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Selling slightly outdated fashionable clothing to the masses at exorbitant rates, Gap might be the last place you'd think about when searching for vintage style.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.

Black Friday

Black Friday reminds me of why I'm glad I collect vintage: while the hoards of 'sheeple' trample and shoot each other in their desire for crap that will be thrown out after a year, I look for long forgotten things of high quality in which few others are interested.

Today, the (deadly) national holiday to consumerism. How sad.

The Most Flattering

Today I wore my vintage Stetson 3X Open Road fedora. It was originally sold at J.C. Petersens, my great-great grandpa's haberdashery, back in the 1950s.

I was at Wal-Mart with this hat and an older gentleman approached me.

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Him: Can I ask you a question?

Me: Sure.

Him: Where'd you get that hat?

Me: I bought it at an antique shop.

Him: Really? Well, would you want to sell it?

Me: No, sorry.

Him: Well, I shouldn't wonder why, you look good in it.

Me: Thank you.

Him: They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Me: No, they really don't.

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Some people can still spot quality when they see it.

George Trousers

I mentioned in my posting of December 16th that I would talk more about the George trousers I wore that day.

This post will fulfill my promise.

I believe George brand trousers are some of the best vintage-style trousers one can find that are very reasonably priced. Why? What makes these $15-$20 trousers better vintage-wise compared to many other seemingly better and higher priced brands?

I'll show you.
The picture below shows three pairs of trousers. One pair is from the late-1940s while the other two are modern George brand trousers. Can you pick out the vintage pair?

You might have decided that the pair on the left is the vintage pair and you would be right, but you probably had some trouble coming to that conclusion. As you can see, like trousers from the 1930s through the early 1950s, the two George trousers have very little taper to them. Wide legged trousers were the style during the Golden Age and these modern trousers mimic the old style very closely.

So closely, infact, that they have the same diameter leg at the cuff, as the below photo clearly illustrates. The vintage trou is beneath the modern.

One thing you might notice in the above photo is that the vintage trou is missing cuffs while the modern George trousers have cuffs. While cuffs were prevalent during the Golden Age they were not always present as a result of fads, personal preferences and even the need to let them down to lengthen the trou to accomidate longer legs.

Yet, as you can see, both of my George trousers have cuffs, which I prefer since they can be let down if needed, help the leg drape better and overall look classic. Both pairs of trousers have cuffs that measure 1 1/2" in length, falling in at the very bottom of the vintage cuff length of 1 1/2" to 2". These cuffs are perfect.

Not only that, but these trousers are pleated. I, not being a fan of plain-front trousers, love the look of pleats and, yes, pleats were fairly common during the Golden Age. Rack up another positive point.

You might also wonder about the fabric weight and pattern. The pictures clearly show that these two examples of George trousers have very classic fabric patterns. The neutral base colors paired with lighter windowpaning as well as other subtle colors (like blue windowpaning on the gray trou) gives these trousers a vintage look that will go with many a suit jacket and shirt.

The fabric weight can be described somewhere inbetween heavy and light, making the trousers perfect for cool and warm weather wear. They are made of a polyester that differs from each style of trouser. But keep in mind that today's polyester is very different from that of the 1970s. These trousers feel like they are made of a heavy cotton blend rather than a polyester blend. The fabric breathes well and they are very comfortable to wear.

My only problem with them is they don't come with suspender buttons but this is easily solved. Plus, they have high enough waists that they wear very well with suspenders.

This is why George brand trousers are my favorite modern trousers to wear: they look classic in both design and color, they are made of medium-weight fabric and they are very comfortable to wear. I would advise you to pick up a pair at your local Wal-Mart and try them out for yourself. they cost anywhere from $15 to $20, making them very affordable and are great trousers for vintage afficionados.