Vintage clothing is a generic term for garments originating from a previous era.

The
phrase is also used in connection with a retail outlet, e.g. "vintage clothing store." Today
vintage dressing encompasses choosing accessories, mixing vintage garments with new, as
well as creating an ensemble of various styles and periods.[1] Vintage clothes typically sell
at low prices for high end named brands. It has been part of the world since World War I as
an idea of reusing clothing because of the textile shortage.[2]
Vintage clothing can be found in cities at local boutiques or local charities, or also on the
internet (e.g. eBay and Etsy). Goodwill and Salvation Army are the top two charites to
donate or shop for vintage clothing. Vintage clothing is used as a muse for new designs and
is known to be retro clothing.

1950s bridal vintage slip.

DefinitionEdit
Generally speaking, clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique
clothing and clothing from the 1920s to 20 years before the present day is considered
vintage.[3] Retro, short for retrospective, or "vintage style," usually refers to clothing that
imitates the style of a previous era. Reproduction, or repro, clothing is a newly made copy
of an older garment. Clothing produced more recently is usually
called modern or contemporaryfashion. Opinions vary for these definitions.
Vintage clothing is a form of ease in a fast moving world. Re-wearing clothes from a
personal wardrobe and wearing newly acquired vintage and retro clothing, can be
understood as a desire to recreate familiarity, or felicity, in a world that is rapidly changing
and increasingly impersonal.[1]
Most vintage clothing has been previously worn, but a small percentage of pieces have not.
These are often old warehouse stock, and more valuable than those that have been worn,
especially if they have their original tags. Referred to as deadstock or new old stock (NOS),
they nevertheless sometimes have flaws. Vintage clothing may be either commercially
produced or handmade by individuals.

SizingEdit
In the United States, due to changes in clothing sizes, vintage sizes are often smaller than
the corresponding contemporary size. For example, a garment from the 1970s labeled as
Medium (M) might be similar in size to a 2010s Extra Small (XS). As obesity was relatively
uncommon prior to the 1980s, larger sizes are typically rare. Vintage sewing patterns offer
an option for those who want a historically accurate garment but cannot find one in their
size.
Retail marketEdit
Popular places to buy vintage clothing include, charity-run second hand clothing shops,
consignment shops, garage sales, car boot sales, flea markets, antique markets, estate
sales, auctions, vintage clothing shops and vintage fashion, textile or collectables fairs. One
of the first regular fairs that was set up specifically to cater for the current demand for
vintage clothing is Frock Me!. This event takes place regularly throughout the year
in Chelsea, London as well as in Brighton. Vintage clothing is sometimes also obtained from
older friends and relatives.
Typically in the United States, vintage clothing shops can be found clustered in college
towns and artsy neighborhoods of cities. Sizing is a major factor – in most locations in the
United States, the majority of the population would be unable to find vintage clothing that
fits. In contrast to thrift stores that sell both vintage and contemporary used clothing,
vintage clothing shops are usually for-profit enterprises, with the market mixed between
small chains and independent stores. These stores typically range from 200 to 5,000 square
feet in size, and will usually have a fitting room. In addition to selling clothing and
accessories, many vintage clothing stores also buy clothing from the public in exchange for
cash or store credit.
The advent of the internet has been a boon to the vintage clothing industry. It has increased
the availability of specific and hard-to-get items and opened up prospective markets for
sellers around the world. Popular places to acquire garments include online auctions
(e.g. eBay), multi-vendor sites (e.g. Etsy), online vintage clothing shops and specialist
forums. Many vintage clothing shops with physical locations now also sell their goods
online.
Vintage clothing offers past and present clothing at low prices. The reduced name brand
clothes accomplish uniqueness and originality. Vintage shopping can be viewed as a
continuation of discount culture, while simultaneously achieving an individual identity and
exclusivity that the brand names have lost.[1]
HistoryEdit
Since the beginning of World War I the idea of vintage clothing or reusing clothing was a
way of living. During World War I, most clothing was repaired, mended, or tailored for
other family members or recycled within the home as rags or quilts.[2] The government
conservation campaign used slogans such as “Make economy fashionable lest it become
obligatory” resulted in an approximate 10% reduction in the production of trash.[2]
In the late 20th century there was as increased demand for high end name brands. During
the 1980s, vintage clothing in North America increased because of the demand for
reduce high-end name brands.[1] Now fashion is non selective as it used to be, as vintage
clothing has moved to subculture to mass culture it is often not limited.[1]
Fashion is fast and at our finger tips. The very definition of fashion fuels the momentum for
change, which creates demand for ongoing replacement of products with something that is
new and fresh.[4]
This increase in interest is due in part to increased visibility, as vintage clothing was
increasingly worn by top models and celebrities, e.g. Julia Roberts, Renée Zellweger, Chloë
Sevigny, Tatiana Sorokko, Kate Moss, and Dita Von Teese.[5][6]Popularity of period
pieces set in the mid 20th century in television and film have also contributed to vintage's
popularity. There is even an international magazine called * Vintage Life – specifically a
Women's Fashion and Lifestyle Magazine.
There has also been an increasing interest in environmental sustainability in terms of
reusing, recycling and repairing rather than throwing things away. Sometimes vintage
items are upcycled via changing the hemline or other features for a more contemporary
look. Vintage items in poor condition are also salvaged for reuse as part of a new garment.
The textile recycling industry is the environmental part of the fashion industry. Throughout
the world, used apparel products are salvaged as reclaimed textiles and put to new
uses.[4] The textile recycling industry is able to process over ninety percent of the waste
without the production of any new hazardous waste or harmful by product.[4]
A resurgence of historically based sub-cultural groups like rockabilly and swing
dancing has also played a part in the increased interest in vintage clothes. In Finland the
vintage scene has even spawned an officially recognized association or non-profit
organization called Fintage out of common interest in the preservation of material
culture and the environment.