The New Romantics: Vintage-Inspired Pieces With a Feminine Edge

The New Romantics: Vintage-Inspired Pieces With a Feminine Edge

Lace trims, bows, faux fur and soft satin are pulling fashion back toward an old-fashioned kind of femininity. The look borrows from vintage slips, grandmother cardigans and 70s party dressing, then wears it with jeans and boots so it never feels like a costume. This edit gathers the pieces that make that romantic mood easy to wear every day.

Pants, Shorts and Leggings

Vintage femininity is not only about dresses. Jacquard pants, satin hot pants and tweed trousers carry the same romance into daily dressing. Pair them with a frilly blouse and the look clicks.

Pumps and Pretty Shoes

The shoe of this mood is dainty, with low pumps, slingbacks and satin mules leading the way. Kitten heels make it easy to walk and still look dressed up. A slipper flat is the quietest version of the trend.

Small, Special Bags

Vintage-leaning bags are small and a little precious, in satin, feathers or fur. They look like something found in a grandmother's closet, which is exactly the appeal. Carry one with denim to keep it modern.

Mini Dresses

Puff sleeves, lace edges and bows turn a simple mini dress into the hero of a look. These are the dresses people keep wearing to dinners and birthdays this fall. Tights and a loafer push them into daytime.

Midi and Maxi Dresses

Longer dresses lean even harder into the romance with florals, shaggy knits and cut-outs. They work with a cardigan by day and a heel at night. One good maxi does a lot of work in a wardrobe.

Faux Fur and Jackets

Faux fur jackets are one of the clearest signals of the vintage mood this season. They throw back to 70s glamour without the fuss of real fur. Wear one over a slip dress or simple jeans. I went deeper on a related idea in Moussy Vintage Jeans: The Best Pieces Right Now.

Blouses and Pretty Tops

Feather trims, ruffles and soft blouses are where this look starts for most people. A pretty top is the easiest swap, since it works with trousers you already own. Choose one detail per top and let it shine.

Camis and Off-Shoulder Tops

Lace camis and off-shoulder tops bring a little lingerie into daytime. Layer them under a cardigan or a blazer for work, then lose the layer for dinner. Satin and silk give the best drape.

Statement Earrings and Chokers

Vintage jewelry is big, bold and slightly theatrical right now. Drop earrings and chokers do the most work with a plain neckline. Gold tones fit the warm palette of this trend. If you want to keep going, Stephen Russell Jewelry: Antique and Vintage 18K Gold Pieces is the one I would read next.

Cardigans and Sweaters

The button-front cardigan has become the uniform of this look. Worn closed as a top, it reads both cozy and a little prim. Textured knits keep it from feeling too sweet.

Skirts and Skorts

Bloomer skorts, satin midis and embellished minis are giving skirts a playful feel. They pair with knits and pumps for a look that is very 60s and very now. Lace trims add the feminine finish.

More Skirts

Satin slips, bow-trimmed straight skirts and short minis round out the skirt side of the wardrobe. They all work with a cardigan and a small bag. Keep the shoe low for daytime.

Jeans, Knits and Little Extras

The romance of this look comes from mixing sweet pieces with something tougher. Baggy jeans, a halter bodysuit and a sequin bag show how far that mix can go. It is the contrast that keeps it current.

Sunglasses, Denim and a Few Wildcards

Heart-shaped sunglasses, bootcut jeans and a faux croc coat finish off the wardrobe. They are the pieces that keep a feminine outfit from feeling too precious. Throw one into any look in this edit.

A Softer Way to Dress

This trend works because it feels personal and a little nostalgic. Start with one romantic piece, like a lace cami or a faux fur jacket, and wear it with what you already own. The rest comes naturally.