How to Start a Vintage-Inspired Wardrobe
Starting a vintage-inspired wardrobe is a daunting and often overwhelming prospect. Where do I start? And what will my aesthetic be? But it doesn’t have to be! In this article, I have compiled my tips and tricks to help you start your journey.
Find your inspiration
Inspiration is vital to new things, and having your ideas laid out in front of you will help you to visualise your new wardrobe. Have a look at vintage influences on Instagram and Youtube and decide what parts of their style you really gravitate towards. Is it their bold use of colours? Laidback style? Perfectly styled hair? You could then take these ideas and make a mood board on Pinterest to bring this all together in a cohesive, visual format. Be open, however, to change. Try not to box yourself into one aesthetic and be aware that what you place in this mood board may not end up anywhere near how your wardrobe ends up panning out. Remember that inspiration is not the same as copying. You are taking inspiration from aspects of other peoples styles to create your own unique fashion style! There are also so many sub-genres of vintage to look at. Are you into rockabilly, pinup, old Hollywood glamour or even 1970s disco?
Look in your wardrobe
Before you start shopping it is a great idea to look at what you already own. You may just surprise yourself and find an item hidden at the very back of your closet that looks like it came straight from the 40s! Look deeply at items in your wardrobe that you don't wear anymore and don’t look vintage-inspired. Could you take a pair of scissors to it and create a new vintage-looking piece that way? Perhaps changing the buttons would liven up that blouse? We can often surprise ourselves with what we already own. You don’t just have to look in your own wardrobe of course. Ask your grandparents, or elderly people you know if they have any of their own vintage clothing hanging about, and perhaps they will give them to you. Don't be afraid to ask, from personal experience many people are willing to give these items away as they will be going to a new home and given a new lease of life.
Start basic
So, you’ve compiled your inspiration and searched through what you already own. Now you need to plan what you want to buy! Start with the basics first, although it can be tempting to jump straight into buying elaborate evening gowns (they’re just so beautiful!) it is best to start pulling together lots of versatile pieces so you have an array of everyday outfits. Aim for the ability to mix and match, which not only means you end up with more outfit variations but you have a greater ability to play around with your looks! A great place to start is with a couple of plain blouses, a few plain swing or pencil skirts, a couple of basic dresses and at least one pair of trousers. Of course, the items you choose to buy will be dependent on the style you are trying to create. Always think ‘can this be worn with more than one thing?’ Buying basic items will also open you up to change in style more. When I began wearing vintage I made the mistake of buying items that weren’t versatile because I thought they were pretty. But the truth is, I rarely wear these pieces anymore because they simply don’t fit into the aesthetic I developed over time.
Charity shops are your best friend
Charity shops are an amazing place to start when buying new clothes. Not only are they more wallet-friendly, but you are also buying pre-loved items, helping battle fast fashion and climate change. You may find you have to search high and low in charity shops to find items that work for you, but don't shy away from choosing pieces that you can then amend at home. You may even stumble upon a true vintage piece, I managed to pick up a late 1950s white summer dress in perfect condition, that fits me like a glove for £5! An absolute bargain. Buying from charity shops is also a great way if you want to experiment with your styles more, but without wasting lots of money. I have also found that a lot of charity shops in the UK sell a variety of home goods, which is great for bringing your vintage style into your interior design.
High Street shopping
You may be surprised to know, but many high street retailers sell items of clothing that can easily pass as vintage-inspired. A vast majority of my own wardrobe is filled with high street finds, whether that be a versatile white shirt or 30s inspired day dress. Shopping on the high street can also often be cheaper than buying from vintage specific stores, and is more accessible. I personally find the high street to be great for really basic items like tights and shoes, but also accessories and jewellery. Hight street shopping does, however, bring up the questions of fast fashion and sustainability. If you are going to purchase an item that is fast fashion, if you can, make sure it is an item you intend to wear often.
Reproduction Brands
Vintage is a niche, and thankfully many vintage-inspired clothing brands have emerged, designed with this niche in mind. These are a handful of my favourites:
Top Vintage - Top Vintage is an online boutique based in The Netherlands, stocking hundreds of different vintage and pinup brands. I personally love the wide variety on offer, and they also have free delivery to the UK, so really what’s not to love!
Collectif Clothing - Collectif was established in 200 and has since become one of the icons of the vintage and pinup community. In fact, my first ever vintage-inspired dress was from Collectif! I find, personally, that Collectif can be a little pricey for what they sell, but they always have a wonderful sale going.
Joanie Clothing - Joanie is a wonderful brand for those who are dipping their toes into the vintage world, with beautiful collections of vintage-inspired pieces that all have a modern twist. This is also a very size-inclusive brand offering 8-22 sizes in all their pieces.
Miss Patina - Miss Patina offers vintage-inspired fashion with a modern twist for those who enjoy the little things in life. They have wonderful lines of clothing, and there will be something for everyone!
Hair and Makeup
I find that how you accessorise an outfit and how you style your hair and makeup can take an outfit from modern to vintage better than anything. Makeup is highly personal and will differ from person to person, but if you are looking for a brand that sells vintage-inspired makeup I would suggest Besame Cosmetics. With luxurious lipsticks created in original 20th-century shades, cake mascaras and so much more, Besame is perfect for those who want the full experience. They are also cruelty-free and made for sensitive skin.
There are many tutorials online teaching you how to style your hair in a vintage manner, be that a full wet set or an Audrey inspired chignon! Here are a couple to get you started:
Starting a vintage-inspired wardrobe and choosing to change your style can be scary, but I hope this has helped you feel less daunted and ready to take on the challenge. At the end of the day, you are unique and your style is unique to you. Be confident and don’t let what other people may say bring you down or discourage you, because if you are happy doing what you are doing and wearing what you are wearing then that is all that truly matters!
