My Top 5 Favorite Vintage Pieces, Ranked
Memories and musings of clothes of the past that I will wear to the ground
As warned, my second post came with significant delay (I hope there will be fewer fits and starts moving forward…) but is a topic near and dear to my heart—vintage clothing. For avoidance of doubt, when I say “vintage” I mean pieces at least 20 years old. Otherwise, I tend to say “second hand” or “consigned” clothing (which make no mistake, I wear a lot of, and will make a post on soon).
Collecting vintage has become one of the great joys in my life. Aside from the fact that vintage clothing tends to be made with far more care, shopping vintage is also a great travel activity. Certain cities, like Tokyo (I am a huge Vintage QOO fan), have so many fantastic vintage pieces at far better prices than in the U.S.—and also have strict authentication policies, so you can trust that what you’re getting is legit.
I’ve also found that I wear my vintage pieces for far longer than things I buy new, nor am tempted to sell them in my frantic seasonal wardrobe purge. That’s likely because everything I have purchased vintage was the product of a deep interest—or frankly, obsession—spurned from a photo of something great (broderie anglaise pants, a suede dress, a vibe) that I needed to find.
The hunt itself is one of my main draws to vintage clothing. In a time where so much is available instantaneously, there is something magical and meaningful about tracking something down that caught your eye, or better yet, the kismet of stumbling upon something from decades’ past that seamlessly fits in to your wardrobe (or that you can build your wardrobe around, if we’re being real).
Now on to my favorite vintage pieces in my wardrobe, at least as of the time of writing…
#5: Y2K-era leather moto pants, Tom Ford for Gucci.
Is any vintage list complete without a nod to the Tom Ford Gucci era? Probably not, and for a good reason. I feel basic saying this, but if I could wear only one brand for the rest of my life it would probably be Tom Ford’s Gucci collections. Or Phoebe Philo for Celine..or maybe Phoebe Philo for Chloe…or….
I found these on The Real Real a few months ago and it’s been too hot to wear them, but the moto detailing and gold hardware leave me weak. They were also a steal, which I feel particularly proud of. I’m not quite sure what collection they are from (I think F/W 2000?), but I am very excited to wear them this F/W and beyond.
#4: Unsigned 1960s yellow beaded mini dress
Man, oh man, I love this dress. I got it from Recess in Los Angeles shortly after I saw “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” in 2019 (I was captivated by Margo Robbie’s yellow short set). The dress has charming snap buttons and the perfect 1960s babydoll hemline. I tend to wear her to very “old Hollywood” places—preferably with a martini in hand—like the Felix Art Fair at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Musso & Franks, and the Parker in Palm Springs, though I think she’s destined for a Palm Beach visit at some point.
#3: 1990s Brocade Velvet Dolce & Gabbana Skirt Set
Like Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, Air’s album Moon Safari, Halston’s Manhattan townhouse, Louis Garrel’s hair—some things are just hot. This Dolce & Gabbana set is one of them. I got it on The Real Real during the pandemic and fantasized of many opportunities to wear it, most of which have since come to fruition. My favorite time wearing this was out to dinner at Le Voltaire in Paris, paired with a black shrug sweater since it was a little chilly. I’ve also worn the bustier top on its own for a night out, with black jeans and vintage Jimmy Choo stiletto boots (on my forthcoming top 5 vintage accessories list).
#2: S/S. 1993 Gianni Versace “Kings of the Jungle” Silk Shirt
This shirt is one of my dad’s iconic Versace pieces that I borrowed in 2018 and never gave back. I typically wear as a beach cover up, but have worn it as a cheeky mini dress a few times, most notably in Miami. It just felt right, you know? The campy Tarzan and Jane motif and palm pattern worked particularly well with a pair of velvet tie-dye Dries Van Noten platforms I have since consigned (RIP).
#1 Early 2000s John Galliano silk dress
I didn’t want to mention any of my vintage bridal pieces here, because that would hog up most of the top 5, but felt like I could cheat a little bit. This dress is particularly sentimental because I wore it the night my husband and I got engaged in Venice. I had no idea the proposal was happening that night—had I known, I probably wouldn’t have worn such a bright outfit, much less asked him to take a bunch of pictures of me in it before dinner (!!)—and it will always be linked to that memory for me.
More recently, I’ve worn this dress to fun girls dinners and events around the city, since she’s particularly easy to dress up (with Maysale mules and an Olympia Le Tan book clutch) or down (with Swedish Hasbeens clogs and a tote). I love the romantic ruffle detailing at the neckline and the unique print (which is reminiscent of Galliano’s newsprint dresses, but FAR less expensive).
Purchased from the lovely In Louve (one of the few sites I have considered gatekeeping) in 2022.
Til next time,
P