by Lori Shirley

Created on: October 06, 2009   Last Updated: October 07, 2009

Vintage is my passion. I have been known to actually weep at the sight of 1940s veiled hats and colorful brooches from the Eisenhower era. I can never walk into an antique store and not leave empty handed. That being said, it's no small surprise that I have amassed quite a collection of vintage clothes and accessories over the years. While vintage clothes are always a fabulous conversation piece and wise investment, it's the accessories that really give your wardrobe a look all it's own. Here are a few ways I rock my vintage pieces in the present day!

I literally have boxes and boxes filled to the brim with vintage jewelry. Necklaces, brooches, bangles, rings, earrings, you name it I have it and in just about every color and style there is! The great thing about vintage jewelry is that no matter what era it is from, it will almost always go with something you already have in your wardrobe. I always like to buy very colorful pieces, as colorful jewelry is not only loads of fun, but it's all the rage in fashion now. I always wear my colorful vintage pieces with a basic black dress or a white top and black dress slacks. You want to draw attention to your pretty vintage jewelry, therefore you will want to wear an outfit that is classic looking and in neutral colors.

Colorful brooches from the early 1960s are making a comeback, and these are really great to wear with a classic sheath dress or a cute cardigan set and skirt. Art Deco era earrings and necklaces from the 1930s are great for evening wear and have a very timeless look as do pearl necklaces. These are always great to wear to a black tie affair or a holiday party. When wearing vintage jewelry, remember the golden rule in accessories: less is more. Don't overload with a chunky necklace, huge chandelier earrings, and bulky rings on every finger. Wear one or two vintage pieces that you really love and build your outfit around them. Believe me, you will look more stylish and chic when you go with the less is more rule, because you never want to over do it and look like you are playing dress up in mommy's jewelry box!

Hats are slowly making a comeback in the fashion world and I can attest to hording vintage chapeaus almost as obsessively as vintage jewelry! If you are going to accesorize with vintage hats, start off with something classic like a wool beret or a fedora. These are really great to wear in the wintertime and will go with any casual ensemble. If you are dressing up for something formal and really

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