Trends come and go but one thing never goes out of style and that’s buying clothes second-hand. Not only is it good for your wallet, but it’s also great for the planet. However, for many people, thrifting can be overwhelming. And it’s understandable why—there are so many choices when it comes to second-hand shopping and it’s hard to determine what’s trendy and what matches your style.
So if staying on trend is important to you, but you’d rather buy vintage than support fast fashion, use this guide to see what’s in style right now.
These are the top 5 vintage-style trends of 2023:
Y2K Vintage Fashion
Fashion of the early 2000s is back and picking up more traction by the day. It started last year with crop tops and chunky platform shoes. But with the additional popularity of styles like cargo pants, bucket hats, and even chunky belts, it’s safe to say we’re in the middle of a full Y2K fashion revival. If you’re one of the lucky people who never let go of thier early 2000s wardrobe, great news, it’s time to pull it out again.
But if you’re new to the trend, or just want updated sizing for your Y2K fashion, here’s what you need to look for in the vintage store. Start by finding simple basics. Y2K was all about playing with proportions. Oversized pants like cargo or wide-flair legs were often paired with crop tops or colorful graphic tees. Speaking of colorful, we weren’t afraid of color in the early 2000s—if there was ever a time to embrace neon colors or even pastels, it’s now.
Magenta & Other Red Tones
Sometimes what’s trendy isn’t a style, but a color. And this year red is red hot. With many celebrities sporting a whole spectrum of red tones on the red carpet it’s easy to see why people are gravitating toward the bold color. The popularity is probably in part due to Pantone naming Magenta, a red shade, its 2023 color of the year. Whatever the reason for the resurgence in red, it’s now trendier than ever to dress in and accessorize with.
What’s great about color as a trend is you can buy whatever style you feel comfortable in as long as it’s in the right color. From second-hand dresses, pants, and tops to vintage shoes and jewelry. No matter what you buy, if it’s in the red color spectrum, it’s on-trend.
Upcycled Vintage Denim
Some argue the resurgence in denim’s popularity is due to the current Y2K fashion movement. Who else remembers the famous Justin Timberlake and Britany Spears matching denim outfits at the 2001 VMAs? But the truth is, denim is a timeless fabric. And when it’s styled correctly, it never goes out of style. Especially, when you make that style your own. That’s why the next trend isn’t just about incorporating more denim into your wardrobe—but customizing the denim in a creative way that reimagines the piece into something new.
Transforming your denim can be as simple as turning an old pair of jeans into jean shorts. Or something as intricate as embroidering patterns on the back with colorful thread. Other great options are using two different denim pieces to Frankenstein something completely new together. You can even layer multiple jean pieces together in a unique way. Whatever you do, make it your own, and have fun while you’re doing it!
Maximalism
Here’s another trend that’s easy and accessible for everyone to shop for second-hand. See, maximalism is all about colors, patterns, textures, and layering different styles together in uncommon ways. Most maximalist outfits look exciting and busy—more is more after all.
So if you’re shopping to achieve a maximalist style, embrace everything. It will feel weird at first, but try putting together patterns, silhouettes, and even textures that usually don’t go together. It won’t always work, but when it does, you’ll be surprised by how unique and original your outfits look. When done correctly, you’ll stand out in the best way possible.
Vintage Disco-Inspired Outfits
The 70s are back baby! Well, sort of. For this trend, we’re taking the glitz and glamour of the 70s disco scene and adding a modern twist. Bold bright colors, flashy styles, and sequence glitter are all trending. Together they form an evocative feeling of the 70s without all the sideburns or disco moves that came with it.
If you want to shop this style second-hand, look for anything with sequence or funky patterns. For this style, it’s also important to get vintage pieces you feel like you could bust a move in. So anything with a flowy skirt or breathable fit is perfect for bringing this trend to life in 2023.