Recycled Vintage Fashion Vs. Fast Fashion - Understanding the Difference

Recycled Vintage Clothing

Vintage clothes are classy and well-made, withstanding the test of time. Vintage clothing can make you look elegant with minimal effort!

There's no doubt why you would desire vintage clothing above all. But, have you ever wondered how these clothes with a rich, vivid history reach your doorstep? And how is the life cycle of vintage clothes different from mass-produced fashion items? This post will take you through some significant differences between recycled vintage clothing vs. fast fashion.

But before making the differentiation, it’s essential to understand each term in detail.

What is Fast Fashion?

In simple terms, fast fashion means trendy clothing from high-end fashion companies that are turned into everyday garments. In fast fashion, these styles are ripped from the fashion runways and turned into high-street store clothing for the masses.

Now, the question is, how did fast fashion come into being?

The evolution of fast fashion can be traced back to the 1800s. Before this time, the fashion industry was slow. People had to source their fabric and other materials and weave clothing on their own.

During the industrial revolution, things in the fashion industry picked up in pace with the introduction of sewing machines. Sewing machines made clothing manufacturing quicker and cheaper. Around the same time, dressmaking shops and boutiques emerged in numbers. Many of these clothing-making shops catered to the middle class.

By the 1990s and 2000s, low-cost fashion took off with the introduction of online shopping. Fast fashion retailers took over the cheap fashion industry, making high-end fashion readily available to all. Many fast fashion brands reproduce ramp looks and offer them at a low cost.

What is Vintage Fashion?

The term vintage connotes something that represents high quality. In fashion, vintage means garments produced between the 1920’s to 1990’s.

Vintage fashion consists of clothing and apparel that reflects the style and fashion trends of bygone eras.

Before the era of mass production, garments were made to last. The focus was to create high-quality garments with exceptional detailing. Vintage clothes were mostly handmade from quality materials sourced from far-off places.

Vintage clothes are more than a piece of fabric. They are pieces of wearable art that can make anyone stand out in the crowd.

Back in the days, people took to vintage fashion as a symbol of cultural expression and identity. It was even used to protest against mass-production during the second world war.

This is the reason why recycled vintage clothing is becoming a preferred choice of many fashionistas who have unconventional style and fashion choices. Additionally, the resurgence of the vintage clothing trend can be attributed to the increase in awareness of climate change and the need to adopt sustainable fashion through recycling clothing.

Recycled Vintage Clothing Vs. Fast Fashion

Compared to newly produced fast-fashion clothes, recycled vintage clothing is older in age.

Fast fashion emerged as an answer to the growing demand for trendy clothing at an affordable rate. The main focus of fast fashion is to mass-produce in-trend styles in large quantities. Clothing in fast fashion goes out of trend and demand within a season or a month, creating instant demand for newer clothing trends. Although the target audience of fast fashion brands is mainly young people, its audience base is expanding rapidly.

Recycled vintage clothes consist of garments that are medium to high quality. Since these clothes were manufactured 20 to 100 years back, they are unrelated to seasonal trends. In vintage clothing, the primary focus is on the detailing and quality of the garment. The target audience for recycled vintage clothing are those who prefer the quality and durability of the garments. Those who desire their clothes to stand the test of time go for vintage fashion.

How to Select Vintage Garments?

Vintage clothing companies are different from regular ones. Unlike big retail chains, these companies purchase quite distinct and unique items that can be in an unpredictable condition. Hence, it asks for a thorough check before being sold.

One definite way to ensure that your recycled vintage clothing is sustainable is by investing in garments that can withstand the test of time. There are plenty of 70’s fabrics still running the rail as compared to denim. Hence, be conscious and buy carefully.

Another point to notice while buying recycled clothing, especially vintage, is the workplace and the pay of the employees.

Watch out for such countries that have stringent laws for their workers because you cannot challenge a faulty piece. Hence, basic research will take you miles ahead before deciding on a vendor.

So, in short, recycled vintage clothing can surely make it to your wardrobe by keeping minimal resources.

Apart from this, it would be best if you watched out for what you are buying today. Instead of falling for cheaper quality, go for higher quality items or repairing your existing clothes.

If you want to invest in more sustainable fashion, LA Vintage is here to sort help. LA Vintage is a leading wholesale recycled vintage clothing company and supplier in Los Angeles. From classic retro styles to beautiful vintage shoes & accessories, LA Vintage has everything special for you. Discover a huge collection of vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories at our recycled clothing company and find your pick today!