinctive pattern compliments various ensemble options. Hand embroidered 60s vintage dresses are also a nod to classic elegance as hand embroidery produces intricate details and is now hard to come by unless procured from resale shops. The ultimate necessity to your vintage style is an oversized brooch, which provides a dose of glamour to a cocktail dress, mink neck wrap, or tailored coat. Vintage items can make any wardrobe versatile, taking simple daytime consignment items into evening with international glamour.
Mixing old with new brings certain elegance to a room and easily shows a sense of old-world glamour. Consignment store furniture can also be incorporated into the interior style of a sophisticated home. Decorative home items, like a sterling silver champagne bucket, are ideal for intimate gatherings while Glass Martini Sets are great for a festive cocktail hour. For an elegant dinner party, utilize uniquely shaped decanters for water or wine and a crystal vase to display a lovely floral arrangement. However, the ultimate addition to your vintage home collection is porcelain tableware in a Victorian style design.
Whether you choose to shop thrifts stores in LA or luxury consignment boutiques, vintage pieces have the ability to transform a corner in your home or accent your wardrobe, the basic rule always applies- old world elegance is a style that never falls out of fashion.
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