Prep look a la 1980s, with vintage accessories

I'm still groovin' on my fall prep look, and though the boy blazer was bought new and the striped wool/cashmere ballerina top picked up recently at Club Monaco, I'd like to show how you how an oft-ignored vintage piece called THE PIN can make or break an outfit. To the left, you'll see the outfit without the pin.

I was dark wearing skinny jeans (thrifted of course) and pointy silver shoes.

I not only needed a pop of colour; I needed some understated pizazz (a bit of a paradox, I know, but you can't do too much pizazz with prep!) to complete the look.

Check out the outfit with the pin.

I love this vintage 1980s enamel pin (and it can be worn as a pendant as well).

The vertical line motif picks up the stripes of the tee, and the bright blue adds a bit of zip to the ensemble.

I wear a ton of blazers when the cooler weather arrives, and I often accessorize with a vintage pin on the lapel - provided my necklace isn't too much (the understated vintage one here works well with the pin and creates a clean, non-fussy look).

These red 1970s shades pick up on the primary colour scheme of the pin and add another pop of colour to a basic neutral outfit.

Hopefully this post shows how great vintage accessories can make (or break, without them!) an outfit.

So next time you're in the thrift shop take a little dig in the jewellery case, or rummage through that basket of old sunglasses -- there could be a little gem hiding in the rough!