My Wardrobe Wishlist for Fall 2016

Well I say fall, but you know how fashion works when it comes to shopping (well runway actually), there are two seasons spring/summer and fall/winter, so really this is my fall/winter 2016 wardrobe wishlist! As I put this little list together I noticed just how straightforward it is, and obvious, it turns out on my wishlist for fall are...fall clothes. How inspired. Still perhaps someone will still find it useful to hear how I plan my vintage wardrobe, and perhaps be inspired to be more calculated about their own shopping or sewing for the season ahead!

First thing on my list won't surprise you one bit, it's....

New Suits

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Or new suiting to be exact. Last year I had the great joy of adding two classic vintage 1940s suits to my wardrobe, one in light brown and the other in black. Then I found my Lilly Ann (forever swoon) last spring in Navy. Of course that means I am still on the look out for suits in grey, dark brown, and perhaps a fun color too! I do plan on making at least one suit jacket this year to match a skirt I completed ages ago, in a prince of wales tweed wool. I'd also love to find a black 1950's suiting jacket/blazer to wear with various skirts when I am feeling a more 50's vibe. 

Finding vintage suits in my size is a bit of challenge so I really have to keep my eye on Etsy. I bought a brown suit already (and it is beautiful) but when it arrived it didn't fit! The skirt fits perfectly but the jacket is too small. (I'll be listing it on Etsy soon *grumble*) BTW that is my tip for buying suiting online, if the skirt measurements are right then the jacket is probably going to fit too, but my strategy didn't work out this last time! Every vintage seller measures differently and the amount of ease you need to comfortably fit in a suit jacket is more than you'd need for a dress. While this makes finding a dream suit harder, it is so worth it for the thrill of wearing a vintage suit, shoulder pads and all. Power suiting indeed.

Warmer Dresses

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I have done well bulking out my collection of summer dresses this year, but now it is time to turn to sewing or finding dresses appropriate for chillier temperatures! I have but 2 lonely long sleeved dresses hanging in my closet, not a reasonable number for someone who lives in a place with snowy winters. I also haven't a single long sleeved 1920's dress, which is just plain unacceptable ;) Nor do I have any 40's dresses for later fall and winter. I have several fabrics already lined up for such projects, but I'd also love to scoop up at least one real vintage long sleeved dress from the 40s or 50s this year. If you have been around this blog long you will know I tend to hold repro and homemade "vintage" at the same level as "real" or "true" vintage. As much as I love adding vintage items to my wardrobe, I think it's silly to dismiss repro and homemade as less than some how simply because they aren't 40+ years old. It's the look my dears, the look that matters!

1940s Sweaters

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Speaking of things that are near impossible to find vintage, cute 1940s sweaters! That's why I took up knitting last year and made my first ever sweater (...you will never be seeing that unfortunate thing again) and this year I will be trying again to nail down my knitting! I've switched down to smaller needle sizes and thinner yarn in my quest for truly vintage style sweaters, but while I learn to knit I'll be keeping my eye on the repro brands and other modern stores too for good 40's look-a-like sweaters! I did go ahead and call in an expert knitter to make me one fabulous sweater to wear all fall/winter long, sometimes you do just have to defer to the experts after all, and you will be seeing the resulting gorgeous jumper soon!

More Accessory Sets

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While in modern fashion it can be quite passe to have matchy-matchy accessories, we vintage gals know that's how our grandmothers (great-grandmothers?) did things and it gives that lovely touch of authenticity to a vintage ensemble. For this fall I'm on the look out for gloves in forest green, pumpkin orange, and chocolate brown. I've already found a green hat you see, and a handbag, so now I need gloves to match! I'm still on the hunt for a orange and a brown hat too, though brown hats tend to blend in with my hair so they prove a bit trickier. Building a wardrobe of accessories in different shades allows one to accessorize a simpler dress or suit in so many different ways that it can be well worth the effort to search out coordinating pieces (belt, handbag, shoes, hat, gloves, scarf and even jewelry). Having each item in every shade is a truly luxurious (and extravagant) dream, but it's good to have dreams right?

New Faux Furs

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Last year I made a set of faux fur accessories in a light tan and white color, and I think this year I'd like to make another faux fur muff and hat set in a more "sable" brown color. I don't wear real fur anymore (more about my fur opinions in an old post here), but that doesn't mean I don't like the glamorous look and feel of faux furs! I mean look at the photo above, that woman looks divine! I also sort of want to make or find a boxy 1940's faux fur coat in black for when I am feeling really Rachel from Blade Runner, replicate that replicant style :)

Coats!

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Lastly on my wishlist for next season are coats! Yes, coats plural because I don't really have any vintage style coats and again- I live in a place where it snows! First on the agenda is a 1920's cocoon style coat in black velvet (lined in wool and then silk, layers of warmth!) that I will have to make, because lets face it no repro company is going to come out with one of those! The other style I'm after is a mid-century shaped black coat, and I'll probably just save up for the super cute Fontaine Coat from Trashy Diva. 

What about all of you, what is on your fall wardrobe wishlist this year? Let me know in the comments below, and give me your repro coat recommendations too as I'd love to check out some other options. I hope you are all having a most lovely week so far <3