Vintage Fashion Accessories
Vintage fashion accessories have recently resurrected in a major way. Fashion enthusiasts welcomed the return of pre-loved items from decades ago and embraced its rarity.
Come to think of it, we in this country have always had vintage in our midst. Long before the word "vintage" became a style keyword, Bambang and Eloy's were default destinations for lovers of fashion of the bygone years. While it is also true that "thrift" is an operative word in the equation, it is primarily the fascination with the history that goes into these vintage fashion accessories and garments that serves as the main driving force of hunters.
Vintage connotes anything that is at least 20 years old. Yes, Michael Jackson's (may he rest in peace) Thriller looks qualify as vintage. Perhaps the most popular decades that are easily associated with vintage are the late 60's and into the 70's. Picture flared, low-waisted jeans and bell-sleeved embroidered blouses and you get transported immediately to the hippie movement. This look has resurfaced as a key trend over and over again in the many years that followed.
When it comes to vintage fashion accessories though, specially jewelry, the years go as far back as many centuries ago starting with the Georgian period (1714 -1837). Jewelry at that time was stictly handmade and featured nature-inspired motifs like leaves and birds. Early Victorian (1837 - 1850) is similar to Georgian in its nature-inspired designs etched in gold with such intricacy and delicateness. This was the romantic era. The most distinctive design elements were the locket and brooches which were used during the daytime. Colored gemstones and diamonds were favored for evening.
The death of Queen Victoria's husband during the Mid-Victorian era (1860 - 1880) significantly influenced jewelry design. It was characteristically grand and solemn that it came to be known as "mourning jewelry." Materials such as jet, onyx, amethyst and garnet were frequently used. Despite this seeming gloom, it was also a very creative period as more colorful designs executed in shells, mosaics and gemstones flourished. Late Victorian (1885 - 1900) gave way to the Aesthetic period as design became more feminine, using bright gemstones like sapphire and peridot.
While the Industrial Revolution raged in the succeeding period (1894 - 1923), jewelry designers had their own form of rebellion via the Arts and crafts movement. There was a return to simplicity in pattern yet the pieces were intricately designed with careful attention to handmade craftmaship.
The Art Nouveu period (1895 - 1915) saw the return to natural designs such as flowers and butterfiles and the French led this design movement, most notably Rene Jules Lalique.
Edward, son of Queen Victoria succeded his mother upon her death and during this period known as Edwardian (1901 - 1910), expensive gemstones like diamonds, emeralds and rubies in elaborate design became in fashion. By the 1920's to mid 30's African, Egyptian and Japanese themes influenced the Art Deco period. Geometric patterns, sharp lines and bright contrasting colors are its trademarks. More modest materials like bakelite, celluloid and enamel took over their extravagant counterparts of earlier eras. Necklaces were characteristically long and bracelets were piled up.
The 1940's paved the way for the Hollywood-inspired Retro. True to form, jewelry during this time was bold, elaborate and colorful. Large cocktail rings and charm bracelets were the new trend.
Needless to say, jewelry from these very old periods are very rare, belonging only to private collections and museums. The good thing is that anyone can still live their fantasy with the many new versions of these period pieces. One does not need to be transported back in time to wear a cameo. Nowadays, cameos and lockets are quite common and inexpensive, too. Check out the photos below for vintage-inspired fashion jewelry, all taken from http://cerashop.multiply.com/.
If you fear looking like a character from a period drama, or even a hippie from Woodstock, avoid picking up the complete vintage ensembles. Instead select an accessory, be it a precious little bag or necklace that can easily match your very modern wardrobe. It is a styling statement that can take little effort. That is the value of vintage fashion accessories.
Vintage fashion accessories have recently resurrected in a major way. Fashion enthusiasts welcomed the return of pre-loved items from decades ago and embraced its rarity.
Come to think of it, we in this country have always had vintage in our midst. Long before the word "vintage" became a style keyword, Bambang and Eloy's were default destinations for lovers of fashion of the bygone years. While it is also true that "thrift" is an operative word in the equation, it is primarily the fascination with the history that goes into these vintage fashion accessories and garments that serves as the main driving force of hunters.
Vintage connotes anything that is at least 20 years old. Yes, Michael Jackson's (may he rest in peace) Thriller looks qualify as vintage. Perhaps the most popular decades that are easily associated with vintage are the late 60's and into the 70's. Picture flared, low-waisted jeans and bell-sleeved embroidered blouses and you get transported immediately to the hippie movement. This look has resurfaced as a key trend over and over again in the many years that followed.
When it comes to vintage fashion accessories though, specially jewelry, the years go as far back as many centuries ago starting with the Georgian period (1714 -1837). Jewelry at that time was stictly handmade and featured nature-inspired motifs like leaves and birds. Early Victorian (1837 - 1850) is similar to Georgian in its nature-inspired designs etched in gold with such intricacy and delicateness. This was the romantic era. The most distinctive design elements were the locket and brooches which were used during the daytime. Colored gemstones and diamonds were favored for evening.
The death of Queen Victoria's husband during the Mid-Victorian era (1860 - 1880) significantly influenced jewelry design. It was characteristically grand and solemn that it came to be known as "mourning jewelry." Materials such as jet, onyx, amethyst and garnet were frequently used. Despite this seeming gloom, it was also a very creative period as more colorful designs executed in shells, mosaics and gemstones flourished. Late Victorian (1885 - 1900) gave way to the Aesthetic period as design became more feminine, using bright gemstones like sapphire and peridot.
While the Industrial Revolution raged in the succeeding period (1894 - 1923), jewelry designers had their own form of rebellion via the Arts and crafts movement. There was a return to simplicity in pattern yet the pieces were intricately designed with careful attention to handmade craftmaship.
The Art Nouveu period (1895 - 1915) saw the return to natural designs such as flowers and butterfiles and the French led this design movement, most notably Rene Jules Lalique.
Edward, son of Queen Victoria succeded his mother upon her death and during this period known as Edwardian (1901 - 1910), expensive gemstones like diamonds, emeralds and rubies in elaborate design became in fashion. By the 1920's to mid 30's African, Egyptian and Japanese themes influenced the Art Deco period. Geometric patterns, sharp lines and bright contrasting colors are its trademarks. More modest materials like bakelite, celluloid and enamel took over their extravagant counterparts of earlier eras. Necklaces were characteristically long and bracelets were piled up.
The 1940's paved the way for the Hollywood-inspired Retro. True to form, jewelry during this time was bold, elaborate and colorful. Large cocktail rings and charm bracelets were the new trend.
Needless to say, jewelry from these very old periods are very rare, belonging only to private collections and museums. The good thing is that anyone can still live their fantasy with the many new versions of these period pieces. One does not need to be transported back in time to wear a cameo. Nowadays, cameos and lockets are quite common and inexpensive, too. Check out the photos below for vintage-inspired fashion jewelry, all taken from http://cerashop.multiply.com/.
If you fear looking like a character from a period drama, or even a hippie from Woodstock, avoid picking up the complete vintage ensembles. Instead select an accessory, be it a precious little bag or necklace that can easily match your very modern wardrobe. It is a styling statement that can take little effort. That is the value of vintage fashion accessories.
