Who wears vintage clothes?

There’s a vintage crowd in every decade. I was a lone wolf among my peers when I started wearing old beaded sweaters in junior high school in the mid-seventies. I had a decent collection of vintage hats at the time too. Though my wardrobe choices have changed over the years, I’ve never lost my appreciation for vintage swag.

Vintage style from the pages of Vogue magazine, circa 1940s. .

It’s interesting to consider what’s behind the decision to wear vintage clothing. What motivates you to search for an a-line skirt when pencils are all the rage? Or to rock a vintage bowling shirt with someone else’s name embroidered on the pocket?

Here are my thoughts about who embraces vintage style. Can you relate?
 
You’re an individualist. You don’t need to look like everyone else. In fact, you like assembling one-of-a-kind looks. You enjoy the fashion of another era, regardless of the current fashion trends.
 
You’re nostalgic. You long for the days when clothes were made with natural fabrics and had a classic formality—pleated, cuffed pants, collars with stays, lined dresses, longer hemlines and blouses with darts.  And even though you’re not a stickler for rules, you’re tickled by the notion that, once upon a time, no one would dream of leaving the house without a hat on their head.

Holy hats, batman, there's one for every head!

You like quality. Vintage fashion can stand the test of time because so many early clothing items were made using the highest quality materials. The Made in USA label is coveted for the quality it represents.
 
You believe in reincarnation. In your world, clothes are not just inanimate objects. They have a soul and represent a piece of our collective history. In your wardrobe, they get a new life until they are passed on to the next closet.
 
You have a sensible side. After all, why pay full price when gently pre-owned and aged to perfection will do? In today's world, unless you’re buying couture (and that's hardly sensible if you need to stick to a budget), it can be hard to find well-crafted clothing.

What inspires your vintage style? Please share, then check out the fashion sections in our Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay. The gender labels provide a general guide to what's inside. Visit Clothes for Her, Belts, Shoes & More for Her, Clothes for Him, Belts, Shoes & More for Him, Primo Handbags & Purses and our Denim Corner. You'll find more recent items mixed in with our vintage selection, just to keep things fresh and unexpected.

Yes, that's me, back in the day. Photo credit: Carolyn Reser.