New Retro In Men's Fashion

Something Old Is New Again

Add Vintage Items That Compliment Your Modern Wardrobe

 

When you were choosing what to wear this morning, did you end up having a staring contest with your closet? If you blinked first then perhaps the time has come to etch out a new style.

In case you have not noticed, stores that sell retro clothing and accessories have steadily been making their way into the mainstream marketplace.

First, let's clear one thing up. These stores purportedly all sell retro clothing, but some actually sell new items styled to look like the era from whence they came. If you want true vintage pieces, they are all second hand and, in most cases, a whole lot more expensive.

Making a vintage piece the statement part of your outfit choice is easy when you choose a bright colour or design for your classic item paired with solid colours. For example, you may choose a shirt with an intense colour or a flashy design and pair it with a solid coloured blazer and pants. If you want to make a bold statement then choose a blazer that is dark. If you want a more subtle change, stick to a lighter, neutral colour.

Layering is another way to cleverly get others to notice your vintage piece as the focal point while still being understated. Opt for a shirt with a daring colour or design topped with a sweater, allowing the collar and cuffs to show.

Button down shirts that are long sleeved with a lapel pocket and those bearing an insignia like 'Moe's Bar' are very popular.

Bowling shirts where the stripes are a different shade than the base colour are on trend. A great find is a bowling shirt with a collar made of an alternate material, usually a knit.

Retro logos are very sought after, including those emblazed on t shirts, jackets, sports jerseys and hats.

If jeans are a part of your preferred attire, dirty denim, also known as 'distressed' or 'washed out' have made a comeback. They look very stylish coupled with a t shirt depicting a retro logo.

Extremely wide or very thin ties with a pattern from the 50's, 60's or 70's, waist coats, and 80's era sneakers like Nikes with the original 'swoosh' and low or high top Converse All Stars have all made a resurgence.

Accessories like clunky fashion jewellery, oversized sunglasses and 80's style aviators are some alternative choices if vintage clothing is not your thing

You may also want to seek out ultra rare items from labels such as Givenchy, Prada, Visvim or Raf Simons and you will never go wrong with original Hawaiian shirts.

If you are looking for a bigger bargain, items with minor stains, small tears and scuffs can often be fixed by a good drycleaner, seamstress or cobbler. When you are browsing for those classic pieces, make sure your selections will work with clothing you already have. An item on sale is no bargain if it never leaves your closet.

You can etch out your own personal style with retro designs but you do not want to go around looking like a walking advertisement from a men's magazine straight out of an era gone by. Try adding just one or two pieces per ensemble.

Adding veteran articles to your wardrobe should be fun. If you are stressed, bring a friend along to the retro stores and leave your issues on the sidewalk.

Pauline Milner