10 Retro Style Outfit Ideas for a Timeless Fashion Statement
Key Takeaways
- Explore 10 easy-to-find items to “retrofy” your closet, alongside their background and why each of them would turn you into a super telly star from the old days.
- Uncover clever tips to mix retro with modern, like pairing vintage blouses with high-waisted jeans. And don’t miss the "Shop The Look" part to bring the look from this article to real life.
1. High-Waisted Jeans
Retro style outfit with high-waisted jeans
Right then, about high-waisted jeans. These trousers make up a proper retro outfit in the 70s and 80s, and they’re back stronger than ever.
One of the most apparent reasons is that they're flattering to all sorts of body types. Your waist takes centre stage, and you look slimmer, too.
Anyone can easily create a cottagecore or coquette look by pairing them with a bowed crop top, a vintage blouse, or any top that shows off your midsection. Not to mention, there are so many styles to choose from: skinny, wide-leg, straight form, etc.
Shop The Look:
Ichi - Ichi Women Jeans - €67,49
Street One - Street One Women Jeans - €58,25
Guess - Guess Women Jeans - €119,96
2. Leather Jackets
Leather jackets of all colours
These jackets have been around since the rock 'n' roll days of the 60s, and they're still as favourable as ever. Especially at a time when the “rocker aesthetic” is going strong.
Doesn’t matter if you're wearing a floaty dress under for a night out or throwing it over jeans for a casual look, you can hardly go wrong with a leather jacket. Slip one on, and suddenly, you're the coolest in town.
Plus, they're highly durable, so you'll be using that jacket for years to come. With proper care, of course.
Shop The Look:
Only - Only Women Jacket - €52,80
Only - Only Women Jacket - €48,68
Desigual - Desigual Women Jacket - €103,79
3. Denim Jackets
Double denim look
Aside from leather jackets, a humble denim jacket is another all-rounder that gives you that edgy effect. This 80s and 90s item is versatile, reliable, and always in style.
Wear it outside a floral dress for a bit of contrast, pair it with a skirt for a casual-chic look, or go full-on double denim if you're feeling brave. It's the perfect way to add a bit of rough and tumble to a girly outfit or to smarten up your jeans and tee combo.
And let's not forget how these jackets age - like a fine wine. They only get better with time. Those little worn patches and faded bits don’t make you look sloppy, but rather the opposite. They add to the rugged and grungy vibe.
Shop The Look:
Desigual - Desigual Women Jacket - €124,58
Tommy Hilfiger Jeans - Tommy Hilfiger Jeans Women Blazer - €135,63
4. Platform Shoes
Retro platform shoes
Step up your game with the 70s sensation that is platform shoes. These towering titans of fashion are a proper statement piece, and you get a bit of added height. Who would say no to that?
There are several ways to add them to your outfit. Pair them with flared jeans for a full-on retro vibe, or mix it up with a modern mini skirt. They're versatile enough to take you from day to night without missing a beat.
Shop The Look:
Guess - Guess Women Boots - €165,33
Calvin Klein Jeans - Calvin Klein Jeans Women Boots - €142,56
Guess - Guess Women Slip On Shoes - €156,59
5. Bell-Bottom Pants
Flared pants
Bell-bottom pants, aka flared pants, are coming back once again, and Urban City Styles is riding the crest of this groovy trend.
These iconic trousers, with their signature flare from the knee down, are a nod to the free-spirited 70s. And to your height as they lengthen your body. Team them up with a fitted top to balance the proportions, or go full-on flower power with a loose, boho blouse.
Shop The Look:
Only - Only Women Trousers - €35,48
Only - Only Women Trousers - €23,93
6. Midi Skirts
Vintage midi skirt
Next is the midi skirt, a retro style outfit staple that's been turning heads since the swinging 40s. These calf-grazing beauties stormed through the 60s and are now back to jazz up your wardrobe.
With their classic form, midi skirts can almost fit anyone on any occasion. No matter if you're off to the pub or heading to a posh do, these treasures have got you.
With this item in your team and a chic blouse on top, you get a smart-casual, lush look. Or glam yourself up with heels underneath the skirt for a night on the tiles. No more panic at the disco for how stunning you look!
Shop The Look:
Only - Only Women Skirt - €26,40
Vero Moda - Vero Moda Women Skirt - €46,20
Only - Only Women Skirt - €25,58
7. Vintage Graphic T-Shirts
Vintage Graphic T-Shirts
A question for the rock lovers: remember those good old days when Oasis was still together? Vintage graphic tees can bring you back to that era, and you’ll look dead cool as well!
Just throw one on with your favourite jeans for a casual retro outfit. Or, if you're feeling a bit posh, layer it under a blazer for a look that says, "I'm adulting, but I still know how to party like it's 1999." It’s never too late for rock ‘n’ roll.
Shop The Look:
Jack & Jones - Jack & Jones Men T-Shirt - €5,78
Superdry - Superdry Men T-Shirt - €32,84
8. Pencil Skirts
Easy vintage look with a pencil skirt
Pencil skirts bring you back to the fabulous 50s, and they’re here to remind us why they never go out of style. Put them on to flaunt that sleek, feminine curves with confidence.
With their snug fit and straight cut, they hug your body in all the right places, securing them a special spot in any fashion-savvy girl’s closet. They're versatile little numbers, too. Give them a crisp white shirt for a boardroom-ready look, or play mix and match with a funky top for after-work drinks.
Shop The Look:
Only - Only Women Skirt - €30,53
Morgan De Toi - Morgan De Toi Women Skirt - €46,70
Only - Only Women Skirt - €26,40
9. Statement/Bold Blazers
Bold, patterned blazers
Statement blazers, inspired by the bold power suits of the 1980s. Their beauty lies in how they make any outfit pop out. Casual ensembles? Instantly polished. Workwear? Quirked up and more personality.
Layer it over a vintage band tee and jeans for a casual and cool look (best of both worlds?!), or pair it with a sleek pencil skirt for a modern take on power dressing. As it turns out, you can mix business with pleasure.
Shop The Look:
Silence - Silence Women Blazer - €173,58
Aniye By - Aniye By Women Blazer - €133,82
10. Polka Dot Dresses
Polka dot dresses, first gained popularity in the postwar era, express a sense of optimism and femininity that have yet failed to capture current fashion fans’ attention. The best part? They don’t play favourites with body types: pear shape, hourglass, rectangle, you name it.
These spotty minxes are the perfect blend of chic and cheerful, guaranteed to add a spring to your step and a twinkle to your eye. Keep an eye out for our shop's latest arrivals!
Frequently Asked Questions
What period is retro style?
Retro style takes inspiration from trends and fashions of the recent past, typically the 1950s to the 1990s. In pop culture, however, we often see a "nostalgia cycle" that looks back about 20-30 years. So, what's retro today might be different from what was retro a decade ago.
What is the difference between retro and vintage style?
Good question! These two are usually used interchangeably, but they are two distinct terms. Vintage refers to actual ancient clothes that are over 20 years old - real blasts from the past. Retro, on the other hand, refers to new items made to look like old styles, usually less than 50 years old.
What are the colours for retro style?
You'll see a lot of soft pastels, earthy browns and oranges, vibrant pinks and greens, and bold blues and yellows in retro-style outfits. These colours were all the rage in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
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