The art of curating a vintage wardrobe from scratch

There’s something different about a man who dresses well in vintage, a certain je ne sais quoi.

A well-executed vintage outfit is not loud. It’s not try-hard. It’s considered, it exudes a sense of ease, it’s subtle yet noticeable, and it seems to slide gently into every scenario without being out of place. 

Every piece of a curated vintage outfit looks like it has a story to tell, because it usually does. In a world dominated by fast fashion stuck in a repeating cycle, the individuality offered by vintage items can stand out more than ever, but it’s not as simple as donning a t-shirt from a charity shop.

Building the perfect vintage wardrobe is tricky, and despite what many people think, it’s not simply about looking like you’ve just stepped out of a decade long since past. 

It’s actually about taking the best elements of the past and making them work in today’s world, within the parameters of your life, your style, and your day-to-day.      

This is how you can perfect the art of curating your very own vintage wardrobe. 

Start With the Foundations

The biggest mistake many make straight out of the gate is going in hard with a statement piece. Something that is so clearly of another era that it sticks out like a sore thumb. 

This is fine if you’re heading to a party or trying something new, but we’re trying to build a series of outfits that work for you in your everyday life.

A proper wardrobe of any type is built on foundational items that go well with lots of things. Think well-cut trousers, classic shirts, properly structured denim items, and outerwear with weight and shape.

Having items that fit these categories will allow you to combine many outfits and achieve different outcomes, instead of ‘pigeonholing’ your look with a whacky throwback that goes with nothing. 

It’s also super important that your foundation includes accessories like vintage jewellery that can elevate a look, giving your aesthetic depth without overcomplicating things. 

It’s also worth celebrating that vintage fashion is defined by its craftsmanship and detail. Coming from an era where things were made to last, not just fade in and out of trends. This means starting your wardrobe with foundational pieces, vintage accessories, and quality items, which will help you head towards a timeless wardrobe that looks good, no matter what.    

Mix Vintage With Modern

Going 100% vintage can be risky; done wrong, you’ll look like you’re heading to a themed party. These styles take years to build. 

Instead, starting with your foundation pieces and balancing them with modern styles is a superb way to capture a look, but not let it dominate what people see. 

If you’ve grabbed a vintage blazer that you are obsessed with, try pairing it with a clean white crew neck tee. This will enhance the jacket to no end, but ensure you’re passing it off with an easy, controlled vibe.

If you’ve got your hands on some proper flared trousers, you’re in luck. They’ve come back into fashion in a big way, but there is something special about a pair from the 60s or 70s, and we all know it, even if we can’t put it into words.  

Try combining your old-school trousers with contemporary trainers. Not only will you keep on top of trends, but you’ll be highlighting the trousers without the need for a bright colour or a wacky pattern. 

If you’ve got yourself a piece of retro knitwear (lucky you), then try pairing it with understated outerwear. A simple cap, some denim trousers, and a pair of flat-soled shoes. This clean and understated look will give you the benefit of appearing casual, whilst letting the knitwear speak for itself. 

With vintage clothing, it’s the contrast of items that keeps things wearable. There are some great things about vintage-wear, but let’s not forget that we have come up with a few good ideas over the last two decades, and a combination always wins.     

Quality Over Quantity

As we know, vintage clothing is not about inundating an outfit. Instead, it’s about having the right pieces that will work with your look. 

We have also already mentioned that clothing and vintage accessories are often from a time when things were made with better care, built to last, and designed to be repairable; a far cry from today’s industry. 

Quality over quantity is the idea that one quality jacket beats five average ones. One perfectly fitting and repairable pair of trousers will do more for your style than a wardrobe full of ‘almost right items’.

Older garments are often made by hand, with more attention to detail and using stronger materials; it’s no wonder vintage has experienced a resurgence in the last few years. 

Quality over quantity is about a mindset shift. 

You’re no longer just purchasing clothes that will ‘probably be okay’, you’re curating a wardrobe with intention that will do more for your personal fashion than you’ve ever previously experienced.  

Collect, Don’t Buy

Since we’re talking about mindset shifts, changing the way you approach clothes shopping is a key element of getting your hands on the perfect vintage wardrobe. 

Every piece that you add should do, at the bare minimum, three things for you: 

• Serve a purpose: buying random items without thought is the death of a curated wardrobe
• Work with at least three other items you already own: being able to wear an item with one other piece only means you’re hugely restricting your outfit choice
• Bring something different to your existing wardrobe: many of us end up with 5 black tops that achieve nothing new; be sure to collect things that will change an outfit

Implementing these criteria is how you can avoid clutter and build something cohesive, using a fresh outlook to select items. Changing the way you view your purchases will have a huge effect on the end result; your wardrobe will thank you later. 

Don’t Sleep on Accessories

This is where many people miss a trick. If clothing is the sponge cake, then accessories are the icing on top. 

You can easily curate the perfect outfit with gorgeous pieces, then throw it all away with an obviously fake vintage accessory like a belt or a watch. But don’t worry, we can easily avoid this pitfall.

What makes accessories so useful is how low-commitment they are; there is no need to ditch an entire look when you can introduce a few accessories that add depth and individuality. 

Even something as simple as upgrading an everyday essential can make all the difference. A belt, for example, is pretty functional and all too often boring. But a vintage belt, hand-made with real leather, featuring wear from a life once lived, can add so much gravitas to an outfit. 

Everyday items that are normally deemed as boring can be turned into super effective accessories, and when made vintage, can bring incredible depth.

As your wardrobe develops, you can start to add character by the bucket-load with subtle additions like vintage jewellery, leather wallets, wrist watches, sunglasses, and things like pocket-squares if you’re feeling fancy. The difference is small on paper, but noticeable in practice.

Inspiration, Not Instruction

One of the best, clear-cut ways to refine your vintage style is by observing how others do it, without copying.

A highlight of shopping for vintage items, be it jewellery, accessories, or clothing items, is the fact that it enables individuality. By choosing vintage, you’re shrugging off the same old industry standards and going your own way. 

Don’t just copy someone else’s style. Embrace the beauty of individuality and it will be magnified a thousand times by the pre-loved items you choose to wear. 

Vintage style is influencing everything at the moment, so let it make you different. Embrace the individuality of your new style.

Final Thoughts

So there we have it. Building a vintage wardrobe isn’t about chasing trends and buying random items. It’s about stepping aside from the mainstream, embracing your inner self, and selectively choosing clothes that encourage this. 

Shifting your mindset and adjusting your purchasing habits means you’ll have a more intentional and ultimately more rewarding approach. It won’t be a quick process, but in this crazy world, who needs things fast anyway? 

Take your time, focus on quality, mix old and new and don’t saturate yourself in something that doesn’t belong. Be intentional with your choices, accessorise in the right way, and don’t overthink the process.

The very best vintage styles don’t look like they’ve been curated; they just look right. Trust your instincts and don’t force it. You’ll be a local fashion icon in no time.