How to Wear Vintage Without Looking "Old-Fashioned"

This post was originally shared with Allie's readers over at Beauty and the Feast in April, but for the benefit of my newer readers I thought it would be fun to share it here too.

I’m no expert at vintage fashion but I have learned a lot about styling vintage to look current and trendy in my eighteen years (plus) of experience. It’s pretty easy to look “old fashioned” when purchasing a dress from a local thrift store, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Simple styling tips and advice on what to choose, and what not to, when buying vintage clothing can save you from making a fashion faux pas the next time you walk out the door.

When you’re new to purchasing vintage it is best to start small, with accessories. Scarves, belts, and shoes are a perfect way to start incorporating vintage into your wardrobe. The recent trend of wearing scarves (as a belt, headband, or around the neck) makes it especially cheap and easy to add a little splash of vintage to your outfits.

Today’s fashion is all about the right mix of personal statement pieces, old standards, and fun prints. When I put an outfit together I try to pick out at least one vintage/thrifted piece to add to the mix. If you wear vintage head to toe it can sometimes look really great, but more often than not you’ll end up looking dowdy and not at all chic. By mixing the vintage pieces into your wardrobe stealth-like you’ll never appear like you’re trying too hard and it will help make your old standards seem fresh and new.

My number one pet peeve about vintage clothing is shoulder pads. In what world was it ever okay for women to look like football players? That being said there are a lot of really great pieces that have those nasty little pads sewn in. Those beauties shouldn’t be left on the racks to spoil, simply snip out the pads, or if they’re sewn into the lining enlist the help of a tailor or your grandma if you can’t do it yourself. DO NOT KEEP THEM IN, nothing will age an outfit like a pair of shoulder pads.

Most pretty patterned skirts and dresses at thrift stores are a really unflattering length by today’s standards; hitting mid calf or just above the ankle. The key is to tailor pieces so that the lengths are flattering to your figure, and the item fits right (If that’s mid-calf rock it). Again contact your tailor or closest family member with sewing skills to help you shorten the skirts if you can’t do it yourself.

It doesn’t matter how cute a top is, or how pretty the print of the dress, if the integrity of the piece has been compromised (i.e. it’s stained/torn/poorly altered) do not buy it. No amount of camouflage with accessories and cardigans can hide a ragged, and worn-out piece of clothing. Make sure you look for sweat stains, tears in the seam, and disintegrating fabric before you walk up to the checkout line. Skip this step and you may look dirt poor, instead of hipster-chic.

I’m still learning the best ways to wear vintage in a modern world without looking like a grandma and the internet is a wealth of inspiration on that front. Pinterest is a great place to start collecting inspiration. Create a vintage style board and pin any outfit you see that matches your aesthetic. Sooner or later you’ll start to see a trend in what you pick out online and you’ll know what to be looking for the next time you hit a vintage clothing shop.

My number one piece of advice for you today is to be brave with vintage clothing. No fashion maven got where she is today without taking risks with clothes. I’ve had way more outfit duds than outfit successes, but you just have to laugh at yourself and move on. Have a sense of humor when you get dressed in the morning, and take at least one risk a week.

What are your vintage styling tips? I’d love to hear what you have to say about incorporating vintage into your wardrobe. Leave a comment below, and let’s chat. big kiss, bekuh