Retro fashion has experienced a strong resurgence in the last two decades, starting with grunge in the early 1990s. Working-class rock bands from cities like Seattle helped launch vintage thrift store items into the national spotlight. The fashion began as a direct result of economic hardships and indifferent attitudes in the pop culture movement.

By the late 1990s, thrift store fashion had gained an eclectic but popular representation in the Gen X demographic. Over the past decade, many of these low-budget style options have become the go-to for high-fashion designers as vintage has moved from Main St to Fifth Avenue.

Vintage fashion goes mainstream

Many mainstream designers went retro at the turn of the century, bringing back classic looks like pleated corduroy pants from the 1970s. Even the flared denim look that became popular during the hippie era made its way to department stores.

Today vintage clothing is associated with unique and classic looks that have stood the test of time. A growing number of national chains specialize in recycled clothing. These stores function like thrift stores but are very selective. Rather than follow the savings model of reselling donated clothing, vintage and recycled clothing stores pay substantial fees for one-of-a-kind items that capture an exotic or nostalgic part of fashion history.

An iconic designer who demonstrates the value of vintage is Yves Saint Laurent. The designer made straw hats that sold for more than $5,000 each at Christie’s auction house. A 1960s Mondrian minidress by Laurent sells for more than $10,000.

Why vintage styles will always be present

Outside of high fashion, the thrift store style retains the huge popularity it found in the 1990s. There are a few reasons this fashion trend will never go away:

• Recycled clothing is environmentally friendly, or “green,” which is stylish in itself.
• The experience of searching for rare and valuable items on discount shelves has a treasure hunt feel to it that is still exciting.
• The end result is always a problem too. Vintage clothing is often more affordable than the big box stores attract.
• There is a “scene” for thrift store hunts and connoisseurs of vintage items. There is a whole movement of social networks, online groups, blogs and other groups that are dedicated to the culture of vintage fashion.

What’s new in vintage?

One of the predominant changes in the vintage fashion scene over the past decade is the integration of old and new. Many vintage styles are used to exaggerate modern pieces. For example, oversized sunglasses and classic windbreakers appear in modern hip hop music videos and performances.

Today’s vintage clothing includes anything that is two or more decades old. The genre dates back to the 1920s, before the clothing was considered vintage. With nearly a century of designs to choose from, the possibilities are endless.