How to Wear Retro Clothes in 2020

Whether you believe that the best clothing fashions have already happened or you believe that the best is yet to come, you can’t deny that the styles of the past are fun and fascinating. Retro clothing is quite chic these days, especially if you can update the look to fit modern tastes. Here are a few retro outfit ideas with a twist, so you can wear them comfortably and confidently today.

1950s

In the 1950s, there was a strong line between men’s and women’s fashion. At the time, women were expected to conform to gender roles, wearing clothing that created a traditional feminine figure: large bust, wide hips, tiny waist. Most often, women wore A-line dresses and skirts with tight-fitting bodices, but pencil skirts also came into vogue at this time. Meanwhile, men’s fashion relaxed significantly, with a wide array of casual styles becoming more available and more popular. It was common to see men in shorts, brightly patterned shirts, knit polos and sports shoes.

While tea-length skirts with some flare have seen a bit of a surge, they aren’t exactly turning heads, let alone dropping jaws. In 2020, gender in fashion is falling to the wayside, making many 1950s looks more difficult to pull off. One way to go retro without feeling like you are wearing a costume is to gender-bend — that is, for women to adopt men’s fashions from the period. You might consider donning some straight-legged slacks and pairing them with a fun top, like a short-sleeved Hawaiian shirt or a colored polo shirt. You don’t want the outfit to be too oversized or baggy; it should be fitted for a ‘50s look.

1960s

The 1960s saw one of the first true fashion revolutions, when women’s and men’s fashion departed remarkably from the style of the previous decade. This time in history was also the first to see some deviation in style, as different groups with different interests adopted different styles. There certainly were women who hung onto A-line skirts, but more women opted for more shapeless tube and drop-waist dresses. Additionally, some women began adopting more masculine fashions, with separates like button-up shirts and slacks becoming popular.

Bringing the ‘60s into the present day is more about the colors and patterns than the lines of the clothing. Tight, plaid mini skirts are very in, especially in browns, oranges and mustards. You should opt for high-necked tops or shirts that read masculine but fit your body well; turtleneck sweaters and polo shirts for women are good options. Then, you should finish the look with retro accessories, like an autumn-colored beret and boots with kitten heels. You want to look preppy and put-together with a slight rebellious streak.

1970s

The 1970s inherited a lot of its fashion from the 1960s; it merely expanded on some of the groundbreaking trends of the decade before. In general, clothing in the 1970s trended toward casual and comfortable. Some notable clothing items popular to this decade include disco-wear like bell bottoms and jumpsuits as well as denim everything and homemade embellishments, like fringe, embroidery and patches. As in the 1960s, dressing for your personality was more important than dressing to fit the latest trend.

Almost every fashion trend from the 1970s is back in style in a major way, so unless you are dressing as a character your ‘70s retro outfit will likely look like the peak of fashion. If you aren’t sure where to start, you might pick up some flared jeans to pair with a jean jacket and a simple bralette top, and add pins and iron-on patches for interest and fun. If you want a slightly dressier ‘70s look, you can opt for wide-leg slacks in a bright color or a short shift dress with patterned rights underneath. For this retro look, you should feel free to experiment with colors, fabrics, layers and more.

It isn’t hard to find vintage clothing that transforms you into a caricature of a stylish person from a previous decade, but transforming that clothing into a trendy look for today can be a thrilling challenge. Because retro fashion is definitely in, more and more new clothing stores are stocking pieces reminiscent of items from the past, making it easier than ever to develop a retro style. No matter what decade’s fashions you pursue, you can bring it into the present by wearing it with confidence and grace.