Getting Tight with Hip Huggers
One of the most popular categories of vintage jeans is the hip hugger styles of the late sixties and seventies. As modern fashion styles have to begun to sport variations of this classic style, more and more people are looking to old denim outlets for a more unique approach to this trend.
The primary differences between the hip huggers of the past and those currently produced can be found in the rise of the waistline and tightness of the leg fit. Modern hip huggers ride much lower on the waist region, typically well below the belly button. They are also much tighter around the knee and calves. This is a product of the boot cut style that was released soon after the millennium.
Vintage hip huggers offer a significantly different cut from their modern counterparts. The waistline is much closer to the naval cavity and the legs are generally much looser fitting. While this style may not appeal to everyone in today’s culture, shoppers who outfit themselves in a complete retro wardrobe enjoy the authenticity that only real vintage can provide.
It is safe to say that hip huggers will remain popular for the next few years. Their penchant for forming to the curves of the legs and bottom make them an easy way to define your body while still enjoying the comfort of jeans.
Cool Places to Find Old Jeans
If you have a passion for buying vintage jeans then you know that the thrill of the hunt is the best part of your obsession. Sure there are plenty of modern labels that are selling replicas of worn jeans, but the true connoisseurs are only satisfied with the real thing. This means you have to do some digging. Here are a few good places to begin your search.
Thrift Stores
If you can handle the musty odors and endless racks of junk to sort through, then thrift stores can be a goldmine for vintage clothes. While many of them have caught onto the value of collectibles such as jewelry and old books, they rarely separate the good clothes from the bad. This can provide you with an untapped source of hip clothing to choose from.
eBay
This auction marketplace is filled with great finds for anyone who is willing to browse the listings on a regular basis. Since most sellers are aware of the demand for vintage fashions, you may not find the cheapest prices, but the quality of the items tends to be high. Best of all, you can do all of your shopping from home.
Estate Sales
These liquation sales are used by relatives who are trying to quickly get rid of all the possessions of a loved one who is sick or has passed away. They typically include the entire contents of a home…including wardrobes. The best part for vintage buyers is the fact that these sales normally feature old or outdated items, making them the perfect place to find deals on clothes. If you are lucky, you can find entire collections of jeans for less than $20.
Online Stores
There are a handful of vintage clothing stores that offer an online inventory. This is an easy way to search for items that may interest you. Unfortunately however, it can be difficult to find particular styles and sizes since supply is limited. You may also notice that many of these specialty shops charge a premium for there products. Nonetheless, it is still worth browsing the net to see what you can come up with.
Feeding your vintage jeans fetish is not always easy. Since we are talking about products that are no longer made, it is not as simple as visiting your local retailer. However, those who put in the time and effort are usually rewarded with a one-of-a-kind fashion statement that can really turn the heads of your admirers.
Vintage Levi’s Stand for More than Fashion
Levi’s Jeans are without question one of the most recognizable brands in clothing and fashion history. Originally found in 1853, there is plenty of history to be found in some of the antique jeans recovered from long ago. 
Now a new niche has developed for colleting these stylish time capsules. There are thousands of denim collectors worldwide who scan everything from eBay to old homes looking for preserved pairs of antique jeans. While it can be time consuming to sort through all of the old clothes, the right discovery can pay big dividends.
But before you try to cash in on this new hobby, there are some things to know about the collectible jean market. Here are some basic tips to get your started.
- Levi’s Jeans are defined by their buckles, buttons, inseams and tags. These are the areas a collector will inspect to determine authenticity and age.
- Old jeans (Pre-1940) are known to have features such as:
- A buckle across the back of the jeans.
- Have Levi’s spelled with a capital E (LEvi’s) on the famous red tag.
- Double-stitching patterns are also found exclusively on old jeans.
- Some pieces made during World War II don’t have stitching around pockets.
These are just some of the unique features that separate vintage Levi’s from the more modern examples. Depending on how old a particular piece is, it can fetch thousands of dollars on the collectible market. Fueling these prices is the demand for fashionable vintage. Even a rather ordinary pair of jeans from the seventies can be sold for hundreds of dollars to a young person looking of authenticity.
All in all, the vast history and popularity of Levi’s jeans make some of their older fashions very collectible. Many people are entertained by the evolution of blue jeans and this makes rare pairs very desirable.
So before you throw everything away from grandma’s old closet, take the time to look at the jeans. You never know what an old pair of Levi’s will be worth.
What Makes Vintage Jeans Hot
Vintage denim is on fire right now, and most of the major clothing outfitters have begun to produce their own line of replica vintage. So what is all of the fuss about? For the connoisseurs there is not substitute for a well-worn pair of jeans. As denim ages is become softer and more form fitting. These clothes seem to become one with body, making for an incredibly comfortable fit.
But it is not all about comfort that drives this fashion statement. We all like to add some creativity and prowess to our fashion motifs and this is where vintage clothes can deliver a powerful message. The simple fact is that old jeans are rare jeans, and this translates into a uniqueness and individuality that you simply can find at your local mega-mall. Fashion has always been about creativity, and by dipping into the past you can paint a complete picture of yourself that no one can copy.
There is another element to vintage jeans shopping that cannot be recreated at modern retail outlets. That is the thrill of the search. Vintage shoppers are accustomed to having to squeeze, pull, and pry there way into clothes that almost fit. This is the price a true hunter will pay for the allure of classic style. Sure you can choose from a zillion different sizes on retail racks, but anyone can have those. A rare find of the perfect vintage jeans is a call of destiny…not just a credit card.
So why have vintage jeans become so desirable? The formula is quite simple. They are comfortable, unique, and hard to find. They create their own market demand by being hard to obtain. Of course the big retailers will always have a substitute, but only those who experience vintage denim will ever know the difference.
