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5 Vintage Looks to Recreate This Spring

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Chapel Hill chapter.

Spring is all about rebirth, fresh starts, and new experiences. Obviously, a new season of clothes is needed to lift us collegiates out of our winter blues and to carry us into warmer weather, outdoor concerts, Spring flings, baseballs games and into the summer months.

Looking to really change it up this season? Or just out of inspiration? Sometimes the greatest new creations are born out of old ideas, and this season is all about vintage inspired looks.

If you’re like me, the idea of wearing a corset, thigh-high white patent boots, or peace-sign glasses gives you goosebumps. And it’s (finally!) Spring… I think we’re all sick of goosebumps.

Here are a few vintage- inspired looks that are versatile enough to rock this Spring and easy to incorporate into your own, modern day style.

1. 20s-Style Hair

Gatsby- era beaded headpieces are the perfect way to add a little extra something to virtually any outfit. They’re feminine and flirty and a great alternative to the tired sparkly jewelry we’re so used to throwing on to dress up an outfit. And though you don’t have to go as dramatic as Katy Perry did here, the headpieces do look great with girly, playful waves, which are already very in style this season.

2. 60s-Inspired Shift Dresses

The mod sixties were all about the shift dresses, and so are tons of Spring clothing lines this year. They’re classy, easy to wear, and modest enough for a variety of occasions. And holy COW are they comfy (picture wearing a long t-shirt that actually makes you look pretty). If you want to run with the theme even more, try pairing the dress with a thick headband or headscarf (see below). A bright red or coral headband would be a great pop of color to add to a navy blue or neutral colored shift.                                                              

Try this one from Forever21… only $20!

3. 70s Flow

Boho tops and skirts are always big in the Spring, but if you’re looking to be a little riskier (aka trendier) with your outfits, take it a step further with wide-leg pants and boho maxi dresses. Places like Free People, Forever21, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters have great floral prints and pieces like these, as well as unique accessories to pair with them! Check out these outfits, all available on Singer22.


4. Retro Sunglasses

To be honest, I’m not really sure what era these are from… but they’re fantastic nonetheless. There’s been a HUGE movement this year towards funky shades and away from Ray-Ban Aviators and Wayfarers, giving you the perfect opportunity to go outside the box with your eyewear. Round frames are especially vintage- looking, as are tinted lenses and unique patterns. Websites like Etsy, Forever21, Urban Outfitters, and Free People have funky shades for surprisingly cheap, so you can really play around with looks you love.

Check out these awesome A.J. Morgan sunglasses from Nordstrom!

5. Pin-Up Bathing Suits

Though the high-waisted bottoms aren’t the tan line shape I’m quite looking for, the idea for these suits is so cute. If you’re into the look, there are bathing suit vendors everywhere that are returning to this classic style. If not, you can still pull inspiration from the idea with bustier bikini tops (super supportive!) and fabrics with that awesome ruching.

Also, if I had been presented with a cap like that, I probably wouldn’t have quit swimming all those years ago.

Happy Spring shopping, collegiettes!

Gabriella (Gabbie) Cirelli is a first-year student at UNC Chapel Hill from Andover, Massachusetts. She is currently majoring in Journalism with a minor in French. She loves running, shopping, reading, writing, and travelling, and finding new blogs to follow. She hopes to study abroad in France during her time at UNC, as well as (hopefully) score tickets to a UNC- Duke basketball game!
Melissa Paniagua is a senior journalism major at The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, specializing in public relations. She is currently a fashion market intern at ELLE Magazine. On campus, Melissa acts as the Her Campus president as well as the vice president of the Carolina Association of Future Magazine Editors, UNC’s Ed2010 chapter. In the past, she has been an intern for Southern Weddings Magazine and a contributing writer for Her Campus. Melissa has an appreciation for all things innovative, artful and well designed and hopes to work in marketing for a women’s lifestyle magazine in the future!