Facts About Vintage Clothing & Why Gen Z & Millennials Love Them
Nowadays, you'll see a lot of old-fashioned trends that are coming back to life. Each decade has its signature look – the 90s had cropped tops and chokers while the 80s had its loud, neon outfits. Even the 70s fringe design and the 60s mini skirts have made a comeback – all of them have something to offer when incorporated into modern fashion. For example, vintage streetwear is a fashion trend that combines 90’s designs, colors and aesthetics with contemporary pieces.
But the idea of wearing vintage clothes is not new. It dates back to the early 1900s when children would wear their parents' pre-loved clothes as a way of showing their love. This trend continued into the 1960s when the hippie culture came about. Hippies wore pre-loved clothing to rebel against society's conventions and norms.
Vintage Clothes Are In
The vintage clothing industry is booming, thanks to Millennials and Gen Z, who have developed an affinity for clothing that evokes nostalgia. In a time when fashion has become more accessible than ever, vintage clothing gives people the chance to represent the soul and history of a certain period. Vintage style reignites memories and stories of a particular time, and that is what makes it special.
In addition, the younger generation is generally more open to playing with fashion. Style-wise, vintage clothing has more options and is flexible enough for experimentation. Plus, there's the allure of the hunt for something unique. Gen Z and Millennials tend to have this desire to be fashionably distinctive. As a result, they become attracted to fashion pieces that everyone else isn't wearing, primarily found in vintage thrift shops.
Lastly, more and more people are becoming conscious of environmental sustainability. According to a recent study, the fashion industry accounts for 8 to 10 percent of the world's carbon emissions and nearly 20 percent of wastewater. Some buy second-hand clothes to protest against fast fashion, while some don't want to contribute to the growing waste the fashion industry generates yearly.
Facts About Vintage Clothing That You Probably Didn't Know
People like vintage clothing for different reasons. For some, it reminds them of a particular time in the past, while others like the flexibility of vintage pieces and how they can look good with any modern outfit. One thing is for sure – vintage never goes out in style.
Here are some interesting facts about vintage clothing and why it’s stood the test of time.
Vintage vs. Retro
Vintage and retro are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they aren't the same. Vintage is a term that is used to describe items that were made in the past and have been passed down through generations. These items must be at least 20 years old.
On the other hand, retro describes items designed to look like something of the past but made recently. These items can be created to resemble an item from any era but were made within the last ten years.
Good for the Environment
As mentioned above, wearing vintage clothing is great for the environment because it saves energy by reducing the need for new clothes to be manufactured and transported. It also reduces waste in landfills because people don't have to buy new clothes as often.
Vintage clothing has been around for many decades of evolving fashion trends. This means that most pieces are designed to last much longer than most modern clothing.
Different Sizes
One of the lesser known facts about vintage clothing is the clothing sizes we know today were not the same back in the day. The sizing charts for both men and women have changed significantly over time. So, if you're planning to buy vintage runway dresses anytime soon, it's a good idea to go up at least four sizes, as vintage sizes tend to be four sizes smaller than modern clothes. The clothes only get smaller the older they are, so you may have to go up another size if you purchase clothing from the 1920s or 30s.
One-of-a-Kind Fashion Pieces at LA Fashion
La Vintage Wholesale is a family-owned company and sustainability is our primary goal. Established in 1994, we have grown to be one of the largest suppliers of vintage runway dresses, bags, shoes and accessories in California. We sort through millions of pounds of clothing annually to provide high-quality and unique vintage streetwear pieces for stylists, retail stores, and wholesalers. Want to connect with us? Visit our rag house and check out our cool collection of vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories for the Gen Z peeps!
