Vintage Styling with Iona Maclean
Q. Anybody can see that vintage is obviously your thang. Where did this passion stem from and what keeps you so vintage-obsessed today?
A. Thank you! I can actually pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with vintage. I was 17 and didn't have a dress for my friend's 18th birthday party so I pillaged my mum's wardrobe and found this quirky dress she had from the 80's.
I loved how unique it was and it gave me a sense of individual style for the first time. I kept chasing that feeling so I started op shopping soon after and the rest is history.
I have never stopped loving vintage because it is affordable, more sustainable than buying new, unique, amazing quality and I love the thrill of the hunt.
I often start in the men's section because I am always looking for oversized shirts, tweed blazers, wool vests and jeans. My advice for finding quality vintage is looking at the tag and care label. You can often identify vintage from the tag; it just looks a bit more retro! Then check the care label and if it’s pre-2000 era, it will often be made in Australia and made from an organic fibre like cotton, wool or silk which I love.
I often start in the men's section because I am always looking for oversized shirts, tweed blazers, wool vests and jeans. My advice for finding quality vintage is looking at the tag and care label. You can often identify vintage from the tag; it just looks a bit more retro! Then check the care label and if it’s pre-2000 era, it will often be made in Australia and made from an organic fibre like cotton, wool or silk which I love.
Q. And if you should suggest a single vintage essential that every girl needs in their wardrobe, what would that be? (Seriously, we want all the tips we can get!)
Silver or gold? Gold
Denim or leather? Denim
Chunky jewellery, or dainty? Dainty
Summer or Winter? Summer (but I prefer Winter fashion!)
Ear stack or layered necklaces? Layered necklaces
Collared shirt, or tee? Collared shirt
Breakfast or dinner? Dinner
Skinny jeans, or straight? Straight
Side part or centre? Centre
Q. And if you should suggest a single vintage essential that every girl needs in their wardrobe, what would that be? (Seriously, we want all the tips we can get!)
Silver or gold? Gold
Denim or leather? Denim
Chunky jewellery, or dainty? Dainty
Summer or Winter? Summer (but I prefer Winter fashion!)
Ear stack or layered necklaces? Layered necklaces
Collared shirt, or tee? Collared shirt
Breakfast or dinner? Dinner
Skinny jeans, or straight? Straight
Side part or centre? Centre
You can follow along with Iona's op shopping escapades and vintage style tips at @ionamac.
Iona's store: ionamaclean.com