Vintage Fashion Blog with a Modern Twist
January 9, 2018
Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Dominique de Merteuil
It’s Beyond My Control-Introduction to My Vintage Fashion Blog
Welcome to my vintage fashion blog with a slightly modern twist.
My name is Dominique de Merteuil, I’m a vintage fashion scribbler and the founder of the It’s Beyond My Control blog that I started in 2012.
On the blog, I share my knowledge pertaining to fashion history, vintage care and styling, as well as tips and advice from experts in the field of textile conservation as well as museum curators from all around the world.
Why I Love Vintage Fashion
- One of the main reasons behind my vintage fashion blog is to keep vintage fashion alive and bring back a little bit of glamour to life, that’s not always filled with rose petals and champagne.
- My beloved fashions popular in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s are elegant, classy and flattering. And elegance is exactly what mainstream fashion is bereft of. I feel that a lot of contemporary designers have forgotten that the reason why women buy clothes in the first place is to look and feel beautiful.
- The majority of vintage garments were made of greater quality fabrics than what we are used to today. And that explains why we can still enjoy pieces 70 years from when they were originally made.
- Remember, always choose quality over quantity!
- I’m a true believer that It’s more important to find and refine one’s style, rather than obsess over this season’s “must-have” items. After all, they will go out of fashion in the blink of an eye. Vintage clothes are often one of a kind, perfect for standing out.
It’s Beyond My Control
Example of how I style clothes from the 1940s
- Original 1940s skirt suit made of wool that keeps me warm on colder days
- 1940s purse that goes with vintage and contemporary clothes
- Wolford tights
- Megumi O sunglasses
Vintage Fashion Tips
Blending In, The Vintage Way
- Original 1950s dress
- 1950s velvet bolero
- 1950s leather gloves
- Wolford tights
Vintage Fashion Quaintrelle, Not a Vintage Purist
Over 95% of my wardrobe consists of true vintage clothes and accessories, mainly from the 1930s, 1940s and first half of the 1950s.
I’m not a vintage purist though, and I like to mix together clothes from different eras that I occasionally pair with garments from contemporary designers, just so long as they are not part of fast fashion, which I wholeheartedly detest.
Here is an example of how I mix vintage clothes with contemporary designers. In the pictures below I’m wearing:
Old & New
The perfect marriage
- vintage slacks (Read about vintage-inspired slacks!)
- Wolford body
- Miu Miu shoes
- vintage brooch
- Her Curious Nature gloves
A vintage fashion blog with a modern twist.
Another example of mixing vintage fashion, this time from the 1950s with contemporary designers!
In the picture, I’m wearing a true 1950s woollen skirt paired with a Crawfish blouse and clutch from 1683 Atelier, Wolford tights and Vivienne Westwood shoes.
The Must-Read if You Are Starting Your Vintage Adventure
Vintage Websites to Follow
- Some of the best, factual vintage fashion blogs, that will help you learn the history of vintage fashion:
Nylon Nostalgia – vintage lingerie expert
Vintage Fashion Guild – great source for vintage labels
Glamour Daze – vintage treasure blog you MUST follow
No Accounting for Taste – you will find everything there is to know about the Lilli Ann brand and many more
April Leigh
May 28, 2019Hello Dominique!
I just love everything about this post. You are so real, straightforward and completely spot on! I too am a vintage lover, as well as a seller. I have always been drawn to the quality of the items as well. I just fall in love with the items that I find and find so much joy in sharing them with others and giving them a new life!
I too am also in love with the fashion of the 30s, 40s and 50s but am also a lover of the 60s as well. I just adore elegance of the early items, much like you and the fun and free quality, as well as eye popping colors and patterns of the 60s. SO MUCH FUN.
Thanks for promoting vintage and doing it so beautifully! I’m a new follower for sure!
Dominique de Merteuil
May 29, 2019Hello April,
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!
I get very attached to all my vintage finds and would find it unbearable to part with them. It must be incredibly difficult for sellers to see some of the beautiful garments go. I actually know a couple of vintage sellers who have a rule of never to try on garments intended for sale. Otherwise, they would never be able to sell anything. π
Dx
April Leigh
May 30, 2019I love that! For me, being a modern size 10/12 I have many more items that DO NOT fit, rather than fit so it is a bit easier. I actually feel a little thrill when I see a beautiful piece go to it’s new owner. It just makes my heart happy! I guess that may be why I am a seller as well as a collector. Thanks for the reply and I will definitely be following you to see what other fabulous vintage you find and how you style it (my personal favorite part of wearing vintage).
Sandra
January 22, 2018I love your style! The velvet bolero with Wolford body looks amazing!
Dominique de Merteuil
April 22, 2019Thank you!
Rose
January 22, 2018In love with your look!!!
Dominique de Merteuil
January 22, 2018Thank you Rose!