Vintage has been the buzzword for some time now. It gets very worrying when people talk about vintage as if it’s a specific trend like minis, plaids or tights. Referencing from past styles is an industry practice, not an exception. With so many local retail shops now hawking vintage ware or vintage-inspired designs, it is no surprise when people start taking it literally. Do yourself a favour: Understand where each style came from. You’ll find being inspired by these different style concepts so much more gratifying than just buying a pretty retro dress.
Appoint a style icon: One of the best ways to appreciate old styles is to find yourself a style icon that you can connect with. There must be something you appreciated about the icon: Maybe’s it’s the hair, her personality, the similar body shape. Chances are, the styles that suit your icon/s will – with a bit of tweaking – suit you too. Plus, you don’t want to look like you literally stepped out of a 1945 issue of Vogue mag. So it helps to understand the essence of an era through their signature icons.
1 Comment
March 27, 2007 at 6:05 pm
yeah, i hate the way salespeople bastardize the word “retro”. anything plastic or something with art deco graphics is immediately described as that. I guess it’s just easier for them to label stuff without considering their origin and inspiration. time to open a fashion college (maybe kindergarten?!) for these ignoranttes…
Hey, how about style icons in Asia from the past 5 decades? sadly, besides teresa teng, no one else seems to come to mind…any thoughts?