Vintage Fashion Guide: Timeless Treasures
Photography by Lisa Staff
Styled by Bailey Gilliam
This month we’re celebrating the quiet magic of vintage style, where yesterday’s silhouettes slip easily into today’s wardrobes. Think of it as a treasure hunt that stretches from antique shops to your own closet, mixing classic shapes with fresh details. Flowy florals, textured knits, a little sparkle; these are the pieces that age gracefully, like a well-loved keepsake from Michael & Co. Antiques.
The charm of then, the confidence of now
This month’s curated looks show how vintage inspiration can slip seamlessly into modern life. Think rich textures, familiar silhouettes and fresh spins on old favorites. Each outfit carries a balance of comfort and character, whether you’re heading out for a casual afternoon or adding polish for an evening on the town. Old-school charm is alive and well, and it’s wearing something new.
Modern vintage
Maggie & Me proves that simple can be striking. A black leather midi skirt adds edge, while a plain white tee keeps it grounded. Layer on the cropped trench, and the whole look sharpens with just the right nod to classic tailoring. It’s effortless, confident and versatile enough for a gallery stroll, cocktails in Old Town, or both.
Easy elegance
Outside Hilton Head delivers a look
that’s all about Lowcountry ease. Crisp white pants set the tone, paired with a floral blouse that brings in color and romance without overdoing it. Tan leather sandals and a matching clutch tie everything together. Breezy, feminine and ready to follow wherever the day drifts.
Retro revival
The Haven Boutique leans into the cozy side of vintage with brown corduroy pants and a cream cable-knit sweater vest. A soft leather crossbody bag and clean white sneakers keep it practical, while a simple bracelet adds a subtle shine. It’s a laid-back nod to the ’70s that feels modern, fresh and perfectly at home in fall.
Styled through the decades
This month’s handpicked pieces prove that true style never really leaves the stage. Retro florals, embroidered denim, polished pearls and old-school shades all bring a little history into today’s wardrobes. Whether you’re leaning into the ’50s, the ’70s or the ’90s, these locally sourced finds blend nostalgia with modern ease.
1. Flower power
Jean-Pierre Kliffa’s Lily Dress in Hippie is a bright throwback to the 1970s. Bold florals meet a striped hem in a color palette that begs for sunshine. Sleeveless and fitted, it’s the dress you’ll want for backyard parties and weekend brunches.
2. Vintage bloom
The beaded satchel by America & Beyond, available at S.M. Bradford Co., is pure vintage whimsy. With its floral embroidery and garden-party vibe, it’s the kind of bag that makes any outfit feel instantly more playful. Let it shine against a neutral dress, or pair it with bold prints if you’re feeling adventurous.
3. Top it off
Brims on the Bluff offers the Osprey hat, a piece that feels both refined and relaxed. Available in shades that pair with everything, it’s the finishing touch that turns a good outfit into a great one.
4. Timeless menswear
John Bayley Clothier carries this Oxford shirt by Swedish brand, Stenströms. With mother-of-pearl buttons and crisp tailoring, it’s proof that some classics never need an update. A shirt like this looks just as sharp at a board meeting as it does with jeans on a Sunday.
5. Cozy classic
Southern Tide’s Connie Cable Knit Sweater proves texture never goes out of style. With its chunky cables and relaxed shape, it’s the sweater you’ll pull on when the evenings turn cool.
6. Modern heirloom
J. Mills Studio, available at Gifted, brings old-world romance into the now with a Baroque pearl cluster necklace. A delicate gold chain anchors a mix of freshwater pearls that look like they were passed down from a favorite aunt, only better.
7. Shades of the past
Woody’s Sunglasses Shop keeps vintage cool alive with frames from Oliver Peoples and Tom Ford. The shapes nod to old Hollywood, but the craftsmanship is modern through and through. Slip them on, and you’re suddenly starring in your own coastal film reel.
8. Embroidered ease
From Evelyn & Arthur, the Lil Shirt nails the sweet spot between boho and retro. Soft denim gets a fun upgrade with colorful floral embroidery and a relaxed fit. Wear it loose, knotted or layered; it’s the easygoing piece that works as hard as you do.
Nostalgia in every stitch
Island Child owner Senny Powell on her passion for vintage children’s clothing
Island Child owner Senny Powell is shown with part of her cherished vintage children’s clothing collection, a carefully preserved mix of family heirlooms and decades of discoveries. ©Lisa Staff
In a world that moves too quickly, there’s something grounding about a hand-smocked baby dress or a crisp cotton pinafore. For Senny Powell, owner of Island Child, vintage children’s clothing isn’t just fabric and thread. It’s a record of care and craftsmanship, a reminder of childhood moments that never fade. Her collection, built over decades, has become both personal archive and professional inspiration, shaping how she buys for her store and thinks about children’s fashion.
Powell’s connection to sewing started early. Both of her grandmothers were seamstresses, and by middle school she was riding the bus for fabric and patterns, teaching herself to cut and stitch garments. The Barbie craze became her first business venture. “I ended up selling Barbie clothes to the mothers in the neighborhood,” she recalled. Later, as a young mother, she sewed most of her daughters’ school dresses. With her husband Steve’s support, she turned that passion into a business, selling handmade clothes and quilts before opening Island Child on Hilton Head.
Her home closets brim with treasures: voile dresses from the 1950s, lace-trimmed pinafores, smocked dresses saved from her daughters’ school days. Some belonged to her family, others she simply couldn’t resist. “Even if they’re not from the family, they’re special to me. To me, they’re art.” She favors the 1930s through the 1950s. “There’s more structure, but the details are beautiful. There’s a simplicity that lets the little girl shine through,” she explains. Smocking, in particular, holds her heart.
Her collection has inspired her own designs, including a childhood pinafore she recreated in dotted Swiss for the shop. Even now, the urge to sew lingers. “I went upstairs and looked through all my old fabrics and trims,” she says. “I just want to do it again.”
That sensibility carries into the modern brands she selects for Island Child. Labels like Proper Peony and Dondolo make the cut, not for their name recognition but for quality. Her eye for detail even led to a collaboration with Lullaby Set that produced the “Senny Pinafore.”
Powell also admires designers who elevated children’s fashion, like Joan Calabrese, the only American children’s designer in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. Powell still treasures one of her dresses, noting its intricate collars and sleeves.
In a culture of mass production, Powell’s love for vintage feels quietly radical. “These aren’t just clothes,” she says. “They’re memories. They’re stories.” That feeling still shapes Island Child. Each season her influence is evident in the smocking, lace and soft cottons that fill the shop. At home her closets whisper the stories of decades past. As Powell says with a smile: “I just want to play again.”
