Re: Does vintage style have to be accurate?

This is my comment on Molly Agnew's piece on accuracy in vintage style.

I loved reading this piece as it really resonated with what I feel too.

Particularly, I had quite a similar experience to what you mentioned when I first got into the world of vintage style. My wardrobe is mainly driven by cheap price and sustainability, so I rely heavily on op-shops and using modern pieces to achieve a vintage inspired look. But when I started, I couldn’t help but feel lesser than those who wore the real thing. I felt that I could not really call my style ‘vintage’ if it was not exactly accurate to the decade. I think this mentality is wrong and that it’s unnecessary to gatekeep what can be considered ‘vintage’ style as this just creates a toxic community.

Fashion has been my opportunity to break social norms and turn it into an outlet where I can just express myself in a way that makes me feel confident yet comfortable. I think that’s much more important than accuracy because like you said, that’s what makes it a unique, personal style.

I’d love to hear more of your opinion about this, especially about some of your earlier experiences “delving into the vintage world”!

Gemma x