Vintage ethics and styling: London is the hub
Nowadays, with the increased awareness of environmental issues and sustainability, shopping for vintage clothing is the coolest way to be an ethical shopper . Charity shops are full of vintage, so you can donate while you shop. Moreover, instead of turning to fast fashion that exploits developing countries with cheap labor and landfills, why not buy what has already been made and worn? This is by definition recycling: less waste on the world and a reduced carbon footprint, since fewer resources are used in the sale and production of secondhand items. Fashion is no longer a guilty pleasure, and vintage clothing a necessity. Ethical clothing, for example organic cotton tee shirts, is generally unattractive and hard to get hold of, but it doesn’t have to if you decide to turn to thrift stores to renew your wardrobe. If the second hand aspect does not bother you, vintage clothes allow you to be unique and fashionable without breaking the bank – it is no longer about having the newest designer bag, but about being able to feel proud of a unique find, at a reasonable price and at a better quality. Indeed, past decades used better quality materials and techniques, and in general vintage clothing lasts much longer than cheap items found on the high street. Vintage clothing is also collectable and therefore you should look after them to make sure they do not lose value over time.
Creating a vintage outfit demands a strong sense of style and individuality, as the styling and accessorizing certainly take more efforts than with a predetermined high street ensemble. To avoid London high street’s monotony and the possibility of matching a few other girls at a party, building one’s own vintage collection is a surefire way to turn heads. Whether you shop for it online or in a shop, you will treasure for a vintage piece for a very long time, for its unique aspect and originality makes its yours, and yours only. A fashion forward person is no longer one who buys the newest, most expensive pieces from a big department store, or a designer boutique. The fashionista of today makes an outfit look exciting and interesting by picking out old and new pieces from her closet, and by accessorizing it cleverly. Anyone who knows how to make a old piece look current and modern by customizing it or styling it should turn to vintage to make sure they stand out from the crowd. And this is why a lot of brides turn to vintage for their wedding dress. If you can be bothered to look for hidden treasures, and spend time on it, vintage is the way to go.
Vintage clothing not only stands out for its original cuts and fabrics, it also stands the test of time, if it’s good vintage. Indeed past eras used much better materials and techniques in the production of clothes, and all of this more a fraction of the prices shown in the high street!
Great vintage style advice
Collecting vintage clothes is no longer just shopping – it is a rewarding hobby. Spending hours collecting vintage garments is pleasurable, and the ultimate prize is a hidden treasure that no one else has, a little piece of history and an item that can truly reflect your personal sense of style.
I spend countless hours cruising the streets of London to find small little vintage shops and I have so much fun.
Whether you area of choice is the 50s, the 60s or 90s, you are sure to be inspired by one of a kind pieces in vintage shops, from eras that inspired you in old films for example. Collecting vintage pieces can also be seen as an investment for a future, and could be a good incentive to look after your clothes so they earn more value over the years. If you are looking for a version of a trend that’s in shops right now , you can look in thrift stores too. Since fashion is cyclical, you can be sure that what is in fashion now has been in fashion before, and can be found second-hand. When buying vintage, you have to know what to look for – certain eras and designers, and be careful with the sizing. You may need a tape measure, as sizing has changed greated through the decades. But fashion doesn’t have to be the driving force behind vintage shopping. Firstly, it is known for being ethical, and secondly, it goes further than the fashion trends. You can rely on classic cuts and shapes, that won’t go out of style and choose pieces that flatter your figure.
Vintage is no longer a dirty word – you can spot it on celebrities everywhere, and for many reasons, it is the best way to build an individual style. First, it won’t break your bank – it is no longer about having the latest expensive it-bag, but about wearing that unique piece of clothing no one else has. Each item is like a little piece of history and its unique fabric, texture and cut will make you stand out from the high street. Moreover, most vintage fashions are inexpensive, yet they retain good quality. Often better produced than on the high street, you will find vintage clothes show superior attention to detail. It will make any outfit stand out, with your own individual stamp on it. With a little skill and attention, vintage can be mixed with new finds so that it looks current and modern – the last thing you want is for it to look dated – or worse, costumey. But apart from fashion reasons, you can rely on vintage clothing to have this eco-friendly edge the high street doesn’t. By buying what has been made decades ago, you are contributing to a recycling cycle, and stop encouraging big companies with their landfills and exploited labor. You are contributing to a fairer clothing market, and if you shop at charity shops, you are also donating your money to a good cause.
