Style: Parisian Flair with Carolin Meesier
Restaurateur Carolin Messier adds dramatic European finesse to her locally gathered vintage wardrobe
By Kate Calamusa December 31, 1969
This article originally appeared in the October 2010 issue of Seattle magazine.
WHY WE LOVE IT: From her bright red lipstick to the ever-present pearls, north Capitol Hill resident Carolin Messier would have looked perfectly at ease in a 1940s French film noir, sipping café coffee in a sassy, tailored suit and Mary Jane heels. The spirited sometime pastry chef and full-time owner of the Harvest Vine restaurant in Madison Park describes her style with trademark humor: “A mid-20th-century sexy secretary meets Parisian existentialist writer, crossed with a European socialite.” Messier blends curve-accenting vintage jackets and skirts with bold, flirty accessories (kicky berets, ornate headbands, fishnet stockings) into a glamorous, ladylike presentation.
THE ENSEMBLE: Black feathered headband, from an antiques expo in Portland; pearl clip-on earrings, a family heirloom; long vintage pearl strands, Deluxe Junk; black fitted jacket with satin-covered buttons and high collar, a gift; black vintage pencil skirt, Value Village; fishnet stockings, Diva Dollz; J.Crew leopard print patent leather Mary Jane–style heels, Nordstrom Rack.
HER SHOPPING STOPS:
For hidden
vintage gems
Value Village
Best bet: Capitol Hill
1525 11th Ave.
206.322.7789
valuevillage.com
For fishnet stockings and heels
Nordstrom Rack
Best bet: Downtown
1601 Second Ave.
206.448.8522
nordstrom.com
Diva Dollz
Pioneer Square
624 First Ave.
206.652.2299
For vintage hats and jewels
Deluxe Junk
Fremont
3518 Fremont
Place N; 206.634.2733
For fitted, classic basics
H&M
Downtown
520 Pike St.
206.623.0592
hm.com
For consignment frocks and skirts
Le Frock Vintage
Capitol Hill
317 E Pine St.
206.623.5339
lefrockonline.com
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