One of my favorite things to do on any given weekend is spend an afternoon treasure hunting at the local vintage shop or antique mall. Whether I end up buying something or not, there’s something about getting lost amidst a sea of treasures that makes vintage shops and antique stores so alluring. I usually get carried away with trying on hats; I love that regal feeling of wearing a gigantic vintage hat with feathers and mesh! So with that said, I thought today would be a great day to talk about vintage fashion. How do you pull off vintage fashion and what are the guidelines for shopping vintage? I’ve got you covered, mes amies! So without further ado, I give you the Do’s & Don’ts of vintage fashion.
DO: Shop vintage. For some, shopping vintage is a way of life, but for others, it’s far from an adventure. For whatever reasons you may have, don’t write off vintage shopping all together. That great dress your friend wore to the company Christmas party last year? Vintage. Don’t be afraid to take on the vintage shop. You never know what you might find!
DON’T: Ignore vintage sizes. The thing to remember about vintage clothing is that the sizing was labeled differently than it is today. What was a size “12″ in the 50′s, 60′s, 70′s and even 80′s may be a size 6 today. Most vintage shops won’t allow returns, so be sure to try on clothing before investing in something you won’t be able to wear.
DO: Mix things up. The key to wearing vintage is to not go overboard. Mix vintage pieces with new pieces for a truly fresh style that you otherwise wouldn’t get with just all new, or all vintage pieces. Rather than dressing in vintage from head-to-toe (unless of course, you’re going à la Betty Draper), pick one great vintage piece to incorporate into your outfit or to work around.
DON’T: Be afraid to visit the tailor. That fabulous 50′s cocktail dress you just bought doesn’t fit as perfectly as it could. Get the most from your vintage clothes by sending them to the tailor! Tailors can mend clothing and adjust lengths to make the clothes you wear fit like a glove.
DO: Revive your vintage. You can give an old vintage piece new life by making a few modifications to it, or adding some flair. Change buttons, shorten dress and skirt lengths, add a belt – you name it! Even just a minor little adjustment to a vintage piece can create a completely new look.
DON’T: Confuse “thrifted” with “vintage”. Just because a garment is in a vintage shop, doesn’t make it a vintage item. Know the difference between a cheesy floral sundress from the 90′s and a classic cocktail dress from the 50′s. Remember, you are shopping for classic vintage, not dated & thrifted, and the price you pay should also reflect that.
DO: Shop the grandma rack. That two-piece skirt suit might remind you of the sweet librarian who helps you check out your books, but don’t underestimate the versatility of this garment. The key here is to not wear both pieces together; wear them separately with newer, fresher pieces for an updated, trendy look. That wool blazer can look fabulous with a pair of jeans and pumps, while the pleated skirt would look great with a white button-down and boots.
DON’T: Forget to accessorize. If vintage clothing isn’t your thing, then give vintage jewelry and accessories a try. From handbags to statement pieces, you can find a variety of stylish treasures in a vintage shop. Sometimes all it takes is one great accessory to give you the perfect amount of vintage charm and take your outfit to a whole new level of chic.
I love vintage dresses from the 50′s and 60′s. You know – back when ladies wore dresses and hats, and the men had more suits than jeans? What a glamorous time…sigh. Do you like vintage fashion? What are some of your favorite eras of fashion? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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