These links have been very useful to me as I’ve begun to explore more of a vintage look for myself. Expect this list to grow in the coming months.
All-Purpose Vintage
Sewing Patterns and Guides for Historical Clothing and Costumes: One of the readers of this page showed me the way to this handy guide at Lulus.com
Dressed Her Days: General Vintage Tips and Links, with some hints on how to do some designs yourself.
Glamour Daze: This well-designed blog is totally devoted to vintage fashion and make-up. It looks to be an invaluable resource.
The Lisa Fremont Pages: This blog has EVERYTHING. Youtube how tos, product reviews, fashion, hair, and make up, and an amazing collection of links to other places that help you live the vintage lifestyle.
Quaintrelle Life: Beautiful pictures of vintage fashion as worn by the blog’s author; a shop which sells vintage clothing. Of special note are the hats, faux furs, and evening gowns.
Vintage Clothing, Retro Style: A British site with articles and clothing for sale. Good stuff.
Vintage Life Magazine: One of the many things the Brits do better than us. You can get a web copy if you’re out of country.
Clothes
Bettie Page: I bought a Bettie from Mod Cloth, and I love it. Bettie is kind to us large women. Her sizes go up to 4X, which is about the vintage equivalent of a 22.
Blue Velvet Vintage: In addition to selling Bettie Page and Trashy Diva, BVV has its own line, and specializes in the 1920s as well.
Cats Like Us: Some kitsch, some clothing, but is a good clearing house for learning about vintage and retro designers.
GetGoRetro: All about the 50s. You rock-a-billy people pay attention.
Heyday: While the dresses aren’t all that, the pants look pretty impressive.
ModCloth: My friend Julie turned me on to their long dresses section, which is where you will find most of the vintage looks. Sizes go from small to 4X. These are some beautiful dresses, and cover the style of a lot of eras.
Modern Tailor: Custom made shirts for everyone, with some vintage love for men especially.
Pin-Up Girl: Focuses on that 40s pin-up look, with a variety of brands at its disposal.
Punkabilly: Out of Bangkok, Punkabilly offers edgy, fun vintage clothing with a fifties flare for men and women.
reVamp Vintage: Recreates looks from the 1910s until the 1950s in limited designer runs. If you want something unique, and you’re willing to shell out for it, this is the place to go.
Stop Staring!: A versatile vintage reproduction shop with a wide range of styles and sizes. The site is even classified by category so you can go in looking for 40s, 50s, or Rockabilly clothing.
Hair
An article on 19th century hair from The Glamorous Life. While this article is particularly vintage, there are lots of fashion articles from every time frame that you might enjoy there.
Stage and Screen Hairstyles: Introductory stage hair styling book with some vintage options.
Vintage Hairstyling by Lauren Runnells: How to do hair from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.
Make-Up
Stage and Screen Make Up: Introductory stage make-up book with some focus on vintage.
The 20-40 Style Makeup Guide: A website guide showing styles and color palettes of the 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Besame Cosmetics: Cosmetics for the vintage look.
Retro Make-Up by Lauren Runnells: How to do make-up from the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s.