Four Ways - Black Vest

I was feeling a little blank when it came time to do this week's Four Ways installment so I went for the most trusty piece in my wardrobe: my little black vest. I know there's nothing revolutionary about this piece, but I can't tell you how many times I reach for it to finish off an outfit.

• Any day I don't want to put any real effort into thinking about what I'm going to wear I throw on jeans, a t-shirt or oversized flannel and top it off with the vest. It instantly takes a jeans and tee look that could be bland and gives it a little something extra.
• You can thank Alexander Wang for this one. His grunge inspired F/W runway show was one of my favorites. The monochromatic palettes of black and grey, the men's inspired pieces, the grungy boots - I loved it all.
• I'm feeling very Bonnie Parker meets Annie Hall in this one. A high waisted wool skirt topped with the little black vest is one of my favorites.
• I have several flowery spring dresses that I'm dying to wear but it's still just a bit early to pull out of the closet. Until then, I'll be pairing them with black tights and my vest and hoping for warmer weather.

Alright ladies - I'm coming up a bit blank on what to feature next. I'd love to hear from you about what you would like shown. Is there a piece you bought that you're not sure how to wear? Something that you've seen on the runway that you'd like to work into your wardrobe? Let me know! :)

What I'm Wearing

sweatshirt: thrifted
jeans: Cheap Monday
shoes: H&M

A lazy Saturday at home working on updates for the store and watching really good bad movies like Dirty Dancing.

What I'm Wearing

shirt: J. Perse
cape: vintage
jeans: Superfine
boots: UO
necklace: UO

When I first picked up this cape it was hanging in the dress section at a second hand store. I thought it was a skirt. When I got into the fitting room I couldn't figure out how to put it on, as there are no zippers or buttons. After much pulling and tugging I finally figured out it was supposed to be worn as a cape.

Vintage Sunglasses

I've been sporting the same oversized H&M sunglasses for the past two summers. Sunglasses are one of those things that I never want to spend much money on as I'm always dropping them across the pavement or sticking them in my purse without a cover. I'm amazed even as I write this that I've inexplicably kept up with a single pair for two years. Since the current pair are a bit dinged and scratched I'm thinking it might be time for a new pair of fun summer shades. A couple of Google searches turned me onto the selection at 80spurple.com. They have quite a variety of vintage and retro shades. Most are reproductions but they do have a selection of vintage deadstock glasses. You can go incognito like Jackie O. or rock it like Kanye. The best part is they seem to all be priced at under $20.

Today at Sally Jane Vintage

Here's your sneak peek at everything that will be posting in the store today. Enjoy! Be sure to stop in and check it out. Thank you so much! - SJ

Salvation Army

It was a beautiful day yesterday so I ventured back out to the Salvation Army for a day of half-off thrifting. I'm enjoying the hunt for vintage clothes much more here in Pennsylvania than I did in LA. Although I found some amazing pieces in LA, it always felt like a competitive sport. I would walk into a vintage store and instantly feel pressure and anxiety. There were always a dozen other girls, grabbing things left and right and I always felt like I was missing out on all the good pieces. Here, I'm shopping shoulder to shoulder with little blue haired ladies and Mennonite women in their bonnets. Gone are the C-list celebrities and movie stylists. Good riddance! As for my haul yesterday I found lots of cute, summery dresses that I'll be listing in the store as well as a few last minute cold weather pieces. I was smitten with those black and white oxfords. They were even in my size! But when I picked them up I realized the insides were completely falling apart and flaking off. It was a little gross so I ended up passing on them. :(

What I'm Wearing

shirt: American Apparel
skirt: thrifted and altered (see post below)
jacket: H&M
tights: H&M
shoes: UO
earrings: American Eagle

These earring were a shiny brass color when I bought them. I dipped them in rubbing alcohol to take off the shiny coating and colored them in with a black sharpie marker. Then I rubbed them with a cloth to take off most of the marker ink.

Sewing Project #1

Thrift stores in these parts are plagued with these long, flowy hippie skirts. Since I'm not partial to Birkenstocks and patchouli I usually just pass them by. The last time I was out thrifting I broke down and bought a couple because I liked the ethnic print fabric. They've been sitting on my sewing table for weeks just collecting dust because I wasn't sure what to do with them. Well, yesterday I got on a sewing binge (I had to stop because I ran out of thread) and this long skirt was turned into two mini skirts. When it comes to sewing projects it doesn't get much more basic than this. Cut and hem. That's about it. Maybe I'll keep one for myself and put the other one up in the store.

Birthday Swag

Expect to see these pieces in action sometime soon (or at least when the weather finally warms up a bit).





I haven't worn heels in years but lately I've been craving those extra couple of inches. I can wear these shoes with everything from jeans to dresses. The Marc Jacobs inspired buckle boots are already getting some use.

I'm not immune to the ditsy floral craze for spring so I've stocked up with a little dress and a romper. I can't wait for warmer weather!

I don't wear a watch and never know what time it is so this pocket watch necklace is both pretty and functional. Who could ask for more?

Forget everything I've said in the past about Cheap Monday jeans. I think the pair I had before were possessed by the devil. These, however, are p-e-r-f-e-c-t.