“Study the past, if you would divine the future.” – Confucius

Even though aesthetics have been used throughout history, they have grown in popularity, especially with modern teens. This article serves as the go-to place for information, references, and latest trends for the reader’s top picked aesthetics. Today’s topic is the vintage aesthetic. According to the Interactive Design Foundation, an aesthetic is defined as “a core design principle that defines a design’s pleasing qualities” such as “balance, color, movement, pattern, scale, shape and visual weight”. An aesthetic is a general term that groups similarly themed items together.

While history has its horrors and highlights, the vintage aesthetic focuses on the positive products that have emerged from each decade: fashion, music, photography, makeup, etc. Lovers of this aesthetic usually tend to gravitate towards one decade or make a personal blend of different time periods based on their preferences. The common decades usually used are the 60s through the 90s.

So what’s the point? An aesthetic allows a person to dress up, participate in activities, and find other people with similar interests. An aesthetic reflects the personality of a person. At the end of the day, an aesthetic is what you make of it and can be changed depending on what you like.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Outfits

An essential part of self expression and aesthetic culture, outfits are used to identify people who enjoy specific aesthetics. Outfits make or break an aesthetic. Below are a few tips and tricks to make an outfit inspired by the vintage aesthetic. 

Gallery • 22 Photos

60s

• Raised hemlines
• Bold, monochrome colors or prints
• Hippie fashion: long hair, floral designs, jeans (preferably bell bottoms), blouses, and fringe
• Mini skirts and shift dresses
• Colored tights with go-go boots

70s

• Most varieties: punk, boho-chic, disco, folk, sporty-chic, etc.
• Earthy tones and suede
• Bell bottom pants and high waisted designs

80s

• Neon colors and patterns and/or animal prints
• Denim and jeans (usually acid washed and/or high waisted)
• Tracksuits, spandex, and dance wear
• Shoulder pads (angular figure) or ruffled shirts
• Leg warmers paired with converse All Star, Reebok, or Vans Classics

90s

• Flared jeans, overalls, or layered jeans under dresses
• Chokers, scrunchies, and hooped earrings
• Crop tops
• Combat boots, Birkenstocks, Chuck Taylors, or Mary Janes
• 90s hip hop or grunge fashion

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Media

60s:
The Birds (rated PG-13)
Mary Poppins (rated G)
2001: A Space Odyssey (rated G)

70s:
Alien (rated R)
Grease (rated PG-13)
Jaws (rated PG)
Soylent Green (rated PG)
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (rated G)

80s:
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (rated PG)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (rated PG-13)
Ghostbusters (rated PG)
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (rated PG)
The Princess Bride (rated PG)
The Outsiders (rated PG-13)

90s:
Men In Black (rated PG-13)
Mission: Impossible (rated PG-13)
Sister Act (rated PG)
Selena (rated PG)
Jurassic Park (rated PG-13)
Toy Story (rated G)

⊱ ────── {⋅. ✯ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Music

While music tastes vary greatly, these recommendations are common songs used and liked among this aesthetic.

60s:
The Supremes
The Beatles
The Beach Boys
The Rolling Stones
Elvis Presley

70s:
Jackson 5
Led Zeppelin
Sly and the Family Stone
Al Green
Elton John
Stevie Wonder

80s:
Prince
Michael Jackson
Whitney Houston
David Bowie
Public Enemy
The Cure
Queen

90s:
Brittney Spears (free britney btw)
Selena
Weezer
Daft Punk
Nirvana