By: Kristina Busch

Different colors, textures and patterns are a just a few things that distinguish vintage fashion from the mainstream trends we see today. In the 1920s, there were corsets and empire-waist gowns accentuating the female silhouette. In the 1950s, women wore poodle skirts as a flirty attempt to expose their ankles and rock mini heels.  By the 1970s, bell-bottoms and fringy vests were all the rage.  But times have most certainly changed, and it’s no longer trendy to wear these items as complete outfits.  However, it is possible to take the risk and “go vintage” while also modernizing your look.

If you want to wear vintage but are worried that you’ll look like you stepped out of your grandma’s closet, a good thing to remember is to mix and match your vintage pieces with your new, contemporary pieces. So if you’ve found a 70s boho maxi dress, update it with a new denim vest and gladiator sandals. Or you may want to style your new dress with a vintage necklace. The key is to mix it up without going overboard.

Annie’s 2nd Hand Chic is a hidden gem right off of Brady Street that features everything from wool capes to plaid day dresses. For 13 years, Annie’s has been recycling vintage looks from nearby estate and rummage sales. You might be overwhelmed at first by the vast selection contained in such a small space, but the store has something for everyone.  As a former seamstress, the store’s owner, Annie Tilque, has an eye for all things vintage. Each item in the store is hand-picked and can be tailored to the customer’s size and preference.

Part of the fun in shopping for vintage clothing is hunting around, and there is plenty of room for that at Annie’s Secondhand Chic. Clothing items range anywhere from $20 to $100 and timeless jewelry starting at just $15.

Annie’s 2nd Hand Chic is located at 1668 N. Warren Ave. and is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Look for Annie’s 2nd Hand Chic on Etsy and Facebook for style inspiration and hot deals.

See more photos from the photo shoot by visiting our Glossi page.