Vintage style interfere with buying modern clothes?

Madcap72 · Jun 15, 2008

So when your out just grabbing a random set of new clothes, does your ingrained sense of style make you pick out clothes that look more "vintage" even if trying to pick up modern threads?

I was trying to buy some nicer clothes for job interviews (I'm a diver, so nothing too fancy). Everything had cargo pockets, all the nice pattern button ups had goofy silk screened patterns. It was tough. I ended up with tan dickies pants and a nice button up short OD short sleeve. All I need is a palm frond hat and I'll look like I should be in the 1930's south pacific!

So, how's it effect you?

Amy Jeanne · Jun 15, 2008

ALL my clothes are modern, but vintage-esque. Even if I do wear something blatantly modern, I still eminate an "old fashioned" vibe and my husband is always telling me this! My Louise Brooks haircut, Jean Harlow-esque makeup, and my vintage glasses might have something to do with this

Real vintage clothing just isn't something I could wear everyday -- I keep mine for very special occasions because I hold them with the highest regards.

KL15 · Jun 15, 2008

Absolutely. One of the trends that has come and gone a few times is huge graphics and logos on shirts, hats, etc. My wife always tells me I have a "classic" fashion sense. (personally I think I have no fashion sense, that's why I latched on to this site) But I try to buy clothes that have a more "vintage" style or tinge to them.

Lancealot · Jun 15, 2008

Madcap72 said:
So when your out just grabbing a random set of new clothes, does your ingrained sense of style make you pick out clothes that look more "vintage" even if trying to pick up modern threads?

I was trying to buy some nicer clothes for job interviews (I'm a diver, so nothing too fancy). Everything had cargo pockets, all the nice pattern button ups had goofy silk screened patterns. It was tough. I ended up with tan dickies pants and a nice button up short OD short sleeve. All I need is a palm frond hat and I'll look like I should be in the 1930's south pacific!

So, how's it effect you?

I have begun to truly loath cargo pockets and silk screen printed shirts myself. It seems every time I go try to by something casual but classic looking your stuck looking like either a slob or a teenager.

LizzieMaine · Jun 15, 2008

The only clothes I buy are underwear and shoes -- I make everything else myself -- but I find that I get very frustrated when I can't find simple things like traditional flat laces for oxford shoes. Go look at a shoelace rack sometime, and all you can find are big fat sneaker laces and round "waxed" dress shoe laces. Neither of these styles is appropriate for the kind of shoes I wear, and I don't understand why the regular ones no longer seem to exist. The round ones don't even stay tied, so why are they so popular????

That's my petty frustration for the day, anyway.

ShoreRoadLady · Jun 16, 2008

Oh boy. I just got back from a shopping trip. It still amazes me that I can only find 2 things from multiple stores that fit both my body and my style.

I do tend towards a vintage look, although I'm open to new styles. It helps that some vintage details are "in" right now. (I did find myself avoiding the 60s-70s designs!)

thunderw21 · Jun 16, 2008

I try to buy as much vintage-style modern stuff as possible. You know, all cotton 'adventure' shirts, classic looking hawaii shirts, trousers with a classic cut, vintage-esque ties (though I rarely buy modern ties), etc.

The thing about vintage style things is that most of the time they are classic, timeless and can be worn together or seperately nowadays still look good. As long as the clothing is classic you'll always be able to wear it. Style is forever, fashion is yesterday.

flat-top · Jun 16, 2008

I only buy modern if it's a vintage repro or passes for vintage. Sometimes this involves removing labels, logos or every so often, a pocket! A seam ripper is a wonderful thing!

pigeon toe · Jun 16, 2008

The majority of my clothes are modern. However, they pretty much all are vintage-inspired as well! I love Banana Republic for this, they have such cute vintage-inspired and classic items that aren't too expensive. Even cheap chains like Forever 21 have vintage-inspired pieces if you dig enough and have an eye for making modern look vintage.

It's actually pretty easy for me to wear a 100% modern outfit and get comments from people on how "50's" or "40's" I look. It just takes a good eye, a lot of patience and the ability to put everything together in a vintage way.

Lady Day · Jun 16, 2008

Im picky on fabric content, and most womens clothing has that horrid percentage of 'spandex', that not only makes the garment ware out faster (the built in stretch rots after a while and weakens the fabric) but they negate the attention paid to fit.

I also hate the cap sleeves, super low necks, shier shirts blah blah.

So I do frequent the 'old lady' parts of malls, but even there, you get crappy fabric.

So like Miss Lizziemaine, I try and make all by items but undies and shoes. I dont think Ive bought off the rack in over 8 months.

LD

The Wolf · Jun 16, 2008

I agree with LizzieMaine, I have a hard time finding decent shoelaces.
I do like cargo pocket on khakis although I own none.
My biggest problem is finding trousers that go up as far as I like.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

DrSpeed · Jun 16, 2008

I believe that classic clothing can be vintage but also very contemporary. It just doesn't go out of style, and you can vary all you want.
Fashionable clothes can be very restrictive. The stuff you want is simply not there because it has been decided for you that you don't want it this year.
I must be getting old, but sometimes I pity my kids who HAVE to wear certain clothes just to fit in (or at least that's what they think).

Minerva · Jun 16, 2008

I'm another one trying to make most of my clothes. I wouldn't be caught dead in the low-rise trousers and low-cut shirts that all the stores around here are pushing these days.

Whatever happened to looking like a lady instead of a slob (or worse)?

MikeBravo · Jun 16, 2008

The only things I buy new are "undies", socks and shoes, and I'm not wild about second hand hats either.

I frequent opportunity (thrift) shops as often as possible, mainly for shirts and trousers or whatever I can find that fits my 6'2" frame. Very hard to find actual vintage but I look for something that has a vintage feel, like trousers with "texture", a nice drape or break in the right spot. I occasionally find something made in Ecuador or exotic location that has a high waist or is made for suspenders.

I really must post some of my finds on here, especially shirts

And what is it with shoe laces, now that you mention it? In the old days you had to replace a broken lace, these days the laces outlast the actual shoe!

David Conwill · Jun 16, 2008

I'm also one of those people who owns very little vintage but a lot of "classic" style clothing. The big thing is that I just can't find much to fit me that's vintage and what's out there is big money. The other thing is that my wife equates vintage with "used" and unless something is deadstock, she usually talks me out of buying it (unless it's something I'm really nuts about).

Regarding the shoelace comment - maybe we need a thread on this topic. I wear brown or black oxfords 6.5 days out of 7 in the fall, winter and spring and all I can find are round laces. Maybe someone out there knows a source for laces that will stay tied??

-Dave

LawnFlamingo · Jun 16, 2008

The thing that bothers me about modern clothes is that they aren't made to last. Sure, the price tag on some of these things is quite tempting, but the garments now are so cheaply made, with such flimsy fabric that the inexpensive price is negated by the fact that it'll fall apart in one or two years.

Drives me crazy.

Lancealot · Jun 16, 2008

MikeBravo said:
The only things I buy new are "undies", socks and shoes, and I'm not wild about second hand hats either.

I frequent opportunity (thrift) shops as often as possible, mainly for shirts and trousers or whatever I can find that fits my 6'2" frame. Very hard to find actual vintage but I look for something that has a vintage feel, like trousers with "texture", a nice drape or break in the right spot. I occasionally find something made in Ecuador or exotic location that has a high waist or is made for suspenders.

I really must post some of my finds on here, especially shirts

And what is it with shoe laces, now that you mention it? In the old days you had to replace a broken lace, these days the laces outlast the actual shoe!

You and I are in the same boat, I too am 6'2". I find it almost impossible to find vintage clothes to fit me as well. When I can fine a 44l suit in vintage it well out of my price range.

Edward · Jun 17, 2008

LawnFlamingo said:
with such flimsy fabric that the inexpensive price is negated by the fact that it'll fall apart in one or two years.

...and modern, disposiable fashion being what it is, when you find something you like it's either buy it now, in multiples, or accept that you'll never be able to buy it, or a replacement, again. :rage:

I'm slowly making over my wardrobe from a generic "classic" style to a more overtly vintage / vintage inspired style. For the most part, this will inevitably mean reproduction. I'm a 42R, which is not too bad when it comes to seeking out jackets, but the killer for suits is that so many of the trousers have been taken up for little Johnny over time that it's often hard to find the 32 inside leg I need.

The most difficult elements so far have been jeans (this modern fixation with low waists....) and dress shirts (it being impossible these days to find in the UK a double cuffed shirt off the rack which also has a spearpoint collar, as opposed to the very wide splayed cut type). Shirts I think i have cracked when I have more cash - M2M by mail seems the way.

Herr Hitman · Jul 1, 2008

I try really hard not to buy any clothes that aren't at least vintage inspired. My regular every day lounging around clothes are still about 50 years out of date. I end up looking like a little boy from the 50s.

Miss 1929 · Jul 1, 2008

I have a hard time finding anything modern that passes for vintage right now, all the skirts hit me above the knee (not a nice look on me!) and most stuff is just ... wrong looking.
But even when I am wearing an all modern outfit, it's still a skirt & stockings (never pants, so ugly on my body), shoes with a retro look, and the hair and makeup at least nods to the era! And everyone asks me if it's all vintage... usually none of it is.
I wish I had the time/energy/skills to sew all my clothes, and the money to buy the right fabric, then I wouldn't even fret about it. I used to religiously wear nothing but vintage, when I was a size 2, but that is not so easy to get any more, so I save it for special.

Vintage style interfere with buying modern clothes?

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