The Everlasting Impact of Vintage Fashion on Modern Style

What is vintage fashion?

The term vintage means “past its time,” and was first used in the 1920s to describe old-fashioned items that were considered a throwback to an earlier era. It wasn’t until the 1940s that vintage had gained more recognition as people began to collect and desire these historic pieces. It was only in the 1960s that the vintage style we now know and adore finally began to fall into place (Thrive Agency, 2023). It is a staple of the fashion industry from the rise of thrift shopping, the introduction of vintage-inspired styles, and celebrities who are seen wearing this style of clothing (Vision Ireland, n.d.). Vintage fashion is considered to be a piece of clothing that can be created by modern designers or brands based on past fashion trends (Intertop, 2022). This can be between 20 to 100 years old; in general, this includes anything from the 20s to the 2000s (Thrive Agency, 2023).  Vintage items that are still in style today include grunge plaid flannels from the 1990s, tie-dye tees from the 1970s, and blazers with shoulder pads from the 1980s (ZEITGEIST, n.d.). 

What is the impact of vintage fashion on modern style?

Vintage fashion has been used as inspiration for designers to create unique and timeless pieces that stand apart from the crowd. One method designers have integrated vintage fashion in modern style is through the utilisation of vintage fabrics and patterns, evident in the revival of floral prints and lace fabrics. The usage of vintage fabrics and patterns add nostalgia to modern clothing and give them a distinctive and timeless quality. The renewal of old silhouettes is another way that vintage fashion has impacted modern style. The bell-bottoms and flared trousers of the 1970s, along with the hourglass form of the 1950s, have returned to fashion. Vintage jewellery, hats, and bags have enabled people to add a touch of vintage to their attire without going full-on retro. Additionally, vintage clothing enables people to express their individuality. By wearing such pieces, people are able to create unique outfits to reflect their personal style and it serves as a creative comeback to fast fashion (FasterCapital, n.d.).

The current vintage fashion trends for Spring 2024 suggest 80s inspired shirts and blouses, elegant sheath dresses from the early 1960s, full-skirted 50s dresses, or Y2K slip dresses which will be reintroduced (ultratwist vintage, n.d.). 

On the first Monday of May, a variety of vintage outfits adorned the red carpet as part of this year’s Met Gala theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” The return of 80s fashion, such as leather pieces, trench coats to bomber jackets were set to grow in popularity as well as 50s fashion of stunning patterns and elegant fabrics. Given the theme of the 2024 Met Gala, multiple archival gowns on the red carpet were worn (Chan, 2023).

Why is vintage fashion preferred over fast fashion? 

Purchasing vintage clothing has been a way for people to avoid increasing the negative impacts of fast fashion, since  reusing previously used clothes requires no additional resources in production,  significantly reducing carbon emissions. Vintage clothing often lasts longer than newly bought clothing. Whereas fast fashion brands tend to fall apart after a few years, older clothing is more durable (Vision Ireland, n.d.). Additionally, stylish and well-made, vintage clothes give people an elegant appearance with minimal effort (Shopify Api, 2020). The economic benefit of vintage and secondhand clothing is that it helps small businesses and local communities. The money spent on vintage and secondhand clothing businesses is instantly reinvested into the local economy because most of them are locally owned and operated (ALEWK, n.d.).

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