Vintage Revival
And I wonder if you know what it means.
This classy and catchy phrase from the well-known song can be applied not only to your dreams and music-related discussions. In recent years, more and more people have moved into a new realm - conscious consumption, where they have become acquainted with the essence of pre-loved clothing and returned to their roots - grandma's attics. But what's more to it is whether this love for vintage is just the nature of circular movement in trends, phenomena, and, as can be spotted, fashion, or is it a real solution to environmental issues that have more profound and probably ethical roots?
Bianca Jagger via Glamour Magazine. PA Photos
We all have been there, you, the dusty old boxes, and the dampness of the highest floor you can find in the basement. Digging, searching, and exploring. The only thing I saw was a pair of cowboy boots, referred to as "Cossacky" in my native Ukrainian language. Gloomy and red, I adored them immediately, and it was the day I realized - my new hobby and hunting interest was rising.
Vintage 1970s Fashion Advertisement/Pinterest
The trend of pre-loved clothing and the concept of the vintage store have been around for a while. Moreover, it's been with us much longer than we used to think. The term "vintage" in relation to "vintage fashion" and "vintage clothing" was first used in 1997 by Matthew Adams, who founded Frock Me!, the first vintage fashion fair in the UK. But even long before the official term was created and the manufacturing boom forced the demand for clothing utilization, the call for practicality created the first vintage-related experience, which could be found in the phenomenon of clothing being repaired when worn or damaged, sometimes with layers of patching, and so reused by the owners. Today, the technique is considered an act of eco-fashion. Still, even one or two hundred years ago, this technique was used solely to prolong the vitality of clothing, which had no romanticized vintage fleur behind it.
Jackie Kennedy's Pink Suit/ ART RICKERBY/THE LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION/SHUTTERSTOCK
The beloved reader may indeed ask, and so what? Why vintage, and why right now? Well, the answer is way more prosaic than you may think, and it lies within the evil of the evil, the roots of the roots - the pop culture. It isn't a huge secret that pop culture is a moving force for the foremost of modern trends and tendencies. The vintage boom case isn't exceptional. The vintage became a vibrant highlight of contemporary fashion, and once considered as second-hand clothing, cheap and pre-used, it turned into a trendy symbol of the new fashion wave, being popularized by film, television, media, and celebrities who became a so-called ambassador of vintage clothing. Recently, we have seen and spotted vintage in almost all glance magazines, and it's a frequent guest in lifestyle and fashion blogs and articles.
In the past decade, vintage clothing has won even new regalia and emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly fashion decision gesture. Being coined as a slow fashion essence, it's now regarded by fashionistas as ethical clothing, bringing up the categories of fashionistas as ethical clothing bringing up the categories of fashionistas as ethical clothing bringing categories of The question remains, can vintage be considered a movement of eco-friendly fashion? Then the answer is that it depends. It isn't a secret that the fashion industry is considered one of the most polluting industries out there (the second most polluting industry in the world after the oil industry!). As a result, a trend of becoming more conscious and sustainable shoppers has emerged through the years.
Nevertheless, vintage clothing and second-hand options are not always that sustainable. For instance, we all praise second-hand clothing shops for their cheap alternative to the fast-fashion mass-market shops. However, vintage fashion tends to be more affordable, which, in the end, activates the process of purchasing new clothes and discarding them regularly, which, as one can guess, creates a new cycle of fast fashion. Thus, ideas which bring solutions, at first sight, can easily repeat the cycle and become another harmful source.
Taking everything into account, buying your pre-loved clothes from a fancy vintage store isn't always as conscious as one may think. However, searching for some hidden gems in one's attic can be considered an act of eco-friendly fashion. So what kinds of trendy things can we find in our grandma's attics'? Here is a short guide complete with alluring solutions you may discover while you are dusty hunting.
Olivia Newton John's All-Black Ensemble/ Paramount Pictures
Let's begin with the '60s, which can provide you with a bunch of treats such as Go-Go Boots, knee-high boots often in white or bright tones, and Mod Dresses frequently characterized by bold geometric patterns and bright colors. The 70s were full of Maxi Dresses - Long, flowy dresses, often with bold patterns or bohemian styles, and Platform Shoes with thick and solid heels. The 80s are here to bring Denim Jeans, usually decorated with embroidery or patches, and a couple of Graphic Tees - T-shirts with bold logos and colorful references.
What lessons can we learn? First, fashion is circular in all its essences, so never throw away that one denim jacket you have had since your 15th birthday. Even I have a story of my currently most adorable jeans I receive the most compliments from, which I used to wear around 5 years ago and returned to my active wardrobe only this spring. Second of all, even the most eco-friendly and sustainable solutions, once mediatized and promoted with uneven and exaggerated romanticism, can turn into a mass-market nightmare, so be cautious and attentive. The items found in one's attic are charming and can add an essence of bygone eras to your fashion decisions. So choose wisely and experiment with accessories, patterns, and styles, mixing modern motives with some vintage pieces. And always remember the treasures of one's forgotten boxes.
