Style Thrifted and Vintage Finds for a Modern Look

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Styling thrifted and vintage finds for a modern look is a great way to create a unique and sustainable wardrobe. The key is mixing old and new elements to avoid looking outdated, while embracing the character of vintage pieces. Here’s how to style thrifted and vintage items with a contemporary twist:

Mix Vintage with Modern Basics

To keep your vintage finds from feeling too retro, pair them with modern basics.

Vintage Blazers + Skinny Jeans: A thrifted oversized blazer can be styled with sleek skinny jeans and ankle boots for a modern silhouette. Cinch the blazer with a belt for a polished look.
Retro Dresses + Chunky Sneakers: Pair a 70s-inspired dress with white chunky sneakers to create a fresh, casual vibe. This unexpected mix makes the outfit feel modern and edgy.
Vintage Band Tees + High-Waisted Pants: Tuck a vintage band tee into high-waisted jeans or trousers. Layer it with a tailored jacket for a chic, updated look.

Tailor Vintage Pieces for a Flattering Fit

Thrifted items might not always fit perfectly, but getting them tailored can turn them into modern wardrobe staples.

Tailored Blazers and Coats: Oversized blazers and coats from vintage stores can be tailored to fit your frame, giving them a contemporary, streamlined look.
Hem or Crop Dresses and Skirts: Vintage maxi dresses or skirts can be hemmed or cropped to a midi or mini length, making them more versatile and in line with modern trends.

Incorporate Modern Accessories

Modern accessories can instantly update a vintage outfit.

Structured Bags: Pair vintage outfits with structured, minimalist handbags or belt bags to create contrast and bring a contemporary edge.
Statement Sneakers or Boots: Footwear can be the defining modern element in your outfit. Wearing chunky sneakers or modern boots with vintage trousers, dresses, or skirts instantly makes the ensemble feel fresh.
Layered Jewelry: Stack modern, minimalist jewelry like gold hoops, dainty necklaces, or midi rings with vintage clothing. This subtle sparkle keeps the look trendy.

Play with Proportions

Vintage finds often come with unique cuts and silhouettes, so play with proportions to make the outfit feel modern.

Oversized Tops with Fitted Bottoms: If you’ve found a vintage oversized sweater or shirt, pair it with slim-fit bottoms like skinny jeans or leggings. This balance creates a contemporary silhouette.
Wide-Leg Trousers with Crop Tops: Style wide-leg vintage pants with a cropped top or a fitted tank for a chic and modern take on retro fashion.
Tucked and Cinched Waistlines: Use belts or tucking techniques to modernize boxy, oversized vintage tops or dresses. Cinching at the waist adds structure and updates the look.

Layer Vintage with Contemporary Pieces

Layering is a fantastic way to blend vintage and modern styles seamlessly.

Denim or Leather Jackets: Thrifted denim jackets or leather bombers can be layered over modern streetwear or minimalistic outfits for an effortlessly cool look.
Vintage Knits with Modern Outerwear: A chunky, thrifted knit can be worn under a modern trench coat or tailored blazer for a balanced, chic outfit.
Button-Downs Under Slip Dresses: Layer a vintage button-down shirt under a modern slip dress for a playful, layered look.

Modernize Patterns and Prints

Vintage pieces often feature bold patterns that can be intimidating to style. Here’s how to modernize them:

Neutralize Bold Prints: If you have a vintage piece with a bold print (like floral or geometric patterns), balance it out with neutral pieces. For example, pair a bright vintage printed skirt with a plain white or black t-shirt.
Mix Prints with Caution: While mixing prints can look trendy, keep it modern by choosing complementary color schemes and avoiding too many busy patterns. For example, pair a vintage floral blouse with modern, subtle stripes or polka dots.

Update with Modern Hair and Makeup

Your hairstyle and makeup can also bring a modern flair to your vintage outfit.

Sleek Hair Styles: If your outfit has a lot of vintage elements, keep your hair sleek and modern with styles like a low bun, slick ponytail, or loose waves.
Modern Makeup: Opt for fresh, natural makeup or a trendy bold lip to balance out a retro outfit and make the look feel current.

Shop for Iconic Vintage Pieces

Look for timeless vintage pieces that can easily be styled for a modern look.

Classic Trench Coats: A vintage trench coat never goes out of style. Pair it with a turtleneck, straight-leg jeans, and ankle boots for a modern, everyday look.
Leather Jackets: A vintage leather jacket is a wardrobe staple that can be worn with almost anything, from dresses to jeans, giving any outfit a cool, modern edge.
Silk Scarves: Thrifted silk scarves can be styled in many modern ways, such as tied around the neck, as a headband, or even attached to a handbag for a pop of color.

Add a Contemporary Twist to Statement Vintage Pieces

You can modernize statement vintage pieces by choosing complementary modern items.

Vintage Dresses with Combat Boots: If you find a bold, vintage floral or patterned dress, pair it with chunky combat boots or modern ankle boots for a contemporary edge.
High-Waisted Vintage Skirts with Crop Tops: Thrifted high-waisted skirts, whether pencil or A-line, look modern when paired with crop tops, adding a youthful, current vibe.

Experiment with Thrift Flipping

If you’re into DIY projects, consider “thrift flipping” or upcycling thrifted items to make them more modern.

Crop Jackets and Tees: Cutting a thrifted oversized tee or jacket into a cropped version instantly modernizes the piece.
Dye or Embroider: Update vintage denim by dyeing it a trendy color or adding simple embroidery for a personalized, modern touch.

Sites for Thrifted and Vintage Finds

ThredUp

One of the largest online thrift stores, ThredUp offers a wide variety of secondhand clothing from different brands. You can find affordable vintage and contemporary pieces.

Look for timeless vintage pieces like leather jackets, oversized blazers, and denim for layering with modern basics.

The RealReal

A luxury consignment site where you can find high-end designer vintage pieces at discounted prices. Look for statement accessories like vintage bags or scarves to pair with modern outfits.

Invest in designer vintage pieces like a Chanel blazer or a Gucci bag, which can elevate even the most basic contemporary outfits.

Depop

A community-driven platform for buying and selling pre-loved fashion, Depop offers everything from ‘90s streetwear to elegant vintage dresses. It’s popular for finding rare and trendy vintage items.

Find unique statement pieces like graphic tees, bold prints, and denim to style with sleek, modern clothing.

Poshmark

Poshmark is a great platform to buy and sell thrifted and vintage items, featuring both high-end and affordable brands. You can find gently worn vintage clothing that’s easy to mix with current trends.

Look for vintage handbags or belts to accessorize your outfits. These small touches can give a modern outfit a retro twist.

Etsy

While known for handmade items, Etsy is also home to many vintage shops that specialize in fashion from previous decades. You can find one-of-a-kind vintage dresses, jackets, and accessories.

Focus on statement vintage jewelry or unique outerwear to incorporate into modern outfits for a stylish mix.

Beyond Retro

A well-known vintage retailer that curates unique pieces from the 60s to the 90s. Their selection is vast, offering everything from statement jackets to retro sneakers.

Style a classic vintage piece like a printed blouse or leather jacket with contemporary jeans and boots for a modern twist.

Brands that Mix Vintage and Modern

Urban Outfitters

Known for its trendy and vintage-inspired clothing, Urban Outfitters offers a blend of retro and modern aesthetics. Their Urban Renewal section features reworked and upcycled vintage pieces.

Pair a vintage-style dress or top from Urban Outfitters with modern accessories like chunky sneakers or a sleek belt bag.

Reformation Vintage

Reformation is known for sustainable fashion, and their vintage section includes a curated collection of high-quality, timeless pieces. Their modern clothing also has vintage-inspired cuts and prints.

Mix vintage Reformation finds, like floral dresses, with contemporary leather jackets or structured blazers for a balanced look.

Levi’s Vintage Collection

Levi’s is an iconic brand for classic denim, and their vintage collection offers authentic, reworked pieces from previous eras. Levi’s also has a Secondhand marketplace for pre-loved denim.

Style vintage Levi’s jeans with modern, minimalist tops or a trendy oversized blazer for a fresh and stylish look.

Nasty Gal Vintage

Nasty Gal offers a mix of trendy and vintage-inspired styles. They often incorporate bold prints and edgy elements, perfect for creating a modern take on vintage looks.

Look for vintage blouses or skirts from Nasty Gal’s collection to pair with trendy boots or a modern trench coat for contrast.

Here are some outfits you can try on

J Crew Wool Blazer $5.00