Spring Chicken

Spring Chicken - The Dressed Aesthetic

I can definitely swing a little saccharine in my clothing choices. Ruffles, lace, flouncy skirts – they all have a place in my closet. So when I spied this sugary-sweet novelty print 1950’s dress from Second Skin Vintage, with her pastel hues and rows of chirping baby birds, I knew I had found the perfect Easter frock to help me ring in the Spring. Tis the season for pastels after all….

{Giveaway}
And the Winners Are…..

At long last, my 2-year Blogaversary Giveaway has ended and the winners have been chosen! I know many of you have been biting your nails waiting for the results. Firstly, though, I would like to thank our incredible sponsors for this Giveaway: Hollie Point Vintage, Modern Millie Vintage, and Etsy. All three have been huge supporters of my blog and huge supporters of the vintage community – thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Candy Coated Memory

Candy Coated Memory - The Dressed Aesthetic

Recently in my Neurobiology class I’ve been teaching the students about the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory. The ways we can learn names, faces, and dates and evoke things long forgotten from our childhood. The ways that we form neocortical assemblies behind the things we remember, where a whisper of a perfume or a few notes of a song can trigger recall of the entire memory.

{Review} Introducing Orchard Corset

{Review} Introducing Orchard Corset - The Dressed Aesthetic

As a longtime lover and collector of vintage, everyone has come to know (and expect) the kind of dresses I favor – namely, a fitted waist and a twirly skirt. The classic 1950’s Dior New Look-inspired silhouette with a perfect sugar spun waist. So, it will come as no surprise that I also have a growing collection of undergarments that can help me achieve the shape and structure I love in many of my dresses.

Purposeful Repurposing

Purposeful Repurposing - The Dressed Aesthetic

I wear vintage for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, it makes me feel amazing. I never feel more powerful than when I’m wearing a waist cinched within an inch of her life, two crinolines, and a smirk. But then there’s the other reasons: the fact that it’s like wearing a piece of history, and I get to just be one part of her story. The fact that the care and attention to detail is something you so rarely find in clothing nowadays. The fact that I’m supporting independent, small business owners. And the one that often goes unnoticed:…

{Giveaway}
2-Year Blog-a-versary!

{Giveaway} 2-Year Blog-a-versary! - The Dressed Aesthetic

I can hardly believe it – but the blog turned 2 this month! As I have also (gracefully) turned another year older in March, I thought it was time for some pretty hardcore celebration. There’s only one way I know how to celebrate: with vintage! So, I’ve teamed up with three of my favorite purveyors of beautiful vintage and vintage-inspired clothing: Etsy, Hollie Point, and Modern Millie!

It’s Organic

It's Organic - The Dressed Aesthetic

I have a bit of an affinity for anything organic. And I don’t mean the label on our produce that’s become trendy these days; but rather the way nature manifests itself in fashion. A floral print, a leaf embroidery, a fruit-speckled handbag. So when this adorable necklace appeared under my Christmas tree from my best friend in Aus – a wearable planter (!) – I immediately started brimming with styling possibilities.

Peaches & Green

Peaches & Green - The Dressed Aesthetic

And just like that, we’re back to our regularly scheduled program of teaching and writing lectures and teaching again. Spring Break was a great opportunity to play a bit of catch up, but as usual, it went by way to quickly and Monday was upon me before I could even put on the brakes. But, I survived my first week back and somehow even survived the brief snowstorm we had that left all of us North Carolinians feeling as if we had just entered the Twilight Zone….