Are you a lover of vintage fashion? If you shun the ever-changing runway trends in favour of distinctive looks from eras gone by, carefully crafting ensembles to reflect your personality and fashion preferences is a worthwhile endeavour. Whether you enjoy the sleek silhouettes of the swinging sixties or the glitz and glamour of the golden age of Hollywood in the 1920s, here are some must-have vintage accessories for your wardrobe.
Where To Find Vintage Accessories?
If you love vintage fashion, knowing where to source the best-quality garments and accessories is vital. Unfortunately, finding exceptional vintage gems involves a great deal of rummaging and trawling through markets, emporiums and second-hand retailers. However, if you love a good treasure hunt, searching for vintage delights can be highly enjoyable. Here are just a few of the places you can find vintage accessories:
- Charity shops
- Vintage clothing shops
- Antique emporiums
- Car boot sales
- Flea markets
- eBay
- Facebook Marketplace
- Etsy
- Depop
- Vinted
Hats
Vintage hats are excellent accessories that generally hold up relatively well over time, retaining their shape and structure provided they were well-crafted in the first place. An astutely-selected hat can instantly pull an outfit together, transforming it from basic to exquisite. Furthermore, a hat can hide a multitude of bad hair day-related sins and even provide some crucial sun protection on hot days. Store your vintage hats in designated hat boxes to prevent any further deterioration and damage.
Scarves
A vintage scarf is another excellent accessory ideal for elevating your outfit with an extra layer of colour and texture. The beauty of a simple scarf is the ability to wear it in numerous different ways. For example, you could use a vintage silk or chiffon scarf as a headscarf or bandanna. Alternatively, you choose a patterned scarf in the same colour as your belt or jewellery and tie it around your handbag strap to create a coherent, put-together ensemble.
Glasses/Sunglasses
If you wear glasses, your frame options are fairly limited in terms of maintaining a vintage aesthetic. However, most high street opticians will add your prescription lenses to any frames you choose, including vintage alternatives. Opt for a pair of large, plastic frames from the 80s, some 50’s-style cat eye frames or some timeless browline glasses. You can also re-lens vintage sunglasses if they have become scuffed and scratched over time.
Necklaces
Vintage necklaces were typically made to last and certainly hold up in terms of beauty. You can find stunning pieces featuring elements like freshwater pearls, diamante crystals, and glass beads in almost any vintage marketplace, provided you know what you’re looking for. You could even opt for something a little more quirky, such as a pea whistle pendant or a statement costume necklace. With a little patience and a lot of rummaging, you may even be lucky enough to discover a genuine Victorian locket necklace or an elegant, geometric necklace from the Art Deco period.
Brooches
Scour any vintage market or antique emporium, and you will see a wealth of stunning vintage brooches, many of which were made using high-quality components like sterling silver and precious stones. Many vintage necklaces, bracelets and brooches may require a little TLC due to broken clasps, missing stones and tarnishing, but you can easily restore them to their original beauty. You could even take a damaged brooch to a professional jeweller who may be able to repair it.
Bags And Purses
Why spend a fortune on a designer handbag when you can grab yourself a unique, vintage alternative that nobody else has? The beauty of vintage craftsmanship is in the details, and you will find that bags were once made with quality as a top priority. As such, you can find plenty of vintage bags that remain in excellent condition. You can clean vintage bags and purses using gentle, ph-neutral soap for fabric or saddle soap for leather.
Watches
A stunning vintage watch is an excellent way to elevate an outfit. Not only are watches timeless accessories (no pun intended), but they are ideal for adding a touch of refinement and elegance to your look. Antique pocket watches are a fantastic alternative to traditional wristwatches and are perfect for formal occasions. Moreover, you may be able to restore a vintage watch to its original working order by taking it to a local watchmaker.
