Earlier this week I posted a preview of Diana's new thrift shop, Lake Forest Resale. Today I'm presenting 3 'looks' I put together from items found on my visit to the store. As most of you reading this blog know, I wear vintage and thrifted items on a daily basis and secondhand items make up 90 percent of my warddrobe (sadly I have to mainly wear contemporary shoes). Despite being a curvy lady I still have good luck at stores, it just takes some patience and digging! Fortunately Diana separates out vintage goodies into one section in her well curated shop so it didn't take long to put together some favorites!
If you're curious what the town of Lake Forest looks like I've included photos I took of the historic downtown square just after the outlook photos. As I mentioned previously, it is definitely the upscale version of the fictional Stars Hollow of Gilmore Girls fame.LOOK 1: "Boho Wedding" or "Southern Hippie Chic"
Despite being from the South (or because of it) I shy away from items like cowboy boots. When I saw this well weathered pair, however, I knew they would look fantastic with the little empire waist dress from the '60s/70s and the perfectly beat up 1990s leather backpack (that seems to be all the rage lately).
Where to wear this outfit: Easter (could have worn this today!), a Spring wedding or on a road trip to the South.White is difficult to photograph so it's hard to make out all the detailing on the bodice of the dress-- there are little white embroidered flowers along the neckline, sleeves and bodice.Look 2: "1970s Cocktail Party" or "Golden Gala"
Another item in the vintage section, this 1970s dress epitomizes glamor. It's a maxi length, made out of a floaty material (chiffon?) and included a matching scarf that was perfect for draping around the shoulders or to wave in the breeze dramatically. I paired it with a pair of blingin' peep toe heels to make it even more glitzy. I'm perched on a 1920s steamer trunk that incidentally is also for sale.
Where to wear this outfit: To a gallery opening, fashion show or anywhere else you want to make a splash!Chicago spring weather means having to wear thick cardigans, tights and boots still, if not a wool coat. Fortunately Lake Forest Resale has you covered-- I saw quite a few colorful 'grandpa sweaters', oversized men's sweaters that can be worn belted over a dress. I picked out a vintage Izod wool cardigan in apple green to wear with the outfit I'd worn to the shop.Look 3: "1960s Bike Ride" or "Borrowed from the Boyfriend"
This last outfit was definitely my style and something I'd wear on a day to day basis rather than for a certain occasion or event. My inspiration was 1960s spring picnics in quaint All American towns-- the vintage daisy chain blanket, picnic basket and Izod sweater are all available at Diana's shop. The 1950s abstract print dress was a Cheap Thrills Find (vintage store in Fayetteville, Arkansas), the straw hat was thrifted in Madision, Wisconsin and the lion belt is from the 1980s and was thrifted in Chicago.
Where to wear this outfit: Picnics, brunch with the girls, reading at the coffee shop, flea market shopping or the farmer's market.Lake Forest Resale is just located off the historic square in downtown Lake Forest, located conveniently off a Metra regional transit stop. Located along the coast of Lake Michigan, the town was founded in the 1850s as a stop for travelers headed south to Chicago. Despite having a small population (just over 20,000 people) Lake Forest has a rich design history with architects like Howard Van Doren Shaw, David Adler, Arthur Heun, Henry Ives Cobb and modernist George Fred Keck having left their mark on the residential and commercial structures of the town.
All of these photos were taken in historic Market Square, designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw and completed in 1916 as the commercial center of Lake Forest. Unfortunately a majority of the older businesses are gone (including the 2nd ever Marshall Fields in the country) but thankfully the buildings remain intact and now house shops like J. Crew and Williams Sonoma.Above the 1930s Art Deco post office. The eagle columns flank each side of the main entrance and are lit at night.Unfortunately I did not have time to step inside the stationery shop but based on its sign it appears to be one of the original businesses of the square (or at least has been around since the 1940s or so?).A large fountain overlooks the center of the square, unfortunately the water was turned off as it was around 40 degrees.
Lake Forest has made its mark on literature and pop culture world-- there are references to it in "The Great Gatsby" in movies like "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", "Public Enemies" and "Uncle Buck."