So lots of you ask me, "Jessica, are you vintage

"all the time, all day, every day?",

and yes, yes I am.

I really, really am.

Don't know modern clothes.

Another question I get asked a lot however is,

"How do I use modern items and make them look more vintage?"

Which is great both

if you're starting out in vintage clothing

and you maybe don't want to spend too much money

or you don't know if it's right for you

and you just kind of want to adapt

the clothes that you've got.

And obviously you're saving money,

it's wonderful because retro clothes

can be really expensive guys, really expensive.

So I thought I would challenge myself

to use the most modern article of clothing

I could possibly think of, the T-shirt

and see if I could make it vintage.

I should probably point out

that since I don't own any T-shirts,

this really was quite a challenge.

I am using one of my merch T-shirts, ta-da!

So you're going to see them in a variety of ways

throughout this video in a variety of different outfits

and I hope it will be really helpful for you

and give you some little hints and tips and tricks

for when you're just trying to start

your vintage wardrobe and your vintage life.

Now let's watch as I attempt to make a T-shirt vintage.

(upbeat music)

We're starting with a standard white T-shirt

and then adapting the neckline

with a pair of trusty scissors.

A lot of vintage looks benefit

from more of an open neckline

and I always think it's incredibly flattering

to show a little collarbone.

But the skirt is the real MVP here.

Apparently that's a sporting term,

it means it's trying really hard.

I'd really advise getting some staples in your wardrobe

that look quite vintagy and thus can make other things

look vintage, but also work for everyday wear

if you don't put a petticoat underneath them.

Honestly, I could wear pinback with this skirt

and still look vintage.

But I don't think I've done too bad a job with the T-shirt.

You might have noticed the little teal accent on the T-shirt

and I'm continuing that into accessories

with these very cute shoes.

They're from Paradox London

and are supposed to be wedding shoes,

which really just means they are comfortable enough

to wear all day long.

Top tip for comfortable yet cute shoes.

If you've ever wondered how I do up my shoes,

the answer is I don't.

Thanks Clara.

To match my shoes I am adding a bag of the exact same color.

Lots of fashion magazines will say that oh,

you shouldn't match your shoes to your bag

because only grandmas do that, to which I say duh!

My entire aesthetic is what would grandmother wear.

And to top off this rather basic vintage look,

add some pearls because you can never go wrong with pearls.

You can quote me on that.

Another vintage staple, this dress is the Matilda,

not that Matilda, from British Retro

and whilst it is 58 pounds,

it is a really great investment piece and very wearable.

It also comes in a range of colors

and just look at that color, oh!

But this outfit really starts with a very attractive

and incredibly soft oversized T-shirt that I happen to sell.

One is the most modern identifiers of T-shirts

is the way the sleeves are cut and fall,

which is lovely if that's your thing,

but personally I'm a fan of the Snow White puff.

Here's a really easy way

to add cute sleeve details without any sewing.

All you need are some tiny safety pins.

I have a lot of them thanks to most vintage companies

attaching labels with them.

I'm not kidding, I'm simply drowning

in mini safety pins, send help.

To make a sleeve puff you merely take the pin

and grab a tiny bit of fabric

in the center of the sleeve edge on the front side,

pick up another tiny bit of sleeve

in the center halfway along

and then finally a section from the center near the seam.

Clip your pin together

and you have a delightful puffy sleeve.

You can repeat this on the back of the sleeves too

in order to create a very puffy puff,

but I quite like this look.

As you can see the collar from the Matilida dress

has transformed the look.

Plus the T-shirt has lavender tones to match the skirt.

Now I am going to attempt to tie the T-shirt around my waist

to keep the 1950's cinched in look.

Awkward.

I said attempt, okay?

Did I genuinely just make a video about

how my hands don't work and then immediately attempted

to tie a difficult knot behind my back?

Yeah, great logic Jessica.

Time for some socks.

Yes, I'm a belly-dancing seven-year-old sometimes,

but bare with, they do actually look great

when teamed with heels

and they bring the white of the collar

down to the bottom of the outfit

so we can be as matchy matchy as possible.

Have I sold you yet?

All right, next up, these cute shoes

to match the navy of the T-shirt.

They're velvety and thus adorable.

A wicker bag sets the whole thing off

and yes, maybe I look like a schoolgirl,

but at least I look like a schoolgirl from the 1950s

so I'm living my best life really.

We're now going to create an item of clothing

that will either be called a sleeveless jumper,

a pullover, a sweater, a vest,

or even a waistcoat depending on where you live.

I'm sure there are many more names for it

so please do leave whatever you would call it

in the comments below.

Make sure to turn your T-shirt inside out when cutting

so you know you're sticking to the seams.

Don't mind, I'm aware my edges aren't perfect

when cutting for the camera,

but I am actually going to neaten them up later.

(upbeat music)

Please meet the most autumnal autumn skirt

to ever autumn autumnally.

And another thing you desperately need

when building a vintage wardrobe,

a beautifully cut shirt.

This one's from a seamstress I found through Etsy,

which I highly recommend checking Etsy, the small companies

and people who sew beautiful things at home.

This shirt is so useful, you will see it again later.

And once we've added our new red sweater vest

you'll see what I mean about how useful the shirt can be.

Once I have finally perfected

the most perfect bow to ever perfect.

Done.

I'm adding a cream belt to tie together the shirt sleeves

and the collar to the skirt.

Belts just complete an outfit for me.

These shoes the new,

so I just had to fit them into this video.

They are made for dancing, which of course means

they are perfectly comfortable for everyday life.

I have very delicate little feet

that always seems to be cut up by shoes

and I also can't feel them,

so finding comfortable yet beautiful shoes is

a really big deal for me and stops the blood everywhere.

And the ultimate accessory a red beret,

which I decided to put on the side of my head

to make the bow stand out because have we mentioned

I'm obsessed with bows?

Oh, and that's just an open door

that won't stay closed, cool.

Hot tip for vintage on a budget.

If you see a high street store selling a circle skirt,

you buy one in all of the colors.

That's why I did with the skirt from Uniqlo.

I think it only cost me around 20 pounds,

but it's very wearable and it has pockets!

For this incredibly simple look you will then need

a T-shirt of almost any description.

Oh yeah, (giggles)

that's very vintage underwear, scandalous.

The T-shirt needs to be large enough

for you tie a knot in the front.

Think Marilyn Monroe on holiday

and then roll up the sleeves.

This is a very relaxed vintagy shape.

Add some heels to match the color of the T-shirt.

Dance around in them for no reason

and then add the perfect I'm on a vintage holiday accessory,

a walking great hat!

Seriously, that's one huge hat.

This hat is possibly my new favorite accessory.

It's from ASOS and came with a black ribbon,

but I thread through whatever color ribbon

just suits my outfit.

And honestly I smack people next to me with it

all the time, but how could you not love

this offensively large hat?

And then because what is vintage

if not weirdly formal in the daytime,

I had this fancy glitzy bag

I borrowed from my sister-in-law years ago,

but I don't think she watches my videos

so I've managed to get away with not giving it back yet.

Having said that, this will be

the one video she watches, won't it?

What a cute outfit!

Get your scissors at the ready again,

we're going to make a super summery look

using this slightly too large T-shirt.

As I said with the white T-shirt,

so much of giving a vintage impression

with your clothes is about the neckline

and a rounded T-shirt one will rarely do.

Okay, I mean there are exceptions to this rule,

do not come for me vintage purists,

I am just on this earth to have fun.

I'm cutting in a boat neck and lord only knows

why I thought I could cut from both sides,

but apparently no, right handed.

Still the end result is lovely.

Add an overly fluffy tulle skirt.

Do I wish I had this in every color?

Yes.

Am I just digging myself deeper into a clearly

wants to be seven year old ballet dancer hole?

Yes, clearly yes.

Fortunately this T-shirt is now off the shoulder

and thus makes it a little more grown-up and relaxed.

As is adding some cute heels.

To everyone who follows me on Instagram asking,

"Are those Claudia's wedding shoes again?"

And yes, yes they are.

This barret with bow is again from Brothers and Sisters

and I have it in a variety of colors,

so look out for them once the weather turns

because they are all I will be wearing on my head.

And of course, the obligatory gloves.

What'd I tell you about gloves?

They make every outfit look complete.

Oops and bag, because there's no way in hell

this skirt has pockets and I need somewhere to put my phone.

Try and tell me this outfit isn't adorable,

because if you think that, you're lying to yourself.

(upbeat music)

Hello and welcome to Jessica dances in her under things,

it's a lot less salacious than that title suggests.

As you can see we've started with the cream shirt

from earlier and it is still looking adorable.

Adding a T-shirt over the top,

trying not to destroy your hair and makeup.

I mean ha, good luck with that

and pop up that adorable collar again.