Tips and Tricks for Styling Vintage Clothing for a Modern Look

2 Materials
$50
10 Minutes
Easy

Not quite sure how to fit your favorite vintage pieces into your outfits? Not to worry! I’ve created a guide with six different ways you can style your vintage pieces to work with your modern wardrobe! From ill-fitting vintage dresses to pieces that aren’t quite enough on their own, I’ve got a solution for how you can work all kinds of vintage pieces into your daily outfits. These tips and tricks are so useful, that you might just run out to your local thrift store today and pick up a few more vintage pieces! If you like what I do, check out my YouTube channel for more inspiration!


Incorporate Modern Accents
Incorporate Modern Accents


I loved this vintage, baggy, oversized cardigan, but how can I make it work for my modern wardrobe? I incorporated modern accents, including high-waisted jeans and a crop top. I completed the look with some of-the-moment hoop earrings, strappy sandals, and a vintage clutch.

Change the Fit
Change the Fit


What if you have a vintage piece that you love but doesn’t fit you just right? For this baggy red dress, I changed the fit and played around with the dress itself to make it work for me. I turned it inside-out, tucked in the sleeves, and added a belt to cinch in my waist. With an elegant pair of black strappy sandals and some blingy earrings, I turned a frumpy red dress into a piece tailored just for me!

Embrace the Vintage Vibe
Embrace the Vintage Vibe


You don’t have to completely revamp vintage pieces to make them work for your modern wardrobe. Sometimes, you just need to embrace the vintage vibe! This mustard top screamed 80s and there was no way around it. I opened up the neckline a touch, pulled up the sleeves, and tucked it into a pair of high-waisted jeans, Then I added some accessories with a vintage feel, completing the look.  

Add Textures
Add Textures


Playing with textures is a fun way to spruce up a basic vintage piece. Take this duster and skirt for example. On their own, they look a little blah and basic, but with some simple accessories, I was able to bring them into the 21st century! I opened up the duster and added a crop top. I also added a dark belt to the skirt to break up the look a bit. Because the colors were so neutral, I played up the textures with a chunky chain necklace and a statement bag. A pair of strappy heels also added some lightness to a look that could easily become heavy with the wrong pair of shoes.

Embrace Color
Embrace Color


Many vintage looks are full of colors and easily clash with other pieces. Instead of fighting the color, embrace it! Find a color in the piece that you love and pair it with another piece in the same color. In this outfit, I paired a bold blouse with a bright purple skirt. I used elastic bands to help me fold up the sleeves. Then I added some chunky earrings and a fun pair of yellow sandals that work beautifully with the purple in the skirt and top. Purple and yellow are complementary colors, so they will always look good together. Make sure to play around with the color wheel when incorporating bold colors into your outfits.

Add Statement Elements
Add Statement Elements


If you have a vintage piece that doesn’t stand alone, add some statement elements to elevate it! This vintage skirt may look a little boring on its own, but when paired with statement pieces it’s brought up to a whole new level. I added a simple blazer and wrapped a statement belt around it. Together with a hat and some black booties, this outfit looks like a million bucks!


I hope my tips and tricks for styling vintage clothing has inspired you to see your vintage pieces in a new light. Let me know what fun outfits you come up with!

Suggested materials:
  • Vintage clothing
  • Vintage accessories

The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Comments
Join the conversation
Next