A Beginner's Guide to Shopping Retro: Intermingling Vintage Then with Modern Now

• Posted on 7 July 2021
• By Lisa Jeffery
• Posted in prelovedfashion, retrovibes, vintagefashion, vintageshopping
• 0

Carrie Bradshaw. Blair Waldorf. Alexis Rose. Without fail, these fashion goddesses (and their wardrobe departments) have proven how to effortlessly transcend time by integrating classic vintage garments and accessories with modern design. So how does one begin their journey adding vintage pieces to their current wardrobe? 


Start with Trimmings and Frills

If this is your first venture into the world of vintage, start by dipping a toe in and exploring accessories. Shoes, purses, jewelry, hats, and hair pieces are all charming ways of adding a dash of vintage without feeling overwhelmed. Try elevating your work wardrobe with a vintage scarf, or adding a 1960’s floppy-brimmed hat to your next vineyard date with the girls. This will give you the opportunity to play around and see which pieces work best with your wardrobe without feeling overly committed. 


Channel a Decade

Whether it’s a splash of 1930’s art deco sparkle or a full embrace of the 1980’s silk jumpsuit, we all gravitate towards something from the past. Once you know where you land, you will be better equipped to pick and choose the elements that best suit your personal style. If you love an over-the-knee boot or mini skirts, go-go dance your way over to the 1960’s mod scene for inspo ideas. If you’re fixin’ for some fur lined coats and Gunne Sax dresses, sift through the 1970’s groupie era (think Penny Lane in Almost Famous). When you know what decade speaks to you most, look at how you can integrate some of those standout pieces to what you currently have going on in your wardrobe.


Find Your Style Godmothers

This is more than just defining yourself as an Audrey or a Marilyn. Dig deeper into those vintage celebrity files, and figure out who stands out to you and what makes their look so attractive. Is Lauren Hutton’s menswear inspiration making you swoon? Are Naomi Campbell’s crop tops and gingham dresses from the 90’s giving you life? These women are iconic for a reason. Scroll through their fashion history, and add them to your style dream board so that you can refer back to those looks while shopping. 


Don’t Rush the Process, Trust the Process

When shopping for vintage finds, you need to allow yourself time to sift through each rack, table, or cupboard to find that hidden gem from a bygone era. Vintage stores offer an eclectic mix, but those unique items can sometimes make it difficult to organize. Give yourself the time you need to search, explore, try on, and explore some more. You might go into the store with a mission to find that perfect pair of vintage leather shorts, and come out with something equally coveted. When it comes to vintage shopping, it pays off to be patient. If this doesn’t sound like your speed, online shopping for vintage might be the way to go. 


Stay True to the Ones You Love

Once you’ve found the perfect vintage or consignment store, loyalty is key. One of the biggest perks of frequenting the same store is that your style becomes familiar to those who work there. They will start to get to know the type of items you gravitate towards, and in turn, you are thought of when new pieces come in. This means the potential for first dibs on all the rare finds, invitations to ‘first look’ parties, and the opportunity to share your vintage wishlist so that the owner is always on the lookout for you. When you are loyal to the vintage stores you love, they will have your back and ensure that it always looks good too.

Looking for great vintage in Toronto? Plan a day of shopping at:

@mamalovesyouvintage

@spacevintage

@thecatsmeowmeow

@imissyouvintage

@houseofvintagetoronto

@blackmarketvintage