Shabby chic is a unique combination of beauty and grace, elegance and a retro touch, giving any woman who chooses clothes in this direction true charm and extraordinary attractiveness. Products of this style are distinguished by simplicity and contrasting combinations that fascinate with their appearance.
What is this new style?
Shabby chic clothing is an amazing combination of simple, innocent antiquity, elegant details and sophisticated luxury accessories. This style of clothing looks at the same time creative, authentic, naive and, to some extent, museum-mysterious.
Shabby chic clothing (photo below) is wearing multi-layered vintage clothing that radiates romanticism, tenderness and femininity.
This style is the antithesis of a laconic business style. This is a kind of reference to childhood, playing with your favorite doll and naive memories.
Urban chic style
Urban chic for people who understand what it means to be modest and chic at the same time, what “luxury for yourself” is. This is a combination of classics and ultra-fashionable trendy things. We just use them gracefully, delicately and without pretentiousness.
It is sometimes confused with casual and sporty. These are style directions in which there is lightness, democracy, naturalness, convenience and comfort. Mixes and elements of casual (casual) and sports chic - sneakers with a trouser suit, leggings with a short blouse or T-shirt, an abundance of prints, fluffy skirts with sneakers, sweatpants with high-heeled shoes, maxi and very short mini - do not fit into the idea of urban chic. We remember that its basis is still a classic.
How did the style come about?
Shabby chic in women's clothing appeared thanks to the American Rachel Ashwell. This girl is considered the founder of this noble style.
Her childhood was spent in Great Britain surrounded by vintage toys and books. Her parents were involved in their restoration. Literally from an early age, Rachel absorbed a love for the mysteries of antiquity. Gradually, her inner emotions from childhood transformed into creativity.
Little Rachel was literally captivated by trips to flea markets with her parents. She watched as her parents gave new life to antiques. It was definitely her parents who instilled in her a love of design from cute antique things.
She began developing shabby chic by decorating things that she bought at markets and antique shops. Over time, complete strangers began to take an interest in her work. Later, the first fans of her unique, special style began to appear.
Rachel began to develop her creativity quite early. In 1989, she opened her own furniture textile design shop. She called it quite predictably: shabby chic - “shabby chic.” The store specialized in the production of furniture covers with a worn effect and the manufacture of antique accessories.
The idea of aging modern materials is relevant and very popular. Just remember the worn vintage style jeans.
Thus, in small steps, the shabby chic style in clothing for women was born.
Where is the shabby chic style applied?
Today, the shabby chic style is used in clothing, home textiles, furniture and even in wedding fashion.
Those who know a little about fashion trends have probably noticed that shabby chic has similarities with vintage, boho, Japanese style, Provence, retro and Victorian style.
Shabby chic clothing is an attempt to remind us that the modern world is not only technocratic. It is simple, romantic, feminine and incredibly beautiful.
Shabby chic: shabby old age
To prevent this from happening, let's try to delve into the distinctive features of this gentle and romantic style.
Shabby fashion was already in European and domestic design around the mid-nineties. Today this style is gaining momentum again and is actively used in interior design and clothing. The principle of antiquity – natural or artificially created – is taken as a basis. After all, what has been tested by time is highly valued and creates an image of elitism and superiority.
Style principles
If you are a fan of this style, then you are not a grande dame. This doesn’t mean that you rummaged through your grandmother’s old chest and found a light, careless, outdated dress in it, and before leaving at the door you slipped into old worn boots.
Shabby chic clothing for women is an opportunity to combine the touchingness of a bygone era and a modern trend into one whole. A woman should not literally carry the past with the burden of experiences or memories.
The main role in the shabby chic look is played by material and color. We'll talk about them further.
Shabby chic clothing demonstrates its unshakable principles:
- layering in the image;
- freedom to combine, but not sloppy;
- light pastel colors;
- floral print;
- frill, lace, bows, ribbons;
- antique accessories;
And the main principle is femininity. It is impossible to retreat from it.
Guest outfits
Guests at the wedding celebration should adhere to the appropriate theme. To do this, you need to warn everyone in advance.
Men are recommended to choose a light brown suit, which will be decorated with a pastel bow tie.
Women should wear light-colored dresses. The maximum length of the outfit varies according to the age category. Bridesmaids usually wear the same color palette.
What is the difference between shabby chic and Provence and vintage style?
Shabby chic does not involve wearing old clothes, unlike vintage style. Shabby chic clothing is made from modern fabrics that are pre-distressed. To make clothes of this style, designers use natural silk, linen, lace, chiffon, chintz, cotton and cashmere. In the latest collections you can find distressed denim, which is decorated with embroidery and lace.
But Provence is characterized by simplicity and a deep connection with nature.
Despite the apparent similarity, all three styles are fundamentally different from each other.
Sports chic in clothes
Initially, this original trend was created by combining two fashion branches - sports and glamorous. Today, designers are making some adjustments, dividing wardrobes according to purpose - for the city, outdoor recreation, clubs, parties and others.
The main advantage of such clothing is the ability to combine all the details with each other, creating original and different images. In addition, in this case, unusual mixes are provided in ensembles with other styles.
Current items for sport chic style:
- Sweatshirt sport chic direction . One of the most popular wardrobe items is considered a warm jacket made of soft flannel, often complemented by a hood. An addition in the form of a cutout on the back, decor with sequins or rhinestones would be relevant.
- Jacket sports chic style . The most popular jacket choice is the practical and stylish bomber jacket. A fashionable solution would be an oversized or long cut model with bright trim and decor.
- T-shirts . Unlike simple casual and sports styles, sport-chic models have a more eye-catching design. However, in combination with other items of clothing of an unusual cut, simple oversized T-shirts can be used.
- Accessories . Such looks often use beautiful and stylish additions. Some of the most popular are jewelry and costume jewelry, large sunglasses, a scarf around the neck, etc.
- Sports chic suit. A women's sport-chic suit is distinguished not only by its beautiful feminine cut and the presence of additions, but also by its non-standard choice of material. Designers offer such styles from beautiful flowing silk, satin, and velvet. Stylish products can be worn not only with sneakers, but also with classic shoes.
- Sporty chic dress. In recent seasons, designers have been interestingly experimenting with classic and romantic styles, making them from practical and comfortable materials. For example, a tight-fitting sheath made of flannel or knitwear has become a fashion trend. Sporty chic dresses 2022 with oversized cuts are in fashion. Such products are represented by stylish trapezoids, neat polos, and comfortable shirts.
- Sports chic trousers. Stylish joggers have become a fashion trend in recent seasons. Distinctive features are the ankle cuff and elastic waistband. These pants look great with a crop top, a simple T-shirt, a hoodie or a bomber jacket. The look can be complemented with a romantic blouse, leather biker jacket, heels or wedges. Another stylish choice would be sport-chic trousers with stripes. Such models are presented in a wide cut made of flowing fabrics.
- Skirts are sporty chic. Stylish skirts are presented in short and moderate lengths, which indicates the convenience and practicality of such clothing. The most fashionable are a knitted case and a trapezoid made of dense material. Contrasting stripes, high or low waist, pleated fold, hem slit will be the current decoration.
- Sports chic shoes. Pumps, sandals with heels or wedges are considered the current finishing touch. A fashionable choice would be textile models, with ribbons instead of laces, rhinestones and sequins.
Let's look at the most current shoe ideas in the sport chic style:
- Sports chic sneakers . Sneakers remain the traditional choice. Models with a platform or textured thick sole, without fasteners or Velcro, with chiffon or satin laces will be relevant.
- Sneakers . An alternative choice would be casual sneakers. This type of shoe is especially popular in the warm season. Designers offer models without a backdrop, with an open toe and cutouts on the sides.
- Slip-ons . Neat and very comfortable slip-ons have remained a fashion trend for several years in a row. Such models are presented on a platform, with a leather and textile upper, large flowers and bows as decor.
- Snickers . During the rainy and slushy season, closed shoes would be a good solution. Sneakers look very feminine and sophisticated due to the hidden wedge heel, but at the same time they go great with sweatpants and sweatshirts.
Shabby Chic Feature
Distinctive features of shabby chic: embroidery, prints, floral motifs, pastel colors, lace. All these elements create lightness and romanticism.
The use of silver and gold threads is allowed as decoration. Gold-plated fittings add that much-needed “chic” to even a plain, plain blouse.
Even the rough texture of accessories combines well with delicate ones. For example, a denim shirt can be complemented with a pastel-colored lace skirt.
Natural fabrics prevail in the images. Many things are done by hand by the designer.
If you decorate your item with embroidery or lace, you are guaranteed to get a shabi-chic item.
Characteristic features of the genre
Considering the versatility and romanticism of shabby chic, it is not difficult to distinguish it from the crowd of others. This is exactly it if it meets almost all of the following parameters:
- “Simple” natural fabrics - cotton, calico, chintz, viscose, staple, linen in summer and wool in winter. No synthetics or plastic. Materials are of utmost importance here.
- Feminine graceful silhouette . Flared, fitted dresses, A-style tunics, godet skirts, sun flares, fluffy ones, with darts and sewn-in triangles. There are many options. And no straight, clear lines, sharp turn-down collars or details, or aggressive office motifs.
- Multi-layering. A wonderful example is a dress and petticoat made of calico. “Puff” ensembles made from trousers, a shirt, an elegant blazer or a long skirt, blouse, vest look great. The effect is perfectly recreated with the help of ruffles, frills, hemming of ribbons, lace braid and other similar details.
- Small print . Low-key and low-contrast. The priority is flowers, bouquets, polka dots, angels. You can have a barely noticeable cage or stripe. In general, it may resemble the Victorian style, if not for the overt rustic motifs in the genre.
- Shoe wear . No, it should not be very worn, but some old age is inherent in the style. This effect can also be observed in accessories - not particularly new bags, large items will fit into the trend quite well.
- Tailoring should not be clearly factory-like . Handmade is a priority. All types of decoration such as embroidery, lacing, an abundance of buttons and other elements made with one’s own hands are welcome.
Frills, ruffles, flounces, fringe, lace details, handmade roses and peonies, knitted flowers and elements are characteristic features of shabby chic.
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Color palette
Color determines how others perceive the entire image. The color palette is one of the main characteristics of the “shabby” style, both in clothing and in interior design.
So, the main shades:
- white is the main background color;
- all shades of beige;
- blue azure;
- muted pink shade;
- color – baked milk;
- all shades are pastel.
Let's leave bright shades for accent - the main detail of the image. She will attract attention. Although provocative shades are the exception rather than the rule of this style.
A skirt and blouse made of lace, a jacket, embroidery, pastel-colored suede, details that smoothly flow into each other - all these components can be used to create a unique romantic and at the same time free style.
Hair and makeup for the bride
Hair and makeup should not contain any difficulties. The simpler the wedding look is, the better.
It is best for the bride to choose light negligence in the form of curls, which will be decorated with fresh flowers or a wedding tiara.
Beautiful braids all over your head are considered a fashion trend this year. The hairstyle should not contain smooth and clear lines.
The main task of this direction is to create a romantic atmosphere.
The bride's makeup is done in warm colors, which add freshness to the wedding look. Lipstick can consist of soft pink pigments that will suit absolutely everyone.
Dresses
An ash pink dress with lace frill is perfect for a romantic date. You can complete the look with nude pumps and delicate golden accessories.
Floor-length dresses with floral prints fit this style. It is best to choose a dress made of natural fabric. Lace inserts, ruffles, frills, embroidery - one of these vintage elements simply must be present as decor on the dress.
Lace retro dresses look very seductive and touching. Feminine and romantic.
Trousers
If you need to create an active and businesslike look, then you can take blue denim trousers with embroidery on the pockets and complement them with a white lace blouse. Neat white sandals with gold or silver fittings will highlight your shabby chic look.
Pants with a pastel floral print go perfectly with a snow-white silk blouse.
Where to have your wedding
- In the fresh air. In the warm season, the best way to convey the theme of a shabby chic wedding is to hold it outside, against the backdrop of beautiful landscapes, where the newlyweds can also take great photos. In the cool season, rent a restaurant, cafe or manor outside the city, ideally if the room has an open terrace. For outdoor registration, order a custom arch in the form of open doors, window frames, swings, or made from a huge number of flowers and greenery.
- Restaurant. If you don’t like having a wedding on the street, then you can try to find a room in the appropriate interior - with a fireplace, upholstered furniture, columns, large crystal chandeliers, antique paintings and huge mirrors.
Shabby chic wedding dress
A little luxury doesn't hurt! A dress in this style suggests something old-fashioned: a high neckline, a closed neckline. Elegant gloves if the dress is off-shoulder.
And if the dress has long sleeves, then you should pay attention to the “batwing” or “buff” cut.
The fabric on the dress should be light. Silk, lace and organza are ideal.
The silhouette of a wedding dress should be loose and flowing.
Regarding color, it is best to choose traditional dazzling white or any pastel shade: from dusty pink to soft blue.
The bride's hairstyle should be as natural as possible. Loose hair, slightly curled, should advantageously open the face. Alternatively, try an elegant bun and knot. But complex bouclé hairstyles will not work.
Shoes for the bride - fabulous classic pumps in pastel shades.
The bride's bouquet must be in a floral range.
A shabby chic wedding is a fairy tale come true. Typically, a wedding in this style is chosen by sophisticated individuals who value elegance and good, subtle taste. If these characteristics are inherent to you, then think about holding a celebration in this format.
Creating signs of time on clothes with your own hands
To maintain the features of this style, many clothing creators try to use antique lace, ribbons, accessories, beads and other materials in decoration. But what if this is not enough and you need to change the modern fabric? In this case, they resort to artificial aging. Anyone can follow their example and create something unique with their own hands. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise it threatens not only with an unattractive result, but also with a completely damaged item.
Aged objects carry their own energy
For example, to give leather or suede items scuff marks, it will be enough to spread them with glycerin and, after it is completely absorbed, the leather should be well bruised. If this effect is not enough, you can add scuff marks using a coarse bristle brush.
Leather wallet in shabby chic style
One of the most popular items in this style are distressed jeans. Fashionable distressed jeans are very easy to make at home. To add worn areas, sandpaper or pumice is enough. It is enough to rub the fabric with them a little. And to create faded areas, you need to add a little bleach to a container of hot water. Using this solution you can slightly discolor the jeans in the right places.
Faded jeans
Shabby chic style does not require strict adherence to rules. He does not copy outfits from previous years, but creates new ones using some forgotten details. This is a style of lightness, convenience and serenity.
How to tear jeans beautifully
Necessary accessories
Shabby chic clothing always emanates nostalgia and sets the mood for romance. For those who love handicrafts, this style is fertile ground for creativity. If you are a designer or needlewoman, then you can show off your skills. Why not create a creative decoration with your own hands? Or knit a unique lace pattern?
If accessories, then be sure to be vintage. Buckles, buttons, straps - in the Baroque style made of shabby metal look impressive and luxurious.
A pearl necklace will harmoniously fit into an image in this style. Vintage rings, earrings, brooches will add the necessary luxury and chic.
“I’ll sew myself a shirt”... or a skirt/sundress
There is also shabby chic clothing for plus size people. This style is a “tasty” fashionable cocktail that combines many trends: vintage, safari, boho, ethnic and folk motifs. Thanks to the characteristic layering of the style, it will be possible to hide extra centimeters at the waist.
There are clothing patterns in the shabby chic style. The pattern of an ultra-fashionable multi-tiered skirt with flounces is shown in the photo below.
Regardless of the age and status of a woman, in the shabby chic style she will look willful, elegant, bohemian and even eccentric.
Basic criteria for creating an elegant look
There are no exact instructions or prescriptions for creating a shabby chic look. It is impossible to fit it into a certain framework. And you don’t have to wear outfits from the last century. It is enough to choose comfortable clothes and complement them with the necessary accessories.
Accessories in shabby chic style
For a walk on a warm summer evening, a light, airy sundress or dress made of chintz or chiffon in cream or floral colors is perfect. The presence of decor from lace, buttons, satin stitch or beaded embroidery will only improve the image you created. You can complement the dress with a short bolero jacket with 3/4 sleeves made of light denim and ballet flats or low-rise sandals. It is this shabby chic look that has gained the most popularity. As accessories, you can choose hairpins with rosebuds, vintage brooches or pearl jewelry.
Every detail of a shabby chic look is very important.
For a casual look, straight or cropped trousers with a ribbon belt and a light cotton top decorated with elegant antique lace are perfect. For footwear, you can choose comfortable sandals with small wedges and a handmade handbag. Accessorize with a vintage necklace and headband. And in cool autumn weather, a loose knitted sweater and cardigan would be appropriate.
Lace shabby chic
How to dress in shabby chic style?
Before rushing to the store for something new, carefully review your wardrobe. Does it include sundresses, skirts and blouses with frills and lace? Put pastel shades and floral prints aside.
Try to combine things that you already have. If it is easier for you, then sketch the image on paper. Complete the details. Don't forget about them.
You can practice on a doll.
Only after this can you safely go on a “hunt” to the stores. Remember about layering and the freedom to combine incompatible (at first glance) things. Free, romantic, gentle, but neat. The shabby chic style will not tolerate sloppiness.
Why do we love Shabby chic so much? Style in clothing and interior
“Shabby chic” or “shabby shine” is exactly how shabby chic is translated.
It is believed that the author of the shabby chic style is the Englishwoman Rachel Ashwell. She bought old furniture at sales and flea markets and decorated it herself. Over time, furniture restored in soft, light colors became very popular. This is how the elegant romantic style of shabby chic was born.
Shabby chic combines features of some other styles, such as baroque, rococo, retro, Victorian and Provence.
- The highlight of the style is artificially aged finishing materials. If the walls are often white, often roughly painted. Or wallpaper - with a texture that imitates peeling paint, or with a small pattern - in a small flower, with angels, roses, but in a dim, faded color.
- The floors are wooden, also with an aging effect. The ceiling can be decorated with stucco (rosette, moldings) and gilded with gold leaf.
- Furniture – vintage or antique. Chic, albeit timeworn, in a variety of interior styles - eclecticism is an important component of the shabby chic style. It’s as if the furniture had been purchased over many years, according to the preferences and tastes of different generations.
- The presence of a large number of delicate textiles, napkins, pillows, throws, in combination with covers on chairs and armchairs.
- The shabby chic style range includes two main colors: white and pink. In combination with primary colors, it is possible to use a milky white shade, soft pink, light blue, light green, and ivory is quite acceptable.
- Mandatory attributes of this style include curved lines, elaborate shapes, numerous vignettes, curls, and ornaments instead of straight, laconic lines.
Shabby chic is diverse - it welcomes any antique items. These could be paintings in shabby frames, an antique telephone, a cuckoo clock, candelabra... But it does not tolerate bulkiness, the room should be spacious and have a lot of light. This style must be felt and harmony observed in everything, although initially it seems that the interior in the shabby style is spectacularly careless.
Shabby chic clothing includes lace, organza, and floral patterns. It is distinguished by delicate, pastel tones, so shabby chic clothing items and accessories are predominantly light colors.
- Soft pastel shades, vintage linen and cotton, delicate chintz - these are the main ingredients of a cocktail called “shabby chic”.
- Women's accessories in this style are characterized by light floral motifs, mainly roses and angels. From geometric patterns, a slightly noticeable cage or stripe is allowed.
- Elements such as lace trim, embroidery, wedges on skirts, ruffles on dresses and sundresses, gold fittings and silver threads are returning to the wardrobe of fashionistas.
- Handmade work is very - knitting, satin stitch embroidery, jewelry made from ribbons, etc.
- Its elements are successfully synthesized with many other fashion trends - boho (I already talked about it), ethno, hippie...
- Very interesting looks can be created if you take modern-cut items (short dresses, shorts, T-shirts and tops) and combine them with vintage-style accessories and decorative elements.
- In everyday options, frills and flowers can go well with denim , for example, jeans and a top with lace, a light floral dress and a cropped denim jacket, etc.
- Accessories: pearl beads, pastel rose earrings, a wide bracelet with a floral print, a cameo brooch, a medallion on a chain, etc.
A distinctive feature of the shabby style in clothing is its inherent pastel shades . These are all variations of pink, beige, pale blue, mint, turquoise, etc.
Prints – flower and flower again ! Both small and large prints are possible - with bouquets of roses or peonies, as was fashionable in the Victorian era.
There is no strictly predetermined set of materials from which you can create a shabby chic outfit. In this case, the main thing is your fantasy and imagination, as well as the spirit of the times that you would like to recreate! After all, shabby is designed to imitate antique outfits, without copying them completely, but only giving a slight hint of the era.
