Aged to perfection
Some things in life improve with age; a classic car, a fine wine, a particularly stinky cheese - and I would add, fashion. Fashion is ever a cyclical creature, and once a look is past the initial phase of being so unfashionable you wouldn't even be seen at your local church hall in it, a strange transformation occurs. The look becomes so dated it's cool again; it becomes kitsch, it becomes retro. As a case in hand, would any of us have believed in the mid-nineties that pretty soon leg warmers would return as a viable fashion accessory? Frankly it makes me worry that some crazy-minded designer might bring the shell suit back to haunt us. Designers are obviously fans of vintage. It could be an admiring homage to the eras that just got it right, (if it isn't broken, don't fix it), then again it could just be a lack of modern inspiration and originality. The debate is open as to whether fashion has anywhere else to go but backwards.
If vintage and retro fashion does appeal to you, don't panic, it does not necessarily entail dressing like your grandparents. You only have to look at the unrelentingly stylish Kate Moss and every girl's favourite lady, SJP's alter ego Carrie Bradshaw, as prime examples of the vintage look done to perfection. We've all admired the fashion fearlessness on Sex and the City, but for those of us who can't quite afford to mix vintage with scarily priced designer gear, I suggest mixing it with the high street. Big (fake) fur coats are all the rage and easily found on the cheap second hand and look great with pretty much anything, a vintage shirt in the style of Kate Moss is simple but effective mixed with micro minis and boots, or the more flamboyant SJP style fifties dress is a sure fire way to stand out in a crowd.
Here in Oxford, in the town of all things past, you might expect a veritable feast of vintage shops, but to tell the truth they are fairly thin on the ground. Having said that there are some to be found in various nooks and crannies. Especially good for the gents is Uncle Sam's (Little Clarendon Street). Ship Street offers the miniature treasure trove that is Unicorn, a place where gems are most certainly hidden if you are only brave enough to go in quest of them in its chaotic mess. If you're feeling slightly crazy head for Bead Games (40 Cowley Rd). This shop is nothing short of a giant dressing up box. Fancy dress for hire (wigs, wands and all!) as well as vintage clothes, bags, hats, gloves and even the odd My Little Pony are all to be found in here. If venturing to London however, the choice becomes far more impressive. A healthy cluster of retro stores reside around the Covent Garden area. To name just a few: Blackout II (51 Endell St), Yellow Submarine (38 Earlham St), and Pop Boutique (6 Monmouth St). Of course the mafia boss of all these small time outlets is the mighty Portobello Market where the beautiful people of the fashion and celebrity world go to try and grab a hint of individuality.
So why am I proposing that we all dress up in someone else's rejects, possibly worn by a myriad of strangers with hygiene problems? Well, to allay all fears vintage clothes are professionally cleaned before sale and although your outfit could well have more life experience than you, it doesn't have to look like an old dishcloth. The main beauty of vintage pieces is that they are timeless, and once firmly in the past they never go out of fashion. From 40s tweed, to 50s full skirts to 60s shape and colour, vintage is often the cheapest and most stylish way to do it. You simply can't beat the classics.
Take a look through the Autumn/Winter catwalk shows and it's like a picture history of twentieth century fashion. Fortunately for those of us whose spending habits can't quite match those of Ms Lopez, the high street is awash with designer copies. For pure 20s glamour and decadence, Blumarine and Rafael Lopez sent their girls stepping out in elegant flapper dresses and ballroom dancing shoes dripping in sequins. We may not want to admit it, but Dorothy Perkins has some very stylish 20s dresses, and Freemans have done a copy of Gina's satin dancing shoes for only £25. Think Mya in the "Whoa" video (cane and tap shoes optional).
Embrace the ladylike chic of the 40s in Prada tweed pencil skirts and John Galliano corsets, teamed with this seasons most coveted accessories, the Louis Vuitton monogram-tweed bag and a pair of leather gloves. Morgan have cornered the high street market in 40s style, with Warehouse coming a very close second. Check out their pencil skirts and pretty pretty strapless dresses.
The girls at Marc Jacobs swung down the catwalk in his 60s inspired cartoon colour shift dresses and must-have blue opaque tights, but if you're a 60s Biba-babe on a budget, go to Zara. 'Nuff said.
D&G's show was a veritable 80s carnival of chic punk, mini-kilts, patterned leggings and big hair and Donatella styled all her models in her own 80s diva look at Versace. Try Topshop and H&M for high street versions. The 80s look is about fun above all else, so choose the craziest combos you can find!
13th Nov 2003