Vintage clothing is defined as clothing dating from the 1920s to the 1990s. Style-wise, they accurately represent the period in which they were made. When it comes to today’s fashion, popular examples of retro styles include tie-dyed T-shirts from 1970 and 80, shoulder-padded blazers from the 1980s, and grungy plaid flannels in 1990 and later. Clothing made before 1920 is considered antique rather than vintage. They’re usually bought at a high price to collect and preserve these worn-out and fragile garments. Vintage fashion has been around in one form or another for the longest time. While the styles have evolved over the years, some pieces speak to the collective nostalgia and continue to be fashionable today. This vintage fashion history case study will highlight the style’s timeline and the most iconic pieces from each decade along the way.
Vintage Fashion History
Before the advent of industrial manufacturing, most clothing was made by hand. It was more practical than fashion when it came to the clothing worn by farmers and workers. Worn or damaged clothing was repaired, sometimes with multiple layers of patching, maximizing value. Used clothing in good condition was tailored to fit the new owner’s needs. Scraps were used to make a quilt or dusting rags.
World War I
The concept of vintage clothing became popular during World War I due to textile shortages. As a result of this, most clothing was either discarded or recycled within the household as rags and quilts.
That means that it wasn’t uncommon for WWI-era clothing to be repurposed, repaired, or tailored to fit another family member.
Apparel companies also played a significant role in vintage fashion history during this era; they reduced the number of styles, sizes, and colors available and encouraged designers to use less fabric and avoid overly ornate designs.
At the same time, the United States came up with a campaign dubbed “Make economy fashionable lest it becomes obligatory” in their wartime conservation efforts during the War. As a result, clothing manufacturers recycled and remade old clothing to reduce the amount of waste generated. This prompted many people to opt for vintage clothing.
Consumerism
Despite the hardships of World War I, industrialization brought with it a new way of life: consumerism. Because of the style, economic growth became dependent on the disposal of old products and the continued marketing of new clothing products.
Modern clothing that has been worn and resold would now be referred to as “secondhand.” With that, “used,” “secondhand,” and “worn” clothing was reserved for those who couldn’t afford to buy new clothing.
Jimi Hendrix ‘Foxey’ Fashion
Jimi Hendrix popularized the trend of wearing vintage military garb to make a statement about how out of date the war was. He targeted the youth, urging them to embrace the old fashion worn during World Wars I and II to spread a message of peace throughout the world.
As a result, many people went to charity shops to buy frock coats, corduroy pants, cloaks, headbands, and other vintage clothing.
Top Celebrities Going Vintage
The ebb and flow of what was considered fashionable generated a demand for the continual replacement of products with ones that were novel and contemporary. This was partly attributable to the fact that vintage clothing was increasingly being worn by top celebrities and models, which increased its visibility.
The success of period pieces set in the middle of the 20th century in both television and film also contributed to the resurgence of interest in vintage.
Environmental Sustainability Across the World
Reusing, recycling, and mending instead of throwing things away sparked a resurgence in environmental sustainability. People realized that they could alter the hemline and other features of a vintage item to give it a more contemporary look.
Vintage items in poor condition could also be used to create new clothing. Recycling and repurposing used clothing meant that no new harmful byproducts were produced.
Mid-1980 Fashion Movement
This fashion movement resurfaced among teenagers in the mid-1980s, and it expanded into the 1990s with the growing popularity of music and style influences, such as the grunge band Nirvana.
Kurt Cobain, Nirvana’s lead singer, was always dressed in vintage clothing. Music influenced fashion, sparking new trends and reintroducing styles from previous decades.
Anti-fashion Movement
In the late 2000s, most people in their 20s and 30s who wanted to stand out from the crowd began donning vintage clothing because it didn’t try to look expensive or brand new.
More and more people are becoming aware of the hand-made details and superb cuts found in vintage garments of the past. Choosing to wear vintage clothing is a way to express individuality by wearing something one-of-a-kind. Fashion has continually drawn inspiration from previous eras, so using vintage can help you create a modern look.
Fast fashion (fast-turnover high street retailers) is a growing concern for consumers as they become more environmentally aware of their purchases. It’s a good idea to reuse clothing because it saves resources that would otherwise be thrown away, reduces the need to produce new garments, and teaches us how to care for them properly.
As a result, the easiest way to get a new wardrobe and conserve resources is to buy vintage clothing today. Because of this, vintage is increasingly becoming popular.
Vintage Fashion Most Iconic Pieces
Fashion lovers know that vintage fashion can never go out of style. Indeed, vintage clothing has experienced an undeniable comeback in recent years, and there’s no sign that it will fade anytime soon. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who appreciates the vintage fashion history, from the iconic garments worn by celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn to the classic styles of designers like Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. Below are some of the most iconic vintage fashion pieces.
Chanel’s Little Black Dress
The little black dress is one of the essential pieces in any woman’s wardrobe. Since the mid-1920s, when Coco Chanel created it for a Vogue feature, it has reigned supreme. The LBD has become a staple in the closets of nearly everyone, including celebrities, over the past few decades, and for a good reason.
Indeed, A-listers have been seen out and about in various new takes on the classic dress shape. The likes of Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid stepped out in leather LBDs during awards shows, while Kate Bosworth experimented with a more extended version in New York City.
Ray-Ban Aviators
Bausch & Lomb developed the original Aviators, later renamed Ray-Ban Aviators. These sunglasses were initially designed in 1937 to shield their eyes from the sun for pilots. The appeal of these sunglasses hasn’t waned since they were first introduced.
It’s been 34 years since the Top Gun film was first released, but one thing has remained the same. Cruise is still sporting the same pair of Ray-Ban Aviator Classic sunglasses that he wore in the 1986 film version.
Yves Saint Laurent ‘Le Smoking Tuxedo’
Yves Saint Laurent introduced the tuxedo in his 1966 Autumn-Winter collection. The original use of this garment was to protect one’s clothing from the odor of cigars; it was for men only.
But the fashion designer later thought that the tuxedo was a must-have garment for women because it was both fashionable and stylish at the same time. Style never goes out of style, regardless of what’s trending.
When Saint Laurent first introduced his tuxedo to the haute couture market, he was met with skepticism. The SAINT LAURENT rive gauche version was a huge success. The tuxedo was a hit with younger customers, making it a fashion staple. Until 2002, Saint Laurent incorporated it into his collections.
Diane Von Furstenburg (DVF) Dress
The DVF dress was initially conceived as a wrap top and skirt in 1972. Furstenberg had no idea that the dress version would become a household name and send von Furstenberg all over the United States to help women tie their wrap dresses and empower them through fashion, something she’d always set out to accomplish. If you’re looking for an easy-to-wear, timeless, and versatile item, this is it. Despite being 40 years old, it still has a special place in the “Items: Is Fashion Modern?” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.
Hermes Birkin Bag
It is one of the handbags that are most well-known worldwide and is a symbol of luxury because it’s considered to be the apex of luxury and its elusiveness. It was named after the 1980s actress Jane Birkin, who happened to be sitting next to Hermes’ Artistic Director Jean Louis Dumas on a Paris-bound flight from London in 1984.
During that trip, Jean Louis Dumas admired Jane Birkin’s Hermes handbag. She was having trouble with her handbag at the time, and in their conversation, she described the ideal bag to him, which would later be popularly known as the Birkin bag.
Billie Eilish Baggy Jeans
Billie Eilish is one of Gen-Z’s biggest superstars and shares the same fashion sense. Eilish’s style is just as noteworthy as her music, from ushering in logomania to mixing streetwear and high fashion to exploring an ultra-feminine aesthetic.
The 20-year-old singer wore an oversized look that evoked ’90s hip hop à la Wu-Tang Clan and Tony Hawk-era skater boys. Très Rasche provided the padded denim gilet, black long-sleeve top, and baggy blue jeans. Powder blue Etnies skate shoes completed the look.
Final Thoughts
Keeping up with the ever-changing fashion trends of the past several decades is becoming increasingly important as the demand for vintage clothing grows. Vintage clothing is your go-to style if you want a fashion sense that makes you stand out and stamp your personality. Your world can be illuminated and injected with humor with the help of vintage fashion history and clothing— shop vintage, ladies and gentlemen!
