Retro Romance Styles For Closet Romantics

retro romance | spring fashion Victorian puff sleeve maxi dress | Girlfriend is Better
Photo courtesy: Karya Schanilec

Spring blossoms and sunny skies have us digging into our wardrobes for dresses. Add a little retro romance to your cart from any era of your choice. Girls are wearing royalty-worthy frocks and 60s muse styles in new and interesting ways. Think about how you imagine total romance and then dress the part. Tomboys are certainly included!

retro romance | eyelet lace neutral sweater ruffled mock neck | Girlfriend is Better
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Retro Romance de Paris

Something we gleaned from our last duration in Paris—French girls are experts at combining vintage with modern. Make late 20th century retro romance easy to digest by pairing with a simple jacket. A delicate slip dress fringed with lace can be accessorized with a few bangles and denim.

retro romance | pink slip dress lace denim jacket French girl cool | Girlfriend is Better
Photo courtesy: Stockholm Streetstyle
..but its strength lies in your ability to deal with your own self.

Muumuu-vin’ On Up

Update a muumuu dress that was popular in the 50s with ease. A muumuu style dress gets a dose of retro romance with ruffled collars and balloon sleeves. Opt for a midi dress that has a higher hem and just add a white pair of tennis shoes to complete the look. Perfect with a see-through tote at the local farmer’s market.

retro romance | voluminous muumuu midi dress floral print balloon sleeves ruffled collar | Girlfriend is Better
Photo courtesy: Sandra Semburg

The Right Gear

Your accessories can also play a big part in helping you keep your lady-like charm in tact. Introduced in the early 30s, Chanel tends to corner the market when it comes to nailing retro romance. Look for white top handle purses in classic quilting. We love Chanel’s collection of white handbags with the signature chain strap. Perfectly paired with an abstract print top or dress.

retro romance | Chanel white handbag quilted leather chain strap top handle purses | Girlfriend is Better
Photo courtesy: Vogue

Romance Pants

Can you get romance with 60s-style pants? Yes indeed! Add retro romance to your pants category with ease. Look for wide-leg pants that are cream colored and go head-to-toe in with the monochromatic look. Add block heels in your favorite neutral leather or animal skin. Less glaring than the traditional white, cream is softer, and therefore—more romantic.

retro romance |
Photo courtesy: Collection201

Victorian Edwardian

Are you the type of girl who wears her heart on her sleeve? The type of retro romance most of us imagine is from the Victorian era. Also popular in Pioneer days, this slender silhouette boasted puff shoulders and set-in sleeves. Update this look with a modern fabric and a polka dot print.

retro romance | Victorian Edwardian maxi dress puff shoulders polka dot blue | Girlfriend is Better
Photo courtesy: The Impression

Go-Go Go!

A voluminous dress might be the right pick for you if you love the free-spirited 60s. Add retro romance in big doses with an empire waist and shorter hemline. Voluminous dresses are big this season (literally/ figuratively) and puff sleeves make them even bigger. The shorter hemline ensures you don’t get lost in all of that fabric. Swing, baby, swing!

retro romance | 60s voluminous dress mini blue puff sleeves ruffles | Girlfriend is Better
Photo courtesy: @stinegoyastudio via Instagram

Lace, Ruffles, Florals, Silk

When in doubt, just add any of the standard elements of romance into the mix. Pick a dress from any era and add a dose of retro romance with lace, ruffles, floral prints, or silk. A cropped 50s sweater with eyelet lace or a 20s neck scarf in silk will also do the trick. Lots of softness, lots of pastels, you know the plan.

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