Women are empowering themselves through an unexpected source – clothes their mothers, or even grandmothers wore.
Swanky mid-century modern furniture, twinkling jewelry pieces and rows of little antique soldiers were hard to miss at The Sydney Fair over the weekend, but it was the vintage fashion that really caught my eye.
Rows of beautiful fur stoles, elegant evening dresses, colourful 50s party dresses, cute summer playsuits. I was in vintage heaven…
I started talking to Jaimi in front of her stall of eclectic clothes, beaded heels and enormous art prints of rock and fashion icons. She’s the owner and dealer behind The Sleeveless Society on Edgecliff Rd in Woollahra.
Jaimi’s young and fun, with a relaxed but confident vibe about her. She’s wearing vintage from head to toe. A leopard print jacket, patterned cardigan tied around her waist, and the image of Marilyn Monroe laughing effortlessly on her t-shirt.
“I love vintage because it’s unique, and every second person has come up and asked me about or commented on my jacket,” she says with a smile.
“I just think today what we wear is so generic, and everyone looks the same.”
Any piece from Jaimi’s collection is sure to make a gal stand out from the crowd, but according to her there are preconceived ideas about vintage that are holding buyers back.
“People have this preconception that vintage is smelly and old and grannyish,”she says with a laugh.
“I’m trying to make [vintage] a resurgence. At my shop I actually don’t have ‘vintage’ outside, so I like it when people do come off the street. They get to the end of the rack and they say, “Oh, is this pre-owned?”
As we stood amongst the ebb and flow of potential customers, Jaimi was nice enough to share with me her main vintage styling tip. “It’s about having that one piece that makes you an individual and sets you apart – that gets you noticed for being different.”
When it comes down to it, Jaimi thinks that the clothes you wear can dictate how you feel.
“Vintage can definitely empower women – I think fashion can. What you wear can be very empowering. If you look good, you feel good, and it’s quite important.”
As the fashionistas out there know, vintage fashion isn’t easy. It takes effort. Sourcing, fitting, altering, styling, garment maintenance… the list goes on. Not to mention that people were smaller back in the day, and the average Australian woman ain’t a 24” waist anymore.
So in a time where fast-fashion is fast and a quick trip to the local Westfield will tick off all your fashion needs, why are women turning to vintage?
“The structure of the clothes have this special, magical aura about them that makes people that wear them feel that they are worthy of wearing them,” says Lena Slater of Coutura Vintage in Bowral. “I think that empowers people.”
“It’s very easy to go to one of the department stores and buy what everybody else is, and there’s some degree of comfort in being part of the crowd,” she continued. “Certainly you stand out a lot when you wear vintage, but I also think that it also helps with your deportment and posture.”
Ingela from Fossil Vintage thinks that vintage fashion can really be a transformative experience for the wearer.
“People feel glamorous when they wear it, rather than being like everyone else who just buys something off the rack,” she says. “They’ve got to source it, and find it, and make it fit themselves. You can’t just wear it, and not do your hair and make up.”
“It’s the whole package if you’re going to do it. You feel more glamorous than just the normal, everyday woman.”
Beyond the walls of The Sydney Fair there are many more vintage fashion markets, stalls and shops cropping up all over Sydney, so why not take the plunge and try it for yourself.
Plus, when someone compliments you on your outfit, you will get the satisfaction of replying, “Thanks. It’s vintage.” *hair flip*
Looking at getting into vintage fashion? Here’s a list of tips I stitched together to get you started on your vintage journey:
- Make sure the garment is in good condition. Sure, it’s vintage, which means it is most likely pre-owned and could have minor wear and tear, but make sure there are no substantial rips or holes.
- Don’t go ‘head to toe’ vintage if it scares you. Grab one bold piece and accessorize it in a modern way, or look for those timeless vintage pieces that can add charm to any outfit.
- Double check measurements before making any purchases. If you’re shopping online, it’s not worth the disappointment of the piece not fitting when it arrives. (Also, don’t fall in love with something online that will never fit… exit out of that tab before you get too attached!)
- Don’t alter pieces yourself. Unless you’re super confident in your sewing abilities, it’s not a good idea to make your own alterations. To ensure your vintage piece fits in the most fabulous way, you can always alter the garment, but unless you’re a master seamstress, take it to a professional. The last thing you want is irreparable damage to a one-of-a-kind piece.
- Research the fashion of the past. Doing your own research will help achieve the overall style or look you’re going for, and you’ll soon even be able to spot the decade of a garment just by the zipper!
- Have fun. Let your personality shine through with bright colors, interesting cuts of fabric, or sleek retro designs – express yourself!
Do you have any vintage tips to share? Comment below!
Fab Sakker – 450610420
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