Is It Vintage or Just Old?

I had to look up the definitions of vintage versus old for this fashion post:

Old means no longer in general use or of a former time.
Vintage means representing the high quality of a past time.

I needed to know this because I have clothes and handbags that I've kept and wondered if they were just old pieces or now vintage wear (whereas my husband has A LOT of just old clothes!).

Based on these definitions, you, too, can decide if you have vintage pieces or old items.

For example, I have a canary yellow silk shantung rolled neck shift dress with matching coat. I bought it for $8 in a thrift shop many years ago. It is a beautiful classic outfit that Audrey Hepburn could have worn, Jackie Kennedy would have worn (with a pillbox hat) and it still looks flawless and stylish today. It is most definitely vintage and only looks lovelier over time.

Old clothes, however, don't stand the test of time well. I often clean my closets of old clothes and give them to Goodwill. Too tight jeans, poor-boy ribbed sweaters, sweatshirts, dresses that were trendy but just sad now, handbags that have seen better days or are of styles that are ugly and shapeless now, and suits with big lapels and/or full shoulder pads. Admit it...you have some of those, too.

I still have a clutch handbag by Eteinne Aigner in cognac leather that is in perfect condition and I may carry again...now as vintage. Or my Dooney and Bourke doctor bag that I just HAD to have and is now "vintage" ...and smaller than I remember.

Even today, I love to buy new items that "look" vintagey. I recently bought a black winter top that looks like one that Laura Petrie would have worn on "The Dick Van Dyke Show."  I love it!

Jewelry becomes vintage keepsakes to pass on to younger family members. Brooches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets all have vintage appeal. If you don't think you have valuable pieces, going on Ebay and looking at prices of similar pieces helps to know what you've got. Or go to an honest certified jeweler for your good jewelry assessment.

Some styles that we women "of a certain age" wore are coming back into style again. There is a belief that if you wore it when you were young, you cannot wear it again. Crop tops, halter tops, cut off shorts, denim coveralls, knee high socks, Mary Jane flats, skirts with schoolgirl pleats...I could go on and on. Just dress age appropriately. And if you are in doubt, don't wear it. Listen to your common sense and, sometimes, a friend.

Wearing a lovely vintage piece of jewelry, clothing or handbag will make you feel classic and stylish. Wearing something old will make you feel sloppy and, well, old.

So pick your "seasoned" pieces with this in mind: "Does this make me look stylish or silly?" You know the answer...and want to feel lovely in all that you wear. Dress with your heart and common sense in mind. Fashion is about the latest in clothing -- style is about how you look and carry yourself in your clothes. 

Until next week, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz