hiya, im a student at Nottingham Trent University and i am doing a research project discussing whether vintage ranges will become a part of high street chains such as Topshop in the long term, would be great if i could get any ones views on what their opinion is of vintage being sold in such stores and whether you think it will become permenant in the future. thanks!
Vintage sold in high street chains
- Thread starter charlotte
- Start date
My thought was you ment trendy high-street shops selling a selection of vintage too?
I remember the last time I went to London, a few years ago, that Urban Outfitters, and I think also Topshop, had a small selection of vintage clothing. My problem with that was: I though they were doing it only because it was "trendy", nothing was older than 80s or late 70s (that was just when 80s retro became big), the selection was very small, and honestly - it was overpriced. It wasn't "my" thing then and is even less so now, as I much prefer older vintage stuff (generally 30s to 60s), and the range was chosen for "trendyness", not, what I think, real vintage lovers are looking for (being the cut, quality, styling, fit etc. - not the factor if it's trendy or not). IMHO, vintage sold in trendy shops may find their clientele in hipsters, but not in those who collect and wear vintage for the above-listed reasons. And the trend might just wear out sooner or later for these hipsters, so personally I don't see this as becoming a long-term feature of highstreet shops. I find much more of what I like in vintage clothing at real vintage shops, sometimes thrift shops - and of course VFG members' online shops
. Bigger selection, better pricing, and more of what I am looking for. Don't get me wrong, I do like Urban Outfitters etc., but that's not the only kind of store that I shop at, and I'd never buy vintage there.
Karin
I remember the last time I went to London, a few years ago, that Urban Outfitters, and I think also Topshop, had a small selection of vintage clothing. My problem with that was: I though they were doing it only because it was "trendy", nothing was older than 80s or late 70s (that was just when 80s retro became big), the selection was very small, and honestly - it was overpriced. It wasn't "my" thing then and is even less so now, as I much prefer older vintage stuff (generally 30s to 60s), and the range was chosen for "trendyness", not, what I think, real vintage lovers are looking for (being the cut, quality, styling, fit etc. - not the factor if it's trendy or not). IMHO, vintage sold in trendy shops may find their clientele in hipsters, but not in those who collect and wear vintage for the above-listed reasons. And the trend might just wear out sooner or later for these hipsters, so personally I don't see this as becoming a long-term feature of highstreet shops. I find much more of what I like in vintage clothing at real vintage shops, sometimes thrift shops - and of course VFG members' online shops
. Bigger selection, better pricing, and more of what I am looking for. Don't get me wrong, I do like Urban Outfitters etc., but that's not the only kind of store that I shop at, and I'd never buy vintage there.Karin
Vmode
Registered Guest
I agree with Karin, places like Topshop aren't selective with vintage.. which is understandable I suppose as they know their target market, which isn't necessarily going to be spending the big bucks on quality pieces say, pre-60s. I CAN'T STAND places like that, to me they cheapen the idea of vintage, and saturate the market with basically tat.
I ranted on about this in a previous thread, but I'm gonna go for it again; The word 'vintage' is starting to get associated with either 1. any old crap 2. generically retro, vintage-inspired modern clothing that you find in Primark or Hennes, that is blurring people's understanding of 'vintage'... So many listings I've seen on ebay etc. that are listed under Vintage, and similarly in the seller's description, are modern from the high street.
We were also discussing in that thread Asos Marketplace's horrendous selection of '1940s' dresses, that are actually polyester '70s nightmares.. the regular high-street and trend shopper perhaps isn't going to know the difference, and maybe the sellers don't either!
Vintage is super trendy at the moment and I can't see it becoming unpopular, so I imagine more stores would be willing to incorporate it into their space in the future- Liberty's has opened up a vint. department, have you checked that out? It might be good for you to compare and contrast the Topshop selection with Liberty, which has glorious high end 'proper' vintage.. although at proper prices too!
One of the original vintage collections at Topshop was supplied by Peekaboo Vintage, who I believe describe it now as their 'concession' shop.. They've since opened a stand-alone store in Ganton st with a more discerning boutique selection of garments. I actually found a gorgeous 1940s day dress from the TS concession, mis-dated as late '50s so actually a bit of a bargain.. never seen anything as good since!
I think it's important to bear in mind that these stores want to stock pieces that will echo the feel of their other departments, that compliment the current stock- I do a fashion fair every month with pieces from the 30s-70s and find that the sellers with 70s-90s garments at a cheaper price do pretty well, as the clothing can be integrated into their wardrobes without upsetting it's existing style, if you get what I mean. They can have the whole "I'm wearing vintage you know" thing without really putting any effort into it ;)
It's so popular and 'in vogue' right now that everyone is wanting to get in on the action, even well-known vintage retailers like Beyond Retro and Rokit so rarely have anything of interest to the people I know that wear vintage, but they're like the go-to stores for regular shoppers who want what they consider to be vintage.
... I sound a snob. I don't care! :p
I ranted on about this in a previous thread, but I'm gonna go for it again; The word 'vintage' is starting to get associated with either 1. any old crap 2. generically retro, vintage-inspired modern clothing that you find in Primark or Hennes, that is blurring people's understanding of 'vintage'... So many listings I've seen on ebay etc. that are listed under Vintage, and similarly in the seller's description, are modern from the high street.
We were also discussing in that thread Asos Marketplace's horrendous selection of '1940s' dresses, that are actually polyester '70s nightmares.. the regular high-street and trend shopper perhaps isn't going to know the difference, and maybe the sellers don't either!
Vintage is super trendy at the moment and I can't see it becoming unpopular, so I imagine more stores would be willing to incorporate it into their space in the future- Liberty's has opened up a vint. department, have you checked that out? It might be good for you to compare and contrast the Topshop selection with Liberty, which has glorious high end 'proper' vintage.. although at proper prices too!
One of the original vintage collections at Topshop was supplied by Peekaboo Vintage, who I believe describe it now as their 'concession' shop.. They've since opened a stand-alone store in Ganton st with a more discerning boutique selection of garments. I actually found a gorgeous 1940s day dress from the TS concession, mis-dated as late '50s so actually a bit of a bargain.. never seen anything as good since!
I think it's important to bear in mind that these stores want to stock pieces that will echo the feel of their other departments, that compliment the current stock- I do a fashion fair every month with pieces from the 30s-70s and find that the sellers with 70s-90s garments at a cheaper price do pretty well, as the clothing can be integrated into their wardrobes without upsetting it's existing style, if you get what I mean. They can have the whole "I'm wearing vintage you know" thing without really putting any effort into it ;)
It's so popular and 'in vogue' right now that everyone is wanting to get in on the action, even well-known vintage retailers like Beyond Retro and Rokit so rarely have anything of interest to the people I know that wear vintage, but they're like the go-to stores for regular shoppers who want what they consider to be vintage.
... I sound a snob. I don't care! :p
I was going to mention Liberty's vintage department. Now that is serious vintage.
Ralph Lauren carries very high end vintage costume (and I think real) jewelry at their flagship store on Madison Avenue New York, and has for some time. Bergdorf Goodman offers vintage costume jewelry and both vintage and antique fine jewelry in their Kentshire shop, and I think I've seen some vintage jewelry at Barney's, also. I'm not sure how widely spread this is but certainly there is very high end vintage costume jewelry available in MYC, at what you call "high street" stores in the UK.
Vmode - you got it so right. My last trip to London is about 5 years ago, so I guess things have changed again - and probably become even bigger. I know one "hip" shop here in Zurich that does the same. The thing is also, if I want a big crazy 80s sweater like they had there in heaps the last time I went there, I can also go to my local Caritas thrift shop - chances are I'll find one there, pay less for it - and do a good deed as well . I even prefer these kinds of shops to the "hipster" ones any time if I can't find a "real" vintage shop. Chances for vintage maybe fairly small there, but if they have something, it will usually be very reasonably priced, and I have made some stunning vintage finds in thrift shops over the years. Plus the one near me also supplies me with great clothes I couldn't afford otherwise - especially for work. Think cashmere sweaters - or even a couture suit (the price I paid for that - I thought it was actually a shame they were selling it for so little...).
Karin
. I even prefer these kinds of shops to the "hipster" ones any time if I can't find a "real" vintage shop. Chances for vintage maybe fairly small there, but if they have something, it will usually be very reasonably priced, and I have made some stunning vintage finds in thrift shops over the years. Plus the one near me also supplies me with great clothes I couldn't afford otherwise - especially for work. Think cashmere sweaters - or even a couture suit (the price I paid for that - I thought it was actually a shame they were selling it for so little...).Karin