Learn how to wear vintage fashion with flair at workshop at Consign & Design Shoreline

You can look like a pin-up girl, instant va-va-va-voom. That is if you can squeeze into a vintage cotton swimsuit worn by a bathing beauty from the ’50s, with a cantilevered built-in bra. Some 20-somethings are going for the old Hollywood movie star look now.

Or, add some bling to that basic black work jacket with a constellation of half a dozen sparkly rhinestone brooches that look like they came from mom’s old jewelry box.

The gals at Fashionista Vintage & Variety in New Haven, Todd Lyon and Nancy Shea are going to show you how to jazz up your wardrobe with choice vintage pieces and accessories at a fashion “workshop” at Consign & Design Shoreline in Branford at 6:30 p.m. on May 12. Admission is free, but registration is requested, call 203-433-4653.

See photo slide show here.

Here, you will see everything from “fit and flare” frocks from the ’50s, (think wasp-waisted Grace Kelly in “Rear Window”), to black leather, hand-tooled cowboy boots from the ’80s (the store has “oodles” of vintage cowboy boots from many decades). Shea’s got on a pair today that look like something Roseanne Cash would wear.

The workshop takes place in Consign & Design’s loft-like space where the guests can sit on comfy couches while models show the clothes and Shea and Lyon demonstrate the art of wearing vintage garb. Refreshments will be served. But, be prepared for a nostalgia trip.

“It’s like a European salon.” Lyon says of the store, as she piles a heap of goodies on a sofa. We see colors (a splashy ’60s pop art print sheath — a mod little number inspired by Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary, who actually worked at the clothing shop it came from) and wondrous fabrics (shiny, gold quilted satin that looks like a luxurious blanket, only it’s a cocktail dress with a sexy sleeveless bodice and a great big skirt).

At the workshop it gets even better. Shea and Lyon will “pluck someone from the group and give them a quickie makeover” right on the spot.

They will also cover the do’s and don’ts of hat wearing (wear man-styled brimmed hats — it’s chic on women — not the “flower pots” of Mamie Eisenhower, advises Lyon, who demonstrates with a topper over her tousled silvery hair); the art of scarf-tying; four items you should never buy new; and how to rock grandma’s brooches.

Fashionista, officially in business since 2010, started in Shea’s funky apartment, actually a storefront that they outfitted with clothing racks once a month (no kidding). Lyon is a writer and a former restaurant writer for the New Haven Register, while Shea had been working in environmental planning for 30 years. About 10 years ago, the two friends realized they just had too many clothes between them, when over a glass (or two) of wine they decided to host a vintage clothing tag sale. It became so successful they took short-term rentals in the area until they landed at 93 Whitney Ave. in New Haven.