A fan of all things fine and fancy, as well as “ruffly, lacey, chiffon and feminine” and a long time San Francisco resident, fashion blogger Ashley Ording loves vintage, yet has an updated sense of style that you’ll spot in no time on her blog Fancy Fine. I recently met up with Ording for fashion talk and a delicious blueberry muffin in the Mission. Read on for more on Ashley’s shopping secrets, her love of karaoke bars and the best place for a burger from this self-described burger connoisseur.
How did you get inspired to start your fashion blog?
I was reading a lot of amazing style blogs, and I almost talked myself out of starting it. I thought maybe I’d be just another drop in the bucket because there are so many fashion blogs. But I was getting so much inspiration from other people, and I have this crazy, always-growing collection of vintage clothes that I thought I might as well share it. And I’m glad I did.
How do you describe your aesthetic?
It’s all kind of revolving around vintage and sort of celebrating femininity anything lace, ruffle, girly, sweet – I love old things.
Where is your favorite place to find one-of-a kind clothes in the Bay Area?
I love the Alameda flea market. Oh man, it’s dangerous. I pretty much never walk out without a giant bag filled with things. The dealers knows me now. One of them calls me “the lace girl” and it’s good because it helps me work with them to find things for my etsy shop (Fancy Fine Vintage).
What inspires you most?
Probably friends of mine, girls I know, whose names you maybe wouldn’t know. But they find their entire wardrobe at thrift stores and only wear what they love even if it looks kind of goofy or off in some way. Girls like that inspire me, more so than actresses or models. And street style photos, when it’s just photos of random folks. That’s always inspiring to me, too.
If someone handed you a free plane ticket, where would you travel to and why?
I would want to go to Tokyo. I’ve never been, and I just felt like I would love it and want to live there. It’s so colorful and beautiful and vibrant. I feel like I might never come back. The karaoke, the food, the culture….
Wait. You’re into karaoke?!
Oh yea, obsessed. I do it all the time. Encore Karaoke in Nob Hill is the best. I’m even having a karaoke party tonight. I also consider myself an expert in a good burger, too. Pearl’s Deluxe (as she writes it down for me) is really good and in my neighborhood.
Favorite winter trend at the moment?
I’m not very trend-driven, but I guess for me, anything pleated or chiffon. Definitely keeping my eye out for nice vintage coats ones that have a nice swing shape to them or big collar or nice buttons. And tights, I never wear pants. I need to have tights in every color. My sock and tights collection is ridiculous.
Lastly, who are you wearing today?
All labeless, but…my vintage 60s dress from Afterlife. Vintage coat from the 50s. I’ve had forever. I got it at Haute Couture in Santa Rosa, an amazing vintage store I’ve been shopping at since I was 15. It’s been there forever, and they have great stuff. And my trusty vintage Ferragamos.
Follow Ashley’s vintage style on Fancy Fine.
Photography by Sara Iravani
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