Tag: vintage fashion

Style Trends You Can Steal from “The Queen’s Gambit”

Posted on January 4, 2021January 9, 2021 by stilettocity

Netflix’s runaway hit mini-series “The Queen’s Gambit” about a gifted female chess player is extraordinary on so many levels. But it’s the fashion that’s a real standout. Set in the early 1960s, midcentury modern style trends such as Peter Pan collars and headscarves make several appearances, but it’s the clever use of chess-inspired fashion that makes the wardrobe choices unique. There are plenty of style trends you can steal from “The Queen’s Gambit.”

While the fabulous “Queen’s Gambit” wardrobe was my gateway to the show, I quickly realized how compelling Beth was as the lead character. And I grew impressed with the super-smart writing and the exceptional attention to detail in everything from the set decoration to the chess plays and references. You can’t help but binge-watch the entire series.

And it was worth a second watch just to study the costume design choices. I loved Beth’s vintage style and how she used clothes to reveal who she was, even though she rarely let anyone get too close. As a collector of ’60s vintage fashion and mid-mod-inspired style, I also realized I have similar looks in my closet and zeroed in on some “Queen’s Gambit” style trends you can easily put together too.

“The Queen’s Gambit” Style Trend: Chessboard prints and plaids

Beth either consciously or unconsciously gravitates towards plaids and strong lines in the clothing she wears. This plays on her love for chess and chessboard patterns. You can steal this style trend with plaid and checkered prints. Look for subtle details, such as this vintage sweater with black and white-patterned trim paired with a vintage plaid skirt.

“The Queen’s Gambit” Style Trend: Monochrome

More style trends you can steal from “The Queen’s Gambit” include a monochrome color palette. Just like with the lines in the prints, Beth also tends to wear a lot of stark black and white, another nod to the chessboard and pieces. Steal this look with split shades of black and white such as this simple yet bold, A-line dress topped with a black tie-belt trench similar to one Beth wears.

“The Queen’s Gambit” Style Trend: Peter Pan Collars

Even though she’s a shark in a chess match, Beth maintains her girlish innocence with the ‘60s trend of Peter Pan collars. You can find this collar style on lots of modern dresses. You can also steal this vintage style by converting the clothing you have by adding a detachable collar that ties on top of a shirt or sweater or is worn dickie-style underneath.

“The Queen’s Gambit” Style Trend: Chess Queen White

Nothing is more striking than wearing all white, especially in winter. Beth pulls out an all-white outfit after defeating the Russian champion and struts through the park as the Queen chess piece come to life. You can steal this style trend from “The Queen’s Gambit” with a long white coat and hat. Don’t forget the gloves to complete the look. Just like in chess, the one who starts out with white will always have the advantage.

The Queen’s Gambit is available to stream on Netflix. What trends will you be stealing from the ultra-stylish show?

Look for more of my midcentury modern-inspired looks on the Stiletto City Instagram page.

Until next time.

Kastle

“The Queen’s Gambit” stills from the Netflix television series.

Tag: vintage fashion

Fashion as Self-Care and 5 Other Ideas

Posted on September 7, 2020December 13, 2020 by stilettocity

I’ve been thinking a lot about self-care lately. With the pandemic and civil unrest raging in the U.S., it’s hard not to let anxiety take over. Quarantine and isolation from friends and family make it hard to get some much-needed stress relief from the images and headlines that come up on TV and my phone’s news streams.

Looking Good Helps Us to Feel Good

Fashion helps me save my sanity by picking out outfits and getting dressed up for a regular weekend Zoom party I have with some friends who collect vintage accessories. There’s something about putting on makeup, doing your hair and stepping into a pretty dress that just makes you feel good, even if you’re only staying home. Fashion is a form of taking care of yourself that I think is vastly underrated.

Practicing Self-care by Stopping to Smell the Flowers

Another way I’m practicing self-care is by stopping to enjoy the wildflowers. Before the pandemic, I was always rushing off to work or to an event, and I never noticed them. Now I go for evening walks around the foothills and see them everywhere. So bright and cheerful, little daisies, poppies and mini sunflowers stare up at me with their bright colors. They help cheer me up on the darkest days. I also discovered some beautiful places filled with sunflowers and roses.

Colorado Sunflower Farms

This year I learned about the many sunflower fields around Colorado that bloom for two weeks each August. My husband stumbled across one, and we had to go capture this glorious sight in pictures. I put on my brightest vintage-style sundress, sun hat and yellow Converse high top sneakers to pose with these natural wonders.

There were giant sunflowers as far as the eye could see and we caught them just at the golden hour before the sun began to set. It was absolutely magical.

A note about visiting sunflower farms: these are usually private property. Farmers grow them for their livelihood, not your entertainment. Most owners don’t mind you taking photos if you stay on the edge of the fields. Do not touch or trample the flowers and NEVER cut and take them. Going into the fields can result in a fine. Also, a word of warning – there are lots of bugs and bees in the fields, so Mother Nature may also sting you if you misbehave.

After our visit, I bought a pretty vintage sunflower brooch on Etsy as a memento of the day and ordered a bouquet of sunflowers with my grocery pickup to have at home (and create the photo with my sneakers).

La Vie En Rose – The Rose Garden of Jefferson County

Near the Jefferson County Sheriff‘s office in Colorado is a quaint public rose garden. It’s open to the public and features lots of different colored roses, a gazebo, benches for relaxing and little babbling streams.

I had to stop and smell the roses one day. I had the perfect rose-pattern vintage reproduction dress for it. So I got dressed up, and off we went to take photos.

5 Ideas for Self-Care in These Trying Times

1 Go for walks – Nothing relieves stress like getting out for some fresh air. Find a few routes to change the scenery and try to take in some nature if you have a park nearby.

2 Take a bubble bath – Dipping in warm water and just taking time to be still is such a calming experience. Add some pleasant-smelling bath oil or bubbles for an aromatherapy experience.

3 Give yourself a facial – I miss my visits to the spa but I still don’t feel it’s safe to go yet. So I purchased a few home facial mask treatments and do it myself once in a while. I added a rose quartz roller to really make it feel like a pro spa session.

4 Read –I found escaping into a book is a great way to relieve the stress of reality. Try reading while you eat lunch for a mid-day break or before bedtime to help you sleep better.

5 Watch the sunset – When I first moved away from home, I would go watch the sunset in the Hollywood Hills every day. I’d dream about who I wanted to become. Now I watch it from my deck and think about how far I’ve come and where I still want to go. Sunset watching is a great time to wind down and reflect as you wait for a new day.

If you’re really struggling with your emotions, there’s no shame in asking for help. Call a friend, talk to your manager at work, use your job’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to find a therapist. There are also many affordable to free hotlines available to talk to someone. The National Suicide Hotline is available anytime you may need it: 800-273-8255. Trust me, you are not alone. We are ALL having challenges adjusting to this difficult year.

I hope you find these self-care tips helpful. Do yourself a favor and make time to stop and smell the roses, literally if you can. It’s one way we can feel like we have a little bit of peace and control in our lives.

Until next time,

Kastle

Tags: Ideas for self-care, Kastle Waserman, Kastle Wasserman, roses, Self-care, selfcare, sunflowers, vintage fashion

Tag: vintage fashion

Vintage Style Between the Seasons

Posted on April 8, 2020April 8, 2020 by stilettocity

Coming to you from quarantine…

The whole world is on lockdown while the coronavirus rages. I have to admit it’s made me really nervous and I miss going out. But I’m finding simple pleasures at home like going for walks and slowing life down to what really matters.

I also still enjoy putting vintage-style outfits together, even if I just wear them for Zoom parties with my friends and taking pictures around my neighborhood!

Winter lingers in Colorado well into April, but spring tries to poke through with plenty of sunshine. The cool temperatures and warm sun of between seasons are the perfect time to put on those vintage-style dresses and top them with a cozy sweater and a light scarf. I love the opportunity to mix patterns, and my most recent obsessions are Fair Isle sweaters and vintage paisley scarves. Mix them with a floral print dress and it creates a delightful treat for the eyes. The key is just to stay with complementary colors and you can never go wrong.

I wanted a cheerful look to brighten my mood and I recently found a sunny yellow Fair Isle sweater at a thrift store in the Summit County mountains right before all the stores closed to curb the pandemic. I paired it with one of my beloved vintage dresses in a festive floral pattern, and a bright orange vintage paisley scarf I bought off Etsy. Brown lace-up boots and a tooled leather satchel purse I picked up for a steal at a vintage expo complete the look.

With the temperatures shifting between the 40s to 70s, a light sweater dress is a good option for between seasons vintage style. I realized I rarely wear this 1970s-era knit dress that’s been in my closet, and it’s perfect for the weather. I paired it with a thick, button-down Fair Isle sweater I bought as a splurge souvenir when I traveled to Iceland last year. I added more texture to the look with a paisley scarf pinned with a vintage brooch my hubby brought me from London’s Portobello Road. I hope the virus will be gone soon and traveling will be a possibility later this year.

Another souvenir I picked up in Iceland was a hand-knitted, Fair Isle-pattern collar capelet. I love how you can just throw it over any sweater, like this simple black one, and it makes a statement. I used it to tone down a 1940’s evening dress to a more casual look with just the floral skirt showing. I added a pop of an orange vintage scarf and a retro-style handbag.

Stay tuned for more looks as the spring season begins and be sure to follow me on Instagram for my OOTDs. Virus be damned, I’m still dressing up!

Stay well,

Tags: fair isle sweater, vintage fashion, vintage style

Tag: vintage fashion

One More Round of Fall Fashion Before Winter Comes

Posted on November 28, 2019November 28, 2019 by stilettocity

I’ve enjoyed the fall season so much this year I thought I would do another post of some outfits and adventures. Fall in Colorado is all about the changing of the aspen trees as their leaves start to shimmer with a bright, golden hue. The season begins the last couple of weeks of September, and if we’re lucky, goes through mid October as a beautiful gold sweeps from the tops of the mountains down into the foothills and the city.

One of the prettiest passes to see the aspen trees in all their glory is the Guanella Pass, the Scenic Byway off the I70 as you head west to the Rocky Mountains. We caught the color at the perfect time, so of course, we had to stop (along with everyone else) and take pictures. I dressed for the occasion by turning a summery vintage dress into a fall outfit by playing off the orangey tones in the pattern and teaming it with a beige cardigan, leather belt and purse, brown leather lace-up, chunky heeled boots and earrings with maple leaves.

When Thanksgiving hits, it’s officially the end of the autumn celebrations and time to get ready for the holidays. It also means winter is coming and with it, snow and frigid temperatures. I’m looking forward to hunkering down with some good books because I’m super scared of driving in the snow, so I won’t be going out as much.

Thank goodness I found an awesome bookstore, BookBar, in the cute historic shopping district of Berkeley along Tennyson Street. This quaint indie shop has a friendly staff, places to lounge and work and even has a wine bar inside! How genius is that? And even better, they have open mic nights for readings. Since I’ve been working on some personal essays and a memoir-in-progress in my spare time for a while now, I decided to give it a go. I did the first public readings of my work, and I have to say it felt pretty good! The crowd – a whole roomful of them that tested my stage fright – was also super supportive and welcoming.

For one of my readings, I had to bring some fall colors. I’m currently obsessed with retro-inspired, detachable Peter Pan collars with gorgeous details that I’ve seen in the blog-o-sphere. So for this night, I wore a burgundy-colored collar with a gold leaf string tie from the Etsy shop, Fairytale Collars. I matched it with a plaid skirt and oxford shoes to create an academic yet stylish, book nerd look.

And lastly, as Thanksgiving is upon us, a perfect time to wear my new collar by Etsy shop, Leafling Bags. I’m giving thanks by baking a pumpkin pie for my wonderful hubby and being grateful for my new life in Colorado.

Now I’m off to decorate and get ready for the holidays. More to come!

Cheers,

Kastle

Tags: fall fashion, vintage fashion, vintage inspired fashion

Tag: vintage fashion

I Love Fall Most of All

Posted on October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 by stilettocity

It’s fall! I can’t express how much I love this season. I know I’m not alone in this feverish enthusiasm when a slight chill blows past, the leaves are about to change, pumpkin spice everything hits the shelves and I can wear the warm, yummy colors of fall fashion. Plus, October is my birthday month, which gives me one more reason to celebrate.

A Layered Look for Leadville

This year I started my fall adventures early in mid-September with a trip to Leadville, Colorado. This little, historic mining town sits at the highest point in Colorado and is the first to have cooler tempertures and the changing colors in the trees.

I did a little fall fashion shopping before the trip, and now that I live in a colder climate, I’m learning how to layer my vintage and vintage-inspired clothes. I invested in two cardigan sweaters in blue and tan, colors I never used to wear because I found them to be too conservative. Well, I’ve learned that paired with rich fall tones, these shades really pop. They are now staples in my autumnal wardrobe!

For walking around Leadville’s main shopping street, Harrison Avenue, I created a vintage-inspired, fall fashion look with the tan cardigan over a black t-shirt and my favorite fall infinity scarf with falling leaves. I added a dark orange, vintage-reproduction swing skirt and a leather belt I picked up at Leadville’s main vintage store, the Mule Kick. Little black lace-up, moto-style boots were perfect for the 50-degree temperatures and taking in the scenery.

While we were there, we did some horseback riding through the aspen groves that were turning their stunning golden hues. These trees really are the supermodels of the forest. They are so tall and willowy and shimmer in the sunlight. I just love them!

Vintage Inspired Look for a Vintage Farm

My next fall adventure was out to the historic Ya Ya Farm and Orchid in Longmont, where they invite the public to come pick apples, pumpkins and flowers. For this, I wore another vintage-inspried look with my blue cardigan over a grey t-shirt and a plaid vintage full skirt and matching blue tights. I added my new vintage belt and a vintage satchel purse with tan lace-up and chunky, high-heeled boots.

In my hair, I wore headband I found on Etsy by Chatterblossom made with velvet, vintage leaves. So perfect for the season!

Unfortunately, we were a little too late in the season for all the good picking, but we shopped the store where we bought pretty much everything they had made with apples and got to enjoy the lovely surroundings and pet the farm animals, including a huge white horse that took a nip at my hair! Naughty!

I’ve really been enjoying fall – and fall fashion shopping – this year and it’s not over yet! Stay tuned for more outfits and adventures in Colorado!

Cheers,

Kastle

Tags: fall fashion, Fashion, layered look, vintage fashion, vintage inspired fashion, vintage reproduction

Tag: vintage fashion

Stiletto City Takes Vintage Fashion A Mile High

Posted on September 3, 2019September 3, 2019 by stilettocity

Hello Stiletto City readers and vintage fashion lover! It’s been a while since I posted and there is so much to fill you in on! I’ve relocated from California to Colorado and taken Stiletto City to higher places – one mile high in Denver to be exact! While I loved living in Los Angeles for many years, the cost of living and traffic were becoming too much. So now I’m living near the beautiful Rocky Mountains and exploring a vibrant new city, plus, mountain life!

It’s taken me a couple of years to settle in. But I found a vibrant vintage fashion scene. (Lots of fantastic vintage stores and vintage-loving people in Denver!) And, I’m learning to dress for something I never had in LA – seasons!

So for my relaunch, I wanted to share some of my favorite vintage fashion looks from this summer and where I wore them.

1950s/60s Casual at Lakeside Amusement Park

If you are ever in Denver in the summer, I highly recommend this historic amusement park. Lakeside opened in 1908, and it still has many of the original rides and signage. Writer Jack Kerouac also wrote about it during the brief time he lived in Lakewood in 1949. For our fun amusement park day, I paired a 1960s floral-print top with a pair of capri pants and channeled my inner Audrey Hepburn with some black pointed-toe flats. I carried my goodies in a vintage white basket-weave purse. Of course, it’s not summer without sunnies, so I brought my favorite black cat-eye sunglasses. I put my hair in a vintage scarf, to keep it out of my face for all the fun rides, added some vintage hoop earrings and bright lipstick.

1940s Summer Dress at the 1940s Ball

Colorado has two big 1940s Balls each year. The summer ball is held outdoors at Boulder Airport, so I opted for a breezy, floral-print, ‘40s-cut dress. These are hard to find in vintage now because the delicate fabrics didn’t last. So the closest you can probably get is a reproduction like this one I picked up from Colorado’s The Hop Shop. I paired it with some tinted cat-eye sunnies and a ’40s rolled, up-do with flower clips.

Mid-Century Gooviness at the Denver Mod Convention

Denver loves mid-century design and clothing and there is an annual, three-day convention dedicated to it. I wore a ’60s era, pastel, candy-striped cotton dress with string-tie belt, a matching pink scarf and vintage, floral, clip-on earrings. Since the theme was “The Atomic Age” this year, I accessorized with a space-age silver circle handbag and heels. I picked up a pair of pink cat-eye sunnies and vintage orange flower pin while shopping.

Stay tuned for more outfits of the day (OOTDs) and vintage fashion in upcoming blogs as I learn how to dress in vintage for the seasons and explore more around the Mile High City!

Cheers,

Kastle

Tags: how to dress vintage, Vintage clothing, vintage fashion, vintage inspired fashion, vintage style

Tag: vintage fashion

A Night Of Retro Parisian-Style Glamour at Pour Vous

Posted on November 22, 2016December 29, 2016 by stilettocity

If your private jet can’t whisk you off to Paris for cocktails, you can find a worthy substitute down on Melrose Avenue at a little speakeasy-style bar called Pour Vous. Opened by the Houston brothers bar aficionados who brought us La Descarga and Harvard & Stone (click the links to check out my previous reviews), this place doesn’t disappoint when it comes to atmosphere.

The place looks like a vintage bar with old Hollywood glamour and touch of decadence with dark lighting, brocade wallpaper, velvet booths, chandeliers and retro fixtures, creating a stunning setting. On the back patio, an old red railcar serves as a private seating area, adding even more character to the interior design.

If you plan to go, keep in mind there is a dress code, so the crowd looks as pretty as the bar itself (never a problem for me dahhhlings!) So wear some stylish evening threads. The doorman will pick who is let in based on their style. That means no sweat pants or flip-flops – who does that?

But wait there’s more! Once the bar really gets going around 11 p.m., the roof is literally blown off the place. The ceiling opens up and a lady adorned in seductive lingerie and feathery finery is lowered in an oversized birdcage above the crowd. There is a variety of burlesque performances that take place every hour at Pour Vous from singers to aerial silk dancers.

Check out one of the shows here:

What I Wore

A little black dress is always an elegant choice. I particularly like this one with the crisscross detail and full skirt. I added a vintage brooch, a feathery floral fascinator and light-catching silver pumps and vintage handbag.

What To Wear

This beaded, fringe, art deco-inspired dress will put you in the mood for cocktails and some sultry burlesque. Don’t forget the long gloves for added a drama, and a faux fur wrap to keep the chill away. Click the links to shop* this look.

Pour Vous is located at 5574 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

à votre santé
Kastle

Photo credits: bar by Frankn Ishman, courtesy of Pour Vous, performer by Mary Lisa Allen-Bolton, trolley car by Kastle Waserman

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Tags: Pour Vous, vintage fashion, Vintage Fashion blog

Tag: vintage fashion

Mods Rule at the Lambretta Jamboree 2015

Posted on June 28, 2015August 15, 2015 by stilettocity

It was Mods weekend as the Lambretta Jamboree rolled through town, a four-day scooter rally put on by the Lambretta Club USA that included festivities from group rides to live bands to dinners and pool parties. I attended Friday night’s party scene at T. Boyle’s Tavern in Pasadena.

It was a rowdy night of scooter boys and groovy girls with the band The Bassics revving things up with a rawkin’ mix of early Who and Jam-inspired music. I couldn’t help but take pix of some of the best ‘60s era looks of the night. I had to debut my latest outfit from Tatyana, a form-fitting shift dress with crisscross straps on top and shimmery dark blue material with gold detail.

Check out the scene:

See ya “In the City”
Kastle

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Tags: 1960s, Labretta Jamboree, MOD, vintage fashion

Tag: vintage fashion

Unique Vintage Fashion Show with the Satin Dollz and Hollywood Hotshots

Posted on June 14, 2015August 15, 2015 by stilettocity

Summer in California can be magical. The sun is so bright it seems to make everything sparkle. On a Saturday afternoon in Santa Monica, the vintage-loving crowd didn’t really need any help looking bright and cheerful in their retro threads as they gathered for a rare daytime event that included a fashion show from Unique Vintage and entertainment from the Satin Dollz, and wild, swingin’ dance moves from the Hollywood Hotshots.

Taking place poolside at the Shangri-La Hotel, with the sweet sounds of the Dean Mora Band and DJ Dr. Nate playing in the background, the acts rotated from singing numbers, the fashion show and dances. It was never a dull moment and I’m not even counting the great people watching in the fine-dressed crowd. The leader of the Satin Dollz took a moment to thank everyone for coming and marking their 10^th anniversary by stating Los Angeles has the country’s best vintage scene. Well I can vouch that it certainly is a lot of fun! And it was a good opportunity to wear my new Voodoo Vixen spectacle-print dress with the cross-strap detail I love! Check out the pix:

Outfit of the Day - Dress by Voodoo Vixen — Outfit of the Day – Dress by Voodoo Vixen

The Hollywood Hotshots, Satin Dollz, Dean Mora Band and DJ Dr. Nate are available to book for events. Shop Unique Vintage* at the Burbank store or online.

Until the next event,
Kastle

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Tags: Dean Mora Band, DJ Dr. Nate, Fashion, Hollywood Hotshots, Kastle Waserman, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Fashion Blog, retro, Satin Dollz, Stiletto City, Unique Vintage, vintage fashion, vintage inspired fashion

Tag: vintage fashion

Unique Vintage – “I Am Unique” Party

Posted on February 8, 2015 by

t’s pretty clear that any girl who wears vintage-inspired fashion is usually a unique personality. For this reason, the store Unique Vintage, which a caters to retro fashion lovers, decided to showcase their customers and employees who live in looks from the 1920s-70s and also lead unique lives.

They kicked off their “I Am Unique” Campaign with a party in their Burbank store. Cocktails, photos ops and deep discounts does a party make! So I went to check out the scene and a say hello to my pal Nicolle of Niccoco Creations who had her own table selling her gorgeous flower hair clips.

Also in attendance were many of the women featured in the Unique Vintage commercial and I have to say Queenie the pitbull stole the show in her pink tutu, pearls and sweet disposition. Queenie, and her owner Michelle Choi, represent Pinups for Pitbulls, an organization whose mission is to to educate people about the history, temperament, and plight of pitbulls, who often get a bad rap as being overly-aggressive animals.

I did some shopping from the sale rack (I love a good deal!) and scored a fabulous dress for a steal. Look for it featured in an upcoming blog post!

Great party all around. Look for Unique Vintage to build on the “IAmUnique” Campaign every month and if you have a photo you want to share with your “Unique” look, be sure to tag it #IAmUnique

Be you – nobody else can be!
Kastle

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Tags: Kastle Waserman, MOD, Niccoco Creations, retro fashion, rockabilly, Stiletto City, Unique Vintage, vintage fashion