Guardian Life Article - Throwback (Doing Vintage Right)

I know I have being terribly unserious with blogging but I have a perfectly good excuse. Y'all know I work full-time, 8 to 5 during the week so the only time I get to do any proper blogging is at the weekends where I write up as many posts as possible and save in my drafts to use throughout the week. Well unfortunately for the past 3 weeks or so I've had to spend every weekend out of town so have had zero time to do any TWP work.

I'm really trying to remedy that though and manage my time better. My sincerest apologies.

Throwback - Doing Vintage Right

The past is always in vogue; from music to films; nostalgia is at an all-time high and nowhere is this more evident than in fashion.

Fashion is such supreme art that a shocking pink Schiaparelli suit which would have been the height of fashion in hideously stylish Paris of the 20s and 30s would not be out of place in the mean fashion streets of 2013.

Vintage clothing is currently so widely beloved that thrifting, the American cousin of the Nigerian bend down shopping, is pretty much the done thing, carrying with it a distinct air of bohemian cool to be adorned head to toe in someone else’s sometimes musty, definitely used old duds.

Or to give it the more politically correct name; pre-loved items.

How to define vintage clothing from mere old, used clothes, Tracy Tolkien gives us a near accurate guide. Clothing produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique clothing and clothing from the 1920s to 20 years before the present day is considered vintage. So in present day 2013, any item of clothing produced before 1993 can be considered vintage.

However vintage can be hard to pull off if you’re not Temi Dollface, Chloe Sevigny or Zoe Kravitz. Following these few simple rules, you should be able to rock vintage like a pro.

Less Is More

If you’re a vintage virgin, it is advisable to start small. Ease yourself into this brave new world by wearing vintage accessories like scarves, hats, jewelry, handbags, or belts; but only chose one accessory at a time. Your unique vintage accessory will stand out even more if it isn’t squabbling for the limelight with a bunch of other treasures.

Head To Toe Vintage Is Not The Done Thing Dah-ling

Do not dress entirely in vintage or else you’d end up looking like you’re going to a Halloween party, plus you run the risk of looking extremely dated. Mixing one focal vintage item with core pieces of your wardrobe like jeans, a simple blazer, or with a tee shirt will make your look modern instead of looking like you stepped out of a time machine. Pairing a great vintage piece with something modern, gives a vintage touch that sets you apart. For example, if you’re wearing a great vintage dress carry a modern bag or wear a modern pair of shoes.

Free Your Mind

I’m the first to admit that I had difficulty boarding the vintage train initially, vintage items look very strange on the hanger, and I always thought "I could never wear that!" If you’ve ever had this thought, try it on anyway, you might be pleasantly surprised. Don’t forget that vintage is an adventure! You’re looking to add excitement to your wardrobe, and you’ll never get that effect if you play it safe or rule things out with one glance.

Stay True To Your Style

As is true with any trend or style, it is best to stay true to what you are most comfortable in and what looks best on you. Realistically, a kaleidoscope print silk Pucci jumpsuit is not going to look good on most people no matter how fantastic it would be to find. This is another example of how mixing vintage with your standby wardrobe is essential to a successful ensemble.

Now that you have the basic rules down pat, the next question will be “but where on earth can I find vintage clothes in Nigeria?” Fret not, we are living in possibly one of the greatest fashion eras the country has ever seen and everything is accessible now, from basic to luxury and yes….even vintage.

Vintage Clothes: Where To Shop

Balogun Market

Balogun Market is located in Lagos Island, right at the end of the Marina road and is a fantastic resource for vintage shopping; in fact the whole of Lagos Island boasts some very hidden spots where one can make amazing buys. From vintage leather accessories to jewelry to clothes, it is boho heaven.

For those who refuse to have their Ferragamos stepped upon by over-eager market goers, one click of a mouse can have your vintage item winging its way down to you by brilliant online vintage fashion retailers.

Toséki Vintage

Toséki Vintage is owned by Tolu Onabanjo, Oluwaseyi Fadase and Kikelomo Akinyosoye. They offer affordable unique vintage clothing and accessories at www.tosekivintage.blogspot.com.

Elsie Vintage

Elsie Vintage is a retail brand dedicated towards selling trendy hand-picked one-of-a-kind vintage pieces owned by Onyinye Fafi-Obi. You can purchase Elsie Vintage pieces at their monthly blog sales on www.fashionphoenix06.blogspot.com

However if you prefer to browse in a uniquely old time atmosphere, Retrospective is for you.

Retrospective

Retrospective holds the honour of being Lagos’ first vintage treasure trove, presenting one-of-a-kind garments, jewellery and accessories handpicked from the vaults of time made anywhere in time from the Victoria era to the nineties, including designer pieces for the discerning, fashion-forward man and woman who aim to interpret the tastes of the past while incorporating the style of the present.

You can find Retrospective in Surulere at 2 Aderibigbe Street, Ikate, Surulere off Alhaji Masha, near Ogosco bus stop, Lagos, Nigeria; and in Victoria Island at Shop 8, Prime Shopping Complex, 24 Muri Okunola Street, Eti Osa LGA, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

You have the rules and you know where to shop, you are now ready to rock your cloche hat or poodle skirt like it’s an MGM spectacular.