Splendicity » retro

Return of the Classic Timex 80 Watch

Kelli DesRochers — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:00:50 +0000

I love all of these retro product comebacks! I definitely had an old school plastic Timex with the signature Indiglo backlit display that I got at a drugstore when I was in grade school. Now the original simple plastic Timex watch that was popular in the 1980’s has been released in new vibrant colors and updated designs as the Timex 80.

I first spotted the Timex 80 on high-end fashion online retailer Net-A-Porter’s website and found it quite amusing that this simple little watch was now being sold next to Christian Louboutins. But I also have to admit that I immediately wanted one! Now I have been spotting this retro watch at every high end department store. I love all the bright colors and whimsical feel of this timeless style.

Image: mywardrobe.com

Timex 80 Pink Blue and Lime Tri-Colour Watch $82.50

The popularity of the Timex 80 has made some of the best colors slightly difficult to track down. This candy-colored style is my absolute favorite, but I couldn’t find it in any American department stores. It’s so fabulous!

Image: Net-A-Porter

Timex 80 Metal Digital Watch in White $60

This is the classic white stainless steel elastic strap design…definitely a close second. This is the perfect casual women’s watch.

Image: Barneys

Timex 80 Jumbo Digital Watch in Red Mars $60

This is the new Jumbo design from the Timex 80 Universe Collection. This is an oversized update to the original 1980’s version. It is also available in tons of fun colors like Blue Neptune, Pink Venus, and Green Earth.

At around $60 per watch and tons of color options, it is definitely tempting to buy one in every color. You can see all of the available color options for the Timex 80 Classic and Jumbo at the Timex 80 website.

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Return of the Classic Timex 80 Watch

High Waisted Burlesque Hobble Skirt

Tracey Duncan — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:12:24 +0000

In the 80’s, high waisted hobble skirts became all the rage, especially when worn with peplum jackets with shoulder pads. But these great staples didn’t originate in the 80’s, they’re actually totally 40’s. Seeing them come back in style makes me think that all your favorite 80’s style clothes will go great with things that are even more retro, like this gorgeous hobble skirt by Miss Maisy Brown. Check it:

I love the fit of this skirt. There’s nothing sexier than something that covers you completely and follows all your curves. The fishtail end of the skirt makes it a little easier to walk in, and balances out the flare of your hips for a super hourglass appeal. Available for $135 from Miss Maisy Brown.

Photo Credit: Miss Maisy Brown

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High Waisted Burlesque Hobble Skirt

80’s Doubledown Sunglasses on Moxsie

Kelli DesRochers — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:55:28 +0000

Moxsie is a great website for finding independent designers with extremely creative and passionate work. I respect the Moxsie team’s ability to handpick up-and-coming designers from around the world who create unique merchandise from sunglasses to handbags to dresses.

I originally discovered Moxsie through the funky Cassius Eyewear collection that is being worn by celebrities like Kanye West and Rihanna. Moxsie also has stylish and vividly colored sunglasses from independent designer Doubledown NYC.

Image: Moxsie

Doubledown NYC eightyfourseries in Blue $180

The eightyfourseries is a re-make of an original pair of sunglasses that debuted in 1984. The updated version has the same square frames and gold detailed temples, but is paired with new brightly colored acetate and gradient lenses. I love the funky retro feel with the boxy frames and thick flashy gold. Doubledown NYC has styles that are inspired by important eras of music and hiphop culture. The eightyfourseries is based on the turning point in the 1980’s when the Doubledown founder believes that “hiphop became a global phenomenon.”

Image: Moxsie

Doubledown NYC eightyfourseries in Gold $180

The eightyfourseries is available online at Mosxie in Blue, Gold, and Red.

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80’s Doubledown Sunglasses on Moxsie

Vintage Matchbox Favors by Firefly Notes

Tracey Duncan — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:05:52 +0000

I know it isn’t really PC to give matches as favors, but these matchboxes are so lovely and retro that I’m willing to overlook that. The designer uses vintage wedding photos and glitter to embellish these sweet little gifts. I guess that sounds like it could look pretty cheesy, but it doesn’t. See for yourself:

Lovely, right? And, I guess if you’re worried about using them to light cigarettes you could give them with a little candle. They come personalized with your name and the date of your wedding, and they’re sure to be a hit with any bride with a vintage sensibility. And hey, if you don’t care about being PC, you could give them with a cigar. Available for $1.75 each for orders under 50, $1.50 for orders over 50, from Firefly Notes.

Photo Credit: Firefly Notes

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Vintage Matchbox Favors by Firefly Notes

The Winslet Fascinator by La Boheme

Tracey Duncan — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:23:52 +0000

I know, I know. Fascinators in lieu of veils is old news. So old news that some people are already over it. But here’s a fascinator that eschews the typical feather and bead design so frequently seen. It’s a little sweeter, and a little quainter, but still retro and wearable for the right bride.

What I love about this design is the almost overcrowded cluster of elements. It’s so multi-faceted with feathers, flowers, and crochet, but it all blends in to create a look that is more hat-like than your usual fascinator. I see this working for a bride who’s wearing a forties style day dress or suit. Something proper and refined. Available for $210 from La Boheme.

Photo Credit: La Boheme

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The Winslet Fascinator by La Boheme

Would You Wear Super Chunky Sunglasses?

Kelli DesRochers — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:23:55 +0000

I posted recently about the popular Super Sunglasses that are being worn by celebrities like Kanye West and Daft Punk. These retro-inspired plastic sunglasses have thick chunky frames that have an almost cartoon-like appearance. I love the graphic image of this style of frames, but do they seem more like sunglasses that should be worn by children and not adults? Can they look fashionable or they do they end up looking silly unless you are a celebrity?

Image: Shopbop

Chloe Litchi Sunglasses $355

These Chloe sunglasses have extremely thick black plastic frames. I love the Wayfarer style plastic frames that are popular this summer, and adding thickness to the frames seems to be taking this design to the next level. Is this the look that we’re going to be seeing everywhere next summer? I remember when I thought the super oversized frames were kind of silly, but now they are completely mainstream.

Image: Retrosuperfuture

Super Sunglasses Ciccio Robin

Could you see yourself wearing super chunky plastic sunglasses?

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Would You Wear Super Chunky Sunglasses?

Oliver Peoples Square Sunglasses

Kelli DesRochers — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:32:23 +0000

Oliver Peoples is one of my favorite glasses designers for sunglasses and prescription frames. Their designs are classy and work for women of all ages. My mom even has a simple pair of black oversized Oliver Peoples sunglasses that she wears all the time! I also appreciate their modern aesthetic with an understated logo and lack of flashiness.

I have really been loving the retro plastic flat top sunglasses lately.

Image: Net-a-Porter

Oliver Peoples Zadie Square Sunglasses $275

These black acetate sunglasses have large square lenses with the distinct flat top design across the bridge. It has a simple thin creme-colored double line to emphasize the design across the top. These are also available in a rich brown with gold striping.

The flat top keeps coming back in style, so it’s probably worth the investment to get a great pair!

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Oliver Peoples Square Sunglasses

Retrosuperfuture SUPER Sunglasses

Kelli DesRochers — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:48:21 +0000

Celebrities like Kanye West and Daft Punk are obsessed with the funky and colorful SUPER Sunglasses by Italian designer Retrosuperfuture. Super sunglasses were started back in 2007 and were one of the first on the fashion scene to create the vibrant colored acetate sunglasses that are so popular for summer 2009. While cheap colored plastic frames are available for about $10 on a street corner, Super sunglasses pride themselves on their extremely high quality lenses made my Zeiss in Germany and their frames that are handmade in Italy.

The editors at Italian music and fashion magazine, Daniel and Simon Beckerman, created the Super line in response to a lack of street culture expression in the high quality sunglasses made by designers like Gucci and D&G. They wanted to create a fun and colorful line that their young friends would enjoy wearing, but would also provide adequate UV protection.

Image: Retrosuperfuture

SUPER Flat Top Frank 2

The Flat Top style is probably one of the most recognizable from Super and is typical of their modern and simple design aesthetic.

Image: Superfuture

SUPER Ciccio Clear Blue

If you have noticed the Steve Erkel look that has been popular with hipsters lately, then you have witnessed the influence of Super sunglasses. These exaggerated thick colored frames with clear lenses are for really pushing the limit of street fashion.

Image: Superfuture

SUPER Mono Violet

I love this updated version on the original Super Mono with translucent violet frames and matching violet lenses.

Go to the Super website to find where Super sunglasses are sold in your area of the world. In New York, they are available at Oak. They retail for around $150.

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Retrosuperfuture SUPER Sunglasses

Ray-Ban Neon Wayfarer Skinnies

Kelli DesRochers — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:33:31 +0000

Ray-Ban is really having a great year in sunglasses. They can probably be credited with the resurgence of retro styles from the 80’s with their re-releases and modern updates on classic styles. I could really be happy with at least 10 different pairs of Ray-Bans this summer in every color of the rainbow.

Image: Shopbop

Ray-Ban Neon Wayfarer Skinnies in Dark Orange $129

My new discovery in the Ray-Ban collection is the Neon Wayfarer Skinnies. These are similar to the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers, which we have seen absolutely everywere this summer on every celebrity and in every color combination you could possibly imagine. The difference is that the Skinnies have a distinctly (of course) skinnier frame and temple. The classic Wayfarer is very chunky with a children’s toy quality to the emphasized colored plastic of the frame.

Image: Shopbop

Ray-Ban Neon Wayfarer Skinnies in Azure Fluorescent $129

I like these Wayfarers because they are more delicate and seem to be adapted to fit women’s styles. These sunglasses have oversized gradient lenses and brightly colored plastic frames. They come in Dark Orange, Azure Fluorescent, and Yellow Fluorescent.

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Ray-Ban Neon Wayfarer Skinnies

Retrosun Vintage Cazal Sunglasses

Kelli DesRochers — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:00:41 +0000

I recently discovered Retrosun, which is a retailer for authentic vintage sunglasses…these are the real brand new products from the 1970s and 80s in their original packaging! I am new to the whole vintage scene, but I am really falling in love with it.

I am coveting these Retrosun vintage multicolor Cazal sunglasses. I love the funky detailing in gold, red, and green on the white plastic frames…so retro! Cazal sunglasses became popular in the 80s when hip-hop celebrities like Run DMC and The Fat Boys were photographed wearing their colorful and eccentric styles. I love their designs because they are completely unique and they experiment with shapes and colors that are not usually seen in sunglasses frames.

Image: Net-A-Porter

Retrosun Vintage Cazal Sunglasses $270 at Net-A-Porter

Colorful plastic oversized aviators and vintage styles are really fashionable this summer, so sunglasses like the vintage Cazal are a perfect pick for a combination of the two trends.

Image: Net-A-Porter

Here is a close-up image of the detailing on the frame…love it!

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Retrosun Vintage Cazal Sunglasses