8 Staple Vintage Pieces for starting a vintage wardrobe
I want to start this off with the fact that I am no vintage expert. However, I am OBSESSED with the style and have been attempting for quite some time now, to modify my wardrobe to suit these tastes.
The vintage aesthetic covers a wide range of eras. The most commonly referred to are the 20’s through the 90’s. Personally, I enjoy the fashion from the 40’s and 50’s the best. I like the dark academic vibes I get from pieces of the time and really want to cultivate the style into my everyday life.
Notable characteristics of 40’s and 50’s fashion include muted and neutral colors (like brown, black, white, and grey), skirts and dresses (for women), tweed, corduroy, silk, and soft textures, heels, and elegance.
Below are eight essentials to start a vintage closet. I own many of these items myself (only missing the skirt) and have found that they can completely transform your outfit!
So, without further ado, let me dive into the top 8 staples of a vintage wardrobe!
- Black turtleneck
This is a classic! Turtlenecks are one of the best ways to make an outfit reflect the 40’s and 50’s. Why? I’m not quite sure. I’m no vintage expert, but for some reason, turtlenecks really make a difference. They look so elegant and academic (think Dead Poets Society) and almost every vintage youtube I’ve seen recommends these.
The color black is great for a vintage pallet because it’s neutral and not too “out there.” The 40’s and 50’s are notorious for their basic color pallet and black fits in perfectly. Black is such a classic shade and can work with almost anything! Black on black even looks super good and classic!
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2. White button down
This was one of the first pieces I introduced to my wardrobe. White button downs are very common and easy to find so it’s wonderful that they can be used as a staple piece! White button downs are classic, clean, elegant, and powerful depending on how they’re styled. They come in so many shapes and styles, short sleeves, long sleeves, more feminine, more masculine. They’re amazing.
They are one of the easiest items to style in a vintage wardrobe or any wardrobe for that matter. You can style them with jeans, skirts, trousers, overcoats, and almost any color. I personally love button downs of a number of colors, however, white is by far the most common and easiest to style.
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3. Blazer
Blazers are a MUST for a good vintage look. They look professional and powerful which is highly motivating and promotes confidence. Tweed blazers are a plus, but Ideally any blazer works. I’ve found that slightly oversized blazers work best for the vintage aesthetic, though again, it’s up to the wearer.
I personally prefer blazers that are oversized, brown, neutral plaid, or the likes. I can style them with dresses, skirts, or (my favorite) any kind of sleek pants.
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4. Trousers
I am NOT a skirt and dress kind of gal, which makes dressing for the vintage aesthetic very difficult. You almost have to be a dress enthusiast to be a vintage loving woman or so it seems. I prefer trousers (though I’m not sure why) and they work wonders on days when I’m feeling more masculine and business-like. But I’m here to say that trousers, despite being a woman, are a super investment for a vintage closet!
This day in age, we can incorporate any fashion item into our lives no matter the “intended gender” it was marketed to in the past. Trousers are timeless. They are comfortable. They are classy. I love trousers of all kinds of colors and styles. Now, I know trousers is just an ordinary word for “pants” in some countries, however in America, the word represents a certain 40’s style of pants. This can be discovered when googling trousers on pinterest, for example.
Trousers are not jeans and often not tightly made to fit to your body. They are looser and appear more like fancy business pants. But they are a wonderful staple item for any vintage wardrobe.
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5. Long overcoat
It’s odd to note that most vintage clothing is marketed for fall and winter wear with dresses being the only “spring/summer” attire in most cases. (Not to say that other options don’t exist but they’re harder to come by). An overcoat is an essential for a vintage closet. Though not entirely functional in the heat of summer, they are a rich and warm appealing attire for the colder months. When getting a long overcoat, make sure to find one in a neutral color so it can be paired with almost any other item you own!
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6. Circle/flare skirt
Circle or “flare” skirts as they’re sometimes called actually go by a plethora of names. However, I prefer to call them circle skirts as, when they were cut/made, the fabric was laid out as a circle.
High-waisted skirts tied with a belt at the top look very appealing. A neutral color is always acceptable, however, you can go a little crazy and pick a fun color for spring or summer! These skirts are so versatile and can be worn during any season! Adding some tights or stockings underneath during winter is super helpful!
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7. Vintage shoes
I know, I know, this is super vague. But I didn’t want to label one pair of shoes forcing you to go out and buy them. I prefer oxfords (flats and heels). I find them in off brands or at vintage surplus stores or goodwills/thrift stores. They are classic and beautiful and I love getting them in shades of brown or black.
However! These are not the only types of vintage shoes! T-strap heels, Richeliues, small pumps, flats, and shoes with a short heel are always good options as well!
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8. Simple jewelry
Of course, no vintage set would be complete without a little bit of jewelry. When looking to inspire a timeless and vintagey look, opt for smaller, simpler pieces. Get a classic watch with no flashy band or decorum. A small, simple necklace with a thin chain. A small barrette for your hair. A pair of small stud earrings. Or a small band ring for your finger. This is not to say that all jewelry in a vintage wardrobe has to be small and simple. You can have larger and more elaborate pieces. This is only a recommendation for staple pieces when starting out.
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That’s all I have! I’m hoping to make more posts about wardrobe very soon. Let me know what you think in the comments. Should I write a post about my favorite vintage pieces? My favorite vintage stores (online and physical)? Should I write a closet clean out post? Or a what's in my closet post? Let me know!
If you like this post, check out some similar posts of mine below:
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Also, check out my poetry book, The Lights are on but Nobody’s Home, available now on amazon for $6.99!
Disclaimer: All of the views and opinions in this post are solely my own and are not sponsored. This post includes affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission through links at no cost to you.
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