Fall has fully arrived, and with it comes the chance to switch up your seasonal wardrobe. And although the weather is getting colder, you don’t have to abandon those skirts just yet. We’re excited to change our summer silks for warmer materials: wool, corduroy, and suede.
If you don’t already have these pieces, you might feel pressured to turn to fast-fashion retailers to fill that seasonal gap. But there’s no need to rush out and stuff your closet with trendy pieces that will date themselves within months. Instead, for a more ethical shopping experience, consider turning back the clock and going vintage.
Not sure how to make old garments look fresh? We have all the tips you need to make those vintage skirts pop: read on for more.
A History of Hemlines
Prosperity and hemlines have historically been directly proportional: the stock market goes up, and the skirts follow. The above the knee style was initially introduced during the flapper craze of the roaring ‘20s. Women’s Liberation reached a proud moment with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Changing attitudes also meant shorter skirts and no corsets.
This was a dramatic change from the Victorian modesty gospel. Although hemlines would lower following the crash that triggered the Great Depression, inevitably progress surged on, though not without some resistance.
Christian Dior dubbed the rising hemlines popular during WWII “the fashion of restriction,” which led him to debut his iconic New Look in 1947: a full-skirted silhouette that rebuked wartime fabric rationing and revived a classically feminine, nipped-in waist.
In the 1960s, inspired by Beatniks and Mods, British designer Mary Quant invented the mini skirt, attempting to popularize “relaxed clothes suited to the actions of normal life.” As modeled by international superstar Twiggy, the mini skirt quickly became a symbol for the sexual revolution, once again tied to feminist ideologies.
Making Vintage Look New
The key to choosing pieces with longevity is material above all else. Stay away from synthetic fibers wherever possible; these tend to fall apart and pill after a few washes. Natural materials like wool or corduroy will keep you warm and last you many autumns to come.
- Plaid is always in fashion. Try a red plaid wool skirt for a touch of academia chic. Style it with a cable knit sweater and a tweed blazer to really commit to the aesthetic.
- A 70s-era wool mini skirt would look adorable paired with sheer black tights and cozy boots.
- When in doubt, go with a classic pattern: a blue and white houndstooth skirt has the perfect length for the cooler days ahead.
Simplicity is always best: stick to a color scheme so that you can mix and match your skirts with a variety of shirts you already own. It’s important to make your wardrobe work for your existing style; chasing every trend leads to a closet full of “I have nothing to wear.”
Something Old, Something New, Something You
Don’t be afraid to be inventive with your vintage skirts. You’ll be surprised at how versatile a treasured garment can be. The chances to style and accessorize are infinite: combat boots, kitten heels, or white sneakers?
The possibilities are endless: make vintage go modern or bring vintage looks to the present. Either way, vintage skirts are timeless.
Sources:
The History of Hemlines | Women's History Network
Hidden Histories: When Women Protested Dior’s Famous ‘New Look’ | It's Rosy
How Mary Quant and her mini-skirt shaped the 1960s (and changed the world) | Scotland Herald