How to wear vintage and retro fashion in winter
Do you love vintage and retro fashion, but are afraid of having to freeze in them in winter and that’s why you resort to functional clothing and warm trousers? Then this post is just right for you. I’ll show you how you can wear authentic clothes in the style of the 1920s to 1960s, even during the cold season, without having to freeze. These gorgeous winter outfits are stylish and warm at the same time.
How to wear vintage and retro fashion in winter – tip 1: A warm base
Let’s start with the most important tip; a warm base. There are wonderful long-sleeved retro dresses that we can wear even in cold temperatures. Materials such as wool and cashmere are particularly a great choice in winter as they keep you super warm. By the way, my warmest dress by far is the houndstooth dress from Von 50s’ (via Etsy*).
Costumes consisting of a skirt with a matching blazer are also absolutely great in winter. Styles consisting of a warm skirt and a cozy knitted sweater appear more casual.
In addition to dresses and skirt-top combinations, we can’t forget warm swing pants. These also look totally retro and keep us nice and warm.
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Tip 2: Choose warm underwear
Warm underwear is another way to keep us warm in winter. There are also really great, authentic lingerie pieces! Longline bras (e.g. via Ars-Vivendi*), for example, not only create a classic hourglass silhouette, they also act as a kind of undershirt. Women typically wore a delicate slip dress or underskirt/petticoat over a longline bra. This provides further warmth.
Of course, stockings should not be missing from a classic outfit. If you like things authentic and glamorous, you can’t avoid beautiful seamed stockings. Of course we can even wear these in winter, as this post proves! My tip for a warm bottom is the right underwear. Vintage-inspired underpants are traditionally cut slightly longer and higher than modern ones. There are e.g. some lovely ones from What Katie Did*. On really cold days this may still be too cold. So I discovered something super cool for these: knitted underpants! There is one at Emmy Design, for example.
Knitted wool tights are also quite authentic and go perfectly with more rustic outfits. However, if the outfit absolutely calls for sheer stockings but it is below zero outside, I recommend a modern alternative: warm thermal tights that look like sheer ones (e.g. via Amazon*). After all, we vintage lovers can also benefit from modern achievements.
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How to wear vintage and retro fashion in winter – tip 3: Add another layer
Longline bra, underdress, petticoat etc. are a great choice, but may not always be enough to provide enough warmth. Another layer of clothes can do a lot here. How about, for example, a warm cardigan over the dress (also available with rhinestones, for example from The Seamstress of Bloomsbury via Etsy*) or a thin turtleneck sweater under the dress? A vest over a blouse is also a great idea. The layering look doesn’t have to look messy or bulky at all. 😉
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Tip 4: Jackets and coats
Warm jackets and coats with a vintage look keep you wonderfully warm and look so much more glamorous than bulky functional or down jackets! It is also advisable to use materials such as wool again. Fur also keeps you wonderfully warm. However, I personally don’t wear that. Personally, I don’t find new furs ethically justifiable, but vintage furs that have been around for many years and are still being used are, in my opinion, an exception. I think it’s better to wear a vintage fur again and again than to buy something new made from synthetic materials that pollute our environment. Nevertheless, I somehow don’t feel comfortable in it and that’s why I don’t wear fur – not even vintage.
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How to wear vintage and retro fashion in winter – Tip 5: choose warm footwear
Warm feet are essential in winter! That’s why the right footwear is so important. I have loved my lined ankle boots from Miss L-Fire for many years. Since the brand unfortunately no longer exists, I looked for an alternative and came across the Alpen Booties from American Duchess, which really look very similar to mine.
Tip: Also wear warm wool socks in your shoes and wear warm insoles!
Tip 6: Warm accessories
No vintage outfit is perfect without a hat and stylish gloves! It’s great that these accessories also keep us nice and warm. Long gloves in particular look elegant and glamorous. Since many vintage coats also have slightly shorter sleeves, they fit perfectly. When it comes to elegant hats, I like to go for bell-shaped models, a so called cloche, that reach over the ears.
Warm scarves are of course also recommended.
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What do you do to avoid freezing in winter?
