Dress to Impress Decade by Decade with Vintage Clothing for Men
- America's Antique Mall
- 15 minutes ago
- 5 min read
It’s easy to fall into the modern-day male trap of throwing on a basic graphic tee and a pair of jeans for every occasion—but you don’t have to follow suit! Vintage men’s clothes are easy to style and even easier to find, as long as you know where to look. Get inspired by the decades before hitting up your local vintage clothing store with our helpful little guide.
Why Every Man Should Invest in Vintage Men’s Clothing
We’ve said it time and time again—men’s vintage clothing brands never go out of style! With the cyclical nature of fashion, you can always depend on the fads of decades past making a comeback in current trends. Whether it’s the thin pinstripe suits made famous by mobsters or the eclectic maximalism aesthetic of the ‘70s, classic looks never really leave the runway; so why should vintage clothing brands leave your closet?
Define Vintage Men’s Clothes
To be considered truly vintage, men’s clothes must be at least 20 years old. The exact year could vary from vendor to vendor at a Melbourne antique mall or vintage clothing store, but garments predating 2005 and not more than 100 years old are technically vintage.
Popular Vintage Clothing Brands for Men:
Pendleton
Lands’ End
Champs
Patagonia
Tommy Hilfiger
Champion
Brooks Brothers
Calvin Klein
Levi’s
Get Inspired with Vintage Men’s Clothes From Each Decade
There’s nothing better than feeling like your outfit represents the real you. If the contemporary designs found at the mall feel like they’re a dime-a-dozen, it’s time to find timeless pieces that reflect your unique self! Start your search for these iconic vintage men’s clothes designs from across the decades and build a vintage wardrobe you love:
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘20s
In the Prohibition Era, men’s fashion shifted towards more relaxed styles. Though suits were still the norm, trendy vintage clothing brands opted for more casual fabrics, such as wool, tweed, pinstripe, and linen, slimmer fits, and higher waistlines.
The best way to incorporate the Roaring ‘20s into your wardrobe is to focus on adding vintage accessories to your collection. Think fedora and Panama hats, bow ties, wristwatches, cufflinks, and gloves.
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘30s
Men’s suits in the 1930s were quite similar to those of the previous decade, but with one major difference: the color palette. Where the ‘20s had Art Deco designs and extravagant patterns, the ‘30s settled for more subtle and muted primary colors. In spring and summer, men wore lighter shades like beige, cream, and light blue. In the winter, navy, brown, and grey were popular.
If you’re interested in dressing with pieces from the ‘30s, introduce blazers with shoulder pads into your suit collection. Throw on a Trilby hat and you’ve nailed the look!
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘40s
Many men’s vintage clothing brands in the 1940s were influenced by World War II. This includes soft and muted colors, military-style bomber jackets and trench coats, and, most notably, what is now referred to as the “Victory Suit,” a practical design that eliminated any extra features to save fabric. If a man were to dress casually, he’d don comfortable wide-leg trousers, Hawaiian-print shirts, and soft vests or pullovers.
When you stop by the Florida vendor mall, keep an eye out for high-waisted men’s pants that have a loose fit all the way down the leg. With the right belt, casual short-sleeved button-down, and a ‘40s-style hat, you can rock your vintage men’s clothes any day of the week!
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘50s
In the 1950s, men’s clothing was all about well-tailored, fitted styles. Suits were the main fashion trend, with clean silhouettes, crisp materials, and earthy and neutral color palettes. For casual wear, vintage clothing brands were well known for producing durable leather jackets, straight-leg denim jeans, and preppy polos.
Dressing with vintage men’s clothes from the ‘50s is all about finding the perfect fit at vintage clothing stores. All designs, whether a pair of Levi’s or a matching suit, should fit well and flatter your body shape. Tuck a plain white tee in, grease your hair, and you’ve nailed the look!
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘60s
When we talk about men’s vintage clothing brands from the 1960s, think Mad Men. The business casual look was all the rage, but instead of sticking to classic neutrals, shirts, suits, and pants got a little more colorful! On the weekends, men sported the Ivy League look, complete with patterned sports coats, polos, and preppy, slim-fit trousers.
Pro tip: if you’re searching for designs from the ‘60s at your local Indiana antique mall or vintage clothing store, make sure to look for British mod and counterculture movement designs made popular by the hippies of the time period!
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘70s
Vintage clothing brands from the 1970s were, for lack of a better word, totally groovy! Influenced by glam rock and disco, men’s fashion began to loosen up and feature bold styles. Think wide-legged pants, bell-bottom jeans, patterned knitwear, and unconventional patterns wherever they could put them.
Lean into the bright and fun vibes of the ‘70s by searching for paisley prints, shirts with wide lapels, and all the corduroy you can conjure at your local vintage clothing store. Dress in your men’s vintage clothing and get ready to boogie!
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘80s
Men’s fashion in the 1980s became totally tubular! Everything designed by vintage clothing brands at this time was bigger, brighter, and more flamboyant than ever, from neon-colored athletic gear to oversized power suits.
If you want to embrace the ‘80s looks with your vintage clothes, try to find bright prints and colorful patterns in the sportswear and workwear sections of your local vintage clothing store. If all else fails, you can always rock acid-washed denim jeans and a Big Hair band tee to fit right in!
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘90s
During the 1990s, grunge was the main style in vintage clothing brands. Think big, baggy jeans, oversized graphic tees, backward baseball hats, and sportswear worn on every occasion. For the professionals of the period, suits were boxier and less tailored to give their wearer a buffer look.
If you want to find vintage clothes and style yourself like it’s the ‘90s, you’re in luck—these oversized, relaxed pieces are already trending again! Stop by a vintage clothing store or antique mall near you to find extra-large band tees, barrel jeans, and collectible caps.
Vintage Men’s Clothes from the ‘00s
Men’s vintage clothing brands in the early 2000s were all about streetwear! Chunky sneakers, sports jerseys, military-inspired camo prints, and low-rise pants were the go-to for men on and off the runway. Surfer bros, hip-hop stars, and all-black emo were massive influences of the time—some of which are still referenced in today’s hottest looks!
It’s easy to live your best Y2K self with vintage clothes! Just find loose-fitting jeans, a good pair of Jordans or Vans, and a graphic tee of your favorite rapper at the vintage clothing store and embrace the early ‘00s style.
Look for Accessories from Different Eras at Your Vintage Clothing Store:
Heirloom jewelry
Neckties
Satchels
Hats
Shoes
Belts
Don’t be afraid to lean into the trends of the fashion eras past and dress your best in vintage men’s clothes! Stop by America’s Antique Mall to discover our vintage clothing store vendors today.
