A hallmark of great style is the ability to wear something old and look brand new. This magic sauce has made an item or outfit relevant over decades. We asked the three stylists below to search their closets for the “most dated” vintage thing and then style it modernly.
A little background about the vintage hero: The heels are vintage YSL. These babies were purchased at an online auction about a year and a half ago. The heel is tiny, so I don’t often wear them.
Style notes: I prioritize comfort above all else, so these jeans are paired with my favourite baggy jeans, which have oversized pockets. They also have a cropped white tank and an oversized, mint-green blazer. I pay close attention to the fabric and material when shopping for vintage. Anything made of silk, cotton, or leather will last forever and never go out of fashion. Vintage clothing made of quality fabrics can be cleaned professionally and altered to look new. You would never guess that I replaced the heel.
Favourite vintage shopping spots: I discover the best vintage items while travelling. I also like to see what other people are wearing around the world. @sororitevintage and @fvced_ are two vintage shops I love to follow on Instagram. They have a great selection of lace underwear. ).
Anna Gray updates the super-slim shirt of her ex-boyfriend’s father.
Visit Anna’s Instagram page here and Object Limited, the online vintage marketplace she founded!
A little background about the vintage hero item: the striped shirt was a silk button-down from the 1970s belonging to my ex-boyfriend’s father. The shirt doesn’t seem old until you look at the details like the fraying edges, the French cuffs and the slim fit. The perfect shirt. It’s the perfect shirt. The cream/navy stripes, weight and width go with any denim wash or jewel tone. You can wear it tucked in, open, or closed. I would have this pattern if I were more inclined to make than buy so I could continue making them as the old one wears. I wear everything! The! Time! It’s also funny to keep your old boyfriend’s clothes. He will probably see it and want it back.
Style notes: mixing prints can be a quick way to show “I’m trying” with an outfit without trying. The vintage snake trousers are the perfect colours to match the shirt, making the company appear purposeful. The company should not clash. To do this, step away from your mirror and squint. Are the colours complementary? Then we are good to go. The warm colours of the rusty shoe go well with the vintage Celine handbag, and the Lord T-shirt has a hint of blue to keep the look from becoming too dull. The stuffed tuck, rolled sleeves and lazy stuffed tuck keep it casual and easy. Also! It’s worth noting that tailoring trousers can be a great idea! Fitted clothes look neater.
Don’t wear the same era. My 70s shirt was paired with Y2K trousers, a contemporary top, a 1990s bag, and a shoe style from the 18th Century. (But it looks very 1950s now!)
Favourite vintage shops: Object Limited!! Some so many vendors cover all aesthetics, from gothic grunge to Martha’s Vineyard and 90s Italian style. It’s like scrolling through all the vintage stores in the world. I look for sellers outside of Object who love digging through “old” clothing and finding gems. It’s fascinating to consider resellers as a solution to the overproduction problems in the fashion industry. Department stores fail because only a handful of buyers decide what the shoppers want in six months. Vintage sellers now have a lot of power, from where they list items, how they style them, and what they buy. It feels fantastic, nuanced and democratic! As consumers, we now have more choices for sustainable shopping, community and inspiration. I love Maj Kiosk Vintage, Wayward Vintage, Nanin Vintage, Michaela Co, Subrin Heyink, Lucia Zolea and Michaela Co!
