The best vintage looks for prom this year and how to find them

Looking for a budget-friendly, eco-conscious way to get ready for prom that doesn't compromise on style? Why not consider shopping vintage for the big night?

Unless you're looking at couture or archival designer options, shopping second-hand will generally be more cost-effective, and you won't have to worry about someone else at school showing up in the exact same dress. The caveats? It can take a bit more time to find the perfect vintage look in store or online, and you may have to shell out for alterations from an expert tailor or seamstress to get the fit just right. Keep in mind, too, that altering a vintage item can be tricky or pricey because the fabric may be older and more fragile, and details such as beading and embellishments can add significantly to the cost and challenge of making something fit perfectly.

To source a great vintage outfit, you'll want to start by visiting the various secondhand retailers in your city — depending on your interests and budget, this can mean high-end designer vintage boutiques, contemporary consignment shops, secondhand stores that might have a small eveningwear section, or a local thrift or charity shop — to see what's available locally, and get a sense of the styles and prices you can expect. Buying in person is always preferable with vintage, since every piece fits differently, and sizing standards and proportions have changed drastically over the years.

But if the exact garment size or style that you were hoping for is not available in store, there are a plethora of options on online marketplaces such as Etsy, Bunz, and Ebay, and many cool Canadian vintage shops now offer e-commerce, or will post photos of new arrivals on their social media channels. Before you click to buy, though, be sure to read our guide to buying vintage online to avoid common disappointments or pitfalls.

Here are four top spring trends to seek out secondhand, and how to style them:

Dramatic feathers

Fun and ebullient, a chic dress, top or skirt finished off with a dramatic feather trim detail can be quite memorable, and highly photogenic (see for inspo: Spring/Summer catwalks at Marc Jacobs and Valentino). Unfortunately, because of the fragile nature of most types of feathers, this is not a trend that you'll likely come across in great condition at a standard thrift store — once feathers have been crushed, they can be impossible to repair or revive. Instead, look for a decades-old but prom-ready option at the best vintage stores in town.

The best accessories for your feathered finds are sleek, strappy sandals and statement crystal jewelry. Because feathers can be so fancy, it's easy to incorporate more playful extras such as drop earrings in a bright colour, or maybe a neon-coloured heel.  

Fresh florals

Springtime florals are always a good idea! When you're shopping vintage, 1960s-era styles tend to be graphic and pop art-inspired, while models and starlets in the '90s preferred traditional florals that were more sleek and form fitting.

To make the look fresh for today, pick patterns that have an interesting scale, and look for garments that feature more than one print (mixed-floral prints are trending for spring). And try to find a dress or separates in a dressier fabric such as jacquard or brocade. A simpler cotton or linen style might be perfect for summer, but could look too casual at prom.

Evening fringe

Fringe is one of those eveningwear trends that can be great to buy vintage since it seems to be perennially popular — it was at Gucci and Givenchy for spring — and can be sourced from 25 or 5 years ago. Just keep in mind that some hardier types of fringe, such as leather or crystal beading, do age and wear better than more delicate fringe threads made out of silk or other fine materials. The latter type can look messy or get tangled over time if it hasn't been stored or cared for properly.

Like feathers, fringe garments are best accessorized with more low-key accessories that won't snag the trim, or compete too much for the limelight! Consider a beaded minaudière or small clutch, and heels you can dance in. After all, fringe is one of those details that looks best in movement!

Big bows

Spotted on the Spring/Summer 2019 runway at Erdem and Rodarte, bows of all sizes and shapes are popular for both hair accessories and apparel this season. Great secondhand dress options in elegant fabrics such as silk and taffeta are available online and in many vintage boutiques. Go for a style with one big bow, or a series of smaller matching bows placed in a row… and don't be afraid to have a tailor take a few off if its one bow too many for you!

Since many of the more elegantly bow-bedecked options tend to also be relatively minimalist, feel free to have more fun with your accessories, if you please. '60s-era Space Age accessories and lucite and resin jewelry from the '70s are both good starting points.

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.