vintage/retro vs. dated

Tricia

I'm curious about this after reading the reactions to Una's floral dress in this post: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ess-photos

Most of you said that the dress looked dated, and I know that style was popular in the 90s. But as someone who's coming to appreciate vintage/retro fashion, I'm wondering where the line is between retro and dated. For example - I see blog pictures of women wearing adorable 1950s dresses, or a dress like Una's with black tights, a cardigan, and oxfords, and it looks fresh to me, but I can't say why.

I guess I think of "dated" as being about the overall context - if I saw someone wearing that flowered dress but it was clear they'd just thrown it on without knowing it was out of fashion, with no attempt to accessorize or personalize it, that would be dated to me. Does that make any sense?

15 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

rute

Veteran

I guess it has to do with the way you style the pieces.. a total look can seem dated, but well mixed with trendy pieces makes all the difference.
Also because the 50's, the 70's are vintage.. the 90's are to closed to be classified vintage.. is just last season.. so dated

15 years ago

Stephanie

Veteran

Tricia, I'm interested in this question too, because I have the sense that certain communities sort of 'reclaim' different looks (there are lots of Liebemarlene followers, for instance) and after a while those looks start looking fashionable to people who are within that community. When I first started looking at fashion blogs, I couldn't understand why everyone was wearing ripped-up jean shorts with tights underneath, or socks with sandals, and now my eye has adjusted to both looks. I think something similar happens with aesthetics like Rhiannon's (Liebemarlene)--but of course not everyone looks at her stuff. So to you and me, something may look cute, but to someone not familiar with that look may think it looks dated.

Just a thought.

15 years ago

Tricia

Veteran

I think you're right, Stephanie.

And Rute, you're totally right about the 90s not being vintage, but in the case of the ditsy floral dresses, that to me is sort of 90s-does-40s, so already a retro look to begin with. There are definitely things from the 90s that would absolutely be dated to me now. (Remember those big wide pants?? We used to call them Hammer-pants. Or are those more late 80s?)

I don't mean to make this entire thread about Una's dress! It was just the example that got me thinking about it.

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I really liked Angie's post on this subject:

http://youlookfab.com/2010/10/.....-is-dated/

15 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

I think it's the juxtaposition of the '90s dress, for example, with an up-to-date haircut, accessories, or footwear that makes it modern and not like someone stepped out of a time machine.

I've never heard of the term Liebemarlene--off to Google! ETA: Oh, I see, it's a fashion blog :).

15 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Tricia, I'm going to style the dress and see what people say before donating it... I agree with you, but I think our tastes are similar!

15 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

in the general case, i would try to get the item to "age" with me. in angie's article, she mentioned that one's personal style can be the determining factor re vintage edge vs dated. also the individual item/trend, for me, would be key. i wasn't fond of the ditsy floral baby doll the first time around, so i won't be partaking. but i love the doc martins from the same era and would try to work the tall boots into my current rotation.

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Hmm I'm thinking the accessories and hairstyle will affect how "dated" an item looks. Also I think shape often gives away a dated item. For example, strong shouldered blazers are "in" and some even have shoulder pads. But the current one's are not as boxy in overall shape as the one's from the 80s.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thank you, Maya.

Tricia, I actually didn't say that the dress looked dated because I think that Una has the style persona to make it look hip - once again. But to Rute's point, the back up singers have to be in place - effective execution is everything. It's never just in the what - but in the how. In the, how, how, HOW!

So in that photo with the dress, the back up party is not quite there yet. But we could give Una some homework if she loves the frock

15 years ago

Category