If you’ve read any of our recent reports on the growth of vintage fashion, you’ll know that old school has never looked cooler. Whether it’s a sign of people craving escapism and nostalgia during lockdown, or simply a by-product of SS21‘s celebration of all things retro, it’s a trend that shows no sign of slowing down. Unsurprisingly, this shopping shift has inspired a slew of vintage-inspired brands to enter the market, all embracing a thoroughly retro aesthetic—there are no half-measures here. We’re talking wonderfully ruffled prairie dresses, swirling psychedelic ’70s prints and XXL collars that wouldn’t look amiss on a royal family member c.1985.
These brands have drawn from every decade you could imagine, however the ’70s and ’80s are a definite favourite this season. I recently discovered The Hippie Shake, which is a dream brand for any ’70s fashion-lover, with their statement prints and retro tailoring. There is also plenty for any Princess Di fashion enthusiast to sink their teeth into, including pie crust collar blouses from Batsheva and ditzy florals from O Pioneers. Many of these vintage-inspired brands are also leading the way in more sustainable production methods—think dead-stock fabrics, short collection runs, made-to-measure and eco-friendly fabrics—which has, in turn, bolstered secondhand’s sustainable cause. And of course, the other uniting factor is simply the personality they bring to a sometimes homogenous market—I can’t help but smile when I spot one of La Veste’s paint box bright blouses on my Insta feed. So if you want to inject a little nostalgic appeal into your wardrobe this season, scroll down to see the brands I’m rating, plus shop the original vintage styles that inspired them.
