Vintage Clothing Is Never Out Of Style! - by Ro Martinez

"If you purchase at yard sales, thrift shops, consignment stores, or borrow from friends and family, the cost is considerably reduced. Fashion repeats itself. Even stars who can certainly afford to purchase new, buy used for the "vintage look." You can, too. The key is to think of creative ways to cut costs."

Modeling At Any Age, Ro Martinez (Seaside Publishing, 2008)

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia defines vintage as:

Vintage clothing is a generic term for new or second hand garments originating from a previous era. The phrase is also used in connection with a retail outlet, e.g. "vintage clothing store." It can also be used as an adjective: "This dress is vintage."

Definition

Generally speaking, clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique clothing and clothing from 1920 through 1980 is considered vintage. Retro, short for retrospective, usually refers to clothing that imitates the style of a previous era. Clothing produced more recently is usually called modern or contemporary fashion. Opinions vary on these definitions.

Purpose

Although there has always been some demand for old and second hand clothing, the awareness, demand and acceptance of it has increased dramatically since the early 1990s.

This increase in interest is due in part to greater visibility, as vintage clothing has been increasingly worn by celebrities including Julia Roberts, Chloe Sevigny, Kate Moss, and Dita von Teese.

There has also been a rising awareness of environmental sustainability. People are looking for ways to reuse, recycle and repair rather than throwing things away.

Buying vintage is a way of recycling. You reduce the trash that ends up filling our landfills and give new life to an otherwise discarded item. I love to see something new from vintage clothing. For example, my son used old corduroys and made a backpack out of them reusing the pockets and zippers. This was time consuming but he has a custom-made piece that he will enjoy for a long time.

Vintage clothing allows you to cut spending without sacrificing style. It is sought after by young people, college students and people of all walks of life because of the low cost. They are wearing vintage pieces to school, parties and dates. Purchasing vintage at garage sales, estate sales and consignment stores is a way to have great style while reducing your wardrobe expense.
Vintage can also come from your mother or grandmother's closet, entirely eliminating the need to make a purchase. My mother's old tops are my favorites, not just because of the great style, but because they belonged to her before me. She taught me to take pride in the way I look and to this day she continues to have great style. She has been able to achieve this without spending a fortune. Like many seniors, she continues to wear some vintage pieces and holds onto them for as long as she can. If you have older pieces, reach in the back of your closet and enjoy some favorites again. Styles have a way of resurfacing. Some of the current styles, such as swing jackets, a-line dresses and pheasant tops, have a vintage flair. Without even knowing it, young people are purchasing styles that may have been worn by their grandmothers.

Where can you purchase vintage clothing?

Internet – Useful for those who collect vintage clothing for display or those who plan on getting much use out of it, sites like Etsy, Ebay and Craigslist are good sites to use for help in your search. The photos will help you decide and the detailed descriptions make shopping painless.

Antique shops – If you have never been to an antique shop you are in for a treat. Sections are organized as living spaces, giving you an idea of furniture placement. The clothing is displayed to mimic old dressing rooms or dressing areas. You may pay a premium price for higher quality vintage clothing and the additional service you receive.

Estate sales – Often an older person's entire wardrobe is for sale along with shoes and handbags. Someone else has done the work of finding coordinating pieces and you get to enjoy purchasing them at low prices because the person holding the sale has so much to sell in a short period of time.

Yard sales – Clothing sold at yard sales often no longer fits or was inherited. The prices often run between $.25-1.00. Although you don't get to try them on, if they don't fit you have not invested much money and can donate them for someone else to benefit from your find.

Thrift shops – Searching for bargains in a thrift shop can be overwhelming, so give yourself enough time to go through several racks. Everything is mixed in; vintage with modern, summer with fall, etc. Make a list of what you want to purchase and give yourself a time limit; say two hours. Don't get frustrated if you don't find what you are looking for the first time.

Vintage clothing is an easy to wear classic style that can be elegant and very affordable. It can be combined with new fashions and mixed in to look just as fresh as when it was new. Years ago, wearing this style meant your clothes were dated or you could not afford new and had to shop in second hand stores. Not so today. We wear vintage by choice and enjoy hunting for that perfect piece. Searching for that one-of-a-kind piece may take time but it is well worth it when you create your own look. I have mentioned many rewards to wearing vintage clothing and the best part is that you won't bump into anyone else wearing the same thing at an important event.

Modern Appeal

Imagining who may have worn it before me keeps me a fan of vintage clothing. Was it made for a special occasion? Was it was handed down from mother to daughter or from sister to sister? Its appeal is more than just saving money. It's the unique style that is timeless. Vintage is reminiscent of an era whose women, such as Ingrid Bergman and Jackie O, who were famous for their talent but also their classic style. For others the appeal is:

"I love the 50's and 60's era. The style was so versatile. High waist pants with lace tops and Mary Jane shoes. Or you can go dressy with a laced dress and a laced bucket hat. Today's fashion accessories bring that style back with a current flair. Long necklaces, fashion pearls, decorative headbands and shoes!"

Kayla Gepp – Model pictured wearing hats

"This style has become unusual to our modern days so it generates conversation when you wear vintage pieces. An added plus is that we know styles will come back around, it's all on a cycle. What goes around comes around."

Jullianne Olds – Model picture

"The classiness of it and the ability to mix other simple and accessories styles with it. As a little girl I watched Audrey Hepburn on the big screen, she was strikingly beautiful and it had an impact on me. Although she inspired me, I wear vintage clothing inevitably to create my own style."

Marilou Matthews – Massage Therapist

"To be original, not everyone will wear it. I think there is a story behind it and it's fun to search for it. Vintage is classier and I feel good wearing it. It's also a twist on recycling when most people think of plastic, paper, and cans."

Amanda Duffy – Student

"The history that surrounds vintage things. I can use unique, one-of-a-kind pieces to create a unique style of my own. The thrill of hunting for something different and finding a good deal in a thrift shop is fun."

Karen Benton – Collector and Business Owner

"Being a single mother of two boys, the price is a huge plus of buying vintage. My children go through clothes so quickly that it only makes sense. One of my favorite places has always been thrift stores. I love the 60's and 70's era and I can always find things I love, such as faded denim and vintage tees, for myself and my children."

Cassie Haun – Mother

"I like the formal dresses because of the muted colors and style. Also, the fashion is unique to a certain time period that can't be found on the rack."

Erica Keelan – young model 239-728-9463.