Style on the Cheap

If you're like me, you have very little expendable income that can be spent on looking nice. This factor makes for some innovative solutions when it comes to being stylish. Here are some tips for the vintage style afficionado for looking good while living within your means.




First and foremost is the thrift shop.

While often dirty, loaded with polyester junk and usually low class, the thrift shop will yield some excellent finds every once in a while for good prices. Just be sure you know what you're looking for and carefully examine the entire garment for damage; after all, it is pre-worn clothing. Just a warning, with this bad economy thrift shops are becoming very busy places so deals and steals are becoming few and far between.




Wal-Mart

Before you start the anti-Wally World hate fest, know that Wal-Mart is a successful store because it is what the customer wants: decent products for cheap prices. Remember that if Wal-Mart did not exist another similar business would fill the void. That's business.


But not everything about the Mart is cheap quality. George Brand, for instance. George trousers are great quality vintage-styling for a good price (originally $25). In the photo below a pair of vintage trou are on the left, George Brand trousers are on the right.Certain Wal-Marts, most often the "Super" ones, also carry classic looking George Brand sweater vests.

Also take a look at their $10-$15 Hawaiian shirts. They are made of rayon (like the old ones) and have pretty classic and attractive fabric patterns. Pair them with gray slacks, brown/white spectators, a Panama hat and some vintage sunglasses for a vintage look.

Don't shun Wal-Mart until you've tried these products.



Target

Still not a fan of Wally World? Try the higher class Target (if there were such a thing as a 'high class' nationwide department store). Target's selection of men's clothing has greatly increased in recent years and has provided the buyer with some rather vintage styled clothing for relatively cheap. Such products include short four-pocket vests in wool and corduroy, classic 100% silk regimental ties (though in the modern too-long length), green velvet smoking jackets, plaid peacoats, classic looking leather jackets and more.

Many of these items are now on sale for very cheap so be sure to check it out.

Gap

Selling slightly outdated fashionable clothing to the masses at exorbitant rates, Gap might be the last place you'd think about when searching for vintage style. But while pre-worn jeans and cheaply made shirts and jackets are the main draw for most young folks, GAP socks are indeed quite classic.

Each pair of argyle or striped socks cost a mere $6.50 or get three pairs for $15. Their selection changes regularly with the seasons, as these Spring/Easter socks can attest to.

Younkers and Pennys

These department stores carry a wide variety of clothing, from the hip to the classic.
Pennys, within the last two years, has adopted "American Living" as its in-store brand.

"American Living" is owned and operated by Ralph Lauren so be on the lookout for good quality and classic albeit often expensive styling. Fortunately Pennys has sales regularly.

Another good product sold by Pennys is Van Heusen shirts. Van Heusen is one of the top shirt sellers in the U.S. and it's easy to tell why, particularly when it comes down to their "fitted" shirts. The Van Heusen fitted shirts wear closer to the body and poof out less than their regular-fit counterparts. Van Heusen fitted shirts are often on sale for $25 or less.

Like Pennys, Younkers offers a variety of styles in an attempt to reach a wider demographic. And Younkers has sales almost constantly.

The two jackets/shirts below were obtained at a local Younkers during a 'sidewalk sale'.

Originally $70 each, they were one sale for $10 each. They have great 1950s styling to them.

Lyle and Scott jacket. The gray is actually white houndstooth on a black background. Constructed of combed cotton.

Perry Ellis jacket. Beautiful argyle pattern; constructed of cotton and acrylic blend for easier care.

So, while the economy is in the dumps it's not difficult to look nice and vintage-inspired. You just have to look in the right places.

Perry Ellis

There are few OTR companies today that can accurately copy the belted and action backs of Golden Era suits. One of those companies is Perry Ellis.

And this company does it with regularity. While many modern OTR companies have tried and horribly failed to create a working belted back, it seems that Perry Ellis has done it's homework. Creating a good belted back jacket is not an easy task.

While I will not go into great depth as to what makes a belted back (I'll leave that for a later post), I will say that its location on the jacket plays a vital role. For example, notice the rather crazy 1930s belted/action back jacket in the advertisement below.

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The belt is located at the wearer's waist, or roughly half way down the back of the jacket. In order for a belted back to nip the waist and provide ease of movement it must be located at the wearer's waist, neither higher nor lower. Unfortunately for us today most companies that try the belted back tend to locate the belt too low, down around the hips where it provides absolutely no waist suppression or ease of movement.

Keep this in mind as we examine a Perry Ellis jacket.

This jacket was found at Younkers, on sale for $50. While I'm a size 38R the smallest left was a 40R but it's a fine fit, though 38 would have been perfect.
A couple details. It has a working ticket pocket as well as working cuff buttonholes, two on each sleeve. It also has a patch on the right shoulder, giving it a travel/hiking/shooting jacket feel. It is fully lined with three internal pockets and sweat guards under the armpits. Neat little details make this jacket.

click to enlarge

Notice that the belt sits at or ever so slighly lower than my waist. This helps create the slight waist suppression.

Breast pocket showing the working gusset.

A medium weight twill material. The jacket itself is rather heavy thanks to the full lining.

This is not the only belted back jacket that Perry Ellis offers. At this link you will find another very vintage single-breasted peaked-lapel jacket with a nice belted back. The windowpane fabric pattern also adds to the overall look, as does the high button stance and short skirt length.

I would not hesitate to purchase another Perry Ellis jacket. This company seems to have done its homework and for that it should be commended.