Thrifty fashionistas have always known that the best way to be fashion forward is to look back at the past. While vintage clothing is somewhat pricier than thrift,resale, or charity shops, it's still a fraction of the cost of the designer looks on the runways and department stores.
Cheap Jack's has been selling vintage for over 35 years, first in the East Village, then Union Square, and now in Midtown Manhattan. The store's colossal collection of clothing, which spans over 100 years of sartorial splendor, is housed at 303 5th Avenue at 31st Street. By searching through the racks, we were able to find clothing that not only reflects current trends, but probably inspired them. We shot 5 looks that incorporate the trends that you'll be seeing on NYC streets this spring and summer.
The Dress: For sultry summer workdays, a printed 70's dress can be your salvation. With everyone from Gucci to Marc Jacobs reinventing that decades silhouettes and patterns, it's the perfect time to invest in a vintage piece. Our model wears an acqua dress with restrained flower print accessorized with elasticized white belt and boxy vintage sunglasses. A chainlink necklace with colorful faux pearls picks up the hues in the dress without being gaudy.Heeled white sandals complete the look.For a funkier take, wear men's oxfords and throw a denim vest over the dress.
The Printed Blouse: Ethnic prints are all over the fashion pages, from African to Ikat. You can find a woven peruvian print top from the 50's at Cheap Jack's to go with fitted jeans and cowboy boots. A man's fedora adds a quirky sweetness. Look for leather vintage bucket and messenger bags for a western, cowboy feel. or combine the top with a swingy summer skirt, cinch with a thin belt and step out in a sweet pair of flats.
70's: A one shoulder 70's dress in a pale yellow is perfect for Saturday strolls or summer clublife. With an Elsa Peretti style cuff on one arm, and a pair of barely there sandals below the handkerchief hem (banded in a darker yellow). Try dangly chandelier style earrings for a flirty evening out.
The Jumpsuit: Jumpsuits are back in a big way and Cheap Jack's has a healthy selection. For this story we chose a piece that combines lace (think Isabel Marant and Valentino) and silky, flowing palazzo pants in a stunning shade of off-white, perfect for showing off tanned limbs. An oversized, double-breasted 80's blazer from Christian Dior adds masculine elegance. Gold accessories add up to a richly stylish look with minimum effort. This jumpsuit's halter top shows off toned shoulders to great effect.
Color Blocking: One of the most modern looks today involves color. The brighter the better. We combined a fuschia 60's sheath with pleats running from neck to hem with a boxy, body-skimming Jones New York jacket in tangerine, reminiscent of the clashing (yet harmonious) color combinations seen at Jil Sander.A black belt and patent leather clutch ground the look in reality, and give it an 80's insouciance. hair can either be sleek and close to the head, or 80's huge, depending on your mood.
While buying fast fashion may be easier, vintage shopping can yield one-of-a-kind pieces for indivuals that look ahead of the curve. Being fashion forward means being a savvy shopper and investing in pieces that will last and work well with future purchases. Armed with a tape measure and some magazine pages, you can go to Cheap Jack's and find the clothing and accessories that you need to make a personal statement in today's cookie-cutter world without going bankrupt.
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