Book must-buy: Born Again Vintage

September 21, 11:24 AMChicago Vintage Fashion ExaminerLindsey Reiser

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Born Again Vintage

When shopping for vintage pieces to line your closet, it's always a pleasant surprise to come upon some updated, and often very creative, upcycled items.

Chicago designers like Under The Root and katemade typically have really great duds, the former opting for romantic undergarments and loungewear and the latter being a bit more funky and deconstructionist - something like a Free People vibe.

But what happens when you come across a dress or skirt or sweater that would be great, if only...?

I dont know about you, but whenever I find a vintage piece that could use a little tweaking, or could be divine if it was rearranged a bit, I sincerely wish I had paid more attention to sewing in home economics.

Which is why Born Again Vintage by Bridgett Artise and Jen Karetnick is so great. The book takes old pieces that are a little -- shall we say, tired? -- and makes them into flattering, chic, yet quintessentially vintage garments.

Artise and Karetnick do this by cobbling together multiple pieces, keeping the unique color schemes and patterns, but introducing more modern cuts. The best part about this process is that it keeps your vintage gems from looking dated, which can work for delightfully retro (and gorgeous) stars like Dita Von Teese, but looks a bit silly on the rest of us.

The instructions are also deceptively simple, so even the most lacking tailors can put together the piece. You'll get all of that warm, fuzzy, "maker's pride" with shamefully little effort. And when someone compliments you on your stylish garb, you can shrug, look humble, and say, "Oh this? I made it."