During a work trip with our mom in Las Vegas our sophomore year of high school, we randomly decided to spend a day venturing off the strip to a variety of vintage stores in the area. We scored so many items: Oscar de la Renta silk trousers, a couple of 50's and 60's dresses once worn by a showgirl, a wool pinafore dress, and a white Dior skirt suit. I think this was the first time we both realized the beauty and excitement of vintage shopping. Whether you like to shop at the local thrift store or a high-end vintage boutique, here are some reasons why we love it:
1. Eco-Friendly: Clothes may be pretty, but their production is pretty harmful on the environment. The fashion industry is the 2nd greatest polluting industry after oil, and the rapid production rates of fast fashion only make it worse. When you shop vintage, you're reusing clothes that have already been made, so even if you do a small amount of your shopping vintage, you are helping to cut back on the demand of new clothes which decreases harmful production.
2. Wallet-Friendly: As a college student and avid fashion follower, there are so many things I want but the funds are limited. Buying second hand is much cheaper than buying new and you can often find high quality scores for wayyy less!
3. Uniqueness: Since you aren't blinded by certain name-brand labels when shopping vintage (well sometimes not), you pay more attention to the look of an item instead of what brand it is. This is your chance to cop something that nobody else has because it is one of a kind! I don't think you'll see very many women rocking a printed blazer or 90's floral maxi dress!
4. For the ~fashion~ of course!: In my opinion, I think many of the items that you find in street styles at fashion week can be found in vintage or thrift stores! Think menswear blazers, high-waisted denim, floral sundresses, classic button-ups, khaki pants, early 2000's mules, minibags, slips.. the list can go on and on. Fashion always comes back so recycle these sorts of styles in a modern way. I wouldn't say my style is vintage but I wear something vintage most days of the week. Avoid looking dated by starting with only one vintage piece per outfit. Also look at street style snaps to see how fashion girls are pairing certain pieces. An all vintage look can easily look modern if worn in a certain combination that is incorporating on-trend items. (ex: vintage tees with high-waisted boyfriend jeans or an army jacket with a prairie print tank dress)
So consider dedicating a day to shopping vintage instead of at your usual spots. The thrifting option is a lot more time and labor intensive. It requires a certain eye to filter the bad items and spot a gem. You don't always find what you are looking for, but when you do, it makes the hunt worth it! If you don't have that patience, research vintage stores to visit and the selection will be a lot more filtered for quality and fashionable clothing, and you'll most likely score on designer vintage there than at a local thrift store. Happy style hunting!