I am known for making a 300 bob thrift-store bargain look like a designer-label. My style lately is predominantly vintage-inspired clothing. Not always, but very, very often.

Photographer : Vince Oyolo

Vintage shirts from nearly any era are the easiest way to step into the world of wearing vintage. Shirts and sweaters are relatively low-maintenance, and pair with any modern bottoms.

Despite how widely worn and loved vintage clothes are, some of us still get that familiar icky feeling when entering a second hand shop. The racks seem endless (and not in a good way), the air seems stuffy and the amazing finds are not a sure thing. Nonetheless, vintage shopping is still one of the cheapest, most eco-friendly and fun ways to get in on the trends you love. Moreover, it will ensure that you wont see your outfit doppelganger around every corner.

Speaking of, have you checked out my pop up store (Kadenyi’s Pop Up)? I will be updating it weekly so y’all can get pretty much most of the looks I wear in this blog.

As a vintage seller, I can tell you that lots of modern designers and fashion houses have massive archives of vintage garments that they are constantly adding to and from which they draw inspiration. In fact, most contemporary fashion is really a reinterpretation of styles from the past, and you would be surprised how close a lot of modern designer clothing comes to replicating older garments. Finding and wearing one such garment is an easy way of avoiding a costume-y look

Like most things, it’s all in the balance: a bit of modern mixed with a bit of the old makes the thrifted pieces a bit more wearable while giving my new pieces a bit of an edge!

Chances are, unless you are dedicating hours to recreating precise vintage hairstyles and makeup application, your hair and makeup are already going to look comparatively modern. Simplicity in hair and makeup is a tried and true way of grounding a vintage outfit, such as wearing retro makeup which is so minimal that it’s super easy to put on in the early morning before work or school or whatever.

Pairing vintage clothing with decidedly modern shoes, bags and sunglasses is an easy way to dramatically ground an otherwise whimsical garment. It is easy to keep the overall look streamlined by picking a color that is present in the garment and wearing contemporary accessories in the same color.

Of course, pops of vibrant color paired with all black accessories (or vice versa) is also a quick way to modernize a classic vintage garment.

If vintage isn’t your thing, don’t try to go from zero to hero and find a head to toe look. Searching for beautiful pieces that you can incorporate into your wardrobe and focusing your search on a particular item will help you not to feel intimidated by the endless racks.

my favourite way to wear vintage is to look like I’m not wearing vintage at all. I like to hunt for items that are timeless, beautifully made and reflective of current trends. The best thing about vintage is that when you find a true treasure, no one else will ever have it, and that is what makes your wardrobe (and style) unique.

Outfit  Details

Shirt: Vintage (Previously my Dads)

Choker : Forever 21

Watch: Casio

Shorts: Thrifted (Coming soon on my store)

Boots: Gifted

Although not nearly as earth-friendly and story-filled, there are many stores that offer a selection of vintage-inspired but modern-made clothing pieces. These are a great alternative to true vintage, as you don’t have to worry so much about damaging them as they are already in a size guaranteed to fit you.

The great thing about vintage is that everything comes back into style sooner or later, so something from 40 years ago may look as rad as something from your local (insert popular store name here). And really, anyone can wear vintage.

Scarves and belts are two of my favourite vintage pieces to wear. They are both easy to wear. Try a scarf in your hair, tied to a purse or wrapped in a bow around your neck.

So next time you don’t have the option to dig around a thrift store bin or are just looking for the finishing vintage piece, check out my pop up store, I will be doing all the searching for you, Plus you never know what you might find; maybe even a little designer clutch for less than ksh 1000.

May the thrifting odds be ever in your favour!

Stay Stylish,

Kadenyi.