When women come to me looking for advice on how to wear vintage fashion, their first question is typically, "Where do I begin?!" The vast array of choices in the vintage fashion world overwhelms them and instead of taking that first step, they give up and visit their neighboring fast fashion chain instead.

Rather than looking at the vintage fashion world as an overwhelming place to shop, I ask women to be encouraged and optimistic that there are so many choices for her.

Here's three ways to jumpstart your vintage style for spring that are guaranteed to turn heads and leave your creative mark on the fashion world.


Funky Sunglasses Worn By the Superstars

THE JUMPSTART STYLE TIP: The bigger, the better! Spring means sunshine, open top convertibles and for the vintage-lover in you, big bug-eye sunglasses that superstars of vintage Hollywood and eras past would have loved to wear.

Don't be afraid that the glasses will make you "look weird." You only feel awkward because you're not used to the styles.

The rest of the world will love them, and after a few compliments, you'll feel more naturally comfortable wearing bug-eyes and other unique shapes inspired by the past.


Some Sunglass Styles to Try ...

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Look for styles circa the '60s and '70s that have unique features, colored stems or are just plain funky shapes.

Skip Ray Bans for circular, cat eye or geometric lens.

If you don't mind seeing the world through colored-glasses, you can grab a pair of authentic vintage or vintage inspired glasses with tinted lenses that'll have you seeing life in a fresh perspective.


A Fabulous 50s-Inspired Polka Dot Dress

THE JUMPSTART STYLE TIP: I've never met a woman who didn't love wearing polka dots! This "mini dot," inspired by the dance "polka" and popularized by Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s with her polka dotted bikini, is the quintessential vintage pattern that is easy to find in authentic and vintage-inspired looks.

Polka dot patterns vary in color and placement. Spring polka dot color schemes are best with a white base, but a solid base in a light color works well, too.

Finding an authentic polka dotted vintage dress can be difficult for the modern woman. We are typically taller and wider than women were in the '50s and '60s.


Some Polka Dot Styles to Try ...

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Since this style of dress is so popular (not to mention flattering), there are multiple vintage style reproduction brands which offer all-figure-fitting styles of polka dot dresses.

You will come across more "fit and flare" styles (a fitted waist with a full skirt) as well as A-line dresses (tight around the hips) and even some mid-calf length "housewife" styles that are modest in coverage.


A Jackie-O Inspired Sunday Brunch Hat

THE JUMPSTART STYLE TIP: Most women know that Jackie Onassis Kennedy, aka "Jackie O," is one of today's vintage fashion icons for vintage style hats.

What most women don't know is that these hats were worn daily - and not just for special occassions like public appearances, lunches, brunches or church.

But for the modern woman, a pillbox style (shown above) or any vintage-style hat is best worn when she's ready to "dress to the nines" for an event that calls for it, such as Sunday church services followed by brunch.

I encourage women to rethink their relatinoship to hat, as I do believe that they can be worn for the everyday if the outfit is appropriate (a dress, skirt or feminine-fit dress pants).

Most women are not feeling dressed to the nines everyday, however, so wearing a vintage hat feels appropriate for those special occassions she feels comfortable "showing up and showing off."


Some Vintage Hats to Try ...

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Vintage style hats differ in design by the era, but the era most remembered for its hats is the 1960s.

This was the decade of Jackie O's reign as First Lady of fashion, and the decade when pill box hats and turbans were most popular.

These are the styles best for the modern woman and to jumpstart your spring vintage style. They are eye catching withou