Monster Vintage » How To Wear It

Menswear summer magic! Suspenders, rolled cuffs, denim and leather…

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:43:28 +0000

After a lifetime of obsessing over womens fashion, I found new life inside the warehouse walls at Monster Vintage and discovered the wide and stylish world of menswear. We sell pallets of vintage gear to fashion-forward men all over the globe and we’d like to think they’re all better looking for it. Since the general theme over here at MV is what goes around comes around, we love seeing yesteryear’s trends become well, trendy again. An editorial from February’s Tendencias magazine revealed so many summer prophecies, we couldn’t help but get excited.

First up, suspenders! In any color, any pattern and either worn properly or left to hang loosely at the sides, they look amazing with almost anything. Shoot for the authentic, vintage kind that have leather button loops as opposed to metal claps although those would suffice just fine as well. Super easy to dress them up with oxfords, blazers and slacks or down with Fruit Of The Loom tank tops and jean shorts. We just had a lad in the U.K. order a pair from us and I’m quite sure he’ll be stunning in them.

From us:

Next up, rolled cuff denim pants and shorts! Gotta love denim. Be it vintage Levi Strauss, LEE or Wrangler, dark, faded, chambray or distressed, it’s hard to go wrong. Until the weather is a bit warmer, cuff your pants James Dean style and pair with leather loafers (see photo above). When the temperature does rise, with your jeans on, mark a little line 2 to 3 inches below where you want the shorts to fall and cut off using sharp scissors. Then fold once or twice or thrice!

Last but not least, we have vests! Specifically, leather motorcycle style vests! We’re thrilled that everyone is wearing Rick Owens, his pieces are a nostalgic nod to vintage Schott, Harley-Davidson and our own locally-grown Langlitz Leathers. Asymmetrical zippers, thick extra padding and fringe – the more decoration, the merrier.

Insta-Outfit

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:01:56 +0000

To piggyback Joni’s post, I too have always been a fan off the illustrious concert tee/wrestling tee/wildlife tee, but these black cotton treasures have always caused a bit of a conundrum for me: How can I wear this and look cute rather than careless? When the most mesmerizing t-shirt finds don’t always come in a flattering, fitted size, it can be quite a challenge.
A few weeks ago, though, inspired by a passing cyclist, I put together this little en-semb, consisting of:

1) A big, black Samhain tee
2) Some skinny-ish jeans
3) A vest
4) A good pair of boots

Success! With the right ingredients, you too can pull off a boyfriend-ish shirt!
Start with any black t-shirt. Black tee = automatically bad ass. (Though you’d be hard pressed to find anything more bad ass than this electrified Diamond Rio tee.) Slim jeans and a vest, like this vintage velvet number, can give some shape and structure to an otherwise oversized garment. Be sure to leave a button or two undone though, to properly exhibit your shirt’s undoubtedly awesome graphic. The length of the shirt lets you conveniently conceal the inevitable skinny jean muffin top, while the the recently resurfaced rolled t-shirt sleeve trend lets you show off your guns. Slip on some cute flats or a pair of commandeering boots and you’ve got yourself an outfit. So long as you don’t go crazy with your color palette, you can do no wrong.

(click image to enlarge and for item number)

Voila! My personal favorite of the fall!
-Annie

How To Wear It: Capes

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:36:17 +0000

It’s that time of year (Fall AGAIN, I know!) where it’s getting chilly outside- but it’s not too chilly. And it’s almost certainly the perfect temperature outside for a cape or a poncho. The Fall runways were littered with tailored capes and capelets this year, and who are we to go against nature?
A lovely cape is definitely going to set you apart from the crowd, which makes some people too nervous to try wearing one at all. Well, that’s where we come in. Take a look at how we would wear this awesome Monster Vintage Cape.

Mod, striped, spectacular. Don’t be afraid!

(Click pic to enlarge)
During the day, I suggest playing up the Mod-ness of the cape with a nautical look. More stripes (you can mix prints, just keep them in the same color family), some simple boots, and little sailor-inspired accessories all help to spotlight this cute capper!

I was always skeptical of trying to pull off a cape with a dress, but I think I have worked out the schematics of it all. Just like with coats, proportion is important. The longer your cape is, the longer a dress you can get away with. If your cape’s hem falls somewhere near your hands, you should keep your dress above your knee. The look is not “Renaissance Faire Worker” this season.* I suggest wearing tights with your dresses in the Fall and Winter anyway, and the rule still applies here. It’s like wearing a puffer coat with flip-flops, as far as I’m concerned. So layer it up, and if your cape is as bright and colorful as this one (or more so) keep the rest of your outfit simple. Use your accessories to pick up the colors in the garment.

See? I told you you can do it. Do you need any advice on how to wear a standout, unique, or seemingly wacky item? Let us know, we’d be happy to help!
Click here to shop for vintage capes and ponchos.
xoxo,
Sally

*or ever, for that matter…

1 (crazy) top, 4 ways

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:56:33 +0000

You know how you’ll be out on the hunt, shopping at a vintage store, and a unique piece will catch your eye on the rack? But it seems a little too unique, so you pass. How in the heck would you wear that thing, anyway?! Well, we’re here to help!

While this standout sequin number (courtesy of monster vintage!) might, um, make you stand out, all it really takes is a few basics and some confidence to make it work for any time of day. Check it out:

(click image to enlarge)
1. Errands Throw on your favorite jeans, a tank top underneath and a cardigan over this piece to tone it down, and no one at the grocery store will think you’re a weirdo.
2. Drinks with the girls Play up the colors of the top with a bright bag or other accesory, but keep the rest of the outfit simple and late-night.
3. Date night You can definitely have a little more fun on date night. Throw the cropped top over your fave LBD and prepare for drool. Add some fun jewelry (nothing that will be in too close proximity to the sequined top, though) and killer shoes.
4. Concert Stand out from the crowd (surfers) in rockin’ over-the-knee boots and (gasp!) nothing more than your cutest bra underneath this lace number. Throw on a cross-body bag-you won’t have to hold it all night- and a cute hair accessory and prepare to get out yer seat and jump around!

What do you think, dear readers? Would you ever think to buy this crazy top?
Let us know if you need some styling tips for a unique piece you saw/own. We’d be happy to help!
xoxo, sally