Vintage aesthetic:
how to dress vintage, today.

The vintage aesthetic is a way of dressing that borrows from past decades, mostly the 1950s to the 1990s, through original second-hand pieces or new clothes inspired by them. Think warm, lived-in colours, suede and corduroy, high-waisted jeans, retro prints and accessories with a story.

Part of the appeal is the feeling: clothes that look like they have been somewhere. The other part is practical. Vintage pieces are often better made than fast fashion, and buying second-hand is one of the easiest ways to dress more sustainably.

• Vintage: an original piece, usually at least 20 years old.
• Retro: a new piece designed to look like it comes from an earlier decade.
• Thrifted: anything bought second-hand, old or new.

The vintage aesthetic happily mixes all three. A real 70s suede jacket with new straight-leg jeans is the whole idea.

In the Vintage world in Style AA, one of the vibes says it best: a reference, not a costume. In practice:

1. One hero piece per outfit. A suede jacket, a printed blouse or flared trousers, with modern basics around it.
2. One decade at a time. A 70s jacket with 90s jeans can work, but a 50s skirt, 70s top and 80s shoes rarely does.
3. Tailor it. Vintage sizing runs differently, and a quick hem or nip at the waist makes an old piece look current.
4. Warm palette, real fabrics. Brown, mustard, olive and cream in suede, corduroy, denim, wool and silk.
5. Modern grooming. Keep hair and make-up current, and the outfit reads as style rather than fancy dress.

• 1950s: full midi skirts, fitted cardigans and cat-eye sunglasses; for men, cuffed jeans, a white T-shirt and loafers.
• 1960s: shift dresses, slim trousers, turtlenecks, mod coats and loafers.
• 1970s: flared trousers, suede and corduroy jackets, turtlenecks, aviators, platform shoes and earth tones.
• 1980s: oversized blazers with strong shoulders, high-waisted jeans and bolder colour.
• 1990s: slip dresses, straight-leg jeans, oversized flannel shirts and minimal accessories.

• A suede or corduroy jacket in tan, caramel or chocolate.
• High-waisted jeans, straight or flared.
• A turtleneck in cream or brown, and a fitted cardigan.
• A printed silk scarf and a printed blouse or shirt.
• An A-line or midi skirt.
• Leather loafers and brown leather boots.
• Aviator or round sunglasses, a leather belt and a worn-in leather bag.
• Gold jewellery or an old watch, ideally with a story.

1. Weekend drive: tan suede jacket, cream turtleneck, brown flared trousers, tinted aviators and brown boots.
2. Suede and wide trousers: brown suede jacket, white tank top, navy wide-leg trousers and loafers.
3. 70s on a weekday: corduroy blazer, ribbed knit, flared jeans and clogs or boots.
4. Thrifted denim: worn-in straight-leg jeans, a faded band T-shirt and a leather jacket.
5. French vintage: a striped Breton top, high-waisted jeans, ballet flats and a silk scarf.
6. Library day: a fitted cardigan, an A-line midi skirt, loafers and round glasses.
7. 60s, for men: a knitted polo, pleated trousers and suede loafers.
8. Warm weather: a printed shirt with a wide collar, wide trousers and leather sandals.

Found a vintage piece but not sure how it looks on you? Try it on first with one photo.

• Thrift and charity shops for low prices and the thrill of the hunt.
• Vintage stores for curated pieces in better condition.
• Flea markets for leather goods, jewellery and accessories.
• Resale apps such as Vinted, Depop and eBay, where searching by decade and fabric works well.
• Family wardrobes, the original source of hand-me-downs.

Before you buy, check the seams, zips and lining, read the fabric label, and remember that older sizes often run small.

Pick the Vintage world in Style AA and your daily looks lean into lived-in colour and heirloom textures, with vibes like Hand-Me-Down, Old Photograph and Reissue. Try any look on yourself, save the moodboards, and get dressed to the world's soundtrack: Honey (70s soul), Royal Tenenbaums, Sunbleached and Velvet Funk.

Prefer polished classics? Compare the style worlds, or read our guide to casual chic.