Intervention: My Cardigan Addiction

 Hi, my name is Felicia, and I am an addict.

Guys and dolls, I really need an intervention. Today alone I have purchased four cardigans. This has brought my grand total to twelve cardigans. Eight of these cardigans are beaded. I am especially weak willed when it comes to beaded cardigans. One could say that they are my drug of choice. I have picked my poison and it is lovely, soft, fluffy, beautiful cardigans. In the past two months alone I have purchased nine of the twelve cardigans. My addiction is at its height. While cardigans are my general poison, each cardigan is unique in its effects on me.

The Cutesy "I'm a Girl!" Pastel

From: Cactus Flower

 This was one of the four that I picked up today. Just look at the floral bouquets. JUST LOOK AT THEM! Okay, I'm sorry. I won't yell, but please, just look at the adorable bouquets.

The "I Want to See Your Sparkly Peacock, Cock, Cock"

From: Cactus Flower

 ALL of these beads are still firmly in place. My reason for buying this was that I don't have one that has gold beads! Also, there are these slits on the side that have an eye and hook. SO COOL! (Okay, sorry, yelling again.)

The Fraternal Twinsies

From: Cherry Canary

 Um, they match. Isn't that reason enough to buy both of them at the same time?

The "I'm a Pretty Pink Princess!"

From: Cherry Canary

 This one was dead stock and $15. And my first pink cardigan. And it was $15. . .

The Baaaaaa-Baaaaa-Black Cardigan

From: Cherry Canary

 I think those are supposed to be palm trees, but I could be wrong. Either way, it was a beaded black cardigan: something I didn't have at the time. Plus, PEARLS!

The Spring Swing

From: Cherry Canary

 I bought this at the same time I bought a dress. It matched the dress so perfectly that it had to have been meant to be, right? (Even though yes, one side is slightly yellowed.)

The Special Snowflake

From: Cherry Canary

 The beading reminded me of snowflakes. I love snow. I think my need for it is pretty self-explanatory.

The Santa Baby

From: A.Z.

 This dress sat in A.Z. for over a year. At least to me it seemed like it was that long. I checked it out every time I visited until I finally caved to my addiction and purchased it. It looks like poinsettia flowers to me, Christmas-y!

The One that Started it All

From: A.Z.

 This was literally my first vintage cardigan. Therefore, you can blame it for my horrible, horrible addiction. 

The "Newbies" I Have yet to Receive

From: Geronimo Vintage

{Images also from her Etsy}

 As you can see, I am quite heavily addicted to cardigans. When will I stop? Will I ever stop? Or will I just buy ALL of the cardigans? Only time will tell. . .

The Evolution of my Style

 I thought this might be a fun post to share! This will be heavy in photos and, most likely, light in text.

We will start with the beginning years of high school. (Mostly because I couldn't find any middle school photos. Myspace deleted all old photos! Probably a good thing. Quite embarrassing.)

Freshman Year (2009)

 I recently had chopped my hair off. In 8th grade I had long hair, but it was super unhealthy looking. During this time I was pretty concerned with "fitting in" and being "normal" since I spent most of middle school dressing like a mismatched "scene kid". My closet was full of name brands. I'm wearing Hollister in both of these photos because that's what all of the popular kids wore. 

Sophomore Year (2010)

 I was still wearing a lot of name brands. My red sweater is American Eagle and the orange shirt is Hollister. But I was starting to branch out. I discovered stores like Deb's (blue shirt) and Rue21 (polka dots). Also, I will admit to still having the black cardigan that is with the polka dot shirt and the red sweater in my closet. Guilty. 

Junior Year (2011)

 Ah. This is when we finally start to see some vintage introduced to my closet. The red and green dress was my first vintage clothing purchase. It was from Rusty Zipper. Clearly, it is from the 60's and not my preferred time period of 40's-50's. The blue and white polka dot was my first and only Stop Staring dress. It was ruined by dogs and such. Probably for the good since a terrible, horrible ex gave it to me as a gift. We also start to see some vintage inspired hair in my prom photo and we see myself dabbling in vintage hair styling on my own. I bought a horrible 60's/70's butterfly sleeve dress. I thought it was just the coolest thing. We also see my love for wicker purses emerge. Yet, I was still shopping mainly to look like everyone else as the last photo shows. I don't think I ever wore that skirt out. Even then I thought it was short. Nowadays, I think anything above my knee is short!

Senior Year (2012)

 I think this is when I started to gravitate more towards the 50's style, whether it be authentic 50's or new styles that were cut similar to 50's classics. My prom dress was authentic 50's. Under my cap and gown at graduation I wore a Vivien of Holloway white dress with some awesome funky shoes because we were only allowed to wear white. The polka dot dress was definitely sort of vintage inspired in cut, and it was polka dot.

College: Freshman Year

Here, I was still buying 60's polyester dresses, but I was also expanding the 50's part of my wardrobe. I saw myself wearing more and more pantyhose. All the while, I was even adding 80's sweaters, and some dresses, also. I still wear my 80's sweaters on cold, lazy days. 

College: Sophomore Year

 During that year my 50's wardrobe grew exponentially; I was buying authentic dresses from Etsy, reproductions from Lindy Bop, and tops from Ruby Lane. I even delved into the world of vintage night gowns and reproduction underwear. This is when I got my first girdle and pair of stockings from What Katie Did, and my first petticoat from a local vintage shop. I was starting to wear red lipstick and winged eye liner on occasion. I was also setting my hair more often. I mastered barrel curls and victory rolls. This is when I got my vintage eyeglasses. I also purchased my first Orchard Corset.

College: Junior Year (Today!)

 So far this school year, I've gotten rid of a lot of the 60's-80's clothing in my wardrobe and rid it completely of contemporary clothing that is too short or not vintage inspired. I've learned how to put my great grandma's silk scarves to use. I have ignited a love and passion for beaded cardigans. I've been wearing more vintage brooches than ever. I have also been experimenting more with hairstyles. I discovered B.A.I.T. Footwear. It's been a great year for my fashion so far!

The Future

 For the future, I see more and more 50's dresses. I also think I will finally muster up the courage to make that dress pattern that I bought last year. Maybe I will begin making more of my own clothing. I also think I will be buying more reproduction clothing, especially tops since I am lacking in that department.

You!

I feel like this was such a fun thing to do and look back on. I encourage anyone and everyone to give it a try. I would LOVE to see the "evolution" of other vintage gals' fashion.