Fashion is cyclical. Blah blah blah. We all know this. What I wish people wrote about more was how to incorporate retro trends in a more wearable way. I know there are the occasional street style stars that are #blessed with head-to-toe Gucci, Isabel Marant and Saint Laurent outfits, but that's just so incredibly unrealistic from my point of view because a) I have a budget, b) I need to consider that my ass is on BART for at least an hour a day walking a mile between work and home, and c) I don't believe outfits are ever meant to be that expensive and that temporary for regular day life. So while the street style upper echelon stars are still inspirational, they're so out of touch it's downright frustrating when it comes to actual application.
Ok, rant over. I wanted to create a retro look, but had zero desire to spend more a nominal amount of cash on a couple of pieces that can help transform what I own into something that is a little more (for lack of a better word) trendy. I ended up modifying one of my favorite outfit combinations by layering a collared shirt under it and adding a pair of strappy suede shoes that resemble those beautiful but absurdly-priced Gucci Fall 2015 $1750 runway shoes.
It turns out that was enough for me to dial up a trusty outfit I already wear to death and make it trendy circa this minute. Boom. Done.