Retrospective fashion: What makes vintage lovers look back?
Orla Doherty writes...
It's no secret that my biggest influences in fashion choices are vintage styles. I adore almost anything from the '60s and long before, from Mod chic to flapper girls. But why do I and so many like me look backward for fashion inspiration?
Even the designers have been at it of late, with tons of '60s inspired dress shapes and prints covering the rails of high street shops and boutiques alike this year. It always has me wondering, why does fashion go through phases of recycling? Are people running out of ideas, or did they just do it better back then?
Although I don't want to cast aspersions on current designers, goodness knows I find myself drooling over many a fashion forward item of clothing, it seems I just prefer the '60s style. It goes with the culture, where looking back has always seemed cooler than the decade really was. It happens to every generation (save post war babies, I suppose!). So while I long for the revolutionary mood and the fantastic music of those decades gone by, perhaps it is misplaced nostalgia that sees me counting the likes of Twiggy and Brigitte Bardot as fashion icons.
I could also put it down to the fact that any ideas that have survived for as long as many vintage pieces are the 'best of' the decade. I will freely admit that there are often some glaringly awful vintage pieces in even the best shops, but by and large I adore everything that's survived from the '60s to now. Perhaps it is a case of time separating the wheat from the chaff.
As for new styles taking inspiration from those gone by, I don't really know why it's done, other than the same attitude I have being held by those designers themselves. With the recent fad for vintage sections in high street shops like Topshop and Miss Selfridge, it seems the popularity of those classic clothes have pushed designers to borrow and innovate.
This is by no means a bad thing, as it makes the styles far more accessible for someone like myself, but I will admit it does niggle somewhat at seeing something treasured as a personal style choice becoming just another passing fashion phase. But then that happens to us all, right?
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I'm a total vintage lover.
One thing you didn't mention is that, by in large, the quality of vintage clothing is much superior to what's around today.
I can buy a lovely, classic suit that is impecably tailored, has couture like details, and is from 50 years ago for £50. I couldn't possibly get that level of quality for the same price now. I'd be lucky to get it at £500.
Another reason I like vintage is that it is essentially recycling. I'm not creating new damage to the environment (for example, growing cotton is very non-green in most cases).
I don't buy vintage from places like Top Shop though, I buy from the internet and small shops locally, and I can say that 90% of these small business are owned by women, which is another plus. I'd rather have my money go to a small business owner than some faceless corporation like Top Shop.
Posted by: Louise | October 1, 2007 2:50 PM