Vintage is Inspiring

Vintage fashion has definitely made a luxurious come back from the previous styles and fashions from many years ago. There is nothing better than taking a look inside grandmothers’ closet and finding that original piece to wear. I know from experience, even though I never admitted where I found it, my grandmother had a gorgeous quilted material jacket that I absolutely loved to wear with my jeans during the cooler months of the year. It was red with printed designs and had golden thread running through it. That jacket gave me my own originality, plus the comfort of it belonging to my grandma.

Fashion has had its trends over and over again. Have you ever noticed how a lot of the trends repeat history and are back in style? Stepping out on the town knowing you are less likely to see your outfit on someone else is a comforting feeling. Originality is an empowerment that should be able to be captured and held for that passion of style.

Vintage is the colors, styles, designs and beauty of our history. It brings warmth and comfort to our lives, and reminds us of the memories of the past. We have so many wonderful designers that have the abilities and visions to share beautiful art with all of us.

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According to Wikipedia, vintage clothing is a generic term for new or second hand garments originating from a previous era.

Generally speaking, clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique clothing, and clothing from the 1920s to 1980s is considered vintage. 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 but faithful copy of an older garment.

Clothing produced more recently is usually called modern or contemporary fashion.

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About.com states the following definition: The term vintage is used to describe clothing between 20 and 100* years old which is clearly representative of the era in which it was produced. Vintage clothing can be used, new (from dead stock), manufactured, and handmade.

It is important to understand that the definition of vintage is fluid, so every decade brings forth new items as "vintage". It is also important to understand that all vintage will eventually become antique. *Clothing 100 years old or more is classified as antique.

Dead stock is defined as: Clothing which was never worn or sold to the public. Usually forgotten stockpiles from warehouses, dead stock is often still in its original packaging or have its original tags.

Also Known As: New Old Stock (NOS)

The following is an article I absolutely must share. It’s written by Ashley Kane, the former About.com Guide, and these words are a perfect description and reasoning to “Go Vintage” and be proud of it.

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Be Green, Save Green, Look Good

Vintage Clothing Makes Recycling Look Good

From Ashley Kane, former About.com Guide

Most vintage clothing lovers have a certain something in their personality that draws them to wearing it. There are lots of reasons why vintage is such a great choice, but the most fulfilling reason is that wearing vintage clothing is the most environmentally friendly way of dressing.

Wearing Vintage Clothing is Recycling!

Every time you buy or wear vintage clothing instead of newly manufactured clothing you are recycling. That clothing is getting a second chance and being saved from the landfill every time you wear it. With an average of 11.8 million tons of clothing per year getting thrown away, you can rest easy knowing you won’t be making a 68 pound contribution to that number like the average American does.

Vintage Clothing Uses Less Resources

For every new item of clothing that is made, there is a substantial carbon footprint left behind by its manufacturing. There's the fuel used to manufacture materials, fuel to transport materials to factories, fuel to power the factories machines, fuel to ship the finished product; it all adds up to a pretty large amount for something so small. The amount of energy needed to produce vintage clothing is zero. Plus, since most vintage retailers buy wholesale in bulk from rag houses, the cost to transport those items ends up being only a fraction of a cent

Vintage Clothing is Healthier

Vintage clothing is healthier for you and for the planet. The dyes, chemicals, and processes used to produce wrinkle resistant, colorfast, soft, unshrinkable clothing are not what anyone would call eco-friendly. Often the waste from manufacturing clothing like jeans is dumped into the water supply in whatever third world country their manufacturing facility is. Why would you want that chemical weight on your body or on your conscience?

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Excellent points to be aware of. Vintage is unique and environmentally friendly. Wearing or having items that are original and rare are definitely a special find. Enjoy your vintage!