Vintage clothing has become extremely popular in recent years because it’s unique, affordable, and sustainable. While there used to be a stigma attached to “old clothes” in the last century, they’ve become the go-to choice for many in this century.
In this article, we’ll look at vintage fashion so you know what to look for, who to buy, and where to find vintage fashion online or at a store near you.
Let’s start at the beginning.
Vintage Meaning
Many people tend to use terms like “retro” and “second-hand” and “vintage” interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. It all boils down to age.
Retro is an imitation of a past style. Modern clothing based on a vintage look.
Second-hand refers to items that were previously owned by someone else. They can be last season or last century.
An item is considered vintage if it is 20-100 years old.
Anything over 100 years old is considered antique.
So while all vintage and antique clothing tends to be second-hand – previously owned by someone else – second-hand clothes are only vintage or antique if they’re 20 or 100 years old, respectively.
What to Look For in Vintage Clothing
Each decade has its own distinct look, and you can find pieces at a variety of price points both online and in local stores, depending on where you live.
Here’s what you need to look for:
1. Wear and Tear
Inspect seams, buttonholes, hems, pockets, and linings to check for wear and tear. Make sure the buttons button and zippers zip.
2. Stains
Look closely for any stains, especially on collars, cuffs, and underarms. Because if it’s been sitting for 20+ years with a stain on it, it probably won’t come out.
3. Embellishments
The threads holding beads, sequins, feathers, etc., tend to weaken with age. Be gentle and careful if you’re planning on wearing it.
4. Fit
Make sure the garment fits you correctly without any straining or discomfort. Decades-old fabric and seams won’t stretch like modern-day ones do; they’ll just fall apart instead.
In general, you can probably get away with wearing vintage clothing that’s up to 50 or 60 years old if it’s been cared for and properly stored. Anything older than that should only be used for archive or display purposes only. It’s probably too fragile to wear.
Vintage accessories tend to be sturdier than vintage clothing, particularly things like jewelry, structured handbags, and hair ornaments, and thus have a longer wear life. Always check links, clasps, and embellishments before and after use. You don’t want them falling apart.
Vintage Designers
Just as today’s designer clothes cost more than chain store clothes, so too do vintage designers cost more than regular vintage clothes.
Antique clothes from houses like Worth, Lanvin, and Callot Soeurs command premium prices, as they were among the first couturiers. Many of those early pieces are in museums and private collections.
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| Worth, 1882 MetMuseum.org |
Callot Soeurs, 1910 |
Lanvin, 1930s MetMuseum.org |
Same with clothes from ground-breaking designers like Poiret, Schiaparelli, and Vionnet.
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| Poiret, 1911 MetMuseum.org |
Schiaparelli, 1937 PhilaMuseum.org |
Vionnet, 1939 MetMuseum.org |
Designs from houses like Chanel, Dior, Balmain, and Balenciaga also command high prices, particularly those created during the founding designer’s lifetime.
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| Chanel, c. 1938 V&A Museum |
Dior, 1953 V&A Museum |
Balmain, 1954 |
Balenciaga, 1952 Vogue |
Right now, vintage clothing from the 1990s is really popular, which means vintage designs from that decade, including Versace, Prada, and Helmut Lang are also enjoying high resale.
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| Versace, Fall 1991 Vogue |
Prada, Spring 1995 Vogue |
Helmut Lang, Fall 1994 Vogue |
In short, vintage designer clothes can cost as much as current designer clothes – even more, if it’s an important or rare piece. So if your mother or grandmother has some vintage designer pieces hanging in her closet, make a note: they could be worth some money.
Vintage Inspired / Retro
If you like the look of vintage clothing but don’t want to deal with caring for decades-old clothing, consider going retro instead. Again, retro clothes are inspired by vintage styles but are made in modern fabrics.
Popular vintage-inspired clothiers include:
Lindy Bop
Retro Daisy
Stop Staring
Top Vintage
Unique Vintage
Vintage styles made with modern fabrics that are easy to maintain? It’s a great idea!
Vintage Sewing Patterns
You can also get vintage looks by buying vintage sewing patterns and either sewing them yourself or paying a dressmaker to make them for you.
You can find vintage sewing patterns online at places like:
Ebay
Etsy
Old Patterns
Simplicity Patterns
Vintage Patterns
Vintage Vogue
Vintage Outfits
So how can you wear vintage clothing?
You’re only limited by your imagination.
Use vintage pictures for inspiration:
Shop the look:
Mix current and vintage pieces for a unique look:
Get the look:
Shop the Look:
Or let the vintage piece be the star of the outfit:
Get the Look:
Shop the Look:
It's up to you.
Your goal with vintage outfits is to showcase your personality. If you like to wear vintage clothes a lot, consider making it the signature element of your signature style. People will always remember you for it.
Vintage Clothing Online
So where can you find vintage clothing online?
Lots of places!
Luxury Sites
Antique and vintage clothing from premier designers
1stDibs
FarFetch
Forty-Five Ten
Ruby Lane
Budget-Friendly Sites
Vintage and past season pieces from a variety of sources
Asos Marketplace
Beyond Retro
Ebay
Etsy
Hello Handbags
Ragstock
Rokit
Rusty Zipper
The Stellar Boutique
Vintage Vixen
Vintage Clothing Stores Near You
You can also find great pieces at vintage clothing stores near you, depending on where you live.
In general, you'll have more luck if you live in a big city or near an affluent area - particularly for vintage designer pieces - than if you live in a small town or rural area. Google “vintage clothing stores near me” and check reviews and ratings before you go.
So what's the bottom line?
Vintage clothing is a great way to get a unique look at an affordable price. If you like the glamour of clothing and accessories from a bygone era, then considering making vintage pieces a part of your signature look. You'll turn heads, start conversations, and be remembered long after you've left the room.
Need help learning how to do that? Then check out Signature Style Blueprint.
This fun, step-by-step course shows you how to create a signature look that turns heads, opens doors, and allows you to get dressed quickly because you already know what you're going to wear. A signature look is the secret behind Audrey Hepburn's and Jacqueline Kennedy's sartorial success, and it's how Carolina Herrera gets dressed in 10 minutes flat to go run her billion-dollar empire.
Want to know what they know? Then grab Signature Style Blueprint.
