I get this question a lot in my line of work. Over the past 10 years that I’ve spent buying and re-selling vintage I’ve come up with a very simple answer to this question: Why limit yourself? A wise woman once said, “There are some questions that should be answered with a counter-question.” This is definitely one of those questions.
Why limit yourself to what? A number of things. Why limit yourself to mass produced mall clothing? Why limit yourself to current trends? Why limit yourself to one look? One decade? One style? With vintage clothing, the possibilities are totally endless. My personal closet is as varied as it comes. One day I can be a sweet 70’s flower child, the next a sexy Russian spy. One day I’ll dress 50’s, the next; 20’s. Most often I just go for a sort of modern eclectic look by incorporating vintage pieces in with contemporary ones. Sky’s the limit, innit.
Vintage clothing puts fashion and trends that may seem out of reach right at your fingertips. See that fluttering printed silk chiffon dress in the latest Vogue editorial? You want it, right? But Chloé or Givenchy wants $1,200 for it. All is not lost. Don’t get depressed, give up, and go to Hot Topic. Go to a vintage store and search their selection of 1920’s or 30’s dresses. You are absolutely bound to find printed silk chiffon. See those shiny over-the-knee leather boots by Prada? Find a similar pair made in the 70’s or 80’s at 1/100 the price by typing “vintage OTK boots” into your search engine.
It’s no secret that today’s fashion designers, even (especially) the highest end designers, are inspired by vintage styles and prints. Most fashion houses, even the mundane, uninspired ones like Abercrombie and Fitch, have warehouses full of collectible vintage for study and inspiration. So why sit idly by and let them have all the fun? It makes me to sad to think of all the girls out there who mindlessly go to the mall and pick up their mass produced vintage inspired garments (though I must admit…. I have been shamelessly guilty from time to time). Basically what I’m trying to say is that almost anything you find in a current fashion magazine, almost anything at all, is easily accessible via the world of vintage clothing because it was inspired by vintage clothing in the first place!
So why wear vintage? I really think it’s all about the freedom and the options, and the doors that open in your wardrobe that you may not have previously thought possible!
