There is a new trend in fashion that is so old it is new. Vintage clothing is the old and new of fashion and people are becoming more and more aware of the benefits and the rewards that it can give. You can see Hollywood big names very much in to it, you can see common folks trying to make the best of it, you see big names in the fashion industry looking back to it’s possibilities and you can read all over the internet about the its biggest comeback. Perhaps the biggest comeback that vintage clothing has ever made is when people are making more money out of what used to be relief goods.
There is no denying that before the big comeback vintage clothing made, people were ready to discard dad’s old pair of jeans, mom’s old boots and other stuff that used to be the all the rave in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and the 80’s. It was either the trash can or the big boxes that we use to gather clothes at the back of the church for the hurricane victims. That’s right, it was like that before. People found no use for these clothes that are still in good condition just because they were out of date or yesterday’s news. Some people did have the good sense of having a garage sale to make some money out of these clothes that were part of the “Boys don’t cry” era. While some others just held on to it as memorabilia but never to be worn again in public.
But because of the big revival in the fashion industry, vintage clothing was given second life and another chance to make people feel, look and dress good. Some kids started looking for vintage tees and jeans in the attic so they could be more “in” with their circle. These are kids are lucky because their parents couldn’t let go of the past but for some people who do not share their luck there are still places where you can dig up old treasures of the times that passed. Here are a few good places to look for vintage clothing.
Antique stores-Aside from really old furniture and fixtures, antique stores are one of the good places to hunt for vintage clothing. There are a good number of antique stores that carry clothes along with furniture in them, they may have mostly shoes and bags and only a handful of clothing. However, there is nothing bad in trying. Who knows what you might find.
Second hand stores-These places are like vintage heaven. These stores carry a huge selection of clothing ranging from vintage to the modern ones. You may need a great deal of patience though as it takes a little while to find the good items.
Garage sales-It’s amazing how much clutter and junk people can gather in their lifetime but it is also a good place to hunt for vintage clothes.
Surplus stores-Usually these stores have multiple items that are the same. Nonetheless, try your best at looking for the ones that are unique and have good quality.
Specialty shops-There is a number of stores and shops that specialize in vintage clothing nowadays. It wouldn’t be too hard to find what you are looking for here. Remember, vintage clothing is all about where to find and how to find it.
Why Buy Vintage Clothing?
Vintage clothes are indeed old, secondhand, and passed on, yet there is evidently a current craze about going vintage these days; it’s as though clothes from past eras have never gone out of fashion. The streets are populated by people with distinct and elaborately crafted vintage pieces and vintage clothing shops are packed with eager clients. Why is it that to buy vintage clothing is as appealing as buying brand new clothes? Following are some of the explanations.
1.) Vintage clothes are unique. Most items from the previous decades were produced in small quantities, if not custom made. If you wear a vintage piece, therefore, hardly will you bump into someone who is wearing the same item as you do. Though some contemporary and high-end manufacturers reproduce vintage clothes, they cannot completely imitate a vintage piece. They can probably copy the silhouette, but not the fabrics, the extraordinarily shaped beads, the interior seams, handmade finishing, and other elements. A vintage clothing piece, in all respects, remains one-of-a-kind.
2.) Vintage clothes were made from the finest and robust materials. Synthetic materials were not available until in the 1960’s, so people used natural materials, such as silk and wool, which in turn promise quality in each finished item. Some of the materials used before, in fact, are not anymore available today, or if they are, would cost handsome amounts.
3.) Vintage clothes were created with better sewing and detailing techniques. Most of the pieces before were actually handmade—from sewing to embellishing. Unlike the present-day clothing pieces, vintage items were designed to stand the test of time since people before did not buy clothes as frequent as we do today and that that the clothes were supposed to be passed on from one family member to another.
4.) Vintage clothes are highly stylish. From the silhouettes to the handmade lace and down to the buttons, vintage pieces were obviously well though of. This is very unlike the mass produced clothing pieces we have today, which are too common and sometimes lopsidedly done. The detailed embroidery, the ladylike designs, and the overall beauty of vintage clothing can make any wearer a standout in a sea of commonly dressed individuals. Whether it is used as a main piece or an accent, there’s no mistake in wearing a vintage item.
5.) Vintage clothes are relatively cheap. They usually cost a fraction of the price of new clothing items, but can lend your wardrobe a classic and sophisticated look. For less amount than what you are normally willing to spend, you get the best out of fashion. If, however, the vintage item is a dead stock, meaning it has never been worn, it is reasonably sold at a higher price.
6.) Vintage clothes open opportunities for you to protect the environment. You may not realize it, but wearing vintage clothes is a way of recycling. When you wear and buy vintage clothing, you are not contributing to the environmental perils of making new clothes. This means you are helping curb the emission of air, land, and water toxins from factories; save energy; and decrease the use of natural resources for making clothes.
Wearing vintage clothes, therefore, is not only satiating your fashion sense, but is also a whole new way of contributing something for the upkeep of the environment.
What is Vintage Clothing?
People everywhere are caught up with one of the hottest fads to sweep the planet since sliced bread, and it is not even something new. Vintage clothing is making a big comeback everywhere and people are raving about how old can be so in and new. What is it about vintage clothing that people cannot get enough of and why is it so popular?
For us to better understand what vintage is and how to spot vintage clothing we have to first know the story behind its slow rise to the fashion scene. Typically, vintage clothing is something that was created back from the 1920’s to the 1980’s. Items of clothing like shirts, pants, tops, vests and other clothes worn in those eras are considered vintage. Other items like boots, shoes, accessories and other materials that were created for the purpose of being worn are also vintage items.
Fashion trends back in those days influence the slow rise of vintage clothing to the modern fashion scene. Some notable personalities have contributed to the comeback of vintage in the modern fashion scene. One of them would be the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. If we remember during the height of his career as a music icon, he bravely sported the Napoleon look with his military uniform inspired coat and gloves. He was the main influence of people when it comes to the maverick fashion that he had.
Though he later settled down with less flamboyant color schemes, he nonetheless made an impact. While it is true that a lot of celebrities have tried their hand in bringing back a certain period in vintage clothes, there are also some that really didn’t work out well. After all, not everyone or anything for that matter, which makes a comeback, is readily accepted by the people. Still, there are some that really made an impressive mark in the vintage fashion scene.
If we trace back the roots of the rise of vintage, we will find ourselves in the shores of Japan where some of the most eccentric and iconic fashion statements have been made in the last century. After being closed to the influence of the outside world for centuries, the Japanese have made a big comeback in terms of fashion.
The young and talented Japanese designers have tapped into the years of fashion trends and have put on a certain degree of ownership to the design. For example, corsets were a main fashion must have back in the 20’s and 30’s, the young Japanese designers put a twist to it and helped give the corset a comeback. Though there would be a few disputes as to where the corset comeback really originated, it is still undeniable that the Japanese have helped a lot in the resurrection of an antiquity.
Aside from eccentric designers and mavericks that bravely delved in to the past t look for viable designs that could be brought back, one of the main contributor to the rise of vintage clothing to the modern fashion scene would be the second hand stores that could be found almost everywhere. These stores have an abundant supply of Vintage clothing that dates back to the civil war.
So if you are out to find that perfect vintage look don’t be afraid to look into these stores and get a great find.