Overalls: City Edition

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Forever 21 Button Down / Blank Denim Overalls / Tibi Mules / Vintage and Urban Outfitters Rings

The onesie trend continues but in overall form. While overalls may bring back memories of sandboxes and Tonka trucks, you can style them in an updated fashion. I love to style mine with a crop top, striped tee, lace top, or button down like above. Pairing them with a fun heel or quirky sneaker elevates the outfit from turning too kiddy or farmhand. I'm not going to go on my usual rant about how anyone can wear them as they flatter more straight and boyish body types, but that doesn't mean you can't try them on!

xx e

Photography by Jeff Thibodeau

Sail Away With Me

[gallery type="rectangular" ids="629,630,631,632,633,634,635,636,637,638,639,640,641"] Patricia Field Vintage Romper (similar) / Target Heels (similar)

There is nothing like finding that one-of-a-kind vintage piece. While maybe a bit kitschy, I absolutely fell in love with this sailor inspired romper from Patricia Field in the East Village. Lord knows I'm a sucker for rompers and jumpsuits alike. Give me ease, comfort, and statement in an all-in-one look. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you can play with which style works for your body type. Many say they could never "pull one off", but I beg to differ. Avoid anything skin tight-- no one wants to look like a Playboy bunny. Think either fluid and easy or structured and cinched at the waist (of course).

xx e

PS: Started breaking out some dance moves mid-shoot :) Hope you enjoy!

Photography by Jeff Thibodeau (twitter and instagram @jeffthibodeauco)

One Girly Tomboy

[gallery type="rectangular" ids="345,346,347,348,349,350,351,352,353,354,355,356,357,358,359"] Thin Striped Tee (similar) / JCrew Boyfriend Jeans / Kat Maconie Heels / Primark Necklace (similar)

The tough but wonderful thing about boyfriend jeans is experimenting with how to to wear them. Skinny, slouchy, or distressed, you can find your favorite style and take them in whichever direction you like. For me, I love to add a heel for a bit of femininity and to juxtapose the tomboy air of the outfit. Here, I wore my comfiest tee and boyfriend jeans slung low with a statement necklace and some fun "pop art" heels. Instantly, the look turns from boring to brilliant.

xx e

Photography by Jeff Thibodeau (twitter and instagram @jeffthibodeauco)

Golden Oldies

[gallery type="rectangular" ids="326,327,331,334,328,332,333,329,330"] There is nothing like a vintage photo. The photos above encompass a variety of decades, locations, people, and dress that instantly take me in and inspire me to learn more about what lies behind the photo (and the clothes). I may be beating a dead horse, but talk about the cyclical nature of fashion! These vintage photos highlight exactly what I want to wear for the warmer months ahead... (click the links below to see some of my current favs)

• Wide brim hats
• Cat eye sunglasses
• Bright, one-piece bathing suits
• High-waisted anything and bralettes
• All white everything
• Western vibes
• Stripes
• Maxi Skirts
• Deep v's and head to toe print

xx e

Sexy Rocker Chic

Sexy Rocker Chic by emmaksousa featuring a black bra

T By Alexander Wang linen top lagarconne.com

Scotch Soda skirt scotch-soda.com

Cosabella black bra $60 - zalando.co.uk

Zara leather ankle boots zara.com

Faux leather handbag dailylook.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors bracelet jewelry nordstrom.com

Topshop mid finger ring topshop.com

ROSARIO Metal Choker Collar in Gunmetal $27 - rocknrose.co.uk

Brunching In Brooklyn

Brunching In Brooklyn by emmasousa featuring a black hat

Mink Pink maxi dress $105 - psyche.co.uk

Denim jacket etsy.com

Topshop leather shoes topshop.com

Yves Saint Laurent black purse farfetch.com

Sunday Somewhere aviator sunglasses shopbop.com

Rag Bone black hat rag-bone.com

Those 70s Vibes

[gallery type="rectangular" ids="300,301,302,303,304,305,306,307,308,309,310"] Vintage Sweater (similar)/ UO Bralette (similar)/ Lux Denim (similar)/ Vintage Leather Belt / See by Chloe Boots / Timex Watch / Vintage Bracelets and Rings

It’s almost Coachella season, and I’m ready to dress the part. Give me maxi dresses, wide leg jeans, and anything white crochet. The trick with this era trend is to not to end up looking like you’ve actually been at the music festival for a week… I always take inspiration from 70s fashion fanatic, Rachel Zoe, and I was also obsessed with this season’s Chloe campaign with gorgeous long blue dresses and round sunnies to boot.

I tend to gravitate to all things oversized which can sometimes be hard to pull off. I try to find one element that brings it all in. With a slight tuck in the front and a leather belt to cinch the waist, I was able to create some shape. My big belt buckle and beige boots lend a note to Western, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. There’s an epic, vintage, western item making its way to the blog soon :)

This sweater is another vintage piece out of my mother's closet. Purchased in 1978, she fashioned it with white stirrup pants. While I don't foresee breaking out stirrups anytime soon, I can see it with a similar slim white jean or come summertime, over a slip dress. Vintage or not, open-knit sweaters are a key piece that you'll want to invest in so that maybe in 35 years it will still be hanging in your closet, too.

xx e

Photography by Jeff Thibodeau jeffthibodeauphotography.com

Day Tripper

Day Tripper by emmasousa featuring AG Adriano Goldschmied

A P C short sleeve tee $150 - avenue32.com

AG Adriano Goldschmied clothing calypsostbarth.com

Converse white canvas sneaker $105 - luisaviaroma.com

Madewell brown bag shopbop.com

Michael Kors gold wristwatch $310 - johnlewis.com

Ebbets Field Flannels vintage cap $75 - opumo.com

FujiFilm FinePix X100 One Fine Retro Digital Camera hardwaresphere.com

The Essentials

Denim Cutoffs - The best ones are always vintage or homemade! My shorts from Amarcord (see Favorite Shops page) were the true beginning of my "vintage vice". If not vintage, dig up your old pair of bootcuts from high school or visit your local Goodwill and chop 'em off!

Nude Sandal - A neutral shoe can never do you wrong. It elongates your leg and goes with practically everything. I fell in love with these nude sandals from Zara with the perfect mid-heel in a festive gold.

Your Boyfriend's Tee - My favorite place to find the softest tees that hang perfectly= MENS section. Goodwill, Target, you name it, mens tshirts are always softer with a looser fit and "non-girly" graphics.

Leather Crossbody - This bag never goes out of style. The leather cross body is another great item to search for at vintage shops or garage sales. Look for real leather in good condition and in a classic shape. I found mine for $3 at an Estate Sale in Long Island.

xx e

Call Me Carrie Bradshaw

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Outfit Deets:  Zara Crop Top / Zara Slip Dress (similar here) / Gap Jean Jacket / Zara Mary Janes

A few weeks ago, I channeled my inner Carrie Bradshaw and went to an art opening in the Meatpacking District. I'm no art expert, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Thrush Holmes exhibit. The colors and techniques were so fresh and unique, and I happened to slightly match the paintings to boot!

While my pieces here are not "truly vintage", this outfit was inspired by the 90s trend that was seen all over the runways for spring. Slip dresses and mary janes are where it was at.  I added a striped crop top, tied a jean jacket around my waist, and boom I'm feeling like I'm in Saved By The Bell.

Slip dresses can be tricky for certain body types, but you can make it work through how you style it. By breaking up the proportions with various layers and cinching at the waist, you are able to create different shapes and keep the outfit exciting.  I am also overly obsessed with these pink mary janes (tapping into that pastel trend I discussed last post), and they add some good elevation to the outfit. If you've been following me on Instagram, you might've noticed I have been on a shoe attack :) Just something to look forward to in future posts!

xx e

Exhibit: Thrush Holmes Opening--show at Mike Weiss Gallery through April 5th

Photography: Amber Taylor

Spring Spirited

[gallery type="rectangular" ids="233,209,208,210,211,212,213,234"] Vintage Sweater (similar here) / Vintage Belt (similar here) / Old Navy Jeans / Tibi Mules / Sunglasses (similar here)

Last weekend finally graced us with some warmth and sunshine after this never-ending winter vortex. Naturally, I refused to wear a real jacket and threw on my new open-toe Tibi mules that are "so hot right now". I ventured down to the East Village and the Lower East Side for some much needed vintage shopping. Just about everyone in New York had the same idea... Walked past Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller and spotted Sarah Silverman while stopping for a quick cup of joe at Think Coffee.

Now for the outfit-- pastels are HUGE for spring. While I naturally gravitate to all things neutral, it's refreshing to see a bit of color that's not completely overwhelming. After working with pastels for weeks now at the office, I've become completely obsessed and feel the need to fill my wardrobe immediately with pale pinks and blues. Luckily, I didn't have to go outside my closet (or my mother's for that matter) to achieve what I was looking for. Before moving to Manhattan, I managed to snag this sweater and belt from my mom that she probably hasn't worn since 1980. This pastel pink "spring knit" sweater is just another great example of the cyclical motion of trends, raging in the 80s and back in 2014.

**Styling Tip: When wearing pastels, keep the outfit tonal by pairing with other pale colors, white, or a light wash jean like I did.

xx e

Photography by Amber Taylor

That Blue Coat

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Outfit Details: Coat-Vintage/ Overalls-Veda (here)/ Lace Top-Forever 21/ Booties-BCBG

This February was my first NYFW that I received an official invite and got the chance to see the fall collections of Herve Leger, DVF, and Opening Ceremony. Each was a unique and a beautiful experience. It also gave me an excuse to wear some fabulous clothes and see fabulous people.

 As mentioned in my first post, this blue coat was one of the gems I found in my grandmother's closet. Great color and shape, and in frigid temps, this coat was the winner for my first visit to the tents.  My sunglasses are another vintage find compliments of the Brooklyn Flea. I tried them on and in an instant felt like Amy Adams in American Hustle. Yes, please. Last vintage find: my black bag for the whopping price of $1 at a garage sale in Long Island. Again, great shape and in mint condition, this was a no brainer for me.

That same day, I had the pleasure of wearing one of Veda's new styles for spring, leather shortalls. The leather was insanely soft, and I can't deny that I'm a sucker for the overalls trend. Paired with sky-high ankle boots and a bit of feminine lace, I was able to work some of my favorite pieces into an outfit that made a statement and still felt like me. At the end of the day, I ran into Rumi Neely of the amazing blog, fashiontoast, at a Marc Jacobs Pop Up Shop in SoHo. She was just as glowing and friendly as she appears in her blog, which was so refreshing! Needless to say, it was a great weekend full of great style in New York!

xx e

Photography by Amber Taylor

A New Era

As I have settled into my new life as a New Yorker and the stress of moving, switching jobs, and proving yourself in a city that never sleeps, I find myself in a different stage in my life, a new era.  While I've dabbled in my own fashion blogs before, I'm ready for a fresh start ironically through "A Vintage Vice". I could attribute this vintage vice to many factors: my original obsession and inspiration to become a stylist from the infamous Rachel Zoe, vintage fanatic, or perhaps my best friend Caroline who owns and knows the best vintage in NY, or even living with my grandmother in Long Island, making no money, and scouring her closets just before winter to find vintage wool coats that she proclaimed were her "meeting coats" only worn on Sundays to church or ladies luncheons.

I've always been intrigued by the evolution of fashion and how trends come full circle. So many current collections have been influenced by historical references, shapes, and cultures. And so many vintage pieces hold that same rich history, perhaps in a different context, but just as the meeting coats mentioned above, there's always something to learn and be inspired by. With that all said, I want to use this blog as an inspiration to my viewers to dive into what's behind the clothes, what's in the back of your grandmother's or even your mother's closet, what's in the Goodwill around the corner. And to learn not only what to be looking for, but how to wear it.

xx e