This old thing: What's new with vintage
It's literally been around for decades... but here are five reasons why wearing vintage is more appealing now than ever
Why we're all buying vintage
Historically, we've been a little vintage-shy. We've always had that friend who wore aggressively patterned shirts and hair scarves, or that girl we all know who loves the 1950s and goes to burlesque classes.
We don't like dropping into Rockit and being confronted with hundreds of overpriced pairs of cut off high-waisted Levi denim shorts. We don't like having to cut the shoulder pads out of polyester blouses. We hate how the shoe selection is always too worn out for best – especially those 1980s flats.
But certain turns of events in the past few months have forced us to reconsider.
Fiorucci sweater, Selfridges. Ellesse t-shirt, Topshop
3. Vintage can be sporty - but nice
Vintage no longer means floral print tea dresses. Thanks to Topshop, vintage sportswear from Ellesse is now covetable. Italian cult brand Fiorucci's relaunch in Selfridges is another label trading on its old credentials to get new customers – in this case flogging its sweaters emblazoned with unlikely cherub prints and retro fonts.
The Coach X Rodarte collaboration had its fair share of vintage styled sweaters, too, using Coach's 1970s advertising – much of which sold out in seconds.
Coach X Rodarte – the sellout bag
4. It's big in Vauxhall – but bigger in LA
The vintage trend has even reached Vauxhall (yes, Vauxhall!) with the Vintage Vauxhall market opening earlier in Spring, and selling vintage and flea market items every second Sunday of the month.
Over in LA, Golden Age has just opened its doors and already it's sold shoes to Lily-Rose Depp. And, of course, La-La Land residents always have Rose Bowl vintage market every second Sunday of the month.
4. London's markets have you covered
With this in mind, it's time to go hunting for old stuff. London has the best vintage shops. Time to time travel at Paper Dress London, first in the heart of Shoreditch and now in deepest Hackney, where they recently showcased retro yoga outfits tight enough to make your eyes water.
Else, investigate Re/Done for reworked old Levis that aren't simply hacked off just below the crotch (buy them at Net-a-Porter).
If you want to do your own rummaging, head to Hackney Flea, Battersea Car Boot Sale and the fashionable Capital Car Boot Sale, or try Chelsea Village Hall's regular vintage market.
And of course, those who want to make an investment can always follow Chloë to Vestiaire Collective. Repeat after us: we shall fight them over the blouses, we shall fight them in the aisles...
Chloe Sevigny for Vestiaire Collective
We don't like dropping into Rockit and being confronted with hundreds of overpriced pairs of cut off high-waisted Levi denim shorts. We don't like having to cut the shoulder pads out of polyester blouses. We hate how the shoe selection is always too worn out for best – especially those 1980s flats.
But certain turns of events in the past few months have forced us to reconsider.
Fiorucci sweater, Selfridges. Ellesse t-shirt, Topshop
3. Vintage can be sporty - but nice
Vintage no longer means floral print tea dresses. Thanks to Topshop, vintage sportswear from Ellesse is now covetable. Italian cult brand Fiorucci's relaunch in Selfridges is another label trading on its old credentials to get new customers – in this case flogging its sweaters emblazoned with unlikely cherub prints and retro fonts.
The Coach X Rodarte collaboration had its fair share of vintage styled sweaters, too, using Coach's 1970s advertising – much of which sold out in seconds.
Coach X Rodarte – the sellout bag
4. It's big in Vauxhall – but bigger in LA
The vintage trend has even reached Vauxhall (yes, Vauxhall!) with the Vintage Vauxhall market opening earlier in Spring, and selling vintage and flea market items every second Sunday of the month.
Over in LA, Golden Age has just opened its doors and already it's sold shoes to Lily-Rose Depp. And, of course, La-La Land residents always have Rose Bowl vintage market every second Sunday of the month.
4. London's markets have you covered
With this in mind, it's time to go hunting for old stuff. London has the best vintage shops. Time to time travel at Paper Dress London, first in the heart of Shoreditch and now in deepest Hackney, where they recently showcased retro yoga outfits tight enough to make your eyes water.
Else, investigate Re/Done for reworked old Levis that aren't simply hacked off just below the crotch (buy them at Net-a-Porter).
If you want to do your own rummaging, head to Hackney Flea, Battersea Car Boot Sale and the fashionable Capital Car Boot Sale, or try Chelsea Village Hall's regular vintage market.
And of course, those who want to make an investment can always follow Chloë to Vestiaire Collective. Repeat after us: we shall fight them over the blouses, we shall fight them in the aisles...
Chloe Sevigny for Vestiaire Collective
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