How to Dress Modern Vintage

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett

Last Updated: December 22, 2022 References

Modern vintage is all about blending vintage-style garments with high-street clothing. Bold prints, high waist bottoms, and collared shirts are all part of what makes this modern look vintage-inspired. Achieving a modern vintage look can seem overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin, but we’ve got you covered. We’ve got plenty of tips on how to create the modern vintage look, from assembling the best garments and accessories to finding the perfect vintage pieces. We’ll even help you nail your hair and makeup, so you’ll be ready to hit the streets.

1

Look for vintage clothing at your local thrift store.

Thrift stores are great places to find vintage clothing at a bargain price. You may have to sift through dozens of piles, but if you find that golden item without emptying your wallet, it will be well worth the effort.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you are having trouble finding vintage pieces that go with your aesthetic, then try to also look at the vintage clothing from a DIY perspective. Just because a vintage dress or shirt is oversized or shapeless, does not mean you can’t get creative and pair the item with a modern belt, or trim the item to fit your size and aesthetic.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Sometimes adding or swapping out drab buttons on a blouse or dress can liven up the item and modernize it.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}

2

Check local departments store for vintage-inspired styles.

Current designers often mimic old styles. A blend of these styles can often be seen in full swing dress skirts, shirt-waist dresses, halter-top dresses, and layered flapper-style dresses.
- New clothes that are vintage-inspired will also often be available in more sizes, and will be more affordable than genuine vintage clothing.

3

Shop at specialized vintage stores either online or in person.

This is a great option if you’re striking out at thrift shops or department stores. Just know that genuine vintage clothing can be pricey.

4

Gravitate toward plain white or colorful printed blouses.

A plain white-cotton blouse is an essential piece to a modern vintage wardrobe. It is basic enough to be dressed up or dressed down, depending on your mood and environment. Conversely, blouses with loud prints make great vintage statement pieces, but only if you have enough plain modern clothing to tone the prints down.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Layer simple white vintage blouses with colorful modern cardigans, or take that bold vintage print and tone it down with a solid-colored jacket.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}

5

Choose high-waist pants and shorts over low-rise bottoms.

High-waist bottoms add a vintage signature to any outfit. The cut is often very flattering on any body type because it elongates the hips and waist, and can be paired with just about any modern or vintage top.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Pair high-waist shorts or pants with a simple white collared blouse to create an effortless day-look.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}

6

Look for high-waist swing skirts and shirt-waist dresses.

These garments give off a more feminine feel. When picking out dresses and skirts, try and find ones that will fall around your ankle or calf, and that sit high on your waist. This style was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s, and will be easy to dress up or dress down with modern accessories.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Swing skirts can easily be paired with a printed T-shirt, and shirt-waist dresses look great when layered with a modern cardigan or leather jacket.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}

7

Slip on heels with rounded toes or basic laced shoes.

Many modern shoes have little vintage-inspired accents. Heels with rounded toes and shoes with white laces are reminiscent of vintage looks. Putting on a pair of these, or even leather loafers, will add both modern and vintage touches to an outfit.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Colorful heels with a rounded toe can easily modernize a vintage dress or skirt. Pair it with accessories that match the heels to further tie together the look.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
- Strap on some sandals with your high-waist shorts and a printed T-shirt for a great summertime look.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}

8

Get a mixture of vintage and modern jewelry.

Pearls and golden or rustic-looking lockets are great vintage accessories to have. Most likely, however, you are going to need more modern accessories than vintage to help bring modern accents into an outfit. Your modern jewelry should help accentuate a specific color within the vintage piece you are wearing.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Edgy geometric necklaces, earrings, or bracelets will add modern touches to any vintage outfit.^{[14]
  X
  Research source}

9

Pick one dramatic or whimsical vintage piece to dress around.

Using multiple loud vintage pieces can easily drown out any contemporary items you add. Keep in mind that you want to blend vintage and modern for the outfit.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- So if you want to wear that faux-leopard coat that has been hanging in your closet, then pair it with simple black clothes and accessories to help balance the outfit.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
- Adding denim to any bold vintage item will automatically ground the outfit and make it look contemporary. So if you stumble across a vintage colorful blouse or sweater, and you don’t know what modern piece to pair it with, then just add a denim skirt, a pair of jeans, or a denim jacket to tone down the vintage piece.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}

10

Blend items from different decades.

This is perhaps the easiest way to make your vintage pieces look current. Sticking to one decade for inspiration will limit your options drastically.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- So instead of focusing your efforts on re-creating a swing-look from the 1940s or 1950s, pair that high waist swing skirt with a rocking T-shirt or leather jacket from the 1970s.^{[19]
  X
  Research source}

11

Play with contrasting colors and textiles.

This is an excellent way to spruce up era-specific outfits. If your goal is to wear a vintage outfit from one specific era, then try modernizing it with pops of color or contrasting textiles. These additions will take an era-specific outfit and make it seem more intentionally contemporary.^{[20]
X
Research source}
- Try pairing that shirt-waist dress with popping colored heels or leather sandals, and flouncy hat.^{[21]
  X
  Research source}

12

Mix vintage pieces with modern staples.

Check your closet to see what modern staple pieces you own. Jeans, plain pencil skirts, cardigans, button-up tops, and spaghetti strapped shirts, are just a few modern staples that will contemporize a lot of the vintage clothing you find.^{[22]
X
Research source}
- Take your plain pencil skirt, and pair it with a colorful floral 1980s blouse to create a statement office look.^{[23]
  X
  Research source}
- If you want to wear that fancy white Edwardian blouse, then pair it with a simple zip-up sweatshirt and jeans, or high waist shorts and modern patterned tights. This will help downplay the blouse and still maintain its vintage appeal.^{[24]
  X
  Research source}

13

Layer contrasting vintage items to modernize them.

Sometimes adding layers to a look can lift an outfit from one decade and drop it in another. Layering items will encourage you to experiment with pairing items from different decades to create a modern vintage look that best represents you.^{[25]
X
Research source}
- Maybe think about layering that over-sized vintage sweater with a collared-blouse. Add a pair of fitted dark wash jeans or skirt, and you now have a modern vintage daytime look.^{[26]
  X
  Research source}

14

Separate vintage suits and create multiple outfits.

This is a great way to create a modern vintage look. If you are shopping at a thrift store, then you are most likely going to come across a variety of vintage suits. While these may look dated, separating the suit pieces and pairing them with contemporary blouses or denim bottoms can easily create a lively modern vintage look.^{[27]
X
Research source}
- Vintage formal attire can often include loud or multicolored prints, so try pairing those pieces with modern casual pieces to help tone the outfit down.^{[28]
  X
  Research source}

15

Pair the outfit with modern accessories.

This helps ground the outfit and keeps it from looking like a costume. Use modern-styled bags, sunglasses, and shoes like high heels, chunky sandals, or Oxford styles, to pull the vintage look into contemporary times.^{[29]
X
Research source}
- Try picking a color that is central to a vintage piece you are wearing, and use modern accessories to bring out that color. This will help tie in the vintage with the modern, and make the overall outfit look more cohesive.^{[30]
  X
  Research source}
- If your outfit already has a lot of color in it, then contemporize the look with black accessories.^{[31]
  X
  Research source}

16

Keep experimenting and refer to vintage photos for inspiration.

Old photos and magazines can be great reference points. Once you have collected a few vintage pieces, have fun experimenting with different modern vintage looks.^{[32]
X
Research source}

17

Add layers to short hair to create an edgy-looking bob.

This is a great way to pay homage to the 1920s. While bobs were very popular hairstyles in this era, cutting your hair bluntly and adding some layers will help modernize the look.^{[33]
X
Research source}

18

Tousle long hair to create beach waves.

Loose, wavy, long hair was very popular in the 1940s. It can also easily translate into a contemporary hairstyle. So if you want to maintain your long locks, then just add some volumizer or curling cream to give your hair some vintage-looking dimension.^{[34]
X
Research source}

19

Style your hair in a top-knot or ballerina bun.

This is a great, contemporary way to complement your modern vintage look. A simple top-knot or sleek ballerina bun will help to modernize your overall look, and also give it elegance.^{[35]
X
Research source}

20

Keep your makeup contemporary.

You are going to want to ground your vintage look with modern accents. Using modern smokey eyes for an evening look, or natural makeup for a daytime look, is an easy way to accomplish this.^{[36]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you dress vintage every day?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Try adding vintage accessories to classic modern pieces for an interesting look. One of the coolest ways to elevate an everyday look is to add some fun accessories, especially when they're from a different period! Add a vintage denim jacket over a sleek white shirt or pair a 70s-style belt with your pants for a refreshing twist.
Question

How do you style your hair?

Shayna Innocenti

Community Answer

Modern vintage looks are often best complemented with modern hairstyles. Short hair was very popular in the 1920s, but you don’t have to have a bob to complete your modern vintage look. If you have short hair, then consider adding some layers to give it a more modern and edgy vibe. If you have medium length or long hair, then use styling products to give it some volume and natural-looking waves. For more elegant looks, try styling your hair in a top-knot or ballerina bun. This helps add simple modern accents to your modern vintage outfit.
Question

How do I change a long dress to a two-piece outfit?

Community Answer

If you aren't an experienced sewer, I would ask a tailor shop for help. However, I am guessing that you would cut the skirt off, and put it aside, then hem the top. Depending on where the skirt started, it might be a crop top. Set it aside. Next, take the skirt, and turn it inside out. Cut down the middle until it would fit like high-waisted pants. Then, get elastic and add it to the top of the waist, folding it down so it becomes a low waist with elastic. Last, sew the partially finished pant legs together and turn the whole thing inside out. Again, this is just a suggestion, and I strongly urge you to take it to a tailor shop.