I love using vintage clothes to add texture and depth to my wardrobe. There's the fantasy element--dreaming of the glamorous life your treasures have already lived--as well as the satisfaction of wearing something no one else will have. But the process of finding such gems can be daunting. How do you know what to look for?
When I enter an estate sale, vintage boutique or thrift shop, I like to have a loose game plan. I don't waste time digging through banal basics--I know I can find those pieces at my local high street stores. I prefer to focus my search on three core categories:
COATS: Vintage coats and jackets have so much personality! I have collected more of them than I have pieces to wear underneath. I love the swingy shapes of the '50s and '60s, and I always gravitate toward rich fabrics like brocade, floral matelasse, or striped faille--textural textiles that pack a lot of visual interest and hold up well over the years. And anytime one of these is shot through with Lurex, it's a done deal.
SILK DRESSES: '70s-style chiffon and crepe floral-print hippie dresses always end up in my basket. The shapes are so much more languidly romantic (and frequently flattering) than what I find new, and gorgeous details like bias belts, smocked yokes, and hand-sewn linings speak to an attention to detail that has been abandoned by today's mass production cycle.
Dresses like these are wonderful for year-round wear. Perfect on their own in summer, they're just as delightful paired with boots, tights and a wooly winter coat. I usually hem them above the knee for a saucier, more modern edge.
STATEMENTS: This category comprises my true quest in shopping vintage: finding those zany pieces that are just too amazing to not wear. Don't question whether you can 'get away with it.' Just go for it! Gaudy '70s floral harem dress? Yes please! Poodle-puffed organza dinner dress? Why not! Hand-embroidered silk kimono? I'll buy those every time!!!
These whimsical whatnots are the reason d'etre for incorporating vintage into your wardrobe. They free you from the trends, allow you to take risks, and automatically imbue an air of exotica into an otherwise off-the-rack ensemble. You just need to know what to look for!
Images courtesy of Shrimpton Couture.
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