Vintage trends that command grace, magnetic sensuality and undeniable charm are often seen repeated on fashion runways and red carpets over and over again. Some of these vintage pearls become the ultimate timeless and ageless symbols of fashion, and while others die out, these always manage to uphold their crown and rule our wardrobes with their undying style savviness.
In case you’re wondering which vintage trends we’re talking out, we’ve created an exciting round-up of the most infectiously voguish trends that are a solid investment for any and every fashion-forward wardrobe.
Here you ladies, feast your eyes:
Animal Fetish
Towards the 18th century, when all the kingdoms of Europe were deeply engrossed in colonising the regions of Asia and Africa, merchants began bringing home rare and exotic animal skins of exquisite wild beasts, such as tigers, leopards, cheetahs, zebras and crocodiles. These ruling elite and nobility was immediately struck by the idea of flaunting these exotic patterns, and soon, they were being reproduced on fabrics.
After two centuries, animal skins were all the rage in fashion, and from Marilyn Monroe to Lauren Bacall and Elizabeth Taylor, all the leading fashionistas were flaunting the magnetic glamour of animal skins with pride.
Animal prints are extremely versatile and since they mostly consist of shades like beige, black and brown, they can be treated as versatile neutrals that can be flaunted with any fashion staple in any given season. And they are a splendid investment if you want to give your wardrobe an edgy dose of ageless glamour!
One-Piece Swimsuits
A trend that was sparked by the beguilingly seductive beach photos of Marilyn Monroe, one-piece swimsuits have been, continue to be and will always be a woman’s best styling trick to give her beach statements an unrestricted dose of unprecedented glamour. Not only are these beauties super-functional, but they are just what we women need to do justice to our curves and flaunt them with an elated state of confidence.
A Moment of Menswear
We all need to take out a moment and devote it to paying thanks to the legendary designer, Coco Chanel, who liberated us from the unflattering and horridly constricting seams of corsets and liberated our fashion statements with her innovative sense of style.
Towards the 1920s, Coco Chanel began designed sharply structured pants for women, which were excitingly dashing and luxuriously comfortable. Soon after, she also began churning out other menswear inspired staples, such as cardigans, jersey jackets, sportswear apparel and riding apparel.
During the ‘30s, Katharine Hepburn gave women an undying inspiration for rocking menswear with his feisty tomboy statements, and later in the ‘70s, Patti Smith glamourized menswear with her edgy rock’n’roll infusion.
While some women might find menswear desexualizing for their femininity, women who flaunt them to ignite their confidence always understand the mistakes to avoid in order to carve out a glamorous moment in menswear. Truth be told, menswear staples can be flaunted by women of any age, size and shape, be it at work or at a red carpet event. The trick is to avoid loose and lanky suits with oversize cuts, and instead, pick out sharply tailored and fitted menswear staples that accentuate your feminine accents with its body-hugging fit. Flaunt it with dapper accessories, such as a chunky watch, colourful heels, and posh statement bag.
Wide-Leg Pants
Most people don’t know that the luxuriously voguish wide leg pants were introduced way back in the 1920s, and mostly worn as flowy silky palazzos, they became a prominent style symbol in the tumultuous Jazz parties of New York City.
They were reintroduced in the late 60s and very quickly, they became a powerful symbol of bohemian charm and laid-back sensuality. By the early 70s, they were a mighty fashion instrument of the rock’n’roll crowd, and popular rock stars along with the fashion elite began endorsing them on the runways and red carpets.
These are undoubtedly one of the most functional staples that a girl could possibly own for they offer such versatile charm that can be flaunted at any and every occasion. These delights, when shopped in the right colours, can be paired with over a dozen clothing staples that you already own, and besides, they are your best trick to tuck in that gently protruding muffin top and rock a slim waist. *wink*
One Little Knot!
A timeless fashion trick that can turn your creased and worn out workwear button-down into an energetic ready-to-party outfit within a matter of seconds. This is one of the cardinal tricks of effortless sexiness taught by larger-than-life Hollywood divas of the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe.
One little knot is all it takes to go from being exhausted after work to ready to hit the clubs. It will give your waist a navel-revealing crop top-like vibe, allowing to flaunt your toned abs and curvature with prideful confidence.
Seamed Sensuality
The 1920s and 1930s marked incredibly glorious feats for liberating women’s fashion, allowing them to channel their sensuality sans restraint. Amongst all these sensuality-liberating staples, seamed tights were undoubtedly the most riotous and glamorous of all. They were embraced by women of all walks, be it conservative secretaries, grocery store employees, housewives, teachers or factory workers.
Towards the early 60s, we saw seamed tights making a disappearance, only to return with the glamorous collections of Christian Louboutin footwear. Truly, seamed tights and black Louboutins are a glamour match made in heaven!
The Hat Trick
Ladies, when you’re having a bad hair day, the good ‘ol hat trick never gets old and always saves the day with a flawless, ladylike sophistication. Whether you pick out an elegant day hat like Lady Diana, or those infectiously chic pillbox hats that Jackie O’ used to flaunt, girl, there’s simply no going wrong with these beauties.
The trick is to channel your own personal style and pick out hats that are attractive to you, regardless of whether they are trendy or not. If you like giant-sized straw hats, go for them sans restraint, and if you’re more a tiny hat person, don’t let overwhelming hat trends scare you away from investing in what flatters your idea of beauty.
Military Accents
During the World War II, women had to take up all the masculine responsibilities while their men went off to war, and this accompanied by the government-issued military trench coats, gave way to the roaring trend of military accents. Designers began churning out camouflage apparel, military-style pants and what-not.
Later, during the Vietnam War era, youngsters joined up the anti-war movement and began endorsing a military attitude with army jackets, cargo pants and camouflage apparel as a sign of protest. Instead of reaping success for their activism, they created a trend, and soon all popular celebrities, including Jimi Hendrix and supermodel Lauren Hutton, started flaunting these military statements.
This is a trend that is timeless and can be flaunted anywhere you want to display a bold surge of confidence. Cargo pockets, military insignias and epaulets convey a bossy attitude, which can be flaunted by both men and women. A dashing military cape, a charming camouflage coat and sleek cargo pants with slim-fit seams are a definite must-have for a fashion-forward wardrobe.
