The art of mixing high street and vintage for a unique look

This is a collaborative post

Vintage fashion can be a wonderful source of novelty, and a great way to inject personality into your wardrobe. But finding vintage pieces that work well together can be tricky. In many cases, a hybrid approach, which brings together older items and modern ones, can represent the best way forward. But why is this, and how can we do it successfully?

Why Mix High Street and Vintage?

The high street comes with a number of distinct advantages. The clothes you find here come in many sizes, and they’re often highly versatile. On the other hand, second-hand items and vintage finds tend to be more affordable, and they’re inherently more sustainable. By bringing together items from either category, you can achieve a look that balances these advantages. At the same time, you might find that you have more scope to customise things to your liking.

Photo credit Becca McHaffie via Unsplash

Sourcing Your Pieces

Doing this properly often means knowing where to look. Many high-street outlets will have bargains for sale, prominently displayed; vintage outlets might contain bargains that aren’t so easily spotted. To give yourself the best chance of unearthing treasure, you’ll want to dig around in as many different places as possible. This means considering not just local shops, but online ones, too. You might find different versions of the same item in many different places. Maxi dresses, for example, are available everywhere.

Styling for a Unique Look

When you’re bringing together items from many different eras, the scope for contrast and interesting juxtaposition is considerable. You might pair items with different patterns, colours, or textures. A little bit of layering can be highly effective. Some knowledge of basic colour theory is always worthwhile, but you might find that you can achieve great results by parting with convention and theory. If an outfit looks like it works, then it’s fair to say that it does.

Expressing Your Personality Through Fashion

When you do it right, fashion isn’t just a means of looking fantastic. It’s also a means of expressing yourself. Every occasion might be a new opportunity to find inspiration. When you have a little bit of experience, and you’ve found a style that matches your personality and body, you’ll often find that you’re a little more comfortable when you’re out and about.

Make Your Wardrobe Your Own

Building up a collection isn’t a one-off endeavour, but a project that will be with you for the rest of your life. As your tastes and budget evolve, you can find new additions in a variety of places, from vintage sources to the high street. Just make sure that you occasionally sell the things that you aren’t using.