Vintage clothing makes a comeback

Along with the start of the school year comes new clothing trends. This year it is all about vintage, and the hallways burst with color, from long skirts to painted and patterned tops.

These days lacey collar tanks are tucked into high waisted shorts with elaborate braided belts. Necklaces flow down necks while fingers are covered in rings and wrists are weighed down with chunky bracelets. Thus the vintage era returns.

Junior Shiloh Baker is fearless when it comes to her fashion choices. Baker was recently spotted wearing denim overalls, a classic piece of vintage from the 90’s. She added her own twist to the outfit by adding a pair of dark green leggings underneath.

“I like old shirts and shoes,” Baker said, “and skirts with socks.”

Baker gets inspired by Portlanders and New Yorkers. According to Baker, she likes older things and she loves to stand out.

Baker does not have a specific outfit that she loves, but she does find that knits, high waist and belts are super cute for any outfit.

One thing that makes vintage clothing so popular is that it is more affordable than brand name clothing.

According to junior Gabrielle Alfonso, thrift stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army are good places to score cute vintage items.

“Clothing that comes back in style–and quickly becomes popular–tends to get pretty pricey,” Alfonso said.

Alfonso recently wore a bright pink, chunky, knitted beret type hat to school. This type of hat is perfect for the colder weather, and it goes right along with any outfit.

Another way to avoid the high-end, brand name pricing would be to make the clothing or to shop at thrift stores and then alter the clothes.

High waisted shorts would be one article to make. All one needs is a pair of high waisted jeans, and then he or she just takes the jeans and cuts them to a comfortable short length. High waisted shorts can range anywhere from $7-8 at thrift stores or $40-100 at retail shops.

Vintage outfits can also be varied for different temperatures. When it is warmer outside, people are seen wearing high waisted shorts, tanks with elaborate collars, patterned maxi dresses and cut-off vests. Once it starts cooling down, high waisted jeans, fitted blazers, cozy sweaters, chunky knitted hats and an assortment of brilliant scarves come spilling out of the closet.

Although most vintage clothing seems to be directed towards females, males can also enjoy some of the apparel the trend offers. A common vintage piece that males are spotted with are cardigans. These cardigans have elbow patches which gives them the vintage pizzaz.

There are many places to get inspiration for vintage looks. Fashion magazines tend to have a “Do It Yourself” section, and there are always ads and photographs to look at.

Freshman Nina Hanset takes her style to another level by embedding her own twist to her looks. She is often seen wearing thick, wool socks with boots over leggings as part of her essential fall look. Hanset embraces the vintage trend by wearing dresses that blend along with the autumn leaves.

“I get my inspiration from the mid sixties to seventies,” Hanset said.

Hanset claims to love this era of fashion for its originality. One of her favorite items from this era would be straight leg jeans. She claims to love the colors that the jeans were and the fact that they were straight leg and is glad to see the color jeans make a reappearance in the halls.

Alfonso, on the other hand, claims to get inspiration from people she looks up to, like her mom. She uses old photographs to pick up on fashion trends and recreate them for this time period.

Her favorite outfit would be a long, floral skirt with a beige top. She accessorizes the outfit by adding giant earrings and a snuggly scarf.

“I consider things vintage when they go in and out of style,” Alfonso said. “Not just a few years, but styles that skip an entire generation.”

It is pretty easy to spot when something is actually vintage and when something is just bought. Vintage items tend to have a bit of ageing to them which is what makes them so unique.

Retail shops will distress and alter their clothing to make it appear vintage by adding dyes, tearing and patterns. Shoppers can save some bucks by going for the real deal and thrift store or garage sale hunting.

As school goes on, more and more people shall be seen wearing vintage. Expect to see high waisted shorts with leggings and boots, dark fall colors, cozy cardigans with elbow patches, tons of jewelry and all other kinds of vintage roaming the halls.

High Waisted Shorts

• These shorts sit at the waist.
• They tend to be longer than average shorts, but can still be short.
• The pockets in these shorts are deeper and cuffs give it a cute finish.

Can be homemade. 

Pleated skirts

• These skirts are usually pleated all the way around.
• They can have patterns on them for fun or just a solid color.
• They tend to be at or past the knees.

Can be homemade.

Oxfords

• A type of shoe.
• Most are two toned or solid colors.
• They have a sewn together look to them and shoe laces.

Vintage Jewelry

• Can be pearl necklaces, earrings, rings or lockets.
• Should have an older look or style.