Combining vintage men's clothing: this way your outfit remains wearable

Pairing vintage menswear works best when you're not trying to recreate an entire decade. One good vintage piece can be enough to add character to a modern outfit. The trick is balance: fit, color, texture and how many striking elements you use at once.

Start with one strong vintage garment

A 70s shirt, tweed jacket, leather jacket, waistcoat or vintage tie can define the entire outfit. Build calm clothing around it.

This way you prevent an outfit from looking like a theme party while you want to wear vintage every day.

Vintage jacket with a modern base

A vintage jacket combines easily with a plain shirt, nice sweater or T-shirt and calm jeans or trousers.

Does the jacket have a large check or pronounced lapels? Then let other patterns calm down. Plain trousers and a shirt give the jacket space.

Combining a vintage shirt

A print shirt is often enough as a statement. Wear it with jeans or plain trousers and add a quiet waistcoat or jacket if necessary.

For specific examples, read wearing a vintage shirt.

wearing a vintage waistcoat in a modern way

A waistcoat does not have to be part of a three-piece suit. A checked or textured vintage model works well over a simple shirt with jeans or trousers.

With a busy waistcoat, keep the shirt calm. With a plain waistcoat you can allow more print.

Vintage leather jacket

A leather jacket is an easy bridge between old and modern. Combine it with a simple sweater, jeans or trousers and dress shoes or sneakers.

The fit of the jacket determines a lot: a compact biker gives a different look than a roomy 80s bomber.

Mix old and new consciously

A modern base can actually make vintage stronger. Think of an old tweed jacket over a recent plain shirt, or a vintage print shirt with simple modern trousers.

So you don't have to prove that every part is old. It's all about the combination.

Color: use one clear line

Take one or two colors from your vintage piece and incorporate them into the rest. For example, a shirt with rust, cream and dark blue works easily with navy trousers and a brown jacket.

Too many separate colors can make an outfit uneasy faster than an old piece of clothing on its own.

Combining patterns

If you want to wear two patterns, let the scale differ. A finely striped shirt can work with a larger check in a suit jacket. Two large prints next to each other are more difficult.

For print shirts, read how to combine prints.

Pay attention to the proportions

Vintage clothing can be longer, looser or higher cut than modern clothing. Don't always try to correct those proportions.

A longer jacket can work well with straighter trousers. A large pointed collar benefits from a jacket with sufficient lapels and space.

Vintage tie as a small accent

If you want to start cautiously, choose a vintage tie. This gives a simple shirt and jacket character without making the entire outfit retro.

Read also wearing a vintage tie.

Spencer and knitwear

A vintage spencer or sweater works well as a midlayer. Wear a spencer over an Oxford shirt and combine with jeans or trousers. With a striking knit, keep the rest simple.

Also take a look at our spencers and slipovers.

How do you avoid the dress-up look?

• Choose one or two clear vintage elements.
• Use modern basics as a resting point.
• Don't leave every garment with a large pattern have.
• Choose shoes that match the formality of the outfit.
• Wear a vintage cut consciously; don't always try to make it a modern slim fit.

Fit remains more important than age

A beautiful vintage item that fits incorrectly will not work as well as a simpler second-hand piece that fits perfectly. Therefore, check shoulders, chest, length and freedom of movement.

For jackets, read how tight can a jacket fit?.

Vintage men's clothing at EcoGents

View our vintage men's clothing, vintage shirts and jackets. In the store you can combine different periods and styles side by side and quickly see which mix works for you.