The credit crunch has made even the most label-conscious students re-evaluate their choices when it comes to purchasing new clothes. Yet these should not be dull and depressing times for fashionistas, in fact it is having quite the opposite effect. The recession is forcing us to think carefully about the things we buy. Consequently more and more of us are going on Saturday morning vintage hunts and charity shop crawls to save the pennies. With a little time and patience, your entire approach to shopping changes and you find yourself looking through every rail to find timeless, one-off pieces or this season’s trends for half the highstreet price.
Vintage is a far more glamorous term than ‘second-hand’. And for me, scouring vintage warehouses has always been an exceptionally rewarding experience and far more preferable to being swept along by hoards of people in stuffy shopping centres. I’m not saying avoid the highstreet completely. Although I know I much prefer quiet Digbeth to the manic Bullring at the weekend. Of course still buy your basics from Topshop or American Apparel, but make the look your own by adding vintage accessories like fabulous costume jewellery or 1940s style kitten heels – I spied a YSL pair at the Custard Factory flea market recently for a mere ten pounds! I have to come to feel so smug walking round Urban Outfitters, knowing I bought my lumberjack shirt for £5 from Cow Vintage, when they buy their ‘vintage renewal’ clothes from these outlets, and sell them on at extortionate prices (lumberjack shirts are £28 each). Obviously there is a high price to pay for laziness. A good hour-long search through the vintage rails is much more satisfying than buying cheap, throwaway fashion on the high street. Vintage clothes are generally made of more durable fabrics and the items you find are unique and won’t be seen on anyone else. If you are both an ethically and economically conscious shopper then vintage is perfect for you.
The trends that count now are all too easily found in vintage shops. Bleached and distressed denims, trophy jackets in decorative, military styles, ethnic and animal prints and embellished tops with 80s shoulder pads, sequin detail and 24-carat glamour. Why buy catwalk replicas from highstreet stores when you can find designer garments for half the price if you shop vintage? One big S/S 09 trend that ties in perfectly with becoming a bonafide recessionista is the English eccentric look. Wardrobe staples such as high-waisted skirts, tweeds, 30s style tea dresses and lace cocktail dresses are all best bought second hand for authenticity. Accessorise with vintage pearls, cameo broaches and leather gloves, the best of which will undoubtedly be found on the highstreet. Mixing granny chic with Topshop extras will ensure you don’t look like you’ve raided your great aunt’s wardrobe. I for one am overly partial to ‘grandma’ jumpers. However, you don’t want to look like you’re going to a fancy dress party so combine your genteel vintage ladieswear with oversized accessories in bold colours and modern designs to keep your look upbeat.
Happy vintage shopping!
Laura Spence
No comments:
Post a Comment