Isn’t vintage vintage yet?

December 16th, 2008

Don’t get me wrong, I love vintage. I’m just surprised it has stayed hot for so long – since vintage made a comeback, lace and military have been in and out about 36 times.

But why do rich celebrities and models love it so much - when they have access to the best new designs and new designers (often for free)?

Is it because it’s super-ethical (unless you’ve got yourself a vintage dodo feather hat)?
Is it because it is cheaper than new designer fashion and they want to feel our credit crunch fashion pain?
Or could it be that the fashion pack love vintage so much because they are the only ones who can actually get into it?

I’m plumping for that last one. Let’s face it, vintage forces us to accept that a 2008 size 10 is not the same as a 1968 size 10. And if we’re two stone heavier than we were then, but we can still get into a (modern) size 10, then something’s up (usually the zip, thank god).

I’ve got a gorgeous dress of my mum’s from the 1960s – it’s a red, knee-length shift dress with a green and gold paisley pattern. If I breathe in, and don’t speak, or eat, or move, it fits like a glove. And it’s a size 14. But I’m a 10! (a 2008 size 10. I was also a 1980s size 10 though I was 20lb lighter then. Hmmm).

It is a lovely dress though - so I will keep wearing it (silently, without moving). I just won’t go any further back in my hunt for vintage without being prepared to find out I’m a 1930s size 20.