Bargain Chic: 1960s style

August 2, 2013

It has been a very difficult month for me and my family. We lost my grandma this week after a month-long struggle after a bad fall. She was such a huge part of my immediate family, and I will miss her dearly. Ultimately, though, I've found comfort in believing that she is in a better place where she is pain free and at peace.

As difficult as this week has been, I was blessed with the task of compiling old pictures of my grandma for a video montage I put together for her funeral. It was magical looking at the pictures of her from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. She had such style and presence -- she was certainly demure looking, but also quite vivacious -- and she always looked fashionable even though she lived her earlier life in small town America.

In many ways she reminds me of myself. I'm shy and reserved, but my more bold fashion sense usually makes up for it. Like my grandma, I, too, love clothes and accessories, and boy oh boy can I find a good bargain -- a special trait definitely passed down from generation to generation.

So, in honor of my beautiful grandma, here are some pictures that show her style and presence -- two aspects of her that I know will continue to be a part of who I am and who I will become.

I love you and miss you, my dear grandma.

August 8, 2009

I've caught the Mad Men bug. I started watching the AMC show last year and was sufficiently hooked. I am totally appalled by the sleazy and misogynistic world of the early 1960s, yet thoroughly enthralled by the incessant smoking, cheating and disregard for political correctness. And of course, the clothes! The clothes are what make the show authentic, and I love the well-fitted and figure enhancing styles that were popular then. I also appreciate that women back then took the time to care what they looked like. Yes, wearing a dress with heels and pearls while making dinner seems ridiculous to most modern women of the 21st century, but just the idea that they put thought into what they wore is refreshing. Don't get me wrong, though. I am a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl, especially when I am not at the office, but when I have to dress up, I do it with intention and sophistication.

I'm not alone in finding inspiration in this show. It seems the Mad Men look has found its way onto quite a few runways and stores. Michael Kors (one of my favorite designers) had a whole Fall line (in 2008) themed after the show, and now Banana Republic has partnered with the show in creating a line for their store as well as promotional tie-ins for sales and such. In fact, I just picked up a few pieces from Banana Republic this weekend -- an adorable Betty Draper inspired full-skirted dress and a Joan Holloway sultry pencil skirt and clingy top. (All that is missing are the curves!)

In addition, I found some other great looks around the Web. And of course, as Bargain Chic always does, I'll start with my inspirational "Designer Look" and then my bargain find.

Designer Look