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
But certain turns of events in the past few months have forced us to reconsider.
Pandora Sykes in Peekaboo vintage shirt
1. Vintage has cool champions now
Chloë Sevigny and Pandora Sykes have openly declared their love of the old. Sevigny by partnering with Vestiaire Collective this month and showcasing a carefully chosen wardrobe of preloved, handpicked pieces. You can buy them here.
So we've had to accept that we are wrong. Because Chloë and Pandora are examples of the trend hiding in plain sight. The stealthy vintage – Vestiaire Collective are even calling themselves a 'luxury resale store'. So we realise that there are those who walk among us wearing vintage without anyone knowing. They don't look... quirky... they just look chic. And no one can copy them.
2. Vintage counters the rise of the ubiquitous IT-dress
There comes a time in a London girl's life when that Zara dress is a poisoned chalice. You want to wear it straight away, to your next big event but 50% of the time, someone else will be wearing it, too. There's only so many times we can stomach the 'nice dress!' 'You too!' exchange. And that little voice inside our head that likes to talk about sustainability pipes up. It's definitely more sustainable to buy second hand and local.
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