What Do Vintage Quilts Have To Do With Getting Dressed?
An unlikely source of inspiration
Great outfit inspiration is all around us. In the case of today’s topic, it might be as close as your own bed. Let me explain.
I grew up around quilts—my grandma, Mom, and aunts have all been quilting since I can remember. Projects on the sewing machine, like making our own Little House On The Prairie dresses just in time for me to direct a play loosely based on the books for my birthday, were highlights of my childhood.
Quilting is an art form born of necessity. I can still remember leafing through my grandma’s scrap piles, organizing meticulously, wondering why she didn’t just throw away the last few inches of a remnant. Every piece held the potential to pull together an entire project.
This isn’t a giant metaphor about belonging. It’s simply a love letter to old quilts, which is my favorite way to drum up new ways to wear clothes I’ve loved for a long time. So here are some incredible quilts and some pieces inspired by them.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Inspired: Turquoise, burgundy, and evergreen
For an item to be a “quilt,” it basically just has to be a fabric sandwich. Textile experts, don’t come for me. I adore this piece of art by Elizabeth Schweizer. Would she consider it a quilt? Maybe not, but I’m def taking notes on color combinations for outfits of my own.
Vintage Lands’ End cashmere sweater for $33. Those who are apprehensive of v necks—it’s happening.
So maybe you’re a little apprehensive about color. Socks are a fun place to start! These are the Uniqlo ones I always recommend.
Did someone order a suede mini size 14 for under $50?
Yes, this jacket is long, but get it tailored to fit you perfectly and wear it with jeans for a very pulled together look. It’s under $50.
Let’s do one more suede for fun. This jacket is very of the moment, but without feeling trendy.
Inspired: Shades of white and bright blue
Something a twinge “coastal grandma” if you can stomach the phrase.
Pretty cool cord vintage baseball hat for $18 on Etsy.
Or just take it up to Level 10 and go for the full corduroy Bill Blass suit on eBay for $50.
I find Merlette dresses to be some of the best investments. I bought one secondhand and wear it constantly. They’re timeless and comfortable. This blue is divine.
I get this is very 90s bridesmaid, but I happen to think the color and shape are charming.
I saw this Dôen dress IRL a few weeks back and couldn’t believe how special it looked. I would totally wear this for something wedding related. Plus, it’s under $400.
These are what I lovingly refer to as “vacation pants.” Use ERIKAV for 10% off.
This jacket is just plain cute and $60.
Inspired: Terracotta, burnt orange, and brown
This color palette makes me think of Portlandia and hot women who make ceramics.
Filson is sooooo back. This puffer is just the start.
IMO, Alex Mill makes the best jumpsuits. This one is $150 on Poshmark.
This Steven Alan suit is exactly what I’m talking about. It’s under $200! So special.
Affordable vintage Coach is so hard to find. This is under $100!
This vintage Pucci shirt is not cheap ($300-ish) but OMG is it beautiful.
At first, I was like, “I should include a sexy blouse” but then I found this Orvis shirt for under $20 and was like, “That’s more like it.”
Inspired: Bright red, tan, and lime green
Read all about Gee’s Bend for a moving portrait of the way quilting can bind together generations.
A very cool tank top cut for under $15.
This is the exact green I’m talking about from TWP.
You thought I’d make it one letter without mentioning a barn jacket?
If you want to sleep on Talbots silk separates, that’s on you.
Inspired: Brown, pale blue, and cream
It’s chocolate brown and blue, just like your childhood bedroom in 2008, only chicer.
This is a sweater vest that does all the outfit heavy lifting for you.
Can I be honest? This fits zero color schemes from the letter, but it’s a vintage Michael Kors silk set and I think it would be SO cool on one of you. That’s it.
I talked about these in the NY Mag story I wrote about Lands’ End, but they’re really good, that’s it.
Silk white jacket with side slits for under $40—yes.
A wedding guest dress that’s not a slip! What a relief! This color is breathtaking and it’s by Paris Georgia.
Chocolate brown wool blend from RL for $30. This is as simple as it gets.
Inspired: Royal blue, red, and pink
This one’s for the primary color lovers.
Alex Mill teamed up with Schostal to make a PJ set in my ideal shade of blue. Bravo! It’s $295 for the set. Let me find something a little cheaper, too.
Ok, fab. This Land’s End set is $50 and comes in a bunch of sizes.
Lean in and go super royal with it.
Inspired: Bright red and pale blue
I’m partial, but red and blue are a match made in Heaven.
More secondhand Gucci! This cashmere sweater is $150.
Ok, this bag is $620, but if you love baskets as much as me, you get it.
Obviously, I love this styling. I also love that this slip dress has more visual interest than most and is under $500.
Allow me to be impractical for a minute. This is $48!!
Fine, this J.Crew Collection version is a little more wearable and the same price.
Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, and shop my Notion template. Get matched at EV Salon. And if you want to partner on a future Long Live, email evan@communite.co x
The way I sprinted to buy that blue Bill Blass set
Terracota, burnt orange and brown is such an elite color-combination!! Love this!