No, it's not a type of top secret Cold War era nuclear technology, nor is it is a blend of cuisines from different eras. Instead, vintage fusion is a term that I coined a while back and have been using in the context of my own life for some time now to very accurately describe my wardrobe, and, I believe, the wardrobes of many vintage fashion wearers the world over.
Like a good deal of you, my closet is a joyful mix of vintage, vintage appropriate, vintage reproduction, 1980s does 1940s and 1950s, and related styles (such as the occasional rockabilly piece). Earlier this month I shared a new YouTube video that broadly outlines what each of these types of clothing is (save for "1980s does" fashions - that's going to be a topic I cover in one or more videos in the future), which if you haven't seen yet, you can watch either below or on YouTube itself.
In that video, I briefly mentioned the term “vintage fusion” and today I wanted to share more about it here as well. In a way, it's rather self-explanatory, but as with most things in life, there's more to it than meets the eye.
I'm a firm believer in a statement that my wise and wonderful friend Sara from the blog Lilies and Remains said in a guest post she wrote for Chronically Vintage a little earlier this year: "It doesn't need to be an authentic age to be an authentic style."
Now, of course, I madly, passionately, immeasurably love vintage clothing and accessories and have no shortage of such things in my wardrobe, but tucked amongst the 1940s crepe frocks, 1950s platter hats, and 1930s novelty brooches, you will find a fairly decent number of pieces that look the vintage part, but in truth are far newer, hailing from the 1970s right on up to being produced in 2014.
I've said it before (such as in the post Dress like a cupcake should feel), but I'll say it again, I am far too eclectic a soul to simply stick with one type of vintage or vintage style clothing and in addition to mixing old and new, old and repro, old and 1980s, and so and so forth, I'm also keen on, sometimes, combining pieces from different decades together to help create a look that intentionally channels the styles and spirit of a given decade or time frame (such as the make do and mend, typically minimalist types of styles seen during the years of WW2).
{A selection of four of the many, many looks I've sported over the years that blend more than one type of vintage and/or vintage-like clothing together to create a unique vintage fusion ensemble.}
In fact, while I have mad love and respect for those who are dyed-in-the-wool vintage purists right down to their ankle garters, it's personally inconceivable to me in the scope of my own wardrobe that I wouldn't blend a variety of different types of fashions from various sources and eras (in which they were created, that is) to put together the types of vintage styles that make my heart skip many a beat.
Vintage fusion takes place anytime you mix two or more types of vintage or vintage style garments and/or accessories together. It is a fabulous, exciting act and one that really has limitless possibilities and ways in which it can be worked and reworked until the cows come home.
There isn't a recipe or magic formula for success when it comes to vintage fusion, because any outfit that you love and feel good in while wearing a resounding success unto itself. However, I would say, that - assuming such is what you're aiming for - the key element it is to bring together an assortment of pieces that all work in beautiful harmony together to create an overall picture of having an authentic vintage look and feel to it.
This can be done, I promise you, with entirely new pieces, a blend of old and new, 1980s does 1940s or 50s and vintage, repro and vintage appropriate - you name it! Shuffle the proverbial deck of sartorial cards and have at 'er! Let the vintage fusion sparks fly and know now, my fabulously lovely and endlessly stylish dears, that there is now officially a term to describe the way in which so many of already dress, if not day in and day out, than at least some the time.
To borrow and slightly adapt an oft used catch phrase from one of America's most beloved domestic goddesses, Martha Stewart, vintage fusion: it's a very good thing!!!
