The first ever vintage item I bought was about four years ago; a brightly patterned 1960's dress, with a full skirt and a zip up the front. It cost me £25 from Pop Boutique in Manchester, and it continues to be one of my favourite dresses, suitable for day and night. I've continued buying vintage; mainly dresses from the 60's or 70's, and accessories.
Vintage has exploded over the last few years (witness 'vintage' sections in charity shops such as Oxfam, the increase in independent vintage sellers on eBAY and in 3d, and a resurgent interest in charity shops, for those in search of the perfect quilted gold-strapped bag). But something caught my eye today in Urban Outfitters.
As you may know, UO have an 'Urban Renewal' section instore, which contains vintage clothing, as well as newly constructed pieces from vintage stock. I have a few things from their vintage section (all on sale and all from the men's department; plaid shirts, 1980's vest tops and my prized turquoise sachel). But I don't ever really look at it; I find it overpriced and opportunistic. However today, they had a large selection of tooled leather bags, all of which I fell in love with (my favourites being a rose pattern and a deer pattern). Tooled leather, for me, evokes a certain kind of aesthetic; hippyish, bohemian, natural. I have a tooled leather belt that I bought for £2 and I adore it. These bags provoked a similar reaction from me. The only problem? Their price.
Vintage has exploded over the last few years (witness 'vintage' sections in charity shops such as Oxfam, the increase in independent vintage sellers on eBAY and in 3d, and a resurgent interest in charity shops, for those in search of the perfect quilted gold-strapped bag). But something caught my eye today in Urban Outfitters.
As you may know, UO have an 'Urban Renewal' section instore, which contains vintage clothing, as well as newly constructed pieces from vintage stock. I have a few things from their vintage section (all on sale and all from the men's department; plaid shirts, 1980's vest tops and my prized turquoise sachel). But I don't ever really look at it; I find it overpriced and opportunistic. However today, they had a large selection of tooled leather bags, all of which I fell in love with (my favourites being a rose pattern and a deer pattern). Tooled leather, for me, evokes a certain kind of aesthetic; hippyish, bohemian, natural. I have a tooled leather belt that I bought for £2 and I adore it. These bags provoked a similar reaction from me. The only problem? Their price.
£38/£40? Sadly I wasn't shocked. That may not seem like a lot of money for something, you'd be hard pressed to buy a brand new bag off the high street for less. But I can guarantee that it would be far cheaper to go to an actual vintage store, than buy it from Urban Outfitters. I hate that major stores are ripping off consumers in order to make a quick buck. Or do I just not get the point of capitalism?
-meg,xoxo
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