As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, fall is the perfect season to experiment with layering and textures in your wardrobe.
If you’re looking to stand out this autumn, incorporating vintage fashion into your outfits is a stylish and sustainable way to showcase your personal style.
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Vintage pieces not only offer unique charm but also carry a sense of history and nostalgia that can elevate any look. In this post, we’ll explore how to seamlessly integrate vintage and vintage-inspired styles into your fall wardrobe.
Understanding Vintage vs. Vintage-Inspired
Before beginning your wardrobe transformation, you need to understand the difference between true vintage and vintage-inspired fashion. There are a lot of pieces out there being referred to as vintage that are not only not vintage, but they’re newly manufactured.
Vintage Fashion
True vintage refers to clothing and accessories that are at least 20 years old. These pieces often come from previous decades, like the ’70s or ’80s, and have a timeless quality that can be both rare and valuable.
For me, personally, I generally call anything 90s or earlier vintage for fashion, and 80s or earlier vintage for beads and jewelry. When we get into the 2000s, it gets a lot more difficult to determine new from old.
Vintage-Inspired Fashion
Vintage-inspired pieces are new items designed to mimic the look and feel of a particular era. These pieces blend the charm of vintage with modern fits and fabrics, making them more accessible for everyday wear.
These items definitely have their place, even in a vintage lover’s wardrobe. I’d rather wear retro looking shoes than actual vintage shoes, for example.
Why Choose Vintage
Incorporating vintage into your fall wardrobe offers many benefits. Not only are you adding one-of-a-kind pieces to your collection, but you’re also making a sustainable fashion choice. Vintage shopping reduces waste by giving pre-loved items a second life and helps you avoid fast fashion.
Many vintage pieces are made of better quality fabrics and with better construction techniques, all of which help them survive. Plus, the history behind each piece adds a narrative to your style that’s uniquely yours.
Key Vintage Pieces for Fall
Outerwear
Fall is all about layering, and nothing says vintage chic like a classic coat or jacket. Look for pieces like:
- Trench Coats: A timeless staple, trench coats from the ’60s or ’70s are perfect for fall. Opt for quality materials like wool or gabardine.
- Pea Coats & Military Jackets: Originally designed for naval officers, pea coats add a structured, masculine edge to any outfit. Military jackets from the ’40s or ’50s are also great for a rugged, utilitarian look.
- Oversized Blazers: The ’80s gave us the power blazer, a bold, oversized silhouette that works wonderfully for layering in the fall.
Sweaters & Knits
Cozy up with vintage knits that are both stylish and warm. You can often find wool, cotton, and even cashmere knits for an absolute deal.
- Chunky Knit Sweaters: From the ’70s, these oversized sweaters with bold patterns or cable knit designs are perfect for throwing over jeans or skirts.
- Cardigans: A versatile piece from the ’50s or ’60s, a vintage cardigan can be layered over blouses or dresses for a soft, feminine look.
Skirts & Dresses
Skirts and dresses from previous decades are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your fall wardrobe. A fabulous wrap dress or pencil skirt never go out of style.
- Midi Skirts: A-line or pleated midi skirts from the ’50s or ’60s in plaid or houndstooth patterns are ideal for fall.
- A-Line Dresses: Channel the ’60s with A-line dresses in autumnal colors. Pair these dresses with tights and boots for a classic look.
Styling Tips for Vintage Pieces
Mixing Modern with Vintage
One of the best ways to wear vintage is by mixing it with contemporary pieces. Here’s how:
- Pair a vintage blazer with modern skinny jeans and ankle boots for a chic, balanced look.
- Style a vintage dress with a modern leather jacket and chunky heels to create a blend of old and new.
Accessorizing
Accessories are key to pulling together a vintage-inspired look. Consider adding:
- Scarves: A silk scarf from the ’50s can be tied around your neck or worn as a headband.
- Hats: Vintage berets or fedoras from the ’60s or ’70s add a sophisticated touch to any fall outfit. A large floppy wool hat is always in style.
- Jewelry: Statement pieces like brooches or pearl necklaces can instantly elevate a simple sweater or dress.
Colors & Patterns
When working with vintage, pay attention to the colors and patterns that defined each era. For fall, focus on:
- Mustard, Burgundy, and Forest Green: These rich, warm hues are perfect for autumn and were popular in the ’70s.
- Plaids and Houndstooth: Classic patterns that have stood the test of time, especially in outerwear and skirts. You can never go wrong with classic houndstooth.
Where to Find Vintage Pieces
Finding the perfect vintage item can be a treasure hunt, but these sources will make your search easier:
Thrift Stores & Flea Markets
Local thrift stores and flea markets are often filled with hidden gems. Be patient and visit regularly to find the best deals.
Online Marketplaces
Websites like Poshmark and ThredUP offer a wide range of pre-loved vintage items.
- Poshmark: Search for specific vintage pieces like ’70s leather jackets or ’80s knit sweaters.
- Etsy: An online marketplace known for its vast selection of vintage clothing and accessories. You can find everything from vintage trench coats to retro jewelry.
Vintage-Inspired Brands
If true vintage isn’t your thing, or you can’t find what you’re looking for, consider modern brands that create vintage-inspired collections.
- ModCloth: Known for its retro styles, ModCloth offers a range of vintage-inspired fall fashions. Even better, they have a huge range of size inclusive items.
- Unique Vintage: Dedicated to retro styles, they create fun and fabulous collections of vintage inspired garments, including pencil skirts, wrap dresses, jumpsuits, and really fabulous outerwear. You can shop by era, and they do a lot of licensed and branded partnerships. Unique Vintage is also extremely size inclusive, but you’ll want to shop by your measurements and not the tag size.
Caring for Vintage Clothing
To ensure your vintage pieces stand the test of time, proper care is essential:
Always follow care instructions specific to vintage fabrics, as they may be more delicate and fragile.
- Hand wash delicate items or use a gentle cycle.
- Air dry clothing to prevent damage from heat.
- Take items to be dry-cleaned.
Store vintage items properly to maintain their quality.
- Use padded hangers for delicate dresses and blouses.
- Store knits folded in a drawer or on a shelf to avoid stretching.
Whether you’re adding a statement coat, a cozy knit, or a unique accessory, incorporating vintage pieces into your fall wardrobe is a fun way to tell a story while embracing sustainable fashion.
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