Vintage Clothing, a Century of Bestsellers!

January 15 2004--I'd like to begin with stating that in the world of Vintage there are as many opinions and definitions as there are styles represented. I find this state of affairs most refreshing, simply because the more eclectic a genre, the less apt it is to be co-opted. It is highly unlikely we will be seeing any IPOs or even CEOS in the Vintage clothing business! Vintage businesses are usually run by folks who are passionate if not obsessed with their field. As long as we can make a modest living for ourselves we are a pretty grateful bunch. Happy to be able to focus on what we love, Vintage.

My personal definition of Vintage Fashion is simple. Vintage represents Fashions' "bestsellers" from any given era. I consider any wearable item from the past, which is well designed and clearly reflects the voque of it's time to be vintage. Not all older clothing is Vintage and not all Vintage must be old. It DOES need to evoke the essence of it's day, that is the nature of it's charm. I personally prefer Vintage clothing that is well made and of good quality but even some dime store clothing from the past is great fun.

Successfully wearing Vintage is another story. Once again this is a heavily debated subject. The conventional wisdom is that to be chic, Vintage pieces should be worn along with contemporary so as not to look "costumey". I agree. IF your goal is to look chic. Try pairing a 1950s tweed pencil skirt with a modern cashmere sweater and boots and you will be "in style with a twist" Carry a Funky 70's shoulder bag, add a 1960's Vera scarf, throw on your brand new pants suit and you will be the envy of the office. The key to Vintage Chic is, a little goes a long way.

But wait! What if chic is not your game. Maybe your artistic nature or the energy of youth calls for more creative, self expression. This is where I veer off the path of conventional Fashion wisdom. This is where I believe Vintage becomes a "painters pallet". In my shop I watch with delight as my creative (most often young) customers mix up the eras to achieve a fashion look, all their own. A rainbow unicorn T-shirt may be pulled over a frilly granny blouse, teamed up with a 50s circle skirt and worn with purple Dr. Martens. The key here? Follow your muse. Though not my personal style this uninhibited approach helps the world to be a more fun and colorful place!

The biggest no-no I hear folks warn against in Vintage is re-creating an era completely. I grant you this is not easy to pull off without looking like you just walked off stage. However rules were made to be broken and I have a handful of customers who dress faithful to an era quite nicely. Their secret is to stick to the classics and wear quality. They also tend to style their hair creatively giving the look some contemporary flavor

Finally there is the practical approach to dressing Vintage. I have resided in New England most of my life and have learned that the mantra here tends to be "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without". I have many customers who LOVE quality and beautiful things but either can't afford or prefer not to spend huge amounts of money on their wardrobe. They recognize that the fashion industry has changed. Cheap clothing that falls apart is abundant and high price does not always mean better quality. They come into my shop looking for the Harris tweeds, three-ply cashmeres, couture workmanship etc. Some are very conservative but many wear their vintage with great panache. They just want butter for the price of margarine...and why not?

Whether you love Vintage or are merely intrigued we are here for you. Visit us on the web at http//:www.tangerineboutique.com. Our website offers an abundance of beautiful vintage clothing and accessories along with lots of useful information. Or visit our shop in Gardner Ma. Come celebrate a Century of Bestsellers with Tangerine Boutique!




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