VINTAGE

Iconic vintage clothing: Curated collection

At UNMARKET we have an exclusive curated collection of vintage clothing, an expression for timeless fashion and passion for vintage clothing. Our vintage shop offers a handpicked selection of high-quality vintage apparel, perfect for adding a unique pieces to your wardrobe. Whether you're searching for a vintage t-shirt, vintage hoodie or vintage sweaters or classic pieces from renowned brands like vintage Nike, Adidas, Carhartt and more, our vintage store has it all.

Explore our range of vintage clothing, carefully selected to ensure authenticity and style. Each piece in our collection tells a story, from vintage USA-themed garments to rare finds like 1990’s vintage Nike apparel. Embrace the nostalgia and elevate your fashion game with our curated selection. We source vintage from all over the world, to get the absolut best selection for you.

Our vintage shop is dedicated to sustainability and quality, providing you with unique clothing that stands the test of time. Check our collection and discover why vintage fashion is more than just a trend—it's a lifestyle. Shop now and find your next favorite vintage t-shirt, hoodie, or iconic Nike vintage piece at our vintage store.

When you shop with us, you're not just acquiring a piece of clothing – you're investing in a piece of history, a tangible connection to a bygone era, and a testament to the enduring allure of timeless fashion. Join us on this journey through the ages and discover the magic of our curated vintage collection.

Understanding its charm and appeal

In recent years, vintage clothing has become a staple in the fashion industry, capturing the hearts of fashion enthusiasts and sustainability advocates alike. But what exactly is vintage clothing, and why is it so appealing? This blog dives into the essence of vintage clothing, its benefits, the stories behind these timeless pieces, and offers tips on how to buy and style vintage apparel.

Why is vintage so popular?

Vintage clothing is prized for its unique style, quality craftsmanship, and historical significance. It allows wearers to express their individuality and connect with fashion trends of the past. Vintage clothing can include items from the 1920s to the early 2000’s, with certain decades and styles becoming particularly popular at different times.

Collecting and wearing vintage clothing has become a popular hobby and fashion trend, as it offers an alternative to mass-produced modern clothing. Vintage clothing offers a sense of nostalgia and authenticity that simply cannot be replicated by modern fast fashion. Each piece has a story to tell, from the details and construction techniques to the historical context in which it was originally worn. By embracing vintage fashion, individuals can truly stand out from the crowd and curate a wardrobe that reflects their personal style and appreciation for the past. The quality of vintage garments is often superior to contemporary clothing, as they were crafted with care and attention to detail. The fabrics, stitching, and overall construction were designed to last, ensuring that these pieces can be cherished and worn for generations to come.

In a world dominated by disposable fashion also known as fast fashion, vintage clothing represents a sustainable and environmentally conscious choice. Beyond its aesthetic and practical appeal, vintage fashion also serves as a form of cultural preservation. By collecting and wearing these garments, individuals are actively safeguarding the heritage of previous eras, ensuring that the artistry and creativity of past designers and makers are not forgotten. It is a way to honor the rich tapestry of fashion history and keep these stories alive for future generations. In essence, vintage clothing offers a unique and compelling alternative to the world of modern fashion. It allows individuals to express their individuality, appreciate the craftsmanship of bygone eras, and embrace a more sustainable and culturally significant approach to style.

What makes clothing vintage?

Definition and age range

Vintage clothing refers to garments that are at least 20 years old but not more than 100 years old. Clothing older than 100 years is typically classified as antique, while items that are inspired by past eras but newly made are considered retro. For instance, a T-Shirt from the 1980s qualifies as vintage, but a T-Shirt made today in an 80s style is retro.

What determines if clothing is vintage?

Vintage clothing refers to garments and accessories that were originally produced and worn in a previous era, typically at least 20 years ago. The industry standard is 20 years meaning that for clothing piece to be called vintage, it has to be at least 20 years old. From today it will include clothing and accessories produced in 2004 or before. The most popular era in current vintage is the 80’s, 90’s and yearly 2000’s also known as y2k. If we go even further back and find a garment that is older than 100 years - it is considered antique and not vintage.

Characteristics of vintage clothing

Vintage clothing is often characterized by its unique features, high-quality materials, exceptional craftsmanship and one of a kind prints. Unlike modern fast fashion, vintage pieces were made to last, often using durable fabrics and meticulous construction techniques. This attention to detail and quality is what makes vintage clothing stand out and beloved by so many people.

Differences between vintage, antique, and retro

Understanding the distinctions between vintage, antique, and retro is crucial for anyone interested in these styles. Antique clothing, over 100 years old, typically requires specialized care due to its age and fragility. Retro clothing, on the other hand, is newly made but designed to mimic the styles of previous decades. Vintage clothing occupies the middle ground, offering authentic pieces from the past without the fragility of antiques.

Easy overview of the differences: 

• Vintage Clothing: Clothes that are 20-100 years old. They are old but not as fragile as antiques.

• Antique Clothing: Clothes older than 100 years. They are very old and often need special care.

• Retro Clothing: New clothes made to look like they are from the past.

Benefits of wearing vintage clothing

Sustainability and environmental impact

One of the most significant benefits of wearing vintage clothing is its positive impact on the environment. By choosing vintage, you're reducing waste and lowering the demand for new clothing production, which often involves harmful practices and significant resource consumption. Vintage shopping is a sustainable fashion choice that promotes the reuse and recycling of garments.

The fashion industry is a major contributor to environmental pollution, with textile waste being a significant issue. Every year, millions of tons of textiles are discarded, and a staggering amount of this waste ends up in landfills. In fact, it's estimated that over 92 million tons of textile waste is generated globally each year. Shockingly, about 85% of this waste ends up in landfills, causing severe harm to the environment.

When textiles decompose in landfills, they release harmful greenhouse gasses, such as methane, which contribute to climate change. Additionally, synthetic fibers like polyester can take hundreds of years to break down, leaching toxic chemicals into the soil and water. This not only affects the environment but also poses risks to human health and wildlife.

Despite the large volume of textile waste, only a small percentage gets reused or upcycled into new clothing. It's estimated that less than 15% of textiles are recycled or repurposed each year. This means that the majority of discarded clothing and fabrics are wasted, rather than being given a second life. That is a major reason why we try to upcycle clothing and give it a new life instead of it going to waste.

Choosing vintage clothing is a great way to combat this problem. By opting for secondhand and vintage pieces, you can help reduce the demand for new clothing production, thereby decreasing textile waste. Vintage shopping promotes sustainability and environmental responsibility, making it a fashionable and eco-friendly choice. Embracing vintage clothing is a step towards a more sustainable future, where we can reduce waste and protect our planet for generations to come.

Unique style and individuality

Vintage clothing allows individuals to express their unique style and stand out from the crowd. Each vintage piece has its own story and charm, making it unlikely that you'll run into someone wearing the same outfit. Whether it's a vintage t-shirt from the 70s or a vintage Nike sweatshirt from the 90s, these items help create a distinct and personalized look. So if you don’t want to look like a copy of everyone else buy vintage clothing instead of fast fashion.

Quality and craftsmanship

Vintage clothing often boasts superior quality and craftsmanship compared to many modern garments. Vintage pieces were made to endure, using high-quality fabrics and detailed sewing techniques. This focus on durability means that many vintage items are still in excellent condition today, offering a longevity that fast fashion can't compete with. Just looking at the cotton quality from the 90’s and early 2000’s it is superior to the cotton quality we have today, which is kinda sad to think about but also another good reason to buy vintage clothing. 

The stories behind vintage clothing

Historical significance

Every piece of vintage clothing carries a piece of history. These garments are windows into the past, reflecting the fashion trends, cultural movements, and societal changes of their time. Wearing a vintage T-Shirt from the 50s, for example, connects you to the era of post-war optimism and the rise of rock 'n' roll or wearing vintage clothing from the 90’s connects you to the rise of sport style and college branded logo pieces.

Celebrity influence and iconic pieces

Vintage clothing has been popularized by numerous celebrities who have embraced its charm and uniqueness. Iconic pieces worn by celebrities often become highly sought after, such as the vintage rap T-Shirts frequently worn by athletes and influencers. These items gain a legendary status, adding to their allure and value. That is also the reason why we saw a vintage Tupac t-shirt from the 90’s going for thousands of dollars. 

Sentimental value and nostalgia

For many people, vintage clothing holds sentimental value and evokes a sense of nostalgia. Wearing a vintage t-shirt from your favorite band or a vintage sweatshirt that reminds you of a specific time in your life can bring back fond memories. This emotional connection adds a personal dimension to vintage fashion that is hard to replicate with new clothing. This is again one of the reasons why vintage clothing is so unique and can offer so much more than modern fashion. 

Tips for buying vintage clothing

Where to shop for vintage clothing

Finding the perfect vintage pieces requires knowing where to look. There are plenty of options for shopping vintage clothing, it can be hard to find genuine vintage from online or local stores. But don’t worry, we got you covered. We here at UNMARKET provide a wide selection of handpicked and curated vintage clothing pieces. We source vintage from all over the world, everything from vintage markets, local thrift shops and vintage clothing suppliers from our network that we built throughout the years in business. We mostly specialize in vintage hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts, crewnecks, caps and pants. From time to time you will also be able to find different and unique pieces at our online vintage shop. We stock different brands of vintage clothing, everything from known brands like Nike, Adidas, Carhartt to more lesser known brands like Gildan, Jerzees and collegial logo brands. 

How to identify genuine vintage items

To ensure you're buying authentic vintage clothing, we check for a number of things before adding them to our site. If the piece doesn't categorize as vintage clothing we’ll add it to our secondhand collection. 

A breakdown of what we are looking for when identifying vintage clothing

• Checking the labels: Vintage clothing often has unique labels that indicate the brand, era, and country of origin. This is the first thing we look at. From the labels you can often see which decade and time the vintage piece is from. 

• Examine the construction: We look for signs of high-quality craftsmanship, such as hand-sewn details, metal zippers, and intricate stitching. The easiest way to see if a T-shirt is from before the 2000’s is single stitching on the sleeve, most T-shirts produced after the 2000’s have double stitching on the sleeve. The “single stitching” term is very known in the vintage clothing world.

• Research the style: Understanding the fashion trends of different eras helps us identify genuine vintage pieces. Paying attention to the silhouettes, fabrics, and patterns that were popular in various decades.

• Researching online: It's very simple. For example, research the t-shirt in vintage clothing forums or using Google image search to see if there is any information on the t-shirt. We also use ebay to see if anyone else has the vintage t-shirt listed with information about production year and so on.  

Caring for vintage clothing

Proper care is essential to preserve the beauty and longevity of vintage clothing. Here are some tips for cleaning, storing and maintenance of vintage clothing.

Cleaning: Always check the care labels and follow recommended cleaning methods. Many vintage items require gentle hand washing or professional dry cleaning. Most are durable and can be washed in cold water in the washing machine.

Storage: Store vintage clothing in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Use hangers or fold the item. 

Maintenance: Some vintage clothing needs to be handled with care and some don't, it depends on the specific piece. Vintage clothing is durable and can be used every day. Increased care increases the lifetime of vintage clothing.

Styling vintage clothing

Incorporating vintage pieces into modern wardrobes

Mixing vintage items with contemporary fashion is a great way to create a unique and stylish look. Here are some tips:

Balance: Pair a vintage statement piece, like a 90s vintage sweatshirt, with modern basics for a balanced look.

Layering: Use vintage items to add depth and interest to your outfits. A vintage sweatshirt can be layered over a modern t-shirt for a casual look.

Accessorize: Complement your vintage clothing with modern accessories to create a balanced and cohesive look.

Occasion-based vintage clothing styling tips

Vintage clothing can be styled for various occasions, from casual outings to formal events:

Casual: For a laid-back look, pair vintage jeans with a vintage Nike sweatshirt and sneakers.

Formal: A vintage shirt from the 80s or 90s can be perfect for a formal event. Add elegant accessories and modern shoes to complete the look.

Themed Events: Vintage clothing is ideal for themed parties or events. Embrace the era with head-to-toe vintage outfits, including accessories and hairstyles.

Accessorizing vintage clothing

The right accessories can enhance the charm of vintage clothing:

Jewelry: Vintage jewelry, such as brooches, earrings, and necklaces, can add a touch of elegance and authenticity to your outfit.

Bags and Shoes: Pair your vintage clothing with accessories from the same era for a cohesive look. A vintage shoulder bag or shoes can make a significant difference.

Hats and Scarves: Hats and scarves are versatile accessories that can complement a wide range of vintage styles. Experiment with different pieces to find the perfect match.

Vintage clothing are unique 

Vintage clothing offers a unique blend of history, quality, and style that is hard to find in modern fashion. Whether you're drawn to the sustainability of vintage shopping, the individuality it offers, or the stories behind each piece, there is something undeniably special about vintage fashion. By understanding what makes an item vintage, appreciating its benefits, and following tips for buying and styling, you can embrace the charm and appeal of vintage clothing in your wardrobe.

Check out our other collections

At UNMARKET, we are passionate about clothing and sustainability. That's why we focus on offering an extensive range of vintage clothing, secondhand clothing, upcycled clothing and streetwear. Each collection is curated with care to ensure you find unique, stylish pieces that reflect your individuality and commitment to sustainable fashion.

We believe in the power of sustainable fashion. By choosing vintage, secondhand clothing, and streetwear from our collections, you’re making a positive impact on the environment while expressing your unique style. Visit us today and discover the perfect addition to your sustainable wardrobe.