Stylized: Wearing Vintage to a Wedding April 19 2022

Somehow, in what seems like was the blink of an eye, it became wedding season. I don’t know about you, but the side of my fridge has quickly become covered with save the date’s, reception details, and fancy, calligraphy-filled invitations. And now the question is what will I wear?!  Let’s face it—any event we go to that merits some dressing up is a time to shine. Arranging your hair just so, smoothing out the skirt of the perfect dress, slipping your feet into some seriously killer heels…really, is there anything better? While at this point in my life I’ve outgrown the whole ‘what-if-someone-goes-to-prom-wearing-the-same-dress-as-me’ mentality, a few summers ago I did show up to a friend’s wedding in a dress remarkably similar to the ones the bridesmaids were wearing (mine had pockets though, so I count that as a win). If you’re going to put the effort into looking good and feeling better, it’s nice when your look is quite obviously unique and completely you. What better way to distinguish yourself than by wearing vintage to a wedding? Luckily, here at Rice and Beans Vintage, we’ve got you covered. Here are a couple of our favorite pairings:

•  For a classic evening wedding or black tie affair, you can’t beat the 1970s Gres one-shouldered black number. Pair it with Valentino heels or Christian Louboutin animal print pumps and a chunky bracelet on that bare arm—might I suggest a gold Kenneth Lane?
• Going for more of a casual look? I’m obsessed with the Oscar de la Renta 1960s metallic dress. Pair it with a black alligator clutch or a classic Vintage Chanel black quilted shoulder bag and some Gucci white horsebit heels, and you’re good to go.
• If you’re going for something completely show-stopping, go for the Herve Leger navy blue bondage dress. Pair with a pair of Christian Louboutin nude heels and a red Caiman crocodile clutch—va-va-voom!

Now if you are the bride this is where the fun begins!  Accessorizing with vintage on your wedding day can bring an unexpected and glamorous look to your special day.  When I walked down the aisle I accessorized my beaded Reem Acra  gown with a Vintage 50’s White Cashmere Sweater with White Fox Fur Collar.  Just this one piece brought the whole look to another level, not to mention the pictures…..  Accessorizing with vintage on your wedding day can be as simply as adding a pair of  Vintage Rhinestone Earrings or a Vintage Leopard Fur Collar to your reception look!  What about a pair of Vintage Gloves?  Whatever you pick, have fun, enjoy and congratulations!

Now Bring on the Weddings!

Thank you to Sharyn Peavey of  Sharyn Peavey Photography for the beautiful wedding photos featuring Vintage accessories from Rice and Beans Vintage.  Sharyn is THE go to Photographer for your special day and more in Maine.  Please visit her website to see her work.

written by Heather Cox & Sarah Korsiak Cellier for Rice and Beans Vintage.

The Design of Vintage Collecting April 19 2022

Over the decades, designers have adapted to the growing demand—both from their customers and the market in general—to broaden the range and variety of goods they sell.  Think about those great collector Tiffany playing cards, the Vintage Gucci baby sets, the Hermes calendars and agenda books (check out our website for a great example from Bonwit Teller!).

In September of 2008, Steiff released a special bear styled after Karl Lagerfeld for their 125th anniversary.  With a limited run of 2,500 pieces, the bears were sold through Neiman Marcus, quickly selling out.  With the trademark Steiff button in its ear, the bear is Karl Lagerfeld to a T—except in my humble opinion it could really use some of those famous gloves.  Clad in dark jeans, a black suit coat, dark aviators, striped shirt with tie, and a glittering Swarovski crystal KL belt buckle, this bear is cooler than I can ever hope to be.  Yes, it’s a teddy bear from one of the most famous toy companies in the world, but it was quite clearly aimed at adults—those discerning followers of Lagerfeld’s multi-faceted career.  Whatever marketing genius developed that collaboration should be proud of themselves—those 2,500 bears quickly sold out, and for about $1,500 a piece.  Oh and let’s not forget the Latest Lagerfeld Doll by Fendi which was pranced down the runway by Cara Delevingne!

And then there’s Lanvin, who started selling hand-decorated porcelain dolls in 2013.  Named numerically, each doll is unique, whimsy, and fun.  Miss Lanvin #25, for instance, holds a masquerade mask and wears a yellow mini with puffed sleeves—one is blue.  Miss Lanvin #4 wears sky-high black peep toe stilettos with ankle straps, a black trench, and oversized black sunglasses, and Miss Lanvin #43 stands on an overturned umbrella mimicking grass and flowers, holding an umbrella above her head painted to look like the sky.  She wears a trenchcoat, a gold shoulder bag, black boots, and sports red heart-shaped sunglasses I wish came in real-life size.  Ranging in price from $435 to $680, these limited edition pieces are fun, collectible, and appeal to a wide range of consumers.

Last year Lanvin teamed up with 41 other designers and fashion houses (the likes of which included Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Dior), each of whom designed a one-off knitted doll for a Unicef charity auction in December—the proceeds went towards obtaining vaccinations for children in Darfur.  Chanel’s doll wore a classic skirt suit and hat, Dior’s a couture gown, and Jean Paul Gaultier’s held an accordion purse I wish I owned.

The point is this: designers will continue to come up with these unusual items because collectors love them, and it sets them apart from others.  Almost every designer has dabbled in perfume, luggage tags, sunglasses, and, with the growing technology trend, ipad and phone covers.  Consumers have their favorite fashion houses, and that loyalty definitely translates to purchasing trinkets and accessories for their collections.  Personally, I’m saving up for the day Chanel comes out with home furnishings—end tables, lamps, china, I’m not picky.

written by Heather Cox and edited by Sarah Korsiak Cellier for Rice and Beans Vintage

How to Wear a Vintage Brooch April 19 2022

If there’s one thing we love at Rice and Beans Vintage, it’s a fabulous brooch. Wearing a brooch with an outfit is a quick and easy way to add a little flair or glam to an outfit—and who doesn’t love that? First thing’s first—a little history on brooches. Originally called a “fibula,” brooches were developed as a way of clasping and holding clothing together, and were first used by ancient cultures like the Greeks, Romans, and Celts. Although brooches today can still be used to hold together clothing (think clasping together the front of a sweater without closures, or holding a shawl in place), they have come to hold rank as more of an accessorizing piece than a necessity to uphold standards of decency. So the big question is: how does one wear a brooch without simply pinning it on a jacket lapel? The answer is simple—in almost any way you like. Here are some ways we love:

•  In multiples: an interesting mix of statement brooches on one side of a classic jacket gives a fun and updated look.
• Pinned to the side of a hat. (Keep this one in mind for your knit hats next winter!)
• At the hip of a wrap dress. Check out the black and white Diane von Furstenberg halter dress on our website for inspiration.
• Pinned to a classic chain necklace—or two, or three!
• As a hair accessory—a simple way to add elegance or a pop of color to a hairstyle.
• On a Fabric Handbag

Whatever your style, brooches can fit it—it’s all about finding the best way how to wear a brooch and rock it right. The beauty of brooches is that there’s really no wrong way to wear them. Here at Rice and Beans Vintage, we have some stunning, fun, and classic brooches available (love love love the panther and camel ones!)—so take a look and let your creativity shine!

Get Your Vintage Brooch at Rice and Beans Vintage Now & Start Accessorizing!

Written by Heather Cox for Rice and Beans Vintage

I. Magnin and Company: A History April 19 2022

If you are from the East Coast like me, you may have never heard of the I. Magnin clothing and department stores that were popular on the West Coast from the late nineteenth century until the company’s closing in the mid-1990s.  Although the company was based in San Francisco, there were stores in Southern California, Arizona, Washington, and Oregon, and eventually the Chicago and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.

Dutch-born Mary Ann Magnin began selling lotions and high-end infant clothing in a San Francisco store named after her English husband Isaac (who, in turn, peddled his wife’s wares from place to place) in 1876.  I. Magnin and Company soon branched out to bridal wear, and eventually became so popular with the upper class population of San Francisco that the brand moved to a bigger location and Mary Ann and Isaac’s four sons joined the business.  One of those sons, Joseph, would start Joseph Magnin Company, a store in the same vein.

The 1906 earthquake and subsequent fire leveled the company’s original location on Market Street, but the Magnin family continued to sell goods out of their home until the store was rebuilt in a new location in 1912.  In that decade, the company opened stores in six high-end hotels around California, and I. Magnin and Company quickly became recognized as the forerunner in high fashion, luxury department stores.  A floor listing for the Union Square location listed boutiques for specific designers (Louis Vuitton , Hermes, Fendi, Saint Laurent), a restaurant (featuring candies and pastries), gifts, linens, an “elegant grocery,” art gallery, beauty salon, American and European designer sportswear, bridal salon, “after-five dress collection,” and a children’s shop, among others.

In 1944 the I. Magnin chain was bought by the Bullock’s department store chain, which funded the new flagship store in San Francisco on the corner of Stockton and Geary Streets in 1948.  Christian Dior, upon visiting this store shortly after it opened, called it the “White Marble Palace.”

Nearly twenty years later, the Bullocks and I. Magnin stores merged with and became divisions of the Federated Department Stores.  In 1988 a real estate development company called the Campeau Corporation engaged in a heated battle with Macy’s to take over the Federated Department Stores; Campeau Corporation won that dispute, but as part of the settlement Macy’s bought the Bullock’s, Bullock’s Wilshire, and I. Magnin divisions of the company.    By that time, the I. Magnin customer base was shrinking, and the store was not attracting the younger customer base it needed in order to survive.  As part of a realignment of divisions by Macy in 1992, the newly created Macy’s West/Bullock’s division declared bankruptcy that same year; this proved a fatal blow for I. Magnin stores, and over the course of the next two years eleven stores were closed.  The 1992 Rodney King riot led to the closure of the company’s flagship store that Dior was so enamored of.  In 1994 the Federated Department Stores reached an agreement with RH Macy’s creditors to buy the company out of bankruptcy, and the remainder of the I. Magnin and Company stores were closed.

Not all about I. Magnin was lost to history, though.  In October of 2006 Macy’s started using the I. Magnin name on their house brand labels for ladies apparel.

A Time of Change: 1960’s Fashion April 19 2022

If ever there was a time of transition in the fashion world, the 1960s was it.  1961 saw John F. Kennedy sworn in as President, bringing with him to the White House his beautiful young wife.  Jackie Kennedy quickly became a 60s fashion inspiration with her pill box hats, solid-colored dresses with simple lines, and, later, her oversized sunglasses.  Other important events and influences during the decade included JFK’s subsequent assassination (who can forget the images of Jackie that day, in that famous pink Chanel suit?), the Vietnam War, Bob Dylan, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech and later assassination, the birth of the “Feminine Mystique,” the British Invasion (Beatles and all), and the infamous international space race.

Pret-a-Porter & The 1950’s April 19 2022

When I was eight or so, my mother bought me my first pair of saddle shoes—and I loved them.  I wore them all the time—usually with my favorite pair of black stirrup pants (I know—eek)— and imagined I was in a time of poodle skirts and hair ribbons, saddle shoes and ice cream parlors.  In a nutshell, my ideal version of popular 1950s fashion.

The 1950s saw many important events—McCarthyism, the Korean War, Brown vs. The Board of Education, Rosa Park’s stand and the resulting Montgomery Bus Boycott, the execution of the Rosenberg’s, the invention of the polio vaccine, the formation of NASA, and the influence of such icons as Elvis and Marilyn Monroe.  The fashion of the decade was a little more stable—Dior’s New Look (cinched waist, full skirt) at the end of the 1940s continued on to the next decade.  Although hemlines rose and hemlines dropped, and full skirt modified somewhat with the popularity of the pencil skirt, the ideal of the hourglass silhouette remained.  Achieving that silhouette sometimes required some extra help (which, as women, we all know—who doesn’t swear by a good pair of Spanx?), so the 1950s saw a surge in the production of foundation garments—bullet bras, waist-cinchers, girdles, and crinolines, oh my!

Most importantly, the 1950s saw something the beginning of something we all take for granted today—prêt-a-porter, or the ability to walk into a store and buy something ready-to-wear instead of placing an order.  Sensing the need, the US Production Board sponsored a measurement survey of 100,000 women and used that information to set standardized sizes for the garment industry.

After years of picking up positions in the work force left vacant by men who enlisted in World War II, women in the 1950s were largely back in the home, in charge of raising the children, keeping the house clean and attractive, and entertaining for the purpose of promoting and furthering their husband’s careers.  As a result, women were always outfitted in an attractive house dress during the day, and donned a cocktail dress for evening activities.  Hats were essential for travel outside the home, as were gloves (short for daytime, long for evening).

Designers of the 1950s worked hard to keep up with the trends, but also sought to introduce something new.  Balenciaga came out with the sack dress in the mid-1950s, and the issue of the “wandering waistline” came to light—would women prefer the fitted waist of Dior’s New Look, or the non-existent waist of Balenciaga’s creation?  Suzy Perette, Lilli Ann, and Cecil Chapman embraced the concept of prêt-a-porter and led the nation in becoming the foremost consumers of ready-to-wear products.  Yves Saint Laurent designed his Trapeze Dress for the house of Dior in 1958, Chanel adopted an open-jacket policy that allowed blouses to be a focal point instead of a hidden necessity, and Grace Kelly used the Hermes bag soon to be named after her to shield her pregnancy.  Designers like Pierre Cardin, Claire McCardell, Bonnie Cashin, and Givenchy were influencing fashion trends of the time.  Talk about lasting power and the cyclical nature of fashion—Pierre Cardin came out with his bubble dress in 1954, a version of which I wore as a bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding just a few years ago.

The Iconic Wrap Dress : Diane von Furstenberg April 19 2022

Well, it’s official—the iconic DVF wrap dress has entered its 40th year!   It was in 1974 that Diane von Furstenberg first created her famous design, and just two years later, she had sold over a million of those signature frocks. Newsweek even dubbed DVF “the most marketable woman since Coco Chanel” after featuring her on the magazine’s cover—quite the compliment, right? Born on New Years Eve of 1946 in Brussels to wealthy family, Diane von Furstenberg credited gaining her sense of self-worth and confidence from her mother, a Holocaust survivor who came out of the concentration camps weighing just 49 pounds. She studied economics at the University of Geneva and then moved to Paris to work as an assistant to the fashion photographer Albert Koski. She soon left Paris for Italy to work as an apprentice textile manufacturer to Angelo Ferretti. In 1967 von Furstenberg married Price Egon von Furstenberg, himself a fashion designer—Diane has said that the minute she knew she would marry Egon, she decided to have a career, something of her own. She first arrived in New York in 1970 with a suitcase full of twelve jersey dresses she had designed and made at Ferretti’s factory. Two years later  she and Egon divorced.

Diane Von Furstenberg’s 1974 wrap dress design (inspired after seeing her wrap top paired with her wrap skirt) was an instant hit, and has proven to have a lasting influence on women’s fashion design—so much so that there is even an example in the collection of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The wrap dress was a modern dress for the time period, and proved to be versatile enough that it could be worn in a variety of settings. Here are some reasons why we love the wrap dress: It really is an outfit that can be worn to work and then out for an evening on the town Prints and colors and designs.  DVFs prints are iconic and bright and interesting. Love, love, love. No fuss, no muss. What’s easier than throwing on a wrap dress and a killer pair of heels? It’s flattering on many different body types. Really. It cinches where it should, flows where cinching makes you nervous. So go crazy—celebrate! It’s a big birthday for the wrap dress, and you’ll love it even more when you’ve got one hanging in your closet.  Browse our selection of Vintage & Current Diane von Furstenberg Dresses at Rice and Beans Vintage.

Fashion Icons of the 1970s – Famous Models of the 1970’s April 19 2022

Model agency mogul Eileen Ford of Ford Models died earlier this month at the age of 92—without a doubt, this woman (who founded her modeling agency with husband Jerry Ford in 1946) was the force behind decades of cover models, and many of the standards of beauty that have spanned the years.

By the 1970s, female fashion icons, were some to the top models of the time, or what we term today as “supermodels”—and Ford Models was behind many of the faces that became a household name. Beverly Johnson—really one of the most beautiful models ever in my opinion—is just one example. Although, to be fair, she signed with Ford, then left for Wilhemina Models when Eileen Ford told her she would never be on the cover of Vogue (and then came back to Ford Models once she had).

When Beverly Johnson first starter her career, she was met with all sorts of setbacks—agency after agency rejected her, until Ford Models decided she had potential. After she was told she would never make the cover of Vogue, Johnson left for Wilhemina Models and did just that in 1974, becoming the first African American to receive that honor. After she went back to Eileen Ford with that cover under her belt, Eileen took her success and ran with it—over the course of her career, Johnson was in over 500 magazines, and did runway shows for Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, and many others.

Cheryl Tiegs, famous fashion icon of the 70s, was another well-known Ford model of the time. The quintessential California girl, Tiegs became well-known for her swimsuit work, but she started out at age sixteen, working for department stores for $25 a day. She got her first major campaign for a swimsuit ad when she was seventeen.

When 1970s fashion model Jerry Hall was sixteen, she bought a one-way ticket to France, reportedly spent the last of her money on a pink metallic crochet bikini and a pair of heels, and made her way to the St. Tropez beach—where she was discovered by photographer Jacques Silberstein. In 1974 Hall left Paris for New York, convinced to do so by none other than Eileen Ford (but it definitely paid off, because she soon landed a cover shoot for the cover of Vogue). (Sidenote: yes, I have read that Eileen Ford could be controversial, and yes modeling is a tough business in so many aspects of our social culture…but I bet Eileen Ford could convince anyone of anything had some great stories to show for it.)

Ford originally rejected 1970s model Janice Dickinson (for looking too “ethnic”—shame, Eileen), but Dickinson found success elsewhere, and ended up being a cover model for all the top fashion magazines. She would eventually call herself the word’s first supermodel and returned to Ford Models (this time with a contract). Some years ago she started her own modeling agency, and fashioned a reality television show around it (The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency—anyone else watch it and hate themselves a little bit for not being able to change the channel? No? Just me?).

Lauren Hutton was another modeling agency no go—she was told by other agencies that she was too old (22—eek), too short (5’7”, such a shortie!), and the gap between her teeth would never work. She was eventually picked up by Ford Models and in 1974 signed a huge contract with Revlon—she would be their spokesmodel for years, and became known as “the fresh American face of fashion.”

Models today are commonplace enough—everyone knows someone who’s “done some modeling” at one point or another. But in the 1970s, models were really at the forefront of women’s fashion—they were household names, and partially responsible for a large part of the beauty and fashion trends of the time period. The 1970s was a time when fashion magazines were increasing in popularity, and, in turn, models were reaping the benefits. Margaux Hemingway (note: not a Ford model) was the first model to receive a $1 million contract from the Babe fragrance company. The 1970s was really the birth of supermodel status (and whether you believe Janice Dickinson’s claim is up to you), and much of it has to do with Eileen Ford. Although I definitely have my qualms about the fashion industry and what it teaches women about their bodies and beauty, I will say this: Eileen Ford was a powerhouse, and she helped make the industry what it is today. So thanks, Eileen—hats off to you.

written by Heather Cox, Edited by Sarah Korsiak Cellier for Rice and Beans Vintage

Audrey Hepburn: Beauty, Poise, & Intellect April 19 2022

Audrey Hepburn is considered one of the most fashionable women of the 1960s and naturally beautiful women of all time. Looking at pictures, reading accounts, and viewing her movies, it’s plain to see.  Her grace and style was further recognized to the point that in 1961 she was nominated a member of the International Best Dressed Hall of Fame, joining a list of always fabulously-clothed women that now includes Lauren Becall, Coco Chanel, Sofia Coppola, Carolina Herrera, and Anjelica Houston.  Audrey Hepburn was the total package—she was beautiful, had superb taste, spoke several languages, was a dedicated philanthropist, could sing, and was an influential actress.  She’s one of only a handful of people to have won an Academy Award, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award.  1953’s Roman Holiday won her an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and British Academy of Film and Television award—the first woman to ever do so.

The House of Lanvin: A History April 19 2022

Lanvin is the oldest Parisian fashion house still in business, and a major player in the global fashion market.  The label’s founder, Jeanne Lanvin, was born in 1867, the eldest of eleven children.  She apprenticed as a milliner in her early teens, then trained as a dressmaker before opening a millinery shop on the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore in 1889.  In 1897, she gave birth to her daughter Marguerite (also called Marie-Blanche), to whom she was unequivocally devoted.  Ever wonder the story behind the label’s logo?   It was designed by illustrator Paul Irbe, but based on a drawing by Jeanne Lanvin depicting the bond between mother and daughter.

In the early twentieth century, Lanvin began making clothing for Marguerite, and the designs were so beautiful and well-made that her friends requested copies for their children.  By the time she had opened her millinery shop in 1897, Lanvin already had some of the most elite European women in her clientele.  In the 1920s, the Lanvin label had grown to become one of the most influential fashion lies in the world.  In 1926, Jeanne Lanvin launched her menswear line, becoming the first courtier to dress entire families.  She had also expanded into designs for the home—for Lanvin, fashion was a lifestyle, and encompassed interior decoration, perfume, lingerie, sportswear, and on and on and on.  Her inspiration came from everywhere—her painting collection, fruit, gardens, traveling, costume collections.

Lanvin’s style of designing was unique—instead of draping or sketching a design herself, she would give verbal instructions to her team of sketchers with what she wanted.   Lanvin’s designs were known for embellishments—trimmings and beadwork and embroideries and ribbons, ruffles, and lace. (really, all my favorite things) She was so enamored of quattrocento blue—and used it so often—that the shade became known as “Lanvin blue” to those in the know.

Upon her death in 1946, ownership of the fashion line passed to her daughter, Marguerite. Four years later, Marguerite invited Antonio Canovas del Castillo del Rey to become the head designer, a post which he held for the next 13 years. In 1964 Jules-Francois Crahay debuted his first collection as head designer, which was met with enough praise to help solidify the brand in the world of fashion and couture once more. Crahay was one of the first designers to glamorize trousers for evening wear.  His successor, Claude Montana, had a more aggressive approach; his sculptural designs certainly differentiated him from his predecessors.  After a period of transition, Alber Elbaz took the design lead in 2002, a post which he still holds.  Elbaz’s designs have been likened to Lanvin’s original 1920s designs, which led to a resurgence of popularity.  The Lanvin label is about embellishment, and fun, and femininity—all things that we embrace here at Rice and Beans Vintage.

How to Buy & Care For Your Vintage Fur April 19 2022

Vintage Fur- as much as it pains me to say it, the season for vintage fur coats, stoles, wraps etc. will be here before we know it (eek). Hopefully at this point in the year, your vintage furs have all been properly stored away—but if not, here are some tips to ensure you are doing everything you can to preserve those vintage pieces (and maybe next season you’ll get around to putting them away in the spring). If storing your furs professionally is not an option (and let’s face it, it’s not an option for many of us because of where we live or the cost associated with it), home storage is another great avenue. The only real downside of storing your furs at home (it’s super close by! it’s free!) is that without some serious, serious dedication (I’m talking an entire temperature-controlled room), the temperature/humidity conditions will never be perfect. But who needs perfect, anyway, we can help you get pretty darn close.

Here are some ways on how to store your vintage furs in your wardrobe:

*Finding an area without direct sunlight or high humidity (definitely avoid damp basements)—spare bedrooms or otherwise-empty closets are a good choice, as long as they don’t get too hot.

*Hang those furs on good quality hangers (avoid those awful metal ones that you get back from the dry cleaners at all costs!)

*Cover them with some sort of cotton—a sheet, fabric garment bags, etc. Cotton is breathable, and goodness knows those furs need to breathe.

*Plastic garment bags = NO.

*Keep an eye out for bugs—moths are worst enemies with vintage clothing, especially fur!

Now that you know how to store fur, what the should you be looking for when you buy vintage pieces?

*The first thing I always do when encountering any fur is to gently pull on the fur in a few places, and look to see if any hairs shed off in your hand. While some furs are relatively prone to shedding (like rabbit), most should hold firm—if fibers come off in your hand, it’s an indication of improper storage, and is irreversible.

*look for in any stains on the lining, holes, worn spots, etc. Furs are different than most clothing in that a tear cannot be easily fixed—keep that in mind.

*Pay attention to the leather below the vintage fur, as well—is it brittle? Is dust coming off?

Wearing and buying vintage fur is a highly individual choice—and lucky for you, Rice and Beans Vintage has you covered either way! Have you seen the vintage ocelot fur jacket we’ve got? Did you get a peek at the Prada colored faux fur stoles before they sold? Love! Want! No matter the preference (real or faux), no matter the occasion (night on the town or trip to the grocery store), fur weather will be here before you know it—better start the search for the perfect piece now!

Shop our Selection of Vintage Fur 

Shop our Selection of Vintage Designer Outerwear 

How Vintage Designer Belts Can Update Any Outfit April 19 2022

Belts are one of those accessories that can instantly change the whole look of an outfit and vintage designer belts can bring your fashion game to a whole other level .  Suddenly, what was once shapeless has definition, and what could have been a haphazard look is now a put-together look.  Who doesn’t love that?  We’ve all had those moments when we’re in the dressing room staring at ourselves in the mirror at the shift dress/loose pants/flowing top that spoke to us from the rack it was hanging on and think that something just doesn’t…look…right. And then it hits you—a belt!  A perfect thin/wide/stretchy/metal belt in black/silver/gold/fuschia is what’s missing!

Vintage belts are a great way to add shape to an outfit and can help to highlight a narrow point on your figure (pears, hourglasses, you know what I’m talking about here).  They’re also an easy way to add a splash of color to your outfit (think our Gianni Versace pink suede belt paired with your favorite LBD).  If you’re a Rice and Beans Vintage fan, you know we even love wearing metal belts as necklaces—I can’t even put into words how much I love the look of a metal Chanel charm belt worn as a necklace.  Perfection!

Here are some ways we love to wear belts: With a loose top and a tighter, more fitted bottom—wear the blouse tucked in on the front and sport a belt with a great buckle. (Try the Vintage Chanel black silk blouse with a pair of jeans and the Vintage Pierre Cardin pale pink snakeskin belt—love.)  This season the belt comes into play in a big way.  Blanket Dressing and blanket coats were a huge look on the runways for Fall/Winter.  Burberry was the leader in the pack with Cara et al prancing down the runway wearing monogramed blankets that were you guessed it..belted.   Belts are all about balance. Give definition to clothing without a defined waist—shifts, dresses, tunics, etc.  As always, experimenting with fashion is fun—check out our selection of vintage belts and find your new favorite look!

Written by Heather Cox and edited by Sarah Korsiak Cellier for Rice and Beans Vintage