If you invite me to dinner this winter, expect that I will turn up looking something like this.

As a dutiful style blogger, I try and hit the real world chain stores and boutiques as the new seasons looks drop trying to make sense of it all.  One of the great thing about being a vintage lover with a passion for certain eras, is that I’m not as susceptible to trends as many others, but it gives me a unique perspective on the new colours, textures and feelings that are thrown at us each season.

One of the current dangers in this “trend for vintage” times we’re living in, is that it is easy to be lured away from the real deal when you find that 1920′s inspired shrug in your size. Lifting up the seam and inspecting the label is a great way to bring yourself back from the edge and avoid spending $120.00 on a poorly made, polyester impostor.  After (yet again) being disappointed by most of the offerings in store this week, there is little to recommend and instead I want to give you some inspirational looks to kick off the search of some great vintage mix and match adventures!

Firstly, let’s look at the the colour palette that is about to overwhelm us.

You’ll find your usual Autumn Winter staples of jewel tones, as well as the current Northern Hemisphere pastel influences here. The wonderful thing about colour is that there is just so much experimenting to be done, only it seems stores are on the same old track of mustard with hunter green type combinations. Yes, it is tried and true but where is the sense of adventure? If you’re not naturally talented in the mixing and matching department, I suggest printing out this colour swatch image, cutting them into separate pieces and playing around until you hit on something that really sings. It’s a technique we use when choosing paint for a walls, so why not try it for your wardrobe planning?  My favourite unexpected colour combination for the season is this sky blue and berry combination. The sculptural piecing between the black and berry give this ensemble a very cool bolero effect too and reminds me of similar techniques used in 1940′s dressing. It is a gorgeous update of classic style that doesn’t resort to chopping a good few inches off the hem to give it a “modern twist”. Two thumbs up!

Which brings me to my next point; length. While the glossies are telling us that longer hems are back in this season I’m still yet to find them in store. So many potentially cute dresses thoroughly ruined by a mid thigh hem… I should know not to bother. Finding a well cut dress or skirt that falls just below the knee cap is still the proverbial hens tooth out there. This only goes to solidify my long standing choice of the wide legged, 1930′s style pant I love so much. I’m already hunting through my fabric stash to plan out a new palette for these.

I particularly love these looks from Carolina Herrera, which could be styled very 1920′s or 1970′s depending on your choice of accessories. But you know that I’m not about to rush out and go breaking the bank buying up new looks. What I will do though, as I do at the start of each new season, armed with my inspirations I visit my favourite vintage shops and head to the back of my closet for forgotten boxes. I remember the styles I know suit me best, the lengths, the eras and the accessories.  Then armed with my new seasonal colour and texture muse, I start to build my wardrobe’s personality.

This Autumn Winter, I think ‘she’ may be a Parisian Countess left penniless but for a fabulous wardrobe and inappropriate sense of occasion.

Who might your wardrobe be?