IsabellaHayes

In a modern world of fast fashion and mass-produced, unremarkable clothing, there’s a form of self-expression that’s been continuously growing in popularity: vintage fashion.

Those who collect and swear by vintage clothing tend to find appeal in the pieces’ quality and character. 

It’s no secret that the quality of clothing has generally been decreasing over time, with manufacturers favoring cheap sweatshop labor and inexpensive materials like polyester. 

Clothing that is more than 20 years old tends to be made of sturdier fabrics with better craftsmanship; the fact that these pieces have survived this long can stand as a testament to their quality. 

When it comes to individuality, fans find that vintage pieces have unmatched character that’s increasingly difficult to find in modern fashion. This aspect appeals to senior Amelia Mlnarik, who enjoys using vintage fashion as a way to express her personal style. “I think [the appeal] is self-expression and also recycling clothes, because I think a lot of people buy things new, which [leads to] a lot of pollution to the environment,” Mlnarik said. Her personal favorite fashion era is the 1960s because of the decade’s “colorful eyeshadow[…], cute dresses and colorful tights.”

Clothing items in past decades were more frequently designed with thought and care, involving small details and varieties in fabrics and patterns. Aspects such as embroidery, unique tags, buttons in various shapes and colors and different silhouettes are commonplace on vintage clothing, in contrast to modern fashion where more minimalistic designs and “basics” prevail. 

Buying and wearing older clothing is also a sustainable alternative to today’s fast fashion industry. Purchasing secondhand clothes prevents them from going straight to a landfill and reduces overconsumption of unsustainably-produced modern products. 

Since clothing trends tend to come and go in cycles, styles that were popular decades ago can be just as trendy today, making vintage clothing a valuable investment. 

For instance, babydoll tops, which first gained popularity in the 1970s and then made a comeback in the 2000s, are currently trending again. Y2K-reminiscent low-rise jeans and baggy pants are also coming back in style. “I don’t know if people like midi skirts right now, but I hope midi skirts make a comeback,” Mlnarik said. 

Older clothes don’t just serve as a way to be fashionable, but also provide the opportunity to keep history alive. 

Wearing outfits from previous eras can help prevent the past from being forgotten, as each garment has a story behind it. If a piece of clothing used to belong to a relative, that makes it even more special. One of the items that first sparked Mlnarik’s love for vintage fashion was a pair of khakis that originally belonged to her mom in the 2000s. “She’s definitely one of the most important people in my life,” Mlnarik said.  

Locally, authentic vintage pieces can be found at curated shops such as Great Plains Vintage and Flying Worm Vintage in the Old Market. Though it takes more effort and foraging, thrift stores like Thrift World, Goodwill, Forever Yesterday and St. Vincent de Paul are also popular places to encounter vintage gems. Certain locations even have dedicated vintage sections to make the search simpler. 

However, since it is also important to keep thrift store prices low and preserve clothing options for those in need, consignment shops like Plato’s Closet are also a good choice for finding unique secondhand clothes.

Online stores including Depop, Poshmark and eBay provide larger selections and are perfect for finding more specific and hard-to-find pieces. 

 As time passes and fashion trends come and go, vintage fashion continues to be a unique and sustainable outlet for self-expression.