Larger Selection of Vintage Clothing 

One of the biggest advantages of online shopping is the usually larger selection of clothing, since many online shops bring new drops daily. Unlike shops there's no space restrictions, so you can find over thousands of vintage clothing. 

Instead of the clothes being close side by side, you can see each item clearly at the first glance. 

Convenience and Time-Saving 

Buying clothing online is quite convenient. You can do it from anywhere you are: from your home, at your friend's house, at the beach, etc.
And you don't have to worry about the store being too crowded.
Instead of constantly looking for something in the stores that you have in mind, you can simply use the search bar in the online shop to see if they offer it. 
You don't only save time but also money that would usually be used for transport or parkings. 

Better Product Informations

Each piece in the online shops have individual information about the length, width, or the fabric. You don't have to look far to find them. 
In addition, you can read feedbacks or reviews of the online shop to see if the products are high valuable or not and if other customers had any good experiences. 

Return and Exchange Options 

A lot of physical vintage stores do not offer returns or exchanges but since every Online Shop is required to offer this right, you can easily buy the items you want and return it without hesitation. 
Accordingly, you also have more time to think about whether you want to buy the product or not. 
In physical stores you have a little more time pressure and unfortunately cannot return the purchase if you changed your mind. 

There are many benefits to online shopping and store shopping as well. 
Depending on which one appeals to you, you can simply shop where ever you want. This blog just helps a little to give a clearer view of buying vintage clothing online and why it's sometimes worth ordering. 

This list should help you to be slowly prepared for the sunny days - even if it seems a bit far away at this time. 
It's important to know for yourself what style you want to embody and what you're comfortable with. 
If you're dying to wear black but blogs or magazines tell you yellow is THE color of the year - just wear black if it makes you feel good. You know what suits you best and as soon as you feel comfortable, nobody can get past you. 

If you also want to try something new and you want to get a taste of vintage fashion, then you've come to the right place. 

1. Party & Hawaii Shirts 

I've always been a huge fan of Party & Hawaii Shirts - why? You can style it anyway you like and it just looks amazing! Whether you wear a T-Shirt underneath (or nothing at all), whether you wear the colors to match or not: you have two distinct vibes: supercool and holiday ready (if that's even a word). There are over hundreds of variations of colors and patterns so you can just go according to your taste. 

2. T-Shirts 

T-Shirts are actually our best-selling items in the summer. They are practical, airy and you can style them in any way. Suitable, oversize, with or without prints and and and. 
If you ask about my opinion I really like white or grey T-Shirts with a cool vintage print. 
Here for a demonstration: 

All you have to do is to wear shorts and your outfit is complete. 
If you want to break down T-Shirts even further, you can simply search for categories that reflect you like: University, Band, Sports, etc. 

3. Cotton / Linen Shirts 

Shirts (short or long sleeve) are good for a more classic look when pursuing an elegant aesthetic. Chino trousers and cool sunglasses would go well with it. 
This look was trendy in 2022 and will continue to be so in the summer 2023, because you can clearly see the vintage flair here. 
The 70s is slowly becoming popular with both men and women, which is why retro clothing is being produced more and more. 

4. Jerseys 

Are you more of a sporty type and like the 90's? Then I wonder if you have ever considered adding jerseys to your clothing wardrobe. 
Depending on what you're a fan of (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) all jerseys look very good as part of an outfit. 
Again, you can combine it with a long shirt or if it's a bit colder outside, with a hoodie. 

5. Vests 

This is now for those who would die for the 70's. Vests were a big thing for 70's outfits. Whether you want to wear a T-Shirt underneath (or not), it both looks very good. 
If you want to take the aesthetic even further, you need the right jewelry and accessories. Long chains, 70's glasses are completely sufficient in this case. 

6. Dresses 

who doesn't love to wear dresses in summer? Short, long, it doesn't matter. Vintage dresses are often a bit too customey, so if you want to go a little more minimalistic but still want to keep the vintage flair, there are plenty of retro dresses these days that were inspired from the 50's to the 90's. Many thrift and vintage stores still have a large selection of different dresses that you could wear in everyday life. 
Here are some dresses for inspiration: 

6. Long Skirts 

Similar to long dresses - skirts have many advantages on vacation: they are airy, look good and give you a mediterranean look. Again, all colors are welcome and you can combine them well with short / crop tops. 

The list ends here, but the possibilities still go on! 
If this blog has inspired you in any way, I'm glad to hear it. 
Have fun on vacation and don't forget your sunscreen!

It’s gotten way more difficult to find out your personal style nowadays. Especially when you see many different ways on how to style or wear specific clothing items on the internet. This blog is a helpful way to get one step closer to your personal style – you'll learn some tipps and tricks on how to wear the clothes that fit your visualizations best.  

  1. Visualize Your Style 

The most important step for literally anything is Visualisation. Because only then you can make it happen. What is the style called that you’re interested in? Is there a specific name for it like: grunge, 70’s classic, 80’s, 90’s, sportswear, vintage streetstyle, etc.  
Just think of what name could fit and then do your research. The best place for researching and visualizing is Pinterest. You could just pin down any picture you like and there are tons of images that could bring you closer to your personal favorite style. If you have different styles in mind, just open a pin board for each style for differentiating. 

 2. Find Your Spots  

After you’ve visualized the style you want to have, it’s important to know where to look for it. Are there any local vintage stores? Online stores? If so, which one sells the exact same style the most? If you’ve found it, then you’re already one step closer to turn your wardrobe into your dream closet! Most importantly, do not buy things you wouldn’t wear often – we don’t want to buy unnessecary stuff and want to keep it as sustainable as possible. That’s why the first point is very important.  

 3. Turn it The Way You Want to Wear it  

After you went to the shops, started looking and got excited for the clothes, think of how you would like to wear it the way you’d feel comfortable. It could happen that the style might look good in pictures but not in real life. If that’s the case, just take a look on the items and do your research again. look how they styled their clothing. Do they wear oversize? Are there any layers like vests, blouses, dresses, shirts? Try to find clothing you could combine as an outfit because that’s usually the key. Never go for only one piece. Imagine how it would look like with your other clothes or the ones on your wishlist.  
As an inspiration, follow people who also have the same style as yours. Sometimes they have some ideas in their sleeve on how to make an outfit more expressionable.  

 4. Don’t Forget The Accessories 

The Accessories are just as neccessary as the clothing itself. Sometime we like to overlook them but it really makes a big difference for the big picture. Do you like wearing earrings, rings, necklaces? Find an accessory which you’d like to wear on a daily basis and also enhances your style. 

  5. Go For The Hunt  

Now you know what you want and where you can find it, great! Then it’s time to go for the clothing you’ve dreamed of. Then you have more clothing in your wardrobe, you’re excited to wear the next day!  

 
We don’t have the clothing you're looking for? Just send us an E-Mail to [email protected] and let us know what you’d like to see! We’d be very happy to help you 

1. Vintage Jeans/Pants

One of the fundamental vintage clothing items for your outfit is a pair of jeans or pants. It makes quite a difference for the overall picture. First, you should know whether you feel comfortable wearing wide-leg pants or skinny jeans. If you still don’t know what kind of pants/jeans you would like to wear, I have some ideas for demonstrating.

   

Cargo pants were always popular for the vintage street style look. Over these types of jeans, you can basically wear everything: T-Shirts, Hoodies, Sweatshirts, Flannel Shirts… the options are open!

Next to the cargo pants, Levi’s jeans are also one of the popular vintage items in this decade and already in the 60s American cowboys wore them – isn’t that cool?

If you want to get an original vintage pair of Levi’s jeans, consider paying attention to the label since you can identify true vintage clothing by the tags. 

Chino pants are probably the best option for a comfortable classic look with a vintage flair. The most popular brand for chino pants is Dickies. It became relevant during World War II since they originally began to produce military uniforms.

The good thing about these different pants is that they’re unisex, and anyone can rock them!

You can find them in any kind of vintage clothing shop, original ones and even redesigned. 

2. Top Vintage T-Shirts

There is a difference between normal second-hand T-Shirts and top vintage ones. 

Top vintage T-Shirts are original T-Shirts that are at least one decade old. You may ask what the difference between older T-Shirts and new ones is just by the look. You can differentiate the quality by the imprint of the T-Shirts. The imprints of the T-Shirts used to be stitched, or even when they were printed, the print quality was also way better. You can see the difference by the lasting time of the imprint. A T-Shirt that is about 20 years old has a more stable imprint than a modern T-Shirt you would buy nowadays. The difference can also be seen by image. 

Here is an example of a top vintage product and a modern one. You can already tell which product has a thicker fabric in the picture. The Hershey T-Shirt is at least seven years older than the modern T-Shirt, but as you can see, the imprint is more precise. 

3. Vintage Jackets

Vintage jackets are a must for colder days. They tend to be the eye-catcher in the wintertime since it covers your outfit underneath. There are various jackets you can wear to your liking, so here are only a few of them listed. 

If you are more of a sporty person, nylon and racing jackets are a good fit for you! But if you’re more into the 80’s looks, a cool denim Coat gives it just its suited vibes. Vintage jackets tend to be more pricey, but as you can tell by the looks and quality, they’re quite older and therefore very rare.

             

Leather jackets got their popularity, especially in the 90s, so if you identify your style with the ’90s the most, leather jackets are must-haves! The 90s is also deeply connected with college jackets, and they never go out of style; they are just a very cool item to make your outfit an eye-catcher. 

Coats, especially trench coats, give your outfit a classic and clean look. For instance, if you’re wearing jeans and a turtleneck, there’s no better piece than a cool vintage coat. If you’re not into shoulder pads, I would rather try on vintage coats in-store because they might have huge shoulder pads!

4. Short-Sleeved Shirts  

Short-sleeved shirts are also a big must-have for vintage lovers! They are not only fun, but they give you a cool vibe. Any kind of short sleeve shirt is very important in the men’s vintage clothing history; you can find party and Hawaii shirts in different eras – if it’s the 60s, 70s or 80s. They were worn anytime and even till now. The best thing about these shirts is that you can wear them with quite anything, and they’re super comfortable. 

You can differentiate short-sleeved shirts into three big categories. 

Party Shirts have fun patterns, while Hawaii shirts have typical Hawaiian patterns like leaves, surfing boards, and flowers. 

Classic short sleeve shirts are characterized by their simplicity – they have only one little feature, for instance, stripes. 

5. Sweatshirts & Hoodies

Everyone has at least a few Sweatshirts & Hoodies in their wardrobe: why? 

Because it is one of the most essential vintage clothing items nowadays, like T-Shirts, you can differentiate between vintage and modern products – but it’s best to find the one which suits your style the most.

Here are Sweatshirts & Hoodies for demonstration:

6. Vintage Dresses 

One of the most important items for the women’s vintage clothing wardrobe is vintage dresses!

I personally love wearing dresses, whether they’re modern or vintage. Vintage dresses usually have more fabric and volume than modern ones, but there’s a small category where vintage clothing meets the modern look, so you don’t seem too customey. Due to movies or pictures from our ancestors, we already know which kinds of dresses come from which decade, and these types of dresses can be found anywhere in vintage shops. Before buying dresses, consider thinking about which one fits your looks best. 

Vintage modern dresses are vintage dresses with a modern look. They can be worn nowadays without seeing immediately that it’s a vintage dress like the 70s dress next to it. 

7. Blouses 

Women have worn blouses anytime through the years and decades. It is and was a big must-have for every woman. Either for a normal day in life, events, or work. We all know every type of blouse in and out, and the vintage era inspires even modern blouses. Flowers, stripes, dots, cotton, linen, silk – every pattern and fabric is considered and available on the market since it is like a nice dress, an essential item in the wardrobe. 

8. Dungarees

Dungarees are considered a bonus category from my side since it doesn’t fit everyone’s style, which is okay! I have never worn dungarees, but I get amazed whenever I see someone wearing them. 

People started wearing dungarees in the 17th century, but they became fashionable in the 50s. Nowadays, we think that the 90s were a significant era for dungarees, which is true. It is an iconic fashion item that became very popular at that time. You can wear them whatever season you want. In Summer, you can wear short dungarees, and in winter, long ones with a pullover or turtleneck underneath. 

9. Cardigans

Cardigan is also a clothing category worn anytime and doesn’t belong to any specific decade. They are still very fundamental and give your outfit a character with its classic look. The most important thing to consider when you’re wearing cardigans is the fabric. Usually, we wear them to keep us warm, so pay attention to the fabric. Cotton, cashmere, and wool are the best option for the task to keep you warm. The best way to wear a cardigan with patterns or bright colors is a classic clean look underneath; otherwise, it is way too much for the eye.   

10.  Accessories

Now, hear me out. Accessories are at least as important as the outfit itself. 

Big earrings were essential for the iconic 70s outfit, like bandanas for the ’90s and early 2000s. One of the most inspired people was Tupac since you can associate bandanas with him. 
Bags and shoes also play a significant role in the outfit. It is a mistake to leave them out of sight while trying to find ideas for vintage outfits. Big boots are a great way to improve your 70s look, while chucks sneakers are considered a must-have in the 90s. Last but not least, sunglasses in summer don’t only give your outfit the finished look, but you also give off confidence. 
Choose your favorite items, wear your neat shoes, put on your glasses, and you’re ready to go!

1. Single Stitch

Single stitched vintage T-Shirts were produced before 1994, which means that it assures you the product is true vintage. The stitching can be found on the T-Shirt sleeves – if it has two stitching lines, it’s probably a newer product. This rule applies to all types of T-Shirts, but there are some exceptions! Designer Brands tend to use the technique nowadays for retro vibes, but it’s just a tiny amount. 

2. Tags

The Tags also show if a product is vintage or not. Usually, if the label is printed, the product is modern; meanwhile, the very thick fabric indicates vintage T-Shirts. There are many more ways to identify a vintage tag; feel free to read the other Blog, “10 Tips for Identifying Vintage Clothing Labels.” The most important to look out for is not only the thickness but also the “made in” since vintage products are usually made in Mexico or USA.

3. Fabric

The fabric has changed in the vintage fashion history, and I must say, it got worse. Back then, the products were thicker and had pure fabrics, while today, everything is mixed with either elastane, polyester, or acrylic. If you find a vintage T-Shirt with a thick fabric that says 100% cotton, it’s a green light for buying that item. In a vintage clothing shop, the t-shirts are usually mixed and not separated. Feel every product, and you’ll notice the difference between the modern and vintage fabric. 

4. Imprints

This part is a bit tricky because vintage T-Shirts have stitched imprints and modern ones. Nevertheless, it is a good indication, especially when the tag you inspected also has features of vintage labels. But not only the imprint technique shows if a product is vintage or not but also the imprint itself –big imprints were the hit back then; you’ll realize when you see a lot is going on: 

The first t-shirt is modern, as you can see the imprint is classic and usual while the second one has more action. Many retro clothes take over this look from back then, making it a bit more complicated. But as I can ensure, no second-hand shop sells new retro clothing. 

Another aspect an imprint can tell if a product is vintage or not is the washed-out look. Logically, you could tell right away if an item lived longer just by looking at them.

5. Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson is a very old brand, it was founded in 1903 for motorcycle lovers, but nowadays, it is one of the must-haves in the men’s vintage clothing wardrobe. But not only it’s essential to have a Harley T-Shirt, but also to identify if it’s vintage or not. 

Harley Davidson indeed worked with Hanes in the 80s, which means when you find a Harley T-Shirt with a Hanes Tag in a second-hand store, it’s not fake – it’s even real from the 80s/90s! 

There are not only products from them with Hanes Labels but also with a “3D Emblem” label, which is also from the 90s. 

6. Mounted Collar

Collars that are sewn on the top of the t-shirt are indicators for vintage T-Shirts that are from the 60s. It is very rare to find mounted collars, so you’re a lucky lad if you find one in a second-hand store! T-Shirt collars that are sewn underneath are from the 80s to now. But indeed, there are some exceptions.

The left picture shows a mounted collar and the right one that’s stitched underneath.

7. Sizing

Did that ever happen to you? You were searching for vintage T-Shirts in a second-hand store, and you found one in your right sizing by the label, but it was way too small? Then it’s probably a vintage T-Shirt! Through the years, the sizing has increased, which means that T-Shirts in L back then are probably an M now. The people back then were, on average, way smaller than the people today (in size and height). What do we learn from this fact? If you’re in a vintage store and see a perfect shirt with the right sizing, don’t become excited too fast. It not only has to do with the sizing changes through the decades, but washing can also shrink clothing, but that also could mean a t-shirt is  vintage after it has lived so long. 

8. Popular T-Shirt Styles and Brands

After we’ve discussed how to identify vintage t-shirts for more conscious buying, here are some styles and brands for inspiration. 

Vintage Rock – If you’re only wearing black clothing, vintage band t-shirts, or Harley D’s, this may be the right fit for you. Often, band t-shirts are usually quite expensive, except it’s retro. Not every second-hand store has them, so I would recommend researching them. 

Vintage Sportstyle – Now, this one contains brands like vintage Nascar, Nike, Adidas, etc. Everything has to do with sports. This one is the most commonly bought t-shirt style. The look differs for each item, though.

Vintage Summer – T-Shirts with beachy imprints give you summer vibes immediately. I’m sure that’s why they’re pretty popular, and they also look cool. 

Just like the sports style look, the t-shirts have different types of imprints, which makes it even better when you like to try something new. 

Vintage Tie Dye – Tie Dye T-Shirts are also well known. It became popular in the 60s as art and then in the 70s as a fashion trend. The varieties of tie-dye expanded in the 90s, so it always played a big role through the decades. 

Some Facts: Tie Dye was used and worn by hippies as art to protest the Vietnam war. The colors, meanwhile, were the symbol of love and peace.

University - We all kind of love university t-shirts since they have a 90s preppy look. They’re not only very popular for men but also in the women’s vintage clothing section. Russell Athletics and Champion are well-known brands for University t-shirts and sweatshirts/hoodies. As you can see below, it is not easy to differentiate between authentic vintage and modern university t-shirts because they usually have the same look. The only thing revealing is the label again. 

The shopping experience gets more exciting after knowing the basics like the tags or fabric of vintage clothing. The identification will be easier over time, and you’ll be a pro! 

With this knowledge, you can buy more consciously and be happier after knowing that it wasn’t just another useless buy. Even if you don’t want to wear it after a while, the product still has its value. 

Vintage Fashion has become very popular, and it’s inspiring more people to buy second-hand clothing – whether it’s because of its sustainability or the possibility to describe one’s style best. 

There’s a big difference between each second-hand store. Some offer a bundle of clothes for kilo prices; some have more modern or vintage clothes. Few of them might even be pricier than others, but where is the difference? 

We want to look at our thrift stores in the first second-hand store category. At thrift stores, you can find cheaper clothes. There is a possibility to find true vintage stuff, but you need to dig deep to find clothes that fit your liking and have the right sizing. That means you need to consider the expenditure of time. 

Flea markets are also an option for a cheap way to buy vintage or second-hand clothing. It is usually outdoors, and besides clothing, you’ll also find vintage furniture or accessories – it’s all in one!

If you’re looking for true vintage stores and don’t want to spend too much time searching, vintage boutiques are the better alternative for you. These kinds of stores go for quality over mass. But you also need to consider that the prices are more expensive since there are rare and high-quality products. The popular vintage items you see on social media can often be found there, so if you have looked for outfit inspiration before and know precisely what you want, it is good to go to vintage boutiques first. 

Boutiques are also good places to shop if you want to minimize the amount of clothing in your wardrobe. But you must be sure that you will wear the clothes you bought. Otherwise, it is kind of a waste. A little tip from my side is to buy for a whole outfit and not only for individual parts, so you already know which top fits best with your favorite pair of jeans. 

Vintage clothing is also sold in Online Shops! Look out for the best vintage clothing websites to your liking and enjoy shopping from home. Next to individual online shops, there are also several platforms where private sellers sell modern and vintage second-hand clothes. There’s no specific price range because each seller decides how much the product should cost. 

However, you can set the price range from the minimum to the maximum as a filter effect. 

What to Consider Before Buying Vintage Clothing?

Before going on a vintage hunt, it is essential to consider a few steps. It is often the case that you’ll get overwhelmed by the number of clothes in front of you. Or you might even go on a trip and buy more clothes than you need. To prevent such habits, it is good to be conscious before and while shopping:

1. Look out for clothes you want and need.  First, it is essential to know what kind of vintage clothing you’re looking for. There are many different options and stores. It is often very overwhelming at first glance when you’re entering a second-hand shop. When you once know what kind of clothes you want and need, it will make the search better and less stressful. If you’re not quite sure what you want, look out for vintage outfit ideas first that seem appealing to you. It is essential to wear clothes you feel comfortable with, considering only clothing you would wear. 
2. Be conscious of what you already have. When it comes to shopping, we catch ourselves buying things we already have. It’s unsatisfactory for our wallets and leave us with an overloaded wardrobe. It is best to sort out the clothes you already have and look out for what is still missing. Having a plan is an excellent way to shop mindfully. 
3. Be sure of what kind of second-hand clothing you want. It is one thing to buy modern second-hand clothes and another to purchase vintage clothing. The difference lies in the prizing range and the quality of the products. Vintage clothes are at least one decade old, and they also seem to be very expensive for second-hand clothing. The high price range is the quality of the product and the rareness. The quality of clothing has changed rapidly over the last decade. For instance, Jeans and T-Shirts used to be 100% Cotton, while today they get mixed with loads of other cheap fabrics. There is often a thin line between modern and vintage clothes since it is hard to differentiate both at first glance. 

The vintage clothing labels are good to look out for, as they are the easiest way to recognize authentic vintage clothing. The labels have mostly thick fabric, and usually, they’re made in the USA or Mexico, while newer clothes are made in China, Nicaragua, or the Philippines. 

If you would rather buy clothes more cheaply, modern second-hand clothing is better. You still can find cheap vintage clothing in thrift stores, but as I mentioned before, you must consider that you’ll have to dig a bit deeper since they’re often overloaded with clothes. 

1. Be prepared that the sizing is not always right. Labels having one sizing but another fitting happens quite more often than we think, especially with vintage clothes. It is that clothes have been washed multiple times or even differently. So, it is best to try the products on before buying. If you’re online shopping, consider the description “our size” if it’s given. 
2. Be also prepared for stains or holes. Vintage clothing is old and often worn, so it may have stains or holes, which is not as dramatic as it sounds. If you’re in-store and spot a blemish, please ask an employee for a discount since it might cost you about 5€ to get the hole sewed. If you’ve bought something online, you can ask them via E-Mail. Either way, the problem can be solved, and it is the most natural thing. It is very rare to find true vintage clothing without any blemishes. 

Now that we’ve discussed what needs to be considered before buying vintage, it is time to discover a new shopping experience! Without all the stressors, it is cool spotting vintage clothes in different stores, and it is one of a kind. If you don’t know what vintage or second-hand clothing you’re looking for, be open to new things - go to different stores without any intention and look at which caught your attention most. I wish you a lot of fun for your next vintage shopping tour!

Depop 

Depop is a company based in London and has reached an extensive range of vintage lovers and people who would like to sell their clothes. If you’re a seller, it is an excellent way to sell your new or worn clothes you won’t wear anymore without having to throw them away. It’s also easier to separate from your clothes when cleaning your wardrobe. 

Since many people sell every type of clothing, you can just search for what you’re looking for, but if you don’t know exactly what you want, it’s not a problem – the platform has different categories to help you out. 

On Depop, you can find different clothing from different decades – from the 80s to the 90s or even the 2000s. 

Vinted

Vinted is a platform just like Depop for second-hand and vintage clothing. The main platform is called “Kleiderkreisel” and was firstly founded in Lithuania. This platform also consists of private sellers. It is hard to differentiate both platforms but vinted has more brand clothing, so if you would rather want to buy second-hand brand items, it’s easier to find clothes to your liking. But if you ask me, I would visit both platforms because maybe you’ll find something on one website but not on the other. 

Asos Marketplace 

Asos marketplace, based in London, is an excellent place to become bigger with a second-hand startup store. They have more rules for selling than Vinted and Depop – the pictures need to be presented on models, and you have to pay 25% off the sale. Usually, the prices for the clothes are more expensive than the products on the other platforms, but they’re also worth it since they mostly sell true vintage rather than modern second-hand clothing. Overall, the quality, the products, and the descriptions are on point, so I would deeply recommend Asos Marketplace for real vintage street style lovers. 

Etsy

Etsy is not only a platform for clothes but for everything. Accessories, decoration, jewelry… anything that comes to your mind. It’s just like Amazon but for private people who love to show and sell their creative products. Just like the variety of the different products being sold there, you can buy a wide variety of vintage clothing. 

It is not very different from Depop, but the prices are pretty expensive here. If you’re looking for sellers near you, you have to categorize the country first since it doesn’t adjust automatically like the others. Etsy is very well-known nowadays and has become popular really quickly, which also means that there are a lot of varieties to make you find a cool vintage piece. 

Vestiare Collective 

If you’re not into the street style vintage scene but would like to find pre-owned designer clothing, Vestiaire Collective is the right fit for you. They only sell designer brands, whether it’s clothing, bags, shoes, or accessories. The platform was founded in 2009 in France with the mindset to transform the fashion industry into a sustainable place. With a huge amount of clothing coming online, they satisfy their customers with new brands and clothes each day. 

Grailed 

Grailed also counts as a designer second-hand clothing platform like Vestiaire Collective. Still, it is only for men, and they do not sell only big brands like Gucci or Prada but also new street style brands, for instance, Off White, Heron Preston, or even smaller brands. You can also find true vintage clothing for fair prices if you’re not into designer brands. The clothing style goes in the direction of street style, but I’m sure you can also find some clothing with another style category like the classic look. 

The RealReal

The RealReal is another platform that sells vintage clothing from private sellers, but the items are not categorized in one prize range. Indeed, you can find brands from Nike and Adidas to Burberry or Dolce & Gabbana. They have a huge amount of clothing to shop for, so if you want to find an excellent second-hand piece, it’s a good place to search. If you’re looking for true vintage clothing, you’ll probably not find it there because their focus lies more in the classic look than street style. 

eBay 

As we all know, many products are sold on the eBay platform - also vintage clothing. If you know what you’re searching for specifically, it is easier to find what you want, but otherwise, the platform doesn’t have a category for vintage clothing itself. So, only search on eBay when you know what you’re looking for. There might be the problem that the product might not be genuine. That means to look at the tag since it shows if the product is vintage or not. If there’s no picture of the tag, I would request the seller to send one to be sure.

ThredUp

A cheaper alternative to the other platforms is ThreadUp. They sell second-hand clothing at very fair prices. The platform only offers clothing and accessories for women and also has a premium designer category. They have a huge selection of classic clothes, but if you’re more of a street style kind of person or someone who likes to wear 70s/80s, this platform may not meet your expectations. 

ramanujanitsez

Last but not least, our online shop, ramanujanitsez, also sells second-hand and vintage clothing for both men and women. In 2017 after the vintage clothing shop, the online store was created by the 2nd generation. The shops have a huge amount of second-hand clothing for every kind of clothing style, but the online shop rather has the focus on the vintage street style scene. So, if you’re more of a sporty person, this online shop would be a right fit for you. 

Some of the clothes seem to be quite too expensive for second-hand, but it’s because the clothes are from the 80s/90s, which means they’re not only good in quality but also very rare.  

I hope this list of vintage platforms and online shops helped you make your search for second-hand clothing easier. It’s a great way to begin with, and after a while, you may even find your favorite one!

1. Avoid Color-Blocking 

Color Blocking is an often-made mistake, where two to more colors don’t match. It is a quick way to distract from the actual cool outfit because it’s often too much for the eyes. Vintage clothing tends to be more colorful, especially from the 70s and 80s, so it’s best to have just one clothing item with bright color and let everything else be in the background. 

2. Mix Vintage with Modern Clothing

Being a vintage fanatic is a good thing, but sometimes there needs to be a line drawn because too many vintage items can look exaggerated and make you quickly seem older. Popular vintage items are already an eye-catcher themselves, like a good 80s windbreaker jacket. Instead of wearing an 80s jogger pants to the windbreaker, modern fitted jeans would be the better option or even the other way around – a cool vintage wide-leg Levi’s jeans with a cute modern top for the summer. In conclusion, don’t be afraid to mix and do not only stick to one style. It is not only going to make your outfit look better, but it also lets you find new options. 

3. Find the Right Fitting

It is often the case that clothes do not fit us the way we want them to, and the biggest mistake is to wear dresses that are way too big, especially when it’s a dress with patterns. 

Patterns tend to broaden your figure more, and it is one of the things we actually want to avoid. It not only changes your true figure but also makes you look costumey and older easier. It is an essential guide for vintage clothing to not only trust the sizing that is written on the labels. Due to the many washings, the product can easily be distorted in the sizing. So, it is best to try on the clothes before buying or if you’re online shopping, look out for “our sizes” next to the size given on the vintage clothing labels. Too loose clothes or too tight is not great, and I’m sure no one would feel comfortable. Try to find the right sizing where you feel beautiful and comfortable. 

4. Avoid Wearing Outdated Trend

Many vintage clothes have their come-back, but some are still very outdated. The problem is that you still can find outdated clothes in a vintage clothing shop since they do not sort the items for their actuality. Some of the trends are: 

- overdramatic shoulder pads

- pattern ties 

- wearing too many neon colors

- leisure suits

- sportswear from the 80s (spandex bodysuit, tight shorts for men)

- and most certainly, the 2000s look 

As you may realize, most of them come from the 80s era, and the last point is giving credit to the outfits from the 2000s. I didn’t list them because it would’ve been ten pages long. 

There are still some cool outfits from the 80s, like the Jeans look! 

5. Patterns

Patterns are a good way to enhance your outfit… or destroy it completely. It is very important to know how much pattern is too much because it gets quickly out of sight. If you’re not sure if it’s good-looking or not, feel free to ask friends or loved ones for advice because other opinions help to see what you can’t. Whether it’s for women’s or men’s vintage clothing, both parts can contain patterns in dresses, skirts, blazers, ties, shirts…– so if you’re deciding to wear them, just wear one clothing item with a pattern. 

Dots, for instance, can look cute, but it’s very dangerous, especially when the piece is vintage. Vintage clothing with dots is often outdated; I wouldn’t wear them anymore at whatever age I am. On the other hand, modern clothing is not a big issue, since the fitting and cut have changed, which means it won’t look too costumey.  

6. Vintage Accessories

This point is especially for women. We love to wear jewelry or accessories, and the vintage ones also have a huge come-back! Scrunchies, bandanas, loop earrings, bucket hats, hair clips, or colorful rings. These accessories enhance outfits in a very playful way but careful – again, too much can look too costumey very easy. It won’t make you look older, though, but rather way younger, but not in a good sense. Choose one, max. two of your favorite accessories or jewelry to pep up your outfit since it’s an essential part of the women’s vintage clothing look.

7. Make-Up

Some of us love to wear Make-Up, and some don’t spend their time on it. There is no right or wrong since you know what suits you best. I recommend not to look out for make-up tutorials because every face structure and every technique looks different for everyone. 

Not only the clothing from the earlier decades is coming back but also the Make-Up trends. Whether it’s the classic eyeliner and red lipstick look from the 50s but also the 90s/2000s with the thin eyebrows and smokey eyes. Pamela Anderson has inspired a lot of girls with her fierce look back then after the new Series “Pam and Tommy” came out and even before. 

Wearing a lot of blush has also become a big trend initially from the 80s. Unfortunately, some of the Make-Up trends look a bit exaggerated and help make yourself seem older than you naturally are. Love your facial structures and the way you look; you don’t need extra tutorials and trends from back then to change your whole face. 

These are some aspects of possible ways to avoid looking out of place with vintage clothing. Fashion was always a way to express oneself, and it’s not new, but due to all the options, it has become very easy to wear the wrong clothing.

I’ve often felt like I’m wearing clothes that do not express my true self, but after trying and learning, I finally found my style, and what should I say? I’m very happy and finally feel very comfortable! It is also an excellent way to reflect on how you want to be received by others. 

While shopping, it’s essential to keep a keen and clear mind after deciding which style suits you and your wonderful personality best. And do not forget: Be open. You never know what awaits you :) 

Vintage Clothing Essentials

To help out with finding your personal vintage style, here are some influential men’s vintage clothing essentials and a quick guide to vintage clothing:

1. Vintage Outerwear

Outerwear is inevitable – you’ll wear it anytime besides summer, but even then, in the evenings, it’s essential. Vintage jackets change your whole outfit, and once you’ve seen the difference from modern jackets, you won’t want to go back to newly produced ones. 

Some examples of vintage outerwear are:

• leather jackets
• racer jackets
• jeans jackets
• college jackets

 Jackets that you’ll find in a vintage clothing shop may seem very expensive for a second-hand item. It is really recommended to invest more in vintage leather jackets since the quality was a lot better back then. The craftmanship was elevated, and they didn’t mass produce like they do today – that’s a reason enough for spending a bit more for a vintage jacket. 

Racer jackets are real eye-catchers with their different color combinations. They rather belong to the 90s era since Nascar and Chase Authentics jackets made them more popular. Fast fashion industries got inspired by the jackets because they quickly got the attention of the young adults; that’s why they started producing retro jackets with the same theme. 

College jackets are also one of the popular vintage items on the market. It’s definitely a must-have for people who are into the university look. Even if you wear basic from the bottom to the top, the college jacket will immediately give you a very cool vintage look. 

Inspired by the 80s and 90s style, the jeans jacket is still now a big hit. They got smaller with the size through the decades but now that vintage style has become a trend again, people search for oversize jeans jackets more and more.  

2. Vintage T-Shirts

Now hear me out – vintage T-Shirts are the most essential for the men’s vintage clothing wardrobe. You can see a genuine vintage T-Shirt from a big distance. They’re not only very rare from the imprint but also quality-wise. Fast fashion industries can copy imprints nowadays, but they can’t produce the same quality because it would be too expensive for them and their mass production. Back then, the products were usually made in USA or Mexico, while nowadays, China is the most common production country. 

Here are some cool examples of wearing vintage T-Shirts: 

• Harley Davidson T-Shirts
• Band T-Shirts 
• College T-Shirts
• Sportswear T-Shirts

Harley Davidson is a brand that lived a long life, but it is still very popular. Hand in hand with band T-Shirts, they’re one the most commonly worn and loved pieces by vintage lovers. For people who are more into the vintage varsity scene, college T-Shirts are the most suited, and usually, they also go hand in hand with sportswear T-Shirts. Often college T-Shirts are from brands like Hanes or Champion, while Sportswear T-Shirts are usually from Nike, Adidas, etc.

If you’re lucky while thrift shopping, you’ll find a very rare men’s T-Shirt! The other blog, “10 Tips for Identifying Vintage Clothing Labels,” shows you how to identify a true vintage piece. 

3. Vintage Pants 

The pair of pants you’re wearing is a fundamental piece for your outfit since it also decides which way your style is going. For instance, chino pants are suitable for a classical look, while cargo pants rather give your outfit more of a street style vibe. Both are very common and popular in the vintage fashion scene, especially the pants from Carhartt and Dickies. 

The Levi’s jeans are also a big must-have for vintage wearers, but you have to differentiate between the models since each model has a different cut. The Levi’s 565, for instance, has a wider cut, while the 506 is more flared. If you spend a bit of time figuring out which models suit you best, you’ll know exactly which one you need in which size. 

4. Vintage Shirts 

In the 15th century, different fabrics of shirts were made, such as wool, linen, and silk. It has been worn for centuries, and it is still essential and counts as vintage and day-to-day lifestyle essentials. After the minimalism up from the 90s, the shirts usually kept their original color – white. Since vintage came back, people dared to look out for different types of shirts: 

• Party shirts
• Hawaii shirts
• Flannel shirts
• Polo shirts 

These are only a few from tons of different shirts – long or short-sleeved. Party shirts are short-sleeved with different kinds of patterns, while Hawaii shirts are usually characterized by palm tree leaves, flowers, or surfboards. Flannel Shirts can also count as modern, but the 90s skater look consists of them. Polo Shirts were invented in the 19th century; in 1871, they gained popularity in England and worldwide. 
  

5. Accessories 

 Accessories are essential to sum up an outfit overall since they give it more character, whether it’s a cap, bandana, sunglasses, or rings. If you’re more of a sporty guy, a cap will do its work, but if you’re more of a grunge person, really cool black sunglasses and silver rings finish up your outfit. It is up to you since it is your personal style. 

  

These clothing essentials are good to consider in the beginning. After finding your vintage style, you’ll create your own vintage essentials for yourself and your wardrobe. It can either be a long or short journey, it depends but do not forget to rethink every time which clothing you would rather wear and when you feel the most comfortable. Confidence is crucial, and having an outfit that brings the best out of you will help you gain it more and more: vintage clothing has its effect, you’ll see!

In this blog, you’ll glimpse the word's history, meaning and a vintage clothing guide. 

What Is Vintage Clothing?

If you’re interested in buying vintage clothing, it’s good to know its information. You may have heard about the term but never really understood which clothes count as real vintage? That happens because the word gets misused very often. Retro garments, for instance, are not vintage because these are new clothes with a retro redesign look. What is also often misunderstood is that second-hand clothing correlates with vintage clothing. Indeed, there are also modern second-hand clothes that aren’t vintage.

How Old Is Vintage Clothing?

Now we concentrated on clothes that do not count as vintage, but what does? 

Vintage clothes are at least one generation old. That means it is about 20 years or even older – nowadays the trends lies in the last decades 70s to the 90s. We primarily understand “Top Vintage” as products manufactured before the 1990s. So, for instance, top vintage dresses are more expensive than modern ones. 

The History of Vintage Clothing

Every clothing is different from era to era – the 70s were famous for their bright colored clothing, while the 80s also had their popular vintage items like the denim look. Celebrities also made the trend more relevant than it usually would. Till now, the style icon Brigitte Bardot inspired a lot of women with her look in the 60s. She manages to make wearing dresses and suits look elegant and casual at once. Her style is an excellent guide for women’s vintage clothing outfit ideas. Rob Lowe was also a style icon in the 80s and significantly impacted men’s vintage clothing inspiration. His most popular clothing pieces are leather and college jackets which were the IT pieces in the 80s era. 

The 50s, in fact, were known for their dresses which were worn daily. In the 60s, suits became more popular amongst women again—flared Jeans, on the other hand, in the 70s. 

These are glimpses of the style changes through the decades, which are important indicators of the history of vintage clothing. Many young people get their inspiration from them and tend to buy more vintage clothing due to that. 

For example, Vintage Rapper and Band T-Shirts inspired by the 80s and 90s are more searched since they became scarce and popular. 

How to Tell if Something is True Vintage?

Now we know what the term “Vintage” means and how old the apparel must be, but how do we notice that a clothing piece is actually true vintage? Often the most revealing part of an apparel is the vintage clothing labels. The true vintage labels are mostly not printed like the modern clothing tags but they do have a thick material. There are also modern clothes with fabric tags, but they differ in texture. The modern ones have a thinner fabric in contrast to vintage tags.

The labels differ from the fabric and the clothing itself: for instance, vintage T-Shirts are also usually thicker. The fact is that cotton – which is often used for T-Shirts – was 100% cotton before, and now it is often combined with polyester. The reason behind it is to minimize the manufacturing costs.

Another essential aspect to differentiate true vintage from modern clothes is where the product was manufactured. The costs are also playing a significant role in the changes, that’s why the clothing was usually made in the USA or Mexico decades ago. You’ll see it more often in China, the Philippines, or Nicaragua. In vintage clothing stores, the clothes made in USA or Mexico are pretty more expensive than the others. 

Vintage vs. Retro Clothing: How to Differentiate

As we said before, retro clothes are vintage-style clothing that is new. Nowadays, fast fashion industries manufacture more and more retro clothes because the hype about vintage is getting bigger. They also give young people – especially generation Z – vintage outfit ideas to get inspired to buy their retro clothes since it’s hard to find their unique style in this day and age.

As mentioned before, retro clothes could have more poor materials than real vintage clothes, so it can also be an aspect to differentiate both clothing categories. But it is not a 100% reliable aspect because even real vintage clothes could have a lighter fabric and texture. You can compare retro clothes to modern ones; the only difference is the style – trendy clothing is way less of an eye-catcher than retro clothes because primarily, products that are considered retro have their style inspiration from the 50s to 80s. That means the typical 50s dresses or 70s padded Blazers are usually retro, while Sportswear Clothing like Sweatshirts or Hoodies is a part of the new modern look. 

The Do’s And Don'ts of Wearing Vintage

Since vintage pieces are already an eye-catcher themselves, combining them is not easy. Usually, it will start with color-blocking, which happens quite more often unintentionally than we think. 

So, the best way to wear vintage apparel is to combine a noticeable vintage T-Shirt with a Levi’s Jeans, for instance. Or, if you’re wearing a vintage floral dress, add some decent accessories to underline the look. Of course, it is also a good outfit idea if you’re comfortable with wearing layers!

As an example, the typical 90’s – a cool university sweatshirt with a white blouse underneath. 

If you want to avoid looking too customey like you just came from a 70s disco party, avoid wearing too much color or glittery clothes for an average day. Big Shoulder Pads on Blazers are also considered too much nowadays, so try finding a good vintage blazer with a decent look and combine it in your unique way! 

Always consider the correct sizing – sometimes it is very tricky to buy vintage second-hand clothes because the sizing could be distorted from the washing. Therefore, it is best to try on the clothes first before buying.

One of the most important aspects of wearing vintage is to feel comfortable! So wear what you want and not only because the media says it’s the new trend and you will look thousands of times more attractive when you wear that one specific thing – it’s wrong. 

When you feel uncomfortable in an outfit, you’ll mostly radiate the discomfort, which will make you think and seem insecure.  

The happier and more comfortable you are with yourself, the better. So, buy the clothes you want to buy and wear. 

What Makes a Shirt Vintage?

Here’s a quick guide for vintage T-Shirts and how to find them. 

Several stores sell second-hand clothing; choose the best vintage clothing websites to your liking, and browse their clothing sections. To discover true vintage pieces, it is best to focus on the imprint of the T-Shirt. The product is more valuable if the imprint is stitched and not printed. Another aspect of a vintage T-Shirt is the stitching technique on the sleeve. If you see one stitch, the product was manufactured before 1994! Therefore, you can see if the product is true vintage or not. 

A few designers use the old technique too nowadays, but it is also just a tiny amount. 

As I already mentioned, the tag or label is an important point to differentiate vintage clothes from modern ones. Unfortunately, you can’t see the tags on the online shopping pictures, but it’s a good thing to look out for if you're thrift shopping. 

You also must consider that vintage clothing often has stains or holes in them. It is infrequent to find good vintage pieces without any blemish – and if you see something, it is usually more expensive due to the rareness. So don’t freak out if the product has any blemishes, it is easy to wash it out, or you could let the holes be sewed for only 3-5€.  

Does Vintage Mean Authentic?

“Of age” is the meaning behind the word vintage, which means vintage clothes are authentic. Unauthentic clothes are good imitations but don’t consider as original or genuine.

Nevertheless, the “Vintage” term is often misused, where unauthentic clothes get the label and are usually not checked. However, with the techniques of seeing if something’s authentic or not, you can check it out immediately. It is pretty straightforward with the newly earned knowledge! 

Retro clothing could not be seen as unauthentic because it is not defined as true vintage. If sellers claim their retro clothing is vintage, though, then it’s a false statement that is considered as unauthentic. 

Are All Vintage Clothes Second-Hand?

The short answer is no!

There are only a rare number of items that were not second-hand due to their age. It is also challenging to search directly for vintage clothing that wasn’t already worn because there’s no particular category. But nothing is impossible! An excellent indicator for new vintage clothing is when the tag is still on it. 

A few vintage Online Shops or stores sell vintage clothing with the original tag. As you can imagine, no one would wear a shirt regularly with a hefty tag on the front. So, you could see it as new, or someone tried it on and decided not to wear it. 

Nevertheless, if you want to wear vintage clothes which aren’t second-hand, you can adjust to the fact that you won’t get much out of them. There’s nothing wrong with wearing second-hand – you could see it as a clothing piece that was tried on a few times. Since you already must wash new non-worn clothes, it is the same with second-hand.

Now we discussed if vintage fashion is always second-hand but is second-hand always vintage? 

The answer is the same – no! Many stores also sell modern clothing, which is often a lot cheaper. It is a good routine for buying new fashion clothing that is environmentally friendly since fast fashion production is getting way too non-sustainable.  

Why is Vintage so Popular Now?

A few years ago, second-hand was a term that generation Z didn’t know. But suddenly it is known by a lot more people now. How did vintage become so popular this fast? 

There are a few hypotheses how it became more known and liked – 

1. The first one is that this generation seeks uniqueness and fairness. Before the vintage second-hand scene became popular, the beauty standards were very narrow-lined: super skinny and tall. Not many people conform to the ideal beauty – since it’s not that usual - and it causes discomfort. That was one of the significant indicators of why the change was essential. 
2. There are more ways to express oneself with different styles from the 70s to the 90s. For instance, if you’re a person who loves colors and funky clothes, the 2010 looks wouldn’t suit you like the 70s or the 2000s. 
3. It is not a secret that second-hand is the more environmentally friendly way to buy fashion clothing. Since global warming became a big problem and after Greta Thunberg stood behind the environment, more people became more attentive to how to help the circumstances. That was one of the many reasons vintage and second-hand clothing became popular after time, and generation Z was extra aware of it. 
4. Vintage clothes last longer than fast fashion. Let me demonstrate: fast fashion clothes are known for their low-priced garments, but the most significant disadvantage is that the clothes get worn off way faster, so there’s always a quick change from clothing to clothing. On the other hand, vintage clothes are more long-lasting, and since it doesn’t correspond to trends, they can be worn anytime without wearing something that is “so last year.” 
5. Celebrities wearing vintage also changed the whole game of fashion. Stars were always style icons and inspiration for every kind of person since they’re someone we look up to. So, after they wore vintage more and more, the trend got hyped up.

What’s the Difference Between Vintage and Old?

Vintage can and cannot be considered old. It depends on what you mean by it. 

We know that Vintage Clothing is at least one decade old, so it's considered as “old.” But we usually understand the term as outworn and out of date. In that case, the word doesn’t fit at all. Antique Clothes, on the other hand, are rather old. So, when vintage is decades old and retro is new, what is considered antique? 

Antique clothes are 100 years and older. It is tough to find real antique clothes nowadays, so usually, they can be found by family members who kept the clothing from their ancestors. However, finding antique jewelry or furniture/decoration is more accessible because they’re collectibles with a high worth and get sold for a high price. 

This vintage clothing guide should help you buy vintage clothing with more awareness and differentiate the terms to have more knowledge on what you’re searching for individually. It also may help you realize what you’re looking for primarily. 

I am sure that the vintage trend won’t be a short one like the other trends since it is a big plate consisting of different styles and looks through the decades. It had a big come-back after the 90s, and it was already a huge thing– the 70s look was trendy, and the vintage stores had their peak back then. 

Vintage Clothing has a lot of advantages, and the disadvantages are pretty tricky to find. The only drawback I see is that second-hand clothes are sometimes quite high-priced because they have been worn already. But since you’re buying something that could count as a collectible or is super rare, it is worth it, especially after knowing that it’s long-lasting and has outstanding quality. It equals ten fast fashion shirts, and you’ll spend less money long-term when you buy vintage clothing. 

These clothes are usually found in second-hand stores, online shops, thrift stores, and flea markets. There are also platforms, especially from private people who sell their clothes - but you need to know that it’s also mixed with modern ones, so use your new earned knowledge to differentiate!

I hope you can get a good insight, and I wish you success for conscious future purchases.

Not only you’ll get personal benefits but also the environment!

Bella Hadid

It is not new that Bella Hadid always dresses stylishly and the latest trends. Bella's look differs from sporty to chic and elegant. 
In the first picture, she's wearing a corsage top with cargo pants. It sounds like the two wouldn't go together when you first hear that combination, but she combined both items just right. Inspired by the 90s: the second picture shows a typical outfit that came straight out of the 90s. 
A white turtleneck top with a vintage leather jacket. To complete the outfit, the bleached jeans she's wearing by Vivien Westwood from the 1992 collection cannot be missed as the slim sunglasses. 

Zendaya

Zendaya's love of vintage is hard to miss. In addition to the everyday outfits, she also shooted with vintage clothes with the 70s look. If that's not enough, she takes everyone's breath away with her classic modern vintage dresses at the galas – it is just made for her.
  
The 70s inspired both outfits she's wearing above. Small T-Shirts and wider jeans, and the voluminous hair or the glasses are just essential for a genuine 70s look. 

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For the premiere for the second season of Euphoria, Zendaya wowed many people with her 1992 Valentino dress on the right. Not only then did she wear a vintage dress but also, at the 2022 NAACP Imagine Awards, she wore the stunning 1956 Balmain Coutoure dress.
These were just a few of the many vintage dresses that Zendaya has worn. The French fashion house founded by Pierre Balmain also said that Zendaya embodied the mid-century romance. 

Hailey Bieber

Hailey Bieber wears sporty clothes in her day-to-day life, which she styles very well with vintage sweatshirts, jerseys, t-shirts, and jeans.

In addition to her street style look, she's also wearing a vintage Vivien Westwood jeans outfit. 

The trick for a cool vintage street style outfit is to mix large with small. If your top is big, it's better to wear tighter jeans or like Hailey hot pants. If your top is small, a wider pair of jeans would fit perfectly. This contrast gives you a stylish look right away. You can find these types of vintage clothing quite easy in a vintage clothing shop, so being inspired by her looks is a great start.

Rihanna

Besides her designer outfits, Rihanna is also seen often with vintage T-Shirts. Her love for black T-Shirts is hard to miss. She's wearing an oversized leather jacket over her vintage 1978 Rolling Stones T-Shirt, underlining her vintage outfit. The same outfit structure is seen in the next picture while she's wearing a vintage Princess Diana T-Shirt with a vintage leather jacket but in another style this time. 

Kendall Jenner

You can also see that Kendall Jenner prefers vintage fashion in her everyday life by wearing a lot of its pieces. Whether it's the 70s looks of the 90s hip hop scene, Kendall Jenner wears both casually and stylish. In the first two pictures, the t-shirts highlight the vintage outfit. Jeans that aren't too wide, but don't count as skinny jeans either, go perfectly with the 70s look. The images below are more of a 90s style – hip hop and band t-shirts were part of the scene. Kendall also combined this look with hot pants and wide jeans.

Johnny Depp

Now we've come to the vintage celebrities. Johnny Depp was one of those handsome movie stars who, to this day, is admired by vintage lovers with his earlier style. Leather jackets or flannel shirts were common for him, just as party shirts. Nowadays, he's more likely to wear patterned shirts with vests. 

Brad Pitt

Just like Johnny Depp, Bratt Pitt influenced many young people with his earlier look – no wonder. He always made a casual and cool impression with his sunglasses, vintage shirts, and leather jackets. 

He also didn't keep his hands off party shirts and kept his hair long, which gave him an even more 90s surfer look.

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Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford embodies all 90s looks, both sporty and elegant. Next to the typical turtleneck with a leather jacket, she also knows how to wear college jackets just right to make her look fabulous. In addition to her elegant red dress, she doesn't even have to wear anything eye-catching to radiate the 90s look – a white top with vintage hot pant jeans is enough.  

Leonardo DiCaprio

The young Leonardo DiCaprio embodied the sporty look of the 90s by wearing a grandpa sweater and white t-shirts. It sounds one-sided at first, but if you take a look at the outfits, it's exactly the 90s look you imagine. But leather and denim jackets or party shirts can't be missed either, which also pepped up his style immediately.

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts, well known from the movie "Pretty Woman," was also a style icon in the 90s. Her beautiful voluminous curls emphasized the cheerful nature of the actress. Her look is more classic than the street-style look that was described at the beginning worn by celebrities nowadays. 
Turtlenecks, striped t-shirts, and blazers belonged in her everyday wardrobe.

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These were the biggest stars wearing vintage clothing today and those who embodied them in the past, inspiring today's generations. But not only the styles can be inspired nowadays, but also make-up and hair from earlier decades by vintage celebrities. For instance, the curtain bangs were originally known by Brigitte Bardot in the 60s, but also because of the new series "Pam and Tommy," the signature make-up look by Pamela Anderson has become very trendy.

Series and films that play in the past also belong to the outfit idea collection of vintage lovers as the

Netflix Series "The Serpent" since it's playing in the 70s. For instance, the halter neck jumper worn by Jenna Coleman was often searched for on the internet.

Getting encouraged by celebrities to wear vintage clothes is a great place to start looking for cool vintage outfits. You can create a mood board of how you want to design your looks. If your taste goes in all directions, then there is no need to panic – always wear different things like Bella Hadid. As long as you're happy and comfortable in your clothes, there should be nothing to stop you. 

Finding men's vintage clothing is a bit easier as many vintage shops stock 90s clothing for men. You can find all kinds of sweaters, jackets, vests, etc. For women, on the other hand, it's very often only a selection of outdated blouses or dresses, so you have to check out where exactly to look for vintage pieces.

History

Already in the 60s, people wore vintage fashion by trading and wearing old clothes. They had large warehouses for vintage clothing in the United Kingdom, but the trade wasn't popular anymore while wearing vintage still became bigger. After the trade-in marketplaces fell, vintage clothes were sold in boutiques. In the hippie era, wearing old clothing was a protest against consumption; the environment played a significant role back then. In 1988 the Women's Environmental Network was founded to send a message about human rights and saving the environment. Due to the Network, people became more aware of sustainability and women's rights. The first wave of body positivity also started in the 60s, and fashion began to change due to the movement. 

Designers in the 70s took inspiration from the 1940s but only in daywear. Stars like Mick Jagger or Brigitte Bardot were the ones who inspired most people in the fashion world.

The era was called the polyester era: due to the synthetic fabrics, people bought cheaper clothes for their evening going outs. Fabrics like sequin, velvet, and satin were normal for the women's evening wardrobe. In the late 70s, the typical 80s looks were created then, like the bandeaux tops or the famous jumpsuits. 

While the 70s expressed women's sexual freedom in the clothes, the 80s was one of the boldest eras with the huge shoulder pads, parachute pants, and bigger hair. But not only the over-the-top look was popular back then – we still wear some of the it-pieces from the 80s like the colorful windbreakers, leg warmers, leather jackets, and even oversize blazers are pieces for the women's vintage clothing wardrobe.

Wearing gym clothes in everyday day-to-day life was also a fashion trend with dancing clothes. The new romantic style with prairie dresses was the fashion trend in the first half of the 80s, while in the second half, "Power dressing" became its value. At the same time, women wanted to be taken seriously by their fashion with the shoulder pads since they symbolize strength and boldness. The 90s, on the other hand, went after the minimalism look, which still lasted till the 2010s. The media, especially models or stars, were the influencers for the fashion trend back then like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, or the "Heroin-Chick" Grunge look by Kate Moss – the vintage fashion was inspired mainly by them.
Today still, we wear popular vintage items influenced by the 90s fashion – whether it's the jeans look, baguette bags, or the ripped jeans. We also take our inspiration from the media or TV shows like "Friends."  

    

Today

The media, for instance, Instagram, is full of pictures from influencers wearing vintage from different types of decades. Second-hand clothing had its peak when the environment began to be in danger. People became more aware of the situation, so they informed themselves on how to be more conscious about it. The fast fashion industry primarily sells clothing with cheap fabrics like polyester or elastane, which don't last long, so the young people needed to buy clothes over and over again, which is not only bad for the environment but also for their wallets. It is tough nowadays to know what the personal style is, but the vintage clothing from the different decades helps since there are more varieties than the minimalistic modern look.

Since it is pretty hard to find original items from the 70s or 80s from a vintage clothing shop, the fast fashion industry takes the trend to its advantage. It produces more retro clothing like modern vintage dresses, 70s tops, and band T-Shirts which attracts the younger people. 

The vintage trend began very slowly, but the whole game changed after being inspired by many more styles and looks.

As I mentioned the wave for equality and body positivity in the 60s, the problem became at hand again in the 2010s with Victoria's Secret models and companies like Abercrombie & Fitch or Hollister. It was huge at that time and took over the fashion industry – small tops, one-size clothing, and skinny jeans. People began to feel bad about themselves because of the society. Fortunately, the tables have turned, but the insecurities are still present since they don't go away that fast. The beauty standards changed, but they were never healthy. Having big curves is the new beauty standard which is not better because it's starting to skinny shame. The body shape was a very difficult topic for the fashion industry because not every trend fits everyone.

How To Shop For Vintage Clothing

It is essential to know what kind of style you would like to wear. The selection is very big, so I would really invest some time to know exactly which one fits your personality the most. Fashion plays a significant role in our lives even if you don't care about your looks or outfits – people tend to judge by the looks, and it is the sad truth. Your style shows who you are, and you can help with knowing exactly what you like. If you don't know where to look for inspiration, apps like Pinterest may help, shows from different eras (70s/80s/90s) or the famous outfits from models or stars from the eras. After you realize what kind of clothing items you need, it is vital to find a second-hand store that meets your needs because not every store is the same. 

Every vintage shop focuses on something else. Some sell more modern second-hand clothing; others rather sell street-style clothing. There are even a few shops that sell way more women's or men's vintage clothing. Urban Outfitters also offers redesigned second-hand clothes, but without permission, redesigned clothing from famous brands is not allowed in Germany. Thrift shops tend to have everything, but they are usually flooded with clothing which means you must invest a lot of time there. The benefit is that when you find a really cool 90s t-shirt, that is sold for a very low price, while in second-hand boutiques, it is much more expensive due to the costs. 

After finding your favorite vintage store nearby, consider cleaning your wardrobe first and looking at what you already have. 

The fashion trends from the different decades had their big comeback, whether it's the colorful neck holder tops, the 90s T-Shirts, jeans, leather jackets, mom or flared jeans – all had their personality and still kept it until today. Since the trends are coming back, the need for inventing new looks and styles is not present at all. Even big designer companies like Gucci take inspiration from the bright colors and patterns. I am very sure when the vintage trend is gone, it will definitely come back as it always did.

It is important to learn some tips about wearing vintage in advance. On the one hand, you should combine vintage with new clothes, so you don't have to clear out your current clothes in the closet to make room for vintage clothes. See which things you love and would wear again, suitable for combining. 

You should also be relatively indifferent to what other people think of your style, especially if you are in the trial phase. You will experiment a lot at the beginning and also try out many things that you decide against in the end – it's all part of the process. However, you must not forget that this is essential to find your favorite style. It has many advantages like feeling more comfortable and confident, which is excellent because confidence is key. Plus, you won't buy any more things in the future that you wouldn't wear: your wardrobe consists only of wonderful items!

This blog is a guide to vintage clothing and this time for women only.

To get started, you need to look for inspiration because that's where you'll find out which outfits you prefer and which ones you don't.

Sitcoms or social media like Instagram and Pinterest are good places to start. For instance, Rachel's outfit inspirations are shown here, who is a character on the sitcom "Friends."

Vintage Sweatshirts and Hoodies

Vintage sweatshirts can be worn by men and women, both of which look cool. There is never anything wrong with having a comfortable vintage item that suits casual occasions like meeting friends or shopping. Sweatshirts from the 90s are real eye-catchers, and without making a big fuss about how to style your outfit, they will already do their work just with the sweatshirt.

Here's also an example from the sitcom "Friends" from the character Monica. 

Vintage T-Shirts

In the picture above, we see Phoebe where she wears a turtleneck top with a t-shirt, This combination springs from the example of mixing modern with vintage. Depending on your taste, you can choose your vintage t-shirt: either women's t-shirts cut smaller or men's t-shirts that are slightly larger. Below are examples that qualify as vintage t-shirts. If you rather want to fade into a darker tone, a rock band t-shirt would certainly be a perfect fit. 

T-shirts are actually one of the most popular vintage items. They are always in demand, and there's a simple reason for it: they're cool, and you can always wear them.

Denim

Denim was not only a trend in the 80s but continued into the 90s. This one never really went away because everyone loves to wear denim either as pants or jackets. 

Jackets have gotten smaller from time to time, but there is still a high demand for the typical vintage oversize outerwear. 

Tyra Banks shows exactly how to rock a denim outfit. It used to be common to wear denim from top to bottom, but nowadays, it belongs to the daring outfits because it would be too much for the eyes. 

In my opinion, it all depends on how you wear it. 

A denim piece is a must-have in your closet, regardless of the jeans you already own. Wide vintage mom jeans fit differently than modern ones. It's the same with jackets and shirts. 

Vintage Dresses

There are many different types of dresses, and not all types are sold in a vintage clothing shop. Accordingly, I cannot directly advise you on what dress style you should pursue. Nevertheless, it is essential because it can be worn very often in summer. It not only looks beautiful but is also very often comfortable to wear. Depending on your taste, you can look at what kind of dresses of the different decades you like the most: the 70s prairie dresses, slip or plaid jumper dresses. 

Blouses and Shirts

Blouses were always essential as a women's vintage clothing. They were worn anytime – at work, in everyday life, or the evening. They are still necessary items in our wardrobe today, but we wear them differently than back then. Below, there's an outfit example with blouses worn underneath a pullover, which was often worn back then. One of the most famous outfits with blouses is the high school girl look.

Flannel shirts were trendy in the 90s and were worn by both men and women. Flannel shirts give a cool skater look, and if they are combined correctly, they are also real eye-catcher! The best way to choose a color is when it fits your sneakers. 

An example of a perfect vintage outfit would be a turtleneck top with any vintage Flannel Shirt. Accordingly, you can decide which form or cut you like.

This combination gives you elegance, but you can also wear it well in everyday life. 

Outerwear

When it's a bit chilly outside, the jacket likes to cover up the whole outfit. That doesn't necessarily mean that your entire outfit is ruined by it. A proper vintage jacket can even jazz it up. It's important to figure out which direction to go: should it be a coat, college/baseball, leather, or denim jacket?

The search can begin immediately as soon as an answer has been found!

Vintage Jackets often seem quite expensive for second-hand goods, but they are worth investing in. The quality used to be a lot better because the craftmanship increased, and they did not mass-produce at that time. Accordingly, your outfit looks more valuable.

   
There were the essentials for women's vintage clothing. As you've probably noticed, you have to bring your taste into some things, which can be overwhelming at first but no risk, no fun. It's better to try it out to find what you like faster or what suits you best. Once the part is done, it will be easier for you to know what you want in the future. The most crucial point is to be decisive. When you're indecisive, you can't make decisions, and you get stuck at one point. Invest a little time thinking about it, and it will pay off in the end. 

However, you have to stay open to new things, even when you've found your style, because sometimes it's frustrating when you can't find anything you're looking for right away. 

If you realize that you like the item, anything that goes in that direction, then get it. There are no specific rules, especially not these days. It's all for you, and these were just examples. If you found some more vintage items you want to wear, add them to your collection. Sometimes, even when we're thrifting, we find new items without seeing them before. 

I will show you some tips and tricks on identifying the tags in a vintage clothing shop or online, if that's possible. 

1. The Fabric of The Label

Usually, the fabric of the tags says a lot if an item is vintage or not, but unfortunately, it doesn't say how old it is specifically. However, the label and logo have changed through the years. The modern ones are often made out of thin fabric, or they're even only printed. It has probably to do with the manufacturing costs and speed of the production.

One of the most famous brands in the vintage fashion market is Nike. You can see an example of the difference throughout the years.

    

            Modern Tag                           late 90’s/early 2000s        

Above are two examples of the Nike tag from the 90s - to today. 

Not only the fabric has changed but also the country where the products were manufactured, which is the second point. 

2. Manufacture/Made In

It is not a coincidence that older products were manufactured way more often in the USA or Mexico. It doesn't mean that they didn't produce in other countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, or Indonesia. They sure did, but nowadays, it is very rare to find modern clothes manufactured in the USA/Mexico. The reason behind this is the manufacturing costs since it is costly in the states and much cheaper in the other countries.

    
90's Fruit of the Loom and 80's Russell Label made in USA and Mexico

3. Different Logo Tags

Brands have changed their logo tags quite often than we think. Especially when it's a brand that's at least 30 years old, it is a part of the cycle, and it does not only give a brand a new character and helps us identify the tags and the era of the vintage clothes. Here is an example of popular vintage items.

             Modern Carhartt Tag                             90’s Carhartt Tag

As you can see, Carhartt still has the spiral as their logo, but they changed the placement. In contrast to the 90's tag, the logo on the modern label is bigger and the text smaller. I can't tell why they did it but sometimes change is very important and necessary. It also helps us to identify the age of the clothing easier and quicker. 

4. The Look of The Tag Says It All

This one is for cardigans, pullovers, and dresses, especially for women's vintage clothing. 

Sometimes you're lucky, and the vintage clothing labels look exactly like it's vintage, and they often are because nowadays, not only the clothing but also the labels look modern. For instance, if modern vintage dresses confuse you whether it's true vintage, just check the label; you often see it immediately. I'll demonstrate two labels as an example:

   

5. Wool Marks

On the vintage fashion market, you can find a lot of wool clothes. Authentic vintage clothes have wool marks which can help with validating. The wool marks differentiate into three categories: 

The first one is 100% wool and is at most not older than 1963. 
The second mark is 50-99% wool till 1971.
and the last one is 30-49% wool till 1999.

6. RN Numbers

RN numbers were used in 1952, the first time from the number 00101. You can determine the age of the item by looking at the RN numbers. 

Without doing any big math here, you can simply count the digits to see which decade the product is from. If it's five digits, it's probably from the' 60s-'70s, and if it's six digits, it's from the '80s. 

When the number is very low, for instance, 03654, it is probably from the '50s. 

You can see the RN number directly on the label. 

There are already calculators on the internet, especially for RN numbers, so if you're unsure, you can just pull out your phone and tip the RN number quickly.


For instance, this RN 62245 was made in 1977 (5 digits). 

7. Countries That No Longer Exist

Odd names of countries or countries that don't even exist anymore can still be found on vintage tags. For example, "made in the Republic of China" or "British Crown Colony." Today it's only a country name like China or Hong Kong. 

8. Collaborating Productions

Brands used to collaborate like Hanes with Harley Davidson or Nike with Fruit of the Loom. When people see a Harley Davidson T-Shirt with a different tag (Hanes), they may think the product is fake. But it's not right at all. They used to work together, which indicates that the product is actually vintage! Sometimes there is no exact year given, but it's usually from the '80s to the '90s. 

Another famous collaboration is between Nike and Fruit of The Loom. When you find a product from Fruit of the Loom with a Nike logo, it's probably from the 90s, and you're lucky because they're rare!

9. The Tag Does Sometimes Have a Date

It is not often the case, but sometimes the tag has a date on it, and you can simply see how old the product is. Usually, vintage Disney or Harley Davidson Sweatshirts have the feature, and it's marked with a "@" before the date. Harley or Band T-Shirts also have the datum right on the front or back of the product since it's telling when the bike week or the band tour was. 

10. 3D Emblem, Grey Tag

If you find items with a 3D Emblem or a Grey Tag, you're also lucky – they're basically from the '80s! 

Harley Davidson items have a 3D Emblem tag, so you know that the older ones have different labels, and the newer ones have their own Harley Davidson Tags. 

The Brand was founded in 1903 by the three brothers, William S. Harley, Arthur, and William A. Davidson. It was initially intended for passionate motorcyclists, but today it's a world-renowned brand, and anyone who likes the vintage flair loves the Harley Davidson clothing. 

On the other hand, the Grey Tag is the label from Nike from the year 1989-1994.

It is characterized by its grey background and red Nike Logo, which is why it's called the grey label. 

This guide should help make your search for vintage clothing easier. Now you basically know what to look out for and how simple it actually is once you know the fundamental knowledge. 

I am sure there are many more factors on how to identify vintage clothing labels.

Whether you're looking for women's or men's vintage clothing, the tips are the same. 

1. Skater Look

This look is mainly inspired by the 90's fashion, and you've probably already seen this outfit on the streets, often characterized by flannel shirts and hoodies.

You can wear them with any kind of pants – chino, cargo, jeans - the options are open. One of the essential parts of this outfit is that the colors match; for example, choose a flannel shirt that matches your shoes; this combination will give your outfit more of a vintage fashion look.

 

2. College Look

If you're rather the school/college type of person, this look is especially for you. 

In this case, college jackets are a must-have! The color-matching is also very important since college jackets have their unique combinations - it is important to consider them. 

The only issue here might be that vintage college jackets are quite expensive, but if you own one, that's already enough. College jackets have become one of the most popular clothing items, which became important in the 90s and still are very trendy. 

You can find college jackets basically in every kind of vintage clothing shop but don't neglect the correct sizing since they can easily make you look too bulky if it's too big.

3. Street Style Look

Fisher vests from the 90s have also become very popular, but it's not easy to wear them the right way. A hoodie underneath changes the whole game in this case. The good thing about this look is that anyone can wear them if they're into the vintage street style scene. You can also wear them with cargo pants or black Levi's jeans – it's up to you. Usually, the sizing is for men's vintage clothing, but women can wear them in small sizes or oversize, but they need to consider the size change.

4. Grunge 90's

Another hit from the 90's – a black denim jacket with a band T-Shirt underneath. This is more for the people who are into the grunge scene. The size of the jacket doesn't matter that much in this case since every way would look cool and give off different vibes. Leather Jackets with a white T-Shirt are also a typical look taken over from the 80s/90s.

5. Classic 70s

The 70's look is great for summer! The colors, the patterns – they just give off the exact vibe for a sunny day. The women's vintage clothing section in the 70s included jumpsuits, dresses, and flared jeans. The actress Farrah Fawcett was one of the fashion icons of that time with her big voluminous hair and the typical 70s outfits that looked on point every single time. Nowadays, you can find different items in that look, especially retro redesigned clothes inspired by the 70s since it's having a big comeback now.  

The men's vintage clothing in the 70s looked quite different, but the fundamental aspects stayed the same – flared jeans, colors, and patterns. They often wore suits and vests on a daily basis. 

6. Modern 80’s

The era of the 80's fashion had its pro and contras. Some of their iconic fashion looks had their comeback, but some of them are better left behind. It was the disco time – neon colors, even more voluminous hair than in the 70s, and many bright and big accessories, mainly conspicuous. 

One of the iconic looks, though, is the denim look which will probably never go out of style.

7. Vintage Prep Look

This vintage-inspired look is a combination of the well-known Ralph Lauren and the 90's style. It's a very playful look with a classic touch. The main clothing items are pullovers, polo shirts, colorful tops, mom jeans, and of course, some accessories from the 90s. For instance, in the pics, the guy wears a bucket hat while the girls use hair clippers as their vintage accessories. 

This outfit can be worn with modern clothes too, but if you rather wear vintage clothing, I highly recommend checking the vintage clothing labels to see if the items are true vintage. 

8. 70s / 90s Modern Vintage Look Aka Mixed Vintage

If you're the type of person who expresses themselves in colors, this might be a fitting style for you. It is inspired by the 70s and 90s – there are no given rules for what to wear or not – you can wear a 90s top with 70s pants or vice versa, but the main importance lies in the colors and the preppy look. This outfit may not be for everyone, but it's an eye-catcher for sure! The only danger is to overdraw the line where it starts looking too much, but you're safe if you combine a colorful top with a one-color jeans.

9. Vintage Sportswear

Sportswear has always played a significant role in the vintage scene – whether it's NBA, NFL, or MLB Jerseys, the sports fans love to buy an authentic jersey from their favorite team and players from the 90s or 2000s. Nearly every second-hand store sells them because they are one of the most liked clothes. Whether it's stitched or not, you can differentiate real vintage jerseys from modern ones by the imprint. Jerseys with stitched imprints are a lot more valuable rather than when they're printed. On a daily basis, you can wear a Jersey as you like, whether with shorts or your favorite vintage pants. Even on cold days, they can be worn over a pullover – there are no limits!

10.  Harley Davidson Style

Last but not least, the Harley Davidson look is at least as important as the other looks. Harley Davidson was founded in 1907 and is still one of the most valuable brands ever. Originally the brand was made for biker lovers, but even young vintage enthusiasts love to wear Harley D's vintage T-Shirts. Again, there are no rules or limits with their clothes, wear them as you like.

Oversized or fitted, the T-Shirts look really good either way. If you have more ideas on how to style a vintage T-Shirt, feel free to express your creativity in your outfit!

These are only a few of many more styles inspired by vintage fashion. Racer jackets, party shirts, windbreakers… all these clothes also play a significant role like the others. The best part about vintage is that there's no rule, and every single person I saw wearing vintage had their unique way to rock their outfits, so don't be afraid to express yourself; life is way too short for feeling uncomfortable and not yourself in the clothes you're wearing. I also like the vintage hype – it's not only about the environment or the clothing experience but also a new way to find and, most importantly, care for yourself – we tend to neglect it sometimes. 

Trends come and go but also leave a lot of things unnoticed. If we look at the earlier trends, then today, we think about how we could possibly have allowed this to happen. That's how it will sometimes be, but some decades did have very cool outfit hits. Most importantly, wear what you like and what has the most benefits rather than social media telling you and young girls and boys what to wear to look good and cool. If you're not confident and comfortable in your clothes, it doesn't matter if you're wearing trendy outfits. 

Trends

There was no decade without real trends. There was always some communication about what's cool and what's not. Since it's not really easy to find your own style, you usually follow the existing trends. 

In 2022 the biggest trend is the vintage clothing style. We go back in time with fashion - when? That's up to you. I like this trend a lot more than the trend in the 2010s. In the 2010s, the Victoria's Secret Model Body was praised, and every other body type was ignored. Accordingly, more one-size clothing, skinny jeans, and small tops came into vogue, leaving many people unsure of themselves. 

For men, the 80s and 90s are trending – cool vintage t-shirts, leather coats, college jackets, retro shoes, etc. For women, this time, the 70s are taking over with flared jeans, small colorful tops, and a lot of polyester. Here, second-hand is often confused with the 70s fashion trends because a vintage clothing shop only has very few goods from the 70s, and if they do, they definitely look different from those we see on social media. What we are shown is the fast fashion industry, producing and selling funky gaudy tops inspired by the 70s. 

The 70s is also known as the polyester era. At that time, it became known to obtain cheap but cool clothing. We still have that mentality today. However, this is exactly the opposite of the actual vintage fashion idea because second-hand only became popular again when we became aware that there were environmental problems and that we had to take care of our planet as much as possible. After that, the second-hand industry boomed, and then all the trends came along. 

1. Flared Pants

Flared Pants have become super popular, going hand in hand with the 70s trend. Unfortunately, most of this pants model is modern because, as I said before, it's pretty hard to find original 70s items in a vintage store. But if you want second-hand vintage jeans, the Levi's 565 would be ideal since they have a flared cut, which is quite subtle.  

I would recommend searching online but first, check your jeans size!

In addition to flared pants, leather pants are also super trendy. I put them under this heading because leather pants are the most liked in this model.

        

2. College Jackets

The varsity looks from the 90s have also become more and more popular today. The jacket is often worn over mini tops or t-shirts and gives your outfit a direct pop-out effect. A genuine college jacket is quite expensive, but it's worth investing in. You can tell the difference between modern and vintage right away. 

The college jackets originally came from the 50s, and designers are still inspired by them today. 

I understand why – the trend came back in the 90s and now again. I'm sure this one is quite serious and will last long.

3. Leather Coats

Yup, leather is everywhere - it is one of the most popular vintage items. This material can be seen continuously on the city streets, whether coats from the 90s or biker jackets from the 50s; the look definitely makes a statement. Although leather pants are not often found in vintage stores, jackets and coats are a different matter. 

When you compare the leather materials between modern and vintage, you realize what a huge difference it makes. So, for a vintage outfit, I would strongly recommend buying an original piece. 

4. Y2K

Everything around the 2000s here. Who would have thought that this decade would be trending again? Mini t-shirts, hair accessories, scarfs, and lace conquered the 2000s era. There are some outfits from back then that we should stay away from, but like in the 80s, there is still a cool vintage clothing style that you can gladly wear again nowadays, such as the modern vintage dresses or the low-waist jeans. 

Flashy colors are also nothing new after the 70s and 80s. Our eyes got used to it, and it also gives an outfit a certain character. One accessory that could never be missing was glitter – which describes the 2000s as dazzling, pink, and glittery, which also lets me only think of Paris Hilton or Christina Aguilera's iconic outfits.

Shopping for Vintage Clothing

Now, the question is where to find vintage clothing. 

If you want to follow the 70s trends, then thrifting in second-hand stores wouldn't be the right thing because you're more likely to be disappointed. If you are still looking for clothes from the 80s and 90s or even the 50s, this branch is for you. There are still differences between the respective second-hand shops. Some focus on quality – that would be the boutiques, while others focus on the quantity – that would rather be thrift stores. 

You'll also find real treasures in a thrift store if you're lucky, but you should be aware that it's time-consuming. So, only go there if you have time and enjoy the searching. 

If you're not sure whether an item is vintage or not, check out the label since it's suitable for identification. A vintage label often has a thicker fabric, and the production is usually made in Mexico or in the USA. If you're still not quite sure, there are also RN calculators online where you enter the RN numbers given on the tag. There it is then shown when the product has been produced. The result is only valid from 1998; everything else is approximate. 

It's easier to find vintage clothing if you have more of a 90s sporty style because 90s items are sold in more places. However, when viewed individually, the products are rare, making the whole process much more exciting.

If you don't have a vintage store nearby, there are numerous platforms and online shops that offer second-hand clothing. Again, you have to know what kind of online shop you want to visit that offers your favorite clothing genre.