Tag: vintage

Thrifting and Vintage Finds

Like the sneaker world, thrifting and vintage clothing markets have become grossly oversaturated. Your local Goodwill or Salvation Army probably has little to no “hot finds” after everyone started thrifting in the past few years. However, there will always be vintage clothing to buy at numerous stores, at both reasonable and unreasonable prices.

Thrifting and vintage go hand in hand but aren’t always talked about in a positive manner. Countless people around the world think those go thrift to flip clothing aren’t conducting business ethically and/or morally. What most fail to realize is that major thrift stores have so many clothes that they eventually end up throwing out. So while that annoying local thrifter who seems to pick up every grail may not make many friends at Goodwill, they are helping the planet and being resourceful at the same time.

Hand-Picked Vintage

Besides Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other well-known thrift stores, the availability of hand-picked vintage clothing is slim especially in smaller towns and rural areas. When you walk into a second-hand/resell shop, the sticker price of a popular vintage shirt is factored in using many important aspects.

First, the quality of the piece of clothing is one of the most important things to consider. Someone who calls themselves a vintage enthusiast probably doesn’t want a torn-up and shredded t-shirt that couldn’t be worn. Next, the rarity and demand for a vintage piece of clothing plays a major role into the pricing of a particular piece. A mass-produced Super Bowl t-shirt from ten years ago is not nearly as sought after as a similar vintage shirt from the 90s. Age is an important factor in the vintage world. A piece must age to near perfection to keep its full market value.

Also, the type of stitching is another factor when shopping for vintage clothing. Vintage tees are usually single-stitched. Double stitching is a sign of modern clothing as single stitched t-shirts were produced in the mid 90s or earlier. Countless vintage enthusiasts look at the stitching as an indicator of a product being “true vintage.”

The best vintage finds are hand-picked. It’s much more efficient to go to vintage resell stores to find throwback heat. The alternative is to spend numerous hours and miles traveled to find a gem at a local thrift store. Some vintage clothing prices may seem ridiculous, but the price tags include the work and hours put in to find those vintage pieces.

Thrifting and Vintage Resell Culture

Like sneaker reselling, vintage reselling usually comes with a negative connotation. Even when someone may conduct business ethically, they are typically seen as sleazy and overly opportunistic too many people outside of the vintage community. Reselling brings extra baggage that must be handled accordingly. All resellers aren’t bad, but there are plenty of resellers who give the good ones a harder time when doing business.

The thrifting and vintage resell culture has shifted drastically over the past few years. Similar to sneakers, it seems like everyone and their mother thrifts and/or resells vintage clothing. The subculture has become extremely mainstream mainly due to the enormous rise of social media.

Reselling vintage clothing is more accessible than ever. Someone can buy and sell clothes without ever leaving their house. Some can even have a piece of clothing sold before they even get the item in hand. Online buying and selling has blown up resell culture. Thrifting and vintage clothing have been around long before reselling vintage pieces became mainstream. Social media often makes it difficult for the masses to realize there are more vintage enthusiasts who love vintage clothing without worrying about their profit and loss sheets.

Vintage clothing has shifted, changed and morphed drastically since collecting vintage has become a staple in the community. Trends come and go but one thing remains certain: people all around the world will continue to buy vintage of all varieties because of the love and appreciation for well-aged clothing.

The Future of Vintage

One person’s old and outdated is another’s thrifting and vintage gem. Like sneakers, vintage clothing is extremely subjective. There are objective baselines but limitless possibilities for personal expression and uniqueness.

Vintage clothing will continue to become more mainstream. However, more niche areas of interest and expertise will develop within the subculture. There are tons of music vintage enthusiasts as well as sports vintage apparel connoisseurs. The future will bring new fields of interest that don’t exist presently.

Streetwear and Vintage: A New Look

Countless subcultures such as streetwear and vintage have many norms and expectations. Some are more strict than others, but all of them allow some freedom of expression.

Fashion is extremely subjective. Very few aspects are considered objective by most people. Individuals create their own style and flare through trials and numerous errors. Nobody figures out their personal flare overnight; however, the realization often comes during unexpected or unlikely times.

Personal style becomes an acquired taste; it is called personal for a reason. People all around the world are constantly looking to follow the latest trends yet so little are seeking to establish their own unique tendencies. A fashionable individual may follow trends, but always looks to stand out from the crowd.

Streetwear Style

Some subcultures are more rigid and have strict determining factors, but that is definitely not the case for streetwear.

Streetwear’s most recognizable piece is the classic t-shirt. Most streetwear brands start out with a tee to introduce their label and keep upfront costs as low as possible. Some of the most well-known streetwear brands that have been around for a while continue to produce quality t-shirts without shying away from their ground roots. Labels like Stüssy and The Hundreds put out both simple and loud shirts; some brands may add extra alterations to shirts for extra flare.

Without a rigid structure, streetwear is more widespread than a large number of other niches. For example, goth and grunge both have particular looks that are often clearly defined. Streetwear consists of anything from t-shirts to basketball shorts to jerseys and sneakers.

Vintage Looks

Vintage clothing is definitely not a new concept in the fashion realm. However, vintage designs have proven to be noticeable inspirations for collectors and artists alike.

The rise of vintage-inspired designs have skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade. From washed or distressed to throwback colors and looks, there are numerous designs that give nods to authentic vintage clothing. Many streetwear brands create tees with a washed look to provide an aged and “pre-worn” feel that is noticeable amongst most vintage pieces.

A fresh t-shirt today might be one that looks like it has been worn and washed countless times. The distressed and aged look seems to be one particular trend that has no signs of going away anytime soon. Vintage collectors and streetwear enthusiasts both appreciate vintage looks in different ways. Streetwear and vintage have noticeable similarities as well as apparent differences.

The Noticeable Divide Between Streetwear and Vintage

Streetwear has been around for a relatively short period of time. Vintage clothing dates back long before streetwear came into existence; collectors and enthusiasts often look for vintage pieces dating back to the 90s (when streetwear was first actualized).

Streetwear and vintage- Reebok

Although streetwear and vintage have noticeable differences, they have complementing factors as well. The time periods of both subcultures’ origins are generally contrasting, but there is modern overlap between the two as well.

Streetwear got its start in the 90s while vintage clothing saw a massive rise in popularity in the 1960s. Vintage is a term that can describe anything from clothing to furniture to record players and trading cards. Streetwear has a wide scope but typically consists of clothing and some accessories. Both streetwear and vintage highlight key aspects from their origins to contemporary pieces.

Vintage clothing and streetwear are often paired together and complement each other well. Cargo pants are easily worn with a vintage t-shirt; fresh Jordans paired with vintage jeans or another style of pants are timeless combos. These subcultures are compatible because they add their unique yet distinctive aspects to create an original pairing.

The Future of Streetwear and Vintage

Times will tell how impactful streetwear is towards vintage and vice versa. Both produce large followings for countless reasons; they complement each other because of noticeable similarities.

Vintage and streetwear pair well because they add key features to one another. For example, vintage style tees have been a major trend in streetwear lately. Even if they are not truly vintage, numerous labels are going for “vintage” looks to appeal to a wide audience.

The future of virtually any aspect of fashion is widely unknown. These two subcultures may become closer or divide farther apart due to a rise in more differences. In the end, both streetwear and vintage are complex aspects of fashion that cannot be predicted in any possible way.

Vintage and Streetwear Classics

Trends come and go over the years, but some looks stay in styles for multiples years and even decades. People have their own individual styles; fashion will always be subjective. However, vintage and streetwear staples prove to be worthy of the effort and attention of countless people. Vintage and streetwear classics build solid foundations for new trends to come in the future.

As the years go by, some pieces of clothing become more coveted than others. Reasons may vary, but these shirts, pants, jackets, or any other article of clothing typically stick around for the long run. Nobody can ever full predict trends nor can they speculate which clothes will become classics.

Vintage and Streetwear Sports Clothing

Throughout the vintage world, there are endless subcategories that often develop an intense following. Collectors instantly spot hot pieces in a room full of vintage clothing that may look unappealing or disinteresting to countless individuals outside of the vintage community.

Vintage sports t shirts, jackets, and jerseys are timeless vintage and streetwear staples. Fans all over the world appreciate throwback jerseys and apparel; even people who don’t know a thing about sports may find vintage sports clothing appealing. The colors used back in the day seemed more vibrant and stood out effortlessly. Also, the fonts used typically drew more attention to the jersey, shirt, or jacket. Throwback colors, logos, and typefaces stand out effortlessly on a perfectly aged t shirt.

Sports will never go out of style around the world, especially in the United States. The major American professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL) produce some of the most recognizable and unique jerseys in the world. American sports vintage clothing will forever be a staple in not only the American vintage clothing market, but in overseas markets as well. Vintage sports tees, jerseys, and other apparel will be staples for years to come because of franchises’ rich histories and electric designs.

Streetwear and sports compliment each other well like sneakers and track pants. Sports will always have a major impact on fashion especially vintage and streetwear. The influence of sports towards streetwear and sneaker culture is ubiquitous and will likely never go away.

Band and Rap Vintage

Vintage band tees are another staple in the vintage world. With the rise of various types of music, band tees are not exclusive to groups with multiple members. Vintage rap and hip-hop shirts showcase just one artist at a time. Regardless, vintage band and rap shirts bring back endless memories and are often covered in unique designs like vintage sports tees.

Music will never go out of style. New songs, albums, and artists come out every year. There is an abundance of music throughout the world. Countless genres leave people with endless options when they get bored of one particular type of music. Music from the past will always be popular due to nostalgic reasons; many enthusiasts elect to listen to music exclusively from the past without any regard for new music.

Band and rap tees prove to be popular because of the memories and history attached to particular artists and bands. Vintage enthusiasts know how difficult it can be to find specific shirts from certain national and world tours.

Vintage music clothing will always be vintage and streetwear staples regardless of the era of music. People are constantly looking for nostalgic pieces of clothing for various reasons. Favorite artists and types of music are always subjective similar to one’s taste in vintage clothing. Individuals who appreciate vintage clothing know how valuable particular pieces will be today, tomorrow and in the distant future.

Vintage and Streetwear Staples: Denim- Jeans & Jackets

Denim is another staple in both vintage and streetwear. From light wash to fresh indigo to multi-colored or unorthodox colors, denim brings a classic look to any wardrobe. Now, denim is used in a more versatile way than ever. Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss introduced the material to the fashion world in the nineteenth century. Levi Strauss & Co. continues to produce some of the most durable and well-crafted denim jeans in the United States and the rest of the world. Denim took fashion by storm.

Vintage and Streetwear- Jean Jackets

In the twenty-first century, the long-lasting material is widely used and is no longer exclusive to blue jeans. Shoes, jackets, shirts, hats, bags, belts, and even furniture is constructed with denim. Vintage denim typically holds up very well; the character of worn and broken in denim is evident on any pair article of clothing made of denim. Vintage enthusiasts are always searching for a pair of Levi’s, Lee, or Wrangeler jeans. Some vintage jeans seem to withstand washes and wears better than most contemporary pairs.

Jean jackets have been extremely popular in the United States since being introduced in the late 1800s. After an explosion in terms of popularity in the 1950s, the denim jacket has been a staple in American fashion. The Canadian Tuxedo (denim jacket on denim jeans) saw a meteoric rise in the 90s and early 2000s. Since then, there has been a resurgence of the noticeable fashion trend.

Denim is not going away in the fashion world especially in American culture. Jeans and jean jackets have proven to be vintage and streetwear staples over the recent past and will likely continue to be for years to come.

Vintage Sports Clothing: Unique and Authentic

Sports teams in the United States usually have rich histories even if they are not the most decorated franchises. The apparel throughout different teams stands out no matter where someone goes. Professional and college clubs have their unique looks that fans proudly wear on gamedays and in the offseason as well. Unique and vintage sports clothing have become a hot commodity in the vintage world over the past few decades.

Sports in America contribute a major portion of revenue and excitement to countless cities’ economies and atmospheres. The winning programs hold themselves to a higher regard than their counterparts for various reasons. Vintage clothing has always been sought after; dedicated sports fans are extremely attracted to their team’s throwback colors and concepts for nostalgic and sentimental reasons.

Throwback Jerseys

Everyone knows how much influence hip-hop and rap have on certain industries. A clean throwback jersey has been a staple in streetwear and vintage communities for a while now.

Currently, the hype has died down compared to what it was in the early to late 2000s. However, sports fans still cherish a pristine throwback of their favorite team. Nobody can recreate or make authentic versions anymore. Sports enthusiasts tend to appreciate throwbacks for nostalgic reasons while others admire them for pure looks and unique colorways.

Vintage sports- throwback Miami Heat jersey

Whether or not someone is a die hard fan, most people who don’t live under a rock can recognize jerseys of major sports teams in the United States. Sports cross over into fashion effortlessly. Throwback jerseys bring out the best of a fit when pieced together correctly.

Anyone can rock a throwback; they are not reserved for dedicated fans (although the majority of people wearing a jersey will be a fan of some sort). Unique and vintage sports clothing does not stop with throwbacks. There are endless possibilities of mixing fashion and sports together.

Vintage Sports Tees

The most common clothing piece in the vintage world is without a doubt the classic t shirt. There are countless different cuts/fits, materials, colorways, and concepts that shirts consist of.

Especially in streetwear, vintage t shirts are a staple constantly found in endless wardrobes. From secondhand and thrift stores to buy/sell/trade shops, there is an abundance of unique and vintage sports clothing throughout the U.S. Sports enthusiasts flock to stores to find exclusive and nostalgic items; vintage clothing has always been popular, but now it is more mainstream than ever.

Vintage clothing particularly in the sports realm tells stories and brings back memories. A vintage sports t shirt of someone’s favorite team often holds more sentimental value than other (and typically more expensive) pieces of clothing.

Vintage shirts have character and highlight ideas, times, and historical moments that a brand new tee cannot replicate. Authenticity without a doubt is one of the most intriguing characteristics of vintage clothing. Contemporary pieces will never be able to duplicate a true vintage look, feel, and history.

Vintage Clones

In the streetwear world, there has been a noticeable rise of “vintage” shirts that are truly not vintage at all. Although they may have vintage designs and/or graphics, the contemporary tees do not offer as much substance as a twenty plus year old t shirt. Vintage looks are hot and will remain on top for years to come. The washed and “aged” trend is another example of brands attempting to recreate new vintage pieces.

Although sports is a small sector of vintage clothing, the vintage sports look has seen a significant increase in the recent past. More brands are putting their own twist on throwback colors and team concepts than ever before.

Vintage enthusiasts should not take the vintage trend as a sign of disrespect. The old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Streetwear labels are showing how influential vintage sports clothing truly is by replicating authentic vintage with premium materials and modern cuts/fits.

The Future of Vintage Sports Clothing

The vintage clothing industry surely has no signs of slowing down anytime in the foreseeable future. Reasonably priced unique shirts, hats, pants, and jackets keep enthusiasts and casual wearers coming back for more time and time again. Unique and vintage sports clothing is one particular niche of vintage that might never die out completely for multiple reasons.

First, sports will always be a major aspect of American culture. Countless sports teams and players effortlessly influence fashion, hip-hop/rap, and streetwear. People everywhere are surrounded by sports or the direct/indirect influence of sports.

Also, vintage clothing keeps evolving as sports do as well. Trends in both come and go but classics and timeless aspects will always remain over the years. As sports progress, so will uniforms and team apparel. The current look of sports teams colors and logos will eventually be vintage one day.

Lastly, the vintage community tends to flock to sports as one of its top subcategories. It is easy to have vintage pieces come from apparel of teams that have been in existence for multiple decades and more to come. Sports and vintage clothing both are not going anywhere due to their proven popularity among the masses and track records of substantial longevity.

Memorable Quality Pickups

Within the past few years, I have quickly realized quality is almost always more important than quantity. A medium-sized closet with quality, staple pieces beats a large wardrobe consisting of just okay clothing. Exceptional materials and longevity are essential for a piece of clothing to stay in a solid rotation. New pickups can be rewarding and exciting especially more sought after items that require some dedicated hunting.

Earlier in 2022, I donated and sold over 40% of my closet. It makes no sense to continue to hold on to clothes that barely get worn. There is too much time and space taken up by things we don’t find useful anymore. Now, it is vital to personally only buy clothing that will last a while and will get worn often.

Mind Over Matter

When we clutter our personal space, the mind often feels confined too. Focusing more finding useful materialistic things temporarily places over consumerism in the rearview mirror. Vintage and second hand clothing strongly promote reusability and keeping goods circulating in the market.

Fast fashion is more prevalent now than ever in the history of clothing. The rise of the vintage market over the past few decades promotes economically and environmentally friendly choices from countless consumers.

Placing an emphasis more on quality lets pickups become more meaningful and thought out.

Vintage Finds

Casual collectors, serious hunters, and vintage enthusiasts alike know the feeling of finding a hidden gem at the local thrift store or second hand shop. One person throwing away an old shirt might be another’s perfect vintage find. Subjectivity rules in almost all aspects of fashion, especially within the vintage realm. Universally, condition and age are more objective than other features of vintage pieces.

The vintage market is ever evolving. Trends come and go just like other niches. However, some of the best vintage clothing comes with more time. Aged pieces are often worth more than newer ones; rarity brings more thrill in the hunt for the next vintage pickup.

Sports vintage resonates with countless collectors. Timeless pieces from memorable games, celebrations, and championships rarely go out of style. Old school lettering and logos have seen a major resurgence in the recent past. A vintage t shirt will always be a classic staple that pairs well with streetwear and sneakers alike.

This Pittsburgh Pirates 1994 All Star Game shirt caught my eye as soon as I saw it. Black classic lettering with yellow bordering and vice versa both stand out effortlessly. The 1994 MLB All Star Game logo showcases the Pittsburgh skyline with one of the city’s prominent bridges in the forefront.

Vintage sports clothing is easily one of the most coveted subcategories in the vintage world. Throwback uniforms and logos contribute a great deal of importance to vintage sports pieces. Historical aspects of franchises across various sports provide even more significance.

Undefeated Pickups

Founded in Los Angeles, CA in 2002, Undefeated is a well respected sneaker boutique and apparel brand. There are several brick and mortar stores across the United States as well as in Japan. As a brand known for its quality and craftsmanship, the label has not been shy in terms of collaborations. Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Bape, and Anti Social Social Club are just a few well known brands that have produced remarkable collabs with Undefeated.

Good fitting quality pants are not easy to find especially for men over six feet tall. After looking around on Grailed, some Undefeated cargo pants caught my attention. Once they came in the mail, they did not disappoint especially for below retail price.

The Undefeated olive cargo pants are noticeably made of quality materials that are built to last. Minimal branding adds fine yet recognizable touches to the relaxed fitting pants. Spacious pockets and drawstrings at the leg openings are both necessary compliments.

Streetwear pickups- Undefeated
Undefeated Olive Cargo Pants

Another Grailed pickup makes the cut. Undefeated pants might be my new go-to option; the fit and materials combine for an exceptional execution by the LA based label.

This particular pair was more of an impulse decision. However, since getting the pants in person, they have not been disappointing at all.

The reflective workout pants provide a fresh look to a comfortable clothing option. Perfect for casual wear and working out, this pair is a solid alternative to basic gray sweats.

Streetwear pickups- Undefeated
Undefeated Reflective Workout Pants

Future Pickups

Vintage and streetwear are constantly evolving. Trends come and go, but personal touch is typically built to last. A individual’s particular style depends on the inspirations they draw from their surroundings and consumed media, ads, and previous purchases. Fashion niches like vintage and streetwear see endless changes due to numerous factors. However, one thing remains stagnant- the ability to express oneself freely and openly.

As time goes on, I am making a conscious effort to be more selective when buying clothing and accessories. It is easy to buy clothes to simply increase the size of one’s closet. In the future, personal pickups will focus on quality rather than quantity. Anything worthwhile should be of high quality and built to last.