10 vintage men's clothing that are really worth it

Which vintage men's clothing is really worth it? Not every old piece of clothing is automatically special. The strongest vintage pieces combine good fit, interesting materials, character and wearability. At EcoGents we look at large quantities of second-hand men's clothing every day, and it is precisely these ten categories that remain relevant every time.

1. Vintage jackets and blazers

A good vintage jacket can immediately give a modern wardrobe more character. Think of tweed, striking checks, wider lapels or a cut that you see less often in current collections.

Pay particular attention to shoulders, length, lining and material details. A beautiful jacket is only interesting if the basis is right. Also read how tight can a jacket fit?.

2. Waistcoats

Vintage gilets are interesting because color, check and fabric can vary much more than with modern business models. They work formally under a jacket, but also loose over a shirt.

A good waistcoat should fit without pulling and be long enough to cover the waistband of the trousers.

3. 1970s shirts

Large pointed collars, paisley, geometric prints and typical seventies colors make 1970s shirts one of the clearest vintage categories for men.

An exact dating requires more than a large collar. Label, cut, finish and material indication all play a role. Therefore, also read how to recognize vintage 70s shirts.

4. Leather and suede jackets

A good leather or suede jacket can become more beautiful with use. Patina, color difference and a softened surface give a jacket character, as long as the construction is still good.

Check seams, zippers, lining, collar and cuffs. Light signs of use can be nice; structural damage is another matter.

5. Harris Tweed and other strong tweed jackets

Tweed is interesting because of its texture, color and longevity. At Harris Tweed, the official Orb label is important because the name is legally protected. Not every tweed jacket is Harris Tweed, and that distinction should actually be described.

View our Harris Tweed collection if you are looking for this category.

6. Vintage ties

A vintage tie is a relatively easy way to give an outfit a different period look. Width, print and material can say a lot about the time in which a tie was made.

Wide 70s ties, paisley and graphic patterns in particular give a strong vintage accent without the rest of the outfit having to be retro.

7. Spencers and slipovers

The spencer is much more visible in modern men's fashion. Vintage styles often have interesting patterns, colors and knits that work well over a shirt.

A quiet spencer can look preppy; a striking model gives more seventies or eighties character.

8. Classic suits

Vintage suits can be interesting because of fabric, construction and different proportions than modern suits. Older jackets are sometimes longer and trousers cut higher.

Fit remains decisive. An old suit is not automatically made better, so look at finishing, lining, seams and actual material information.

9. Trench coats and classic overcoats

A good trench coat or classic overcoat often has a silhouette that is hardly tied to one season. Vintage models can be longer and looser than modern coats, which is part of their appearance.

On older coats, look extra at lining, buttons, belt and wear on cuffs and hem.

10. Corduroy, checks and other character fabrics

Sometimes the interesting part is not the type of garment but the fabric. Rib cord, coarse checks, tweed-like structures and special weaves quickly give an outfit vintage character.

A simple corduroy trousers or checked jacket can therefore do more than a much more striking garment.

What makes vintage really interesting?

For us it is not just about age. A good vintage piece should be wearable, in good enough condition and add something that you can't easily find new. That is why we prefer to select on quality, character and fit rather than on the word 'vintage' alone.

Be careful with material and dating

A lot of guesses are made with older clothing: “this feels like wool”, “this must be from 1975”. We try to avoid that. We take material from a label or reliable source; We only mention an exact period when there are sufficient indications for this.

How do you build a vintage wardrobe without dressing up?

Start with one strong piece. A vintage jacket over a modern shirt, a 70s shirt with quiet trousers or an old leather jacket over simple knitwear often works better than five retro elements at the same time.

This way the clothing remains wearable and the vintage piece gets more attention.

Vintage men's clothing at EcoGents

EcoGents focuses on second-hand and vintage men's clothing with character: jackets, waistcoats, shirts, suits, ties, knitwear and leather jackets. Check out our vintage men's clothing or come to the store in Tilburg, where there is always much more than online.