We live in a very exciting time in fashion history. It’s 2020, and all lines are blurred. All eras are represented in current fashion. Watch any current fashion show and you’ll see it. You know what that means? It’s easier than ever to add vintage to your current modern wardrobe!

As we watch fashion icons like Gwen Stefani, we realize just how far we’ve come. She’s been seen in outfits that represent vintage styles throughout the eras, from the 1930’s to the 1980’s. One day she’ll be in a yellow floral chiffon dress reminiscent of the 40’s, and the next day, she’s spotted in a tight, gold lame mini dress and ultra curly 80’s hair. She’s unapologetic about her style, and you can be too!

Are you scared to wear an ultra funky vintage outfit because of what people might think? Why? What does their opinion matter? You are the one who has to live in your skin and look at yourself in the mirror. If you want to be a female warrior, you must wear the armor that YOU feel powerful in!

We understand that a lot of women are scared to wear true vintage fashion. Are you worried about how to add vintage pieces to your current modern wardrobe? What about styling, accessories and shoes? Some people feel intimidated by the infinite choices and possibilities. Not to worry! We’ve got you! This guide will help you navigate the vintage world and build your collection.

Mixing vintage pieces from different eras is easier than you think. As they say in fashion, “Everything old is new again.” So many eras are inspired by past eras that styles can be easily mixed and matched.

For instance, in the 70’s there was a huge prairie dress trend. You might think prairie dresses were invented in the 70’s, but the style actually comes from the 19th century, as pioneer women crossed the United States in search for freedom and financial security. Now, 50 years later, prairie dresses are staples in many women’s wardrobes. They’re even walking runways in high-fashion shows.

80’s fashion was highly influenced by the 40’s with shoulder pads, power suits, and peplum silhouettes. The 90’s took us back to the hippy era of the late 60’s and early 70’s with bell bottoms, slick brown leather jackets, and painfully short brown leather skirts.

In the pictured look, Angel is wearing a 80’s skirt, a modern tube top, a 40’s cropped jacket, 80’s sunglasses, and 80’s beads. It worked perfectly because the color combination is complimentary, and the styles are all reminiscent of the 80’s.

Tips

• Look for pieces with complimentary colors first.
• Be bold! Pair 90’s black Dr. Marten’s with a 70’s prairie skirt and a simple tee. Layer a 60’s brocade coat over a sleek black 50’s wiggle dress. Add a silver 40’s to a 60’s baby-doll ensemble.
• Don’t forget about fashion “revivals.” A 70’s Art Deco Revival dress looks great with a special 20’s clutch or hat because that style is reminiscent of the 20’s.
• Lay out a variety of pieces and see what goes together. Try on various combinations to see what fits your personality.

We’ve already gone over how awesome our current fashion situation is. Being that many current fashions and trends are vintage-inspired, this is the easiest way to introduce vintage into your wardrobe, yet it’s what people are most scared of doing.

If you want to play it safe, look for modern pieces with vintage inspiration while shopping and trying different combinations. It’s not hard to find a 50’s-inspired coat to wear over your vintage 50’s dresses.

We styled this patchwork skirt from the 60’s with a Free People blouse from their fall 2019 collection. The style and color go perfectly and give it a Boho vibe.

Tips

• Start with jewelry! Add chunky and bright 70’s jewelry to an understated outfit such as jeans and a sweater to funk it up. Pair rhinestone 50’s jewelry with a modern party dress. Funky and colorful 80’s bracelets and earrings are all the rage; add them to a black jumpsuit.
• Add vintage bags to spice up an outfit. A silver 40’s handbag goes great with any modern party look. A 70’s wood-beaded or macrame bag is perfect to pair with a modern Boho look.
• Play with outerwear. Layer a 70’s patchwork leather jacket over any casual top and jeans. 80’s leather jackets are very hot right now and look great with modern casual outfits. Stay warm on a chilly evening by layering a 50’s cashmere cardigan over a modern sundress.
• Balance the outfit. If your vintage piece is loud and bold, pair it with classic modern staples. If your vintage piece is more simple and versatile, choose modern counterparts that make more of a statement.
• Take photos of your vintage pieces to take with you when you shop. Maybe you’re looking for something to pair with a very unique vintage piece, or you’re putting together an outfit for a special event. Don’t be afraid to ask a sales rep for help and show them the photos of your vintage pieces.

Boho fashion is one of the most popular current styles. Guess what? It wasn’t invented by Free People and Anthropologie. The Bohemian subculture actually started in France after the French Revolution. As the country plummeted into a recession, artists as a group were no longer being supported by the wealthy. This created a difficult lifestyle of poverty. They lived cheaply, wore worn-out clothes, and took up a nomadic lifestyle, traveling in search of work.

Now, Bohemian style in both fashion and home decor is based on the idea of fusion and travel. In homes, this means mixing decor from all over the world, layering rugs and fabrics, and having a comfortable setting where anyone would feel creative, inspired, and comfortable.

In fashion, Boho style is easy to wear. Flowy, romantic pieces inspired by artists and cultures from around the world have an artistic and free-spirited vibe. Staples include prairie dresses, maxi skirts and dresses, off-the-shoulder tops, prairie blouses, loose tunics, bell sleeves, faded and flared jeans, strappy sandals, lose-knit sweaters, chunky and beaded jewelry, versatile vests, over-sized scarves, and other earthy pieces.

A Boho fashion icon is Stevie Nicks. She’s famous for sweeping about the stage in flowy floral prairie dresses and headscarves. She loves velvet and fringe, brown leather vests, worn brown boots, batwing or Gothic detailing, embellished sleeves, slouchy beanies, and celestial jewelry.

If you’re a free spirit who loves to be comfortable, this style is for you.

Tips

• Layer, layer, layer! Layer fabrics with different textures, prints, and colors. Add slouchy open-knit sweaters over maxi dresses. Wear jeans under long floral tunics and flowy mini dresses.
• Add a head scarf in a complimentary color.
• Add brown leather booties to dresses and skirts.
• Add long, spangly necklaces with moons and stars, strands of beads, chunky turquoise and silver jewelry, bangle bracelets, etc. With jewelry, more is better.
• Look for interesting fabrics such as romantic florals, Indian prints, Native American prints, paisley, patchwork, and lace.

Taking fashion risks is a way to liberate your style and your attitude. Strong women like Cindy Lauper, Betsy Johnson, and Lady Gaga are known for their strong senses of style because they are so unapologetic about their fashion choices. They possess a sense of power and command attention.

If you want to be the badass #GIRLBOSS who rules the world, follow in the footsteps of these fashion pioneers. Whether you’re in a conference room or the center of attention at a party, you’ll stand out and inspire others with your fashion risks. Marilyn Monroe said, “It’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

Tips

• Take risks that fit your personality. Not all risks are for all people. If you’re not into something or if it doesn’t look good on you, skip it.
• Dress for yourself, not others. Who cares if someone else doesn’t love what you’re wearing. If your outfit says something about your personality, it’s done its job.
• Pair mini dresses with chunky statement boots in bold fabrics or leather.
• Layer a worn leather jacket over a super formal gown.
• Wear a jumpsuit to a formal event instead of a gown.
• Try mixing menswear into your wardrobe. Wear an over-sized black blazer with a belt as a dress.
• Look for bright, bold colors, such as neon. Don’t be afraid to stand out!
• Add a crap ton of bangle bracelets and chunky rings.
• Add a bold, interesting, colorful handbag to your outfit.
• Pair chunky white tennis shoes with dresses.

Add some funk and nostalgia by mixing polyester 70’s shirts into your current wardrobe. The “anything-goes” lifestyle of the late 60’s and throughout the 70’s bled into fashion. Clothing was about personal expression and individuality rather than fitting in. Women and men donned these crazy polyester shirts with graphic colors and patterns because it made them feel bold and adventurous. Don’t we all still want to feel that way?

Tips

• Keep the outfit simple by pairing one of these funky tops with distressed jeans or cutoff jean shorts.
• Tie at the waist and pair with a solid prairie skirt.
• Add a white belt to break up the loud fabric.
• Pair with a fitted black business suit.
• Tuck into formal black shorts.
• Wear under a leather jacket.

Jumpsuits are one of the hottest trends for 2020. We’re seeing them on the runways and on the streets. They come in several styles, from casual to formal. The hottest cut is the mechanic-style jumpsuit. Think industrial-looking coveralls worn in garages. Other styles such as fit and flare and cropped are also hot this year. Pulling off this look requires finding the right jumpsuit for you.

Tips

• Consider your body shape. If you are petite on the top and larger on the bottom, go for a jumpsuit that is fitted at the top with more flowy and loose legs. A strapless look is flattering for this body type as well. If you’re vertically challenged, try a more fitted silhouette. If you’re tall, the mechanic style with long legs is perfect for you.
• Consider your needs. Are you looking for a casual piece you can wear to work and out with friends, or a formal piece for a party? Casual jumpsuits are comfortable in cotton and rayon, which a formal jumpsuit can be made out of silk or satin.
• Think about layering. Pair a casual jumpsuit with a worn denim or leather jacket. To a formal event, layer a tuxedo jacket over your fancy jumpsuit.
• Add a belt to cinch in your waist. A gold belt on a black jumpsuit is a bold statement that will be super flattering by giving your body more shape.
• Dress it up with stiletto heels and a clutch, regardless of how casual your day is.
• Don’t worry about the fit! If it’s too big on top or the legs are too long, take it to your favorite tailor for alterations.

The 80’s dress in all its glory is back with a vengeance. We’re seeing all the silhouettes in subdued and bold colors. Huge puff sleeves, shoulder pads, peplum waists, black and white polka dots, loud florals, bright geometric shapes, and metallic fabrics are walking the runways and the streets.

80’s silhouettes are a bit varied. You have the traditional puff sleeve, cinched waist, and loose skirt like what is pictured here. There’s also the sleek silhouette of broad shoulders, cinched waist, and pencil skirt. And let’s not forget the super tight mermaid-cut skirts of the era.

Tips

• Consider your body shape. What do you want to accentuate and what do you want to flatter? A traditional silhouette works for any body type, as it gives the illusion of an hourglass figure regardless of your shape. If you want to show off your curves, a fitted pencil or mermaid skirt is perfect for you.
• Add a gold belt for the traditional 80’s look, a white belt to break up the color and pattern, or a black belt for an understated accessory.
• Pair your dress with stiletto heels for a dressy look, funky boots for an edgy look, or white Keds for a casual look.
• Pick up some funky geometric earrings to kick up the 80’s even more.

A big trend this year is bold, over-the top blouses, tops, and sweaters. Everything from gigantic puff sleeves and bows bigger than your head to colorful sequins and shoulder pads. Wearing these styles is easier than you would think.

Tips

• Always pair a top-heavy design (such as giant sleeves and bows) with a sleek, simple bottom, like fitted dark jeans, black pants, or leather pencil skirt.
• When wearing an ultra colorful top, pair it with simple bottoms.
• Don’t add chunky or bold jewelry. Instead, opt for simple, small earrings and delicate rings.
• Dress down sequins for a daytime look. We styled this fun, colorful sequin top with torn cutoff jean shorts to dress it down. It would look great with fitted torn jeans as well.
• Don’t be afraid to mix genres and styles. (Refer to above section.)

If you’re brand new to the vintage world and not sure how to start, accessories are a great introduction. 2020 trends are so reminiscent of vintage styles that you can blend your vintage accessories with your modern wardrobe seamlessly.

Hot Vintage Accessories for 2020

• 60’s over-sized sunglasses in every shape
• Aviator sunglasses
• Macrame shoes and handbags
• Straw handbags
• Faux flower broaches, belts, and hair accessories
• Silk scarves in florals, animal print, and paisley, tied on the head
• Square-toe shoes and boots
• Platform sandals
• Mary Jane heels
• Gold chain belts, purse handles, and shoe details
• Over-sized chain jewelry
• Pearls
• Long and short necklaces layered together
• An excessive amount of bracelets all worn at once
• Chunky turquoise and silver rings
• One large statement earring worn alone
• Big hoop earrings

We’ve put together a vintage forecast snapshot for 2020 based on modern and vintage trends, as well as what current designers are releasing.

• All things Boho
• Gypsy dresses, skirts, and blouses
• Prairie dresses, skirts, and blouses
• 80’s dresses
• Puff sleeves, the bigger the better
• 70’s polyester suits
• Mechanic jumpsuits
• Gold and silver lame mini dresses
• Chunky turquoise and silver jewelry
• Layered necklaces
• Crochet and macrame fabrics
• Sequins
• Florals florals florals
• Bold plaid and patchwork fabrics
• Bright colored leather
• Leather patchwork jackets
• Ivory lace
• Ruffles
• Peplum tops, dresses, and jackets
• Polka dots
• Tie-dye