Just in case you forgot why vintage is so great, I've highlighted what I believe are the 10 best reasons to wear vintage. For those that are new to vintage I hope this offers insight into why vintage is so revered.
1. Vintage is unique
Finding amazing clothing that fits well is a challenge in of itself without the additional threat of seeing yourself coming and going. There is nothing quite like finding the perfect dress to wear to a wedding or a party only to discover someone else is wearing the same one. When you wear vintage, you're almost guaranteed that no one else will be wearing it at the same party, much less in the same town! Most of the pieces are old enough to now be considered one of a kind, or they now exist in such small quantities that you can be confident that you're the only one wearing it.
2. Vintage is quality
Clothing that is manufactured today is low quality and mass produced. The process through which the items are created is fast and cheap, rendering us with garments that fit poorly and fall apart. Many companies use cutting machines that stamp out their clothing patterns in large stacks of fabric. This cuts the fabric in quantity, but creates pieces that are smaller, more accurately cut at the top, and pieces that are larger and more jaggedly cut at the bottom. The result is pieces that don't necessarily fit well together, which are sewn poorly, and thus, fit poorly. Much of the vintage you find in shops was hand made, hand sewn, or manufactured by dress makers that had high standards for their pieces. Dresses and jackets are fully lined, darted, and tailored. These garments have details that aren't present on today's modern clothing. Details such as elaborate buttons, pin-tucking, box pleats, ruffles, snaps and hooks that hold fabric in place, and many more small details that give the clothing an over-all quality appearance. The same principles can be applied to vintage costume jewelry and accessories. Shining rhinestones and unique glass beads on old costume jewelry rival the precious gems of modern pieces. The craftsmanship on older shoes is also unmatched. The quality of leather used is thicker, stronger, and much more durable than what is used today.
3. Most vintage was made in the USA
Many of the vintage labels you find proudly sport, "made in the USA" on them. This applies to clothing as well as other vintage, such as household items, jewelry, and accessories. Feel good about purchasing items that were once produced in the industrial, economic powerhouse that the United States once was. It is far more comforting to purchase items that were produced in factories by our grandparents, whose labor efforts are still being appreciated, than to buy something made by the millions labeled, "Made in China".
4. Shopping for vintage is more fun
Shopping in general is fun, but there is something much more appealing about shopping for vintage. The overall experience of shopping for vintage is exciting for several reasons. The biggest and most obvious appeal is the thrill of the hunt. Going through various stores filled with antique and vintage goodies is thrilling because you never know what you're going to find. This increases your odds of finding something special because there is no telling what numerous stores will have. Compare this to the routine mall experience where all the stores have the same trends, same colors and patterns, and same seasonal clothing. There are four pairs of pants to choose from and if none of them appeal to you, you're out of options because the next 5 stores have the exact same styles. What if you're vacationing and need a bathing suit, or funky ski pants? Most vintage stores carry such a variety of items that their inventory usually isn't seasonally based, which allows you a wider range of options. Furthermore, vintage shops constantly get new inventory. Like regular retail stores, the merchandise in shops will constantly change as items are sold and new things are brought in. It is much more exciting to shop the unexpected.
5. Designer quality with budget prices
Vintage affords wearers stylish, well made frocks, without the hefty price tags. As mentioned earlier, vintage quality is unmatched by today's standards. However, even the everyday run-of-the-mill clothing of yesteryear is akin to the quality of today's designer pieces. The fabrics used back then aren't even produced now, or if they are, the essence of the fabric has been cheapened. For example, next time you're looking at a vintage piece, take a look at the seam allowances and hems on dresses and pants. Feel the fabric that was used. Good quality rayon, gabardine, silks, taffeta, sturdy cottons, and much thicker polyester than what is used today. The seam allowances are larger, which provides more durability, and the hems are wider (sometimes 3" to 5" inches!) giving the hem a solid appearance that offers flexibility of length. More fabric used in wider hems and larger seam allowances, more stitching and detailing all adds up to more cost and time contributed by the manufacturer. Hence, you won't find these qualities in today's garments unless you're spending more money on designer pieces.
6. Vintage offers a wider range of colors and patterns
Colors and patterns are determined by seasons and by trends. Modern clothing that is offered in various stores will all look the same because the colors match current styles. Therefore, if you're looking for a particular print or color, you may not find it in stores because it is either out of season or out of style. This makes it especially hard when you're trying to match a shawl to a bridesmaid dress or looking for a new evening bag to match an older dress you're planning to wear. Vintage stores are anything but drab! Because colors go in and out of style, you'll find an array of pastels and hard to find jewel tones that just aren't produced anymore. Bermuda blue, forest green, baby pink, royal purple, rose, rust, avocado green, and aqua are among some of the colors that aren't typical for the modern color palette.
7. Vintage is a good investment
There are seldom times in life when one can purchase clothing that will yield a return after being worn, much less hold any value whatsoever. This could be said for any vintage pieces, such as jewelry, accessories, and garments. There are many designer vintage pieces that may, in fact, increase in value as they age. Buying these items is more satisfying because you know you are making a good investment, even if you are splurging a bit.
8. Buying vintage is green
Look good and save the planet while doing it! By buying vintage clothing, you're not only wearing great fashions, but saving items that would ordinarily be occupying space in our landfills. You're buying less disposable, mass-produced clothing and therefore reducing your carbon foot print. There are also many shops that specialize in "up-cycled" vintage. "Up-cycled" vintage items are previously useless items that have been turned into new, usable goods. Shops carry things such as bowls made out of old scratched records, jewelry made out of the keys from old typewriters, skirts made out of old neckties, and many other unique items.
9. Vintage offers hard to find items
Shopping vintage allows you the opportunity to find items that are seemingly no longer produced, or produced in very small quantities. Hard to find items such as aprons, stylish fedoras, cuff links, skinny neckties, women's hats and gloves, petticoats, full length slips, pill boxes, cigarette cases and funky/unique ashtrays are amongst the many items you won't find at the mall. Some of these items can be special ordered, or are available in high priced department stores. Why buy a $60 dollar pair of cheap quality cuff links at Nordstrom when you can purchase a vintage pair of stylish cuff links with a unique design for a fraction of the cost and triple the swagger?
10. Vintage is trendy
It's no surprise that designers are running out of new ideas to set the next big trend. With that said, many of today's styles are modeled after vintage patterns. A look at clothing in stores today showcases an array of styles from bygone decades such as bell sleeves from the 1960s, flared pants from the 1970s, drop waists from the 1920s, and bias-cut gowns from the 1930s, just to name a few. Even the fabrics and silhouettes are reminiscent of retro styles. Coach recently revisited their 1970s design with the bags in their Legacy Collection. Vera Bradley bags have retro '60s inspired prints of psychedelic colors and paisley patterns. Even Forever 21 has a new vintage influenced collection. According to Fabsugar, '' Boutique by Forever 21 is all about that antique touch -- elaborate embellishments, soft feathers, and dazzling sequins. Plus, with higher quality fabrics, it all looks authentically secondhand." It's remarkable that they boast "higher quality fabrics'' are what make the designs look "secondhand", when secondhand is normally a term synonymous with used, or worn. This just further emphasizes the idea that second hand clothing is trendy.
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