What is retro revival fashion? It’s not just a nostalgic mood swing — it’s a full-on love letter to the decades that shaped our collective style. From the glamour of the 1950s to the bold chaos of the 1970s and the minimalist cool of the 1990s, the retro revival proves that true style never fades — it just reinvents itself.
It’s the art of taking the best looks from the past and giving them a modern twist. In short: we borrow, remix, and rewear — without the mothballs.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
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Less than 20 years old? Retro (yes, Y2K is officially retro now, sorry Gen Z).
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20–100 years old? Vintage (think 50s dresses, 70s bags, 90s denim jackets).
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Over 100 years old? Antique (corsets count, but maybe skip them for brunch).
1920s–1960s: Timeless elegance
Flapper dresses, Chanel headbands, and Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress. The sixties brought mini skirts, bold prints, and bob haircuts — rebellion in style form.
1970s–1990s: Freedom and fun
The 70s were all about bell-bottoms and wild prints. The 80s went maximalist — shoulder pads, neon, and big hair. The 90s cooled it down with high-waisted jeans, slip dresses, and sneakers.
💡 Style tip: Pair a 70s blouse with 90s jeans and a vintage necklace from Zaza of Canada — your ticket to effortless retro chic.
Because, like fine wine, fashion gets better with time.
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Uniqueness: Every vintage piece tells a story.
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Durability: These clothes were made to last, not just for a single selfie.
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Versatility: You can mix decades without looking like a museum exhibit.
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Eco-style: Buying vintage is chic and planet-friendly.
Most importantly, what is retro revival fashion if not the freedom to express yourself — far away from fast-fashion clones.
When Retro Meets Modern
Today’s designers are rewriting fashion history — literally. A 70s trench with Czech glass decorative buttons, a 60s dress updated with a vintage brooch, or a 90s sweater highlighted by a retro necklace — the past and present now walk the same runway.
The vintage revival isn’t just cute — it’s a lifestyle. The boom of thrift stores proves that hunting for hidden gems is the new luxury sport. Those once dusty shops are now stylish treasure chests where you might find a hand-sewn coat, a pleated skirt, or a forgotten designer bag.
And nothing beats that heart-stopping moment when you find THE piece — the dress that fits like a dream (or not, but who cares), the coat in a color no one makes anymore, or those magical shoes that make you feel like a 70s movie star. That, my friend, is the true spirit of retro revival fashion.
Retro isn’t just a look — it’s an attitude. It’s about celebrating the past while dressing consciously for the present. Whether you channel the 50s, 70s, or 90s, remember: true elegance means owning your style, even if it’s straight from another era.
A Little Vintage Shopping Confession
If you love vintage fashion (and I bet you do!), here are a few boutiques and sites where you can find your next retro treasure.
Tiny disclaimer: some links are affiliated — it won’t cost you a dime, but it helps me earn a few cents… just enough to buy another vintage coat (yes, it’s a viciously stylish cycle).
And if you have secret thrift store gems in your own city — share them with me! I’m always ready to expand my map of retro hot spots.
Some Boutiques I Love
IN CANADA
The Only Vintage – One of Vancouver’s very best
📍 1616 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y4, Canada
Why it stands out:
Smack in the middle of Commercial Drive — Vancouver’s heart of alternative fashion — this boutique has earned its cult status. The team literally dives into mountains of clothes every day to uncover rare, collectible, and wearable gems.
Regularly featured in Vancouver Magazine and other fashion roundups of “must-visit vintage stores,” The Only Vintage has a golden reputation among locals: think high-quality finds, warm atmosphere, and top-notch service.
What you’ll find:
Curated vintage clothing only — no clutter, just style.
Pieces from the ’60s to the ’90s in immaculate condition.
A retro-chic vibe: part thrift, part mini fashion gallery.
Pro tips:
Go early — the best treasures don’t linger.
Be flexible with sizing: vintage cuts play by their own rules.
Ask staff about their newest rare arrivals — they love to share.
Take your time; the best dress is often hiding behind the most improbable one.
And before you wear your finds, check labels and hand-wash carefully.
Vintage After Death (I adoooore this shop!)
📍 523 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1N6
Why it rocks:
Right in downtown Victoria, steps from historic Chinatown, this gem is known for its sharp selection of true vintage — no messy piles here, just hand-picked beauties. It’s famous across Vancouver Island for its authenticity, creativity, and slight rock-and-roll attitude.
Every item has a story: flowery ’70s dresses, badass ’80s leather jackets, bold ’90s shirts, and jewelry from eras gone by.
Expect:
Mens- and womenswear, real vintage (not “vintage-inspired”).
Retro accessories — sunglasses, handbags, scarves, and earrings.
Occasional collectibles or antique decor.
Prices that reflect quality — this isn’t a bargain bin, it’s curated treasure.
Pro tips:
Try everything — vintage sizing has its quirks.
Wander the nearby streets; Victoria is vintage heaven.
IN SAN FRANCISCO – Vintage California Paradise!
Here, every street feels like a ’70s film set — and these boutiques are proof. Picture racks of suede jackets, floral dresses that twirl like in Hair, and jewelry sparkling like Janis Joplin’s records.
This isn’t just shopping; it’s time-travel with style. Between a fringed bag and a pair of oversized sunglasses, you might just think, “Maybe I am a hippie… for the weekend.”
Three must-see stops for true retro lovers:
Relic Vintage – Timeless Chic in Haight-Ashbury
📍 1475 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
🌐 relicvintagesf.com
Located in the legendary Haight-Ashbury district, Relic Vintage is a bona fide treasure cave. Expect everything from 1920s flapper dresses to 1980s glamour.
Why we love it: elegant vibe, top-quality items, and owners who clearly live and breathe vintage.
For: collectors, designers, or anyone hunting for a rare and refined piece.
Wasteland – The Cool Kid of Vintage & Streetwear
📍 1660 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
🌐 shopwasteland.com
Bold and eclectic, Wasteland fuses pure vintage with contemporary edge. With three sections — Designer, Vintage, and Contemporary — it’s the go-to for worn-in leather jackets, true Levi’s 501s, or reworked ’90s dresses.
Why we love it: variety, surprise finds, and price flexibility.
For: style mixers who love to blend eras and moods.
No Shop – The Mission District’s Hidden Gem
📍 389 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103
🌐 ohnonotno.com
Discreet but full of soul, No Shop is all about authentic simplicity — think denim jackets, clean-cut shirts, and timeless outerwear.
Why we love it: minimalist selection, authenticity, and the nicest staff.
For: those chasing effortless, urban, everyday chic.
LOS ANGELES – Where Vintage Shines Like the Sun on Sunset Blvd
L.A.’s thrift scene sparkles brighter than a disco ball. Picture glittery dresses fit for Studio 54, perfectly aged leather jackets, and jewelry that could outshine a red-carpet flash.
Here, vintage isn’t just clothing — it’s storytelling. A love letter to the bold, the free, and the fabulously funky.
Wasteland
📍 7428 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
🌐 shopwasteland.com
Why it stands out:
Right on Melrose Avenue — L.A.’s vintage runway.
A mix of designer resale and accessible retro finds.
Beloved by stylists and featured in fashion guides.
Tips:
Arrive early for the gems.
Check condition and sizing — true vintage rewards patient hunters.
Prices vary: from budget-friendly steals to rare designer scores.
IN PARIS – The Capital of Chic Vintage
In Paris, retro never fades — it’s perfumed with nostalgia and worn with that certain je ne sais quoi. On the Left Bank or tucked into Marais corners, you’ll find perfect trench coats, aged-leather bags, and Hermès scarves that have seen more love stories than Netflix has filmed.
Parisian vintage is an art of detail: a brooch perfectly pinned, a tailored blazer, gloves straight out of a Nouvelle Vague movie. Here, elegance meets audacity.
Thanx God I’m a V.I.P
📍 12 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris, France
High-end vintage near Canal Saint-Martin, mixing decades of timeless style with designer resale.
Why we love it: elevated curation, refined atmosphere, and a clientele that appreciates fashion history.
Tips:
Go early for the first pick.
Inspect fabrics and seams — each item is one-of-a-kind.
Explore the area afterward; it’s full of indie gems.
Palace Callas
📍 16 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 Paris
Luxury and designer vintage with a Y2K twist — from couture to iconic labels.
Kilo Shop
📍 65–71 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris (plus other locations)
Vintage sold by weight! Fun, affordable, and perfect for treasure hunters. Grab a tote and dive into the bins — you never know what fashion past life you’ll resurrect.
For the Fashion Book Lovers
Bestselling sewing author Gretchen Hirsch—known to vintage lovers everywhere as Gertie—returns to her roots with a dazzling homage to fashion’s golden age in Gertie’s Charmed Sewing Studio. This book is a love letter to timeless style, revisiting iconic garments of the past and reimagining them for today’s makers and fashion dreamers.
Inside, Gertie dives into unforgettable classics like the mermaid gown, the Elizabeth Taylor–style structured sheath, and the glamorous Rose Marie Reid swimsuit. Along the way, she sprinkles in a touch of fashion history and her signature wit, creating a guide that is both inspirational and practical.
The first half of the book takes readers on a deep dive through vintage-inspired couture techniques, complete with sketches, archival photos, and clear step-by-step instructions. It’s both a sewing manual and a visual celebration of bygone elegance.
In the second half, Gertie focuses on three exquisite, fully patterned garments—the Madeleine Dress, Camille Sheath, and Lillian Princess Coat—offered in an impressively inclusive size range (2–20 and 18–34, with separate A–H cup sizes). Each project includes downloadable full-size patterns, detailed construction photos, and expert tips for achieving that impeccable vintage fit.
Featured designs include:
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The Structured Tropical Dress
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The Rita Blouse
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The Night and Day Dress
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The Lilli Ann–Style Princess Coat
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The Rose Dressing Gown
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The Tropical Mermaid Gown
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The Marilyn Jeans
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The Rose Marie Reid Swimsuit
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The Cummerbund Bubble Dress
With its mix of history, artistry, and modern sewing know-how, Gertie’s Charmed Sewing Studio is both a masterclass and a treasure chest for sewists, vintage enthusiasts, and anyone who dreams of capturing old Hollywood glamour with a handmade touch.
Vintage Fashion: A Complete Sourcebook Paperback – Sept. 26 2023
by Nicky Albrechtsen
This isn’t your typical fashion history book—it’s a vivid exploration of how the style of yesterday continues to shape what we wear today. Featuring more than a thousand remarkable pieces from the 1920s through the 1980s, it highlights true icons of vintage fashion—from Marilyn Monroe’s famous bra to the Ossie Clark dress immortalized by David Hockney. Each piece is viewed through the lens of the modern fashion lover seeking to craft a timeless vintage wardrobe.
The book unfolds in three elegant parts: “Decades” captures the silhouettes, fabrics, and defining moods of each era; “Elements” breaks down the essentials of vintage style, from hats to heels; and “Hallmarks” celebrates enduring fashion motifs, from floral prints to the iconic little black dress. A final reference section offers expert guidance for anyone ready to collect, wear, and live vintage.
VINTAGE FASHION SHOES COLORING BOOK FOR ADULTS
Forget mandalas — this is a runway of retro stilettos, mod boots, and glamorous slingbacks. It’s part coloring therapy, part Audrey Hepburn fantasy.
Each page takes you back to an era when shoes were sculptural art pieces. So grab your pencils, sip some tea, and indulge in a little girly downtime — no need to actually wear the heels!