Fashion is truly cyclical, like the seasons it attempts to emulate each year. The impact of certain classic fashion not only leaves a lasting impression but also waxes and wanes in popularity over and over again. Every year, we see new vintage fashion trends popping back up to emulate the fashion of a certain era or sometimes even just one piece of clothing. As with all art, the legacy of an iconic piece of fashion history never dies.
Defining Vintage Fashion and Its Enduring Appeal
There are a myriad of reasons why vintage fashion remains so influential in modern design. For some it is the opportunity to incorporate familiar aesthetics into cutting-edge collections, for others it might be the attempt to connect the dots between the old and the new, and for others it may even be to promote sustainability through repurposed clothing. No matter what the reason, this blog will walk you through the influence of vintage fashion trends.
What Qualifies as Vintage?
First, we must define what the word vintage even means. According to Merriam-Webster the word vintage original comes from the world of wine, and has been used for centuries to refer to the year in which a wine’s grapes were harvested. Later, the word took on the use to describe anything from a specific time (Ex. the car had a unique 50s vintage), eventually coming to mean anything older (Ex. the car was vintage.)
However, in the world of fashion, vintage has a slightly more specific definition. Vogue, loosely defines vintage as “at least twenty years old but less than one hundred years old.” You may hear the word antique used interchangeably to describe vintage clothing, however, Vogue defines antique clothing as anything 100 years or older. Though you are not particularly likely to run into clothing from before the 1920s anywhere but a museum these days.
Why Designers Look to the Past
As with any artist looking to define their craft and find their unique style, fashion designers look to the past to find what resonates with their sensibilities. Fashion, however, has a particularly unique relationship with time when compared to other artforms. As previously mentioned, fashion is innately cyclical, designing new looks to match the utility and aesthetics of different seasons. Fashion trends also come and go so quickly that artists can imbue a longevity to their original works by utilizing a nostalgic style that harkens back to other iconic pieces.
Modern Designers Channeling Vintage Influences
A great source of inspiration for retro fashion trends comes from pop culture like red carpet events and period piece media. Because both those settings are able to pull off more exaggerated fashion statements, many designers can swing for the fences when curating looks. These designer outfits, dresses, and suits hit some of the biggest stages in the world and their impact on fashion cannot be understated.
Celebrity and Pop Culture Influence
- Red carpet styles borrowing from vintage icons
The red carpet is a place where, not unlike the catwalk, it’s acceptable to wear outfits that might otherwise be considered outlandish. This hyperbolic setting provides many celebrities the outlet to dress in vintage clothing that would be too lavish to wear somewhere like the grocery store. Red carpet events are often themed and take much inspiration from the fashion of the past, often exaggerating certain elements to create a wow-factor. Look no further than The Met Gala to see just how dynamic and bold many of these red carpet outfits can become. By treating fashion as high art and the human body as a canvas, the priority is not about function but creating unique vintage silhouettes.
- TV shows and films reviving vintage fashion
A huge source of inspiration for vintage fashion in pop culture comes from period piece movies and TV shows. Many of which have their cake and eat it too by employing popular trends from a given era while poking fun at or downright ignoring some of the less stylish ones. For example, Stranger Things is a Netflix show set in the 1980s, and as such many of its characters are styled with some of the period’s more beloved trademarks such as popped collars, big hair, and neon colors. At the same time some other classic parts of 80s fashion such as lycra, leg warmers, and shoulder pads, which are often considered less stylish by modern standards, are only worn by background characters so that they do not distract from the plot.
How Vintage Is Reimagined in Contemporary Fashion
The same way a DJ can remix a familiar song or a director might adapt a book into a movie, fashion designers can use the clothing of the past to contextualize the present. Reimagining vintage fashion allows designers the ability to pick and choose the elements of retro fashion styles. A modern designer may find the shape of the classic 1950s poodle skirt as outdated or cumbersome while at the same time utilizing the fun-loving style of the poodle applique.
Blending Old and New
When curating vintage inspired collections, one downfall that designers may face is that outfits that rely too heavily on vintage elements may come across more like a costume than a fashion statement. One way to solve this is by incorporating modern elements that accent the retro components. By combining the old school and the new school, designers are able to create a synthesis between trends that pay homage to the past without being overly reliant on its style. The goal of many designer throwback collections is to capitalize on the nostalgia for iconic fashion eras while still paving the way for something new and daring.
Combining modern and classic components is easier said than done however. Designers may consider how different time periods might have prioritized fashion design principles such as color, texture, and silhouette. Searching for patterns across time can help to blend not only modern fashion with vintage style but also combine the staples of two vintage eras. Additionally, it is worth noting that fashion has always had large retrospective elements regardless of the era. For example, the 70s fashion influence can be very clearly seen in the fashion of the late 90s and early 2000s (which is itself now considered vintage.)
Upcycling and Sustainability
New articles of clothing can stir up brand new ideas and encourage new outfit combinations. However, as more research becomes public about the amount of clothing that is thrown away each year, more and more people are searching for alternatives. One of the best parts of contemporary vintage fashion is the opportunity to lessen your ecological footprint. In a time when fast fashion is contributing to so much waste, many consumers are utilizing upcycled vintage clothes to not only express themselves but also show their commitment to green solutions. Whether it’s by searching your parents’ and grandparents’ closets for gems or organizing a clothing swap, there are a lot of ways to promote sustainability without compromising your style.
One of the best ways to curate original, vintage inspired looks is by going to your local second-hand clothing store, where you will likely find items that span decades in origin. Not only is thrifted fashion good for the environment because it keeps clothing that might otherwise go into a landfill in circulation, but it is also a great way to purchase unique finds without breaking the bank. Many people enjoy the diversity of items at thrift stores and appreciate the creativity it takes to assemble a quality outfit. In contrast, many fast fashion stores are limited by their trends and often prioritize matching pieces to encourage consumers to buy whole outfits that come pre-designed on the mannequin.
Vintage Influence in Everyday Style
Many modern vintage outfits are designed to make a splash on the runway but that can be a far cry from what even the most stylish of people may wear in their day-to-day lives. For most people the goal of vintage clothing is to create timeless fashion looks and not ostentatious outfits. Styling something like a vintage leather jacket may be much easier than something like a flapper dress. Remember that even as certain design techniques fall in and out of favor at given times there are principles you can rely on to curate an outfit, such as utilizing complimentary colors or layering articles.
Social Media and Vintage Style
The power of modern social media platforms like Tikitok, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest is that they are full of designers and at home fashionistas who are inspired by how vintage affects modern fashion. This community of creatives can help to inspire designers who are interested in incorporating vintage clothing in modern fashion. Content creators may highlight specific eras of post vintage clothing or thrift store haul videos. With thousands of hours of video about era-inspired outfits, there are countless ideas being shared everyday about how to assemble the most fashionable outfits.
In addition to standard social media, many people are flocking to buy vintage clothing websites for inspiration on secondhand style. E-commerce sites such as Ebay and Depop that are designed to help consumers purchase specific vintage items can also serve as inspiration, as many people may not otherwise be exposed to more peculiar items such as a given team’s sports t-shirts from a particular vintage. For those looking for authentic articles of vintage clothing it is worth noting that more recent vintage pieces will likely be easier to purchase online such as clothing considered part of 90s fashion comeback.
Whether you’re curious about designer throwback collections or making more sustainable fashion choices, vintage fashion is a fantastic way to express your style no matter what that means to you. Fashion is an artform that blends the fun with the functional to show the world who we are and what we value. With literal decades and decades of inspiration to draw from there’s no shortage of options to try in your everyday life.
Is Vintage Fashion Your Future?
The retro fashion revival won’t design itself, the world of fashion is constantly clamoring for new voices and perspectives to recontextualize the past through the lens of design. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer an on-campus Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design degree as well as an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design degree that allows you to explore modern and vintage fashion trends as well as develop the technical skills required to succeed in the fashion industry. Request more information about our degree programs today.
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