Adding Vintage Fashion to Your Work Wardrobe

Update Your Career Wear with Unique Retro Clothes and Accessories

It doesn't take much to add a bit of vintage to your work wardrobe. Here are some tips to incorporate vintage fashion into your business attire.

Over the years, business casual has become the norm in many companies. This has given workers more leeway to incorporate unique clothes and accessories into their business attire. Additionally, you may have more flexibility to wear different fashions depending on your occupation and company. For instance, an interior designer might be able to experiment with more “edgy” fashion than a corporate attorney. Here are some simple ways to incorporate vintage fashion into your business attire.

Purchase foundational pieces such as slacks, skirts, dresses and jackets. Foundation pieces in solid or neutral colors work the best since a great pair of brown slacks or a black A-line skirt can be worn several times a week.

Invest in classic clothing and accessories. Certain clothes and accessories never go out of style. Classic clothing such as boxy Chanel style jacket or black slacks will last season after season and will always be in style. Think about investing in a great leather handbag in a neutral tone, a cameo necklace, or a black wool suit.

Consider the color and fabric of your garments. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, polyester was a very popular fabric for clothes. In the 1980s, rayon was king. Unfortunately, these fabrics come across as looking dated and unprofessional. Consider natural fabrics such as cotton, silk, or wool. Also, save vibrant colors and patterns for accessories. A pink suit might look fun in the store, but you would probably get more wear out of a neutral colored one.

Don’t wear vintage from head to toe. Unless you work at an indie record shop or a funky vintage clothing store, your supervisor may not appreciate it if you come to work all decked out in your finest vintage. Instead, try combining current clothes and accessories with vintage to avoid looking like you are wearing a costume. For instance, try pinning a few rhinestone flower brooches to a neutral colored jacket or wear a vintage silk flower scarf with a plain, crisp white shirt.