Blame it on J. Lo and her return to the glamour of old Hollywood. Or point the finger at the legions of starlets who hit the red carpet in classic instead of au courant couture.

Either way, vintage is officially hot.

Photos by KIMBERLY SMITH/Staff (ENLARGE)

A brown wool suit with white pinstripes and cuffed pant ($175) from the late 1940s to early 1950s — inspired by films like "The Good Shepherd" — is paired with a white button-down ($45) with cuff links ($34), contrasting tie ($22), silk pocket square ($8) and pinch-front fedora ($38). For the lady, a brown wool skirt suit with checkered print ($95) is topped off with a tilt hat ($45), a lizard-skin handbag ($60), topstitched leather gloves ($24) and clip-on earrings in a complementary color ($28). All from Stefan's Vintage Clothing.

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This gold rayon metallic-blend dress with bow ($240) is reminiscent of "Dreamgirls." It's a great party look, said Kennedy, who suggests finishing the outfit with a rhinestone necklace and earrings ($240 for the set) and a wool felt handbag with jeweled trim ($125). The dress — from the late 1950s to early 1960s — is available at Frock of Ages.

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"The Painted Veil" celebrates the Roaring '20s. Re-create that vibe with this chocolate chiffon dress that features a faux-fur-trimmed matching wrap ($125) from Ditto Boutique.

"People have been wearing vintage for hundreds of years; it's nothing new," said Rebecca Birdwhistell, co-owner (with business partner Tom Murphy) of 30-year-old Stefan's Vintage Clothing in Little Five Points. But "when you see various celebrities wearing vintage, that legitimizes it somehow."

Hollywood's affinity for retro dressing goes beyond the red carpet, given the number of new movies that hark back to the old days. "The Painted Veil" revisits the 1920s, while "The Good Shepherd" and "The Good German" carry viewers through the 1940s and '50s. And "Dreamgirls" takes a trip to the not-so-distant 1960s and '70s.

Costume designers make the looks appear effortless on the big screen, but it takes practice for the average person to incorporate vintage into everyday life.

Many women have an aversion to wearing clothing that has already been worn, but Birdwhistell said Atlantans have evolved over the years and are less likely to view vintage with a thrift store mentality. They've come to understand that older garments cost less, they're constructed better than their current counterparts, and typically come with features such as a nice lining or beautiful buttons. Other nice details include jackets with nipped waists or leather gloves with topstitching.

Sturdy construction also means a vintage garment will last longer (after all, it has been around for several decades already). But perhaps most appealing to a woman honing her sense of style: wearing vintage generally means no one else will have the same outfit.

"Right now, people are actually starting to look at vintage as part of fashion, as opposed to a separate category of fashion," said Karen Kennedy, owner of Frock of Ages in Candler Park, who noted that vintage jewelry, shoes and jackets can be incorporated into everyday looks.

And while some decades fall out of vogue, the 1960s is currently a very popular decade, Kennedy said. Vintage shoppers also have an ongoing romantic attachment to items from the 1920s. But, in the end, there are few unique styles.

"Fashion designers cruise vintage shops for their inspiration," Kennedy said.

Those bulbous sleeves recently spotted on blouses? Check the 1950s. Empire waist dresses? Take a look at the 1960s (the second time around, anyway).

Because fashion often repeats itself, building a look from a certain era doesn't require an actual garment from that time period. By matching the silhouettes rather than going for an exact garment, shoppers can re-create a '20s-era outfit using a dress from the '70s, said Melanie Cogdell, owner of Ditto Boutique, a consignment and vintage store in the Vinings area.

Cogdell said customers who initially wandered into her shop believing it was a traditional boutique have since been won over by vintage. "It's a great way to shop," she said. "You can look fabulous and no one knows [the difference]."

Tips for shopping vintage:

• Ask for help: "Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming to people walking in for the first time," Kennedy said. Store owners have historical knowledge of clothing styles and they can help quickly sift through garments to find the look you want.

• Inspect the merchandise: Carefully check any vintage garment for moth holes, discoloration, stretched or torn linings, broken zippers and missing buttons, said Cogdell. Garments often have one-of-a-kind buttons and details that can't easily be replaced. Labels can also give an indication of quality, Cogdell said. Look for recognizable names or clothing made in France or Italy. It also helps to look for tags that have been stitched on all four sides and feature script print.

• Stick to specialty stores: Thrift stores may have low prices, Cogdell said, but they require plenty of patience. Vintage or consignment stores have already done the editing for you.

• Have a point of reference: Birdwhistell suggests that shoppers look for the vintage equivalent of today's fashions. Want to focus on a certain time period? Do the research to get acquainted with shapes and styles from that era.

• Don't wing it with size: Sizes were smaller in prior decades, so it's best to eyeball a garment, said Kennedy, Cogdell and Birdwhistell. Check the waist or bust size — and definitely try it on!

Get the look

Style challenged local vintage boutiques to create outfits inspired by the slew of retro films now showing in theaters.

• "The Painted Veil" (1920s): Flappers may be icons of the '20s, but many dresses from that period came well past the knee, said Cogdell. That's why she selected a dress with a dropped waist and ruffled hem. Cogdell suggests adding a shoe with a slightly pointed toe and a shaped heel. Bobbed hair is a must, of course. To create your own outfit, visit Ditto Boutique in Ivy Walk, 1675 Cumberland Parkway, Smyrna, 770-432-0712.

• "The Good Shepherd" and "The Good German" (1940s and 1950s): People associate pinstripes with gangsters — or CIA operatives — but the look was very popular for the time period, said Birdwhistell. Details also played a big role in fashion from that era. Look for silk pocket squares, pinch-front fedoras and women's suits that feature checkered prints. Don't forget the gloves. To re-create the look, visit Stefan's, 1160 Euclid Ave., 404-688-4929.

• "Dreamgirls" (1960s and 1970s): Kennedy re-created the drama of the swinging '60s with metallic fabrics and fun accessories. It's a look that will stand out at any party. Create an Oscar-worthy ensemble by scouting items at Frock of Ages, 1653 McLendon Ave., 404-370-1006.