A Vintage Lover’s Guide to Repro Fashion

If you’ve read some of my articles or just looked through my Instagram, my love of fashion’s classics and vintage aesthetics has probably come across.

I suppose it’s partly because of how perfectly these styles pair with both my body type and my unwavering love for red lipstick (read more about that here). Both my parents were into fashion and had a deep appreciation for design and old objects. Their jobs meant I spent a lot of time in museums or visiting cool places that shaped my sense of aesthetics from an early age.

We always loved thrifting (and it’s still my favourite way to shop - it feels like a treasure hunt), so it’s no surprise I gradually leaned more and more towards classic 40s and 50s silhouettes. Give me a full circle skirt, and I’ll twirl to my heart’s content.

What Is a Vintage Reproduction Brand?

If you love the charm of vintage fashion but find true vintage pieces tricky to source - or too delicate to wear - then vintage reproduction brands could be the solution.

“Repro” stands for reproduction and refers to clothing made today that recreates the styles of past decades. These brands don’t just borrow vintage-inspired silhouettes; they often dive deep into historical patterns, fabric textures, and original details, reimagining them with a modern sensibility. They cover almost every decade, but I’m particularly drawn to the 40s and 50s. Some of the brands I’ll mention cover a broader range, some don’t.

For me, it's the best of both worlds: the beauty of vintage style, paired with the reliability of modern construction and the sizing options too. Most importantly, many (though not all!) of these brands are rooted in ethical, small-scale production, championing slow fashion over fast trends.

Wearing reproduction isn’t about dressing in costume or longing for an idealised version of the past. It’s about weaving styles you love into everyday life in a way that feels graceful, conscious, and completely your own.

My Favourite Repro Brands

British Retro (my number one favourite)

I’ve owned and continue to own, multiple dresses from them. They’re all gorgeous, high-quality compliment-getters. They make me feel like a princess, and I never struggle to wear them.

Their patterns are almost always to my taste, and so are the colours.

Sizing: A bit tricky. I’m either a UK 10, 12 or 14 depending on the item. It’s essential to check the measurements - especially if you’re buying secondhand. In general, I find their pieces run a tad small.

Collectif

I own a few Collectif skirts - nice and simple staples.

I’ve also had dresses and a coat from them, and all were great. I do feel the quality is a bit lower than British Retro, but so is the price, and it’s still ten times better than, say, H&M.

Their colours and patterns can be a bit much for me, so I stick to plain colours or florals.

Sizing: The opposite of British Retro. With Collectif, I’m usually a consistent UK 10 (S) or 12 (M) so they run a bit big.

The Ones I Keep an Eye On

• The House of Foxy

• Voodoo Vixen

• Vivien of Holloway

• The Seamstress of Bloomsbury

• Miss Candyfloss

• Lena Hoschek

• Pretty Retro

• Freddies of Pinewood

• Stop Staring

• TopVintage

Pro tip: I’ve had a lot of success thrifting these brands on Vinted!

How to Style Reproduction Pieces

For the purpose of this article, I’ll assume we’re talking mostly 1950s styles. I don’t often wear a full vintage outfit head to toe - it can feel a bit like cosplay, and that’s not really what I’m going for.

Here’s what I usually do:

Let the vintage piece be the focus

I’ll choose one element, like a skirt or blouse, to be the focal point, and keep the rest of the outfit very classic and timeless. I don’t dress super modern or trendy by default, so this is easy for me. But for others, it might mean pairing simple jeans with a vintage blouse or an off-the-shoulder peasant top.

If I’m wearing a full skirt, I keep the shoes simple and go for a top that’s unpatterned and not distinctly vintage in shape. The more natural it feels - like the piece was just one part of the outfit - the more wearable and grounded the look becomes.

Belt everything

With my body type, waist definition is essential. If I don’t have it, I just look like an enthusiastic little ball of a human. (It’s a look, just not mine.) So I belt everything that doesn’t come with built-in waist definition.

Sometimes I go all out

Full vintage dress, petticoat, 50s hair especially for events. Honestly, it just looks better on me than most modern looks, so I lean into it when the occasion calls for it (and hair rollers are so fun!).

Keep the colour palette simple and timeless

Many vintage (and repro) pieces come in the joyful, colourful palette of the 50s: big florals, polka dots, stripes, sailor prints. They’re all cute, but I stick to patterns that fit my aesthetic and avoid large prints or garments with more than two colours - unless I fall in love with a floral fabric that truly works for me.

It’s mostly about figuring out what makes a vintage or vintage-inspired piece feel classic instead of dated and understanding where (and if) that piece fits into your personal style (if you struggle to define it, read this).

Where to Start for Beginners

If you’re curious about incorporating vintage clothing into your day-to-day wardrobe, I would recommend first looking at the body types and general silhouettes favoured in different eras. Lean and androgynous figures often suit the 1930s and 1960s beautifully, while curvier and more 'classic' figures tend to shine in 40s and 50s looks.

But once something catches your eye: just go for it. Try it out.

If you're specifically interested in 50s looks (which I find are pretty universally flattering), here are some beginner-friendly pieces to focus on:

• Fitted high-waisted trousers

• Cropped blouses

• Cropped cardigans

• A swing skirt or dress

• A wiggle dress

Avoid accessories at the start. They are harder to mix and match without things looking a bit costume-y, especially shoes.

Trust your intuition.

If you’ve never liked midi skirts, maybe try shortening them or focus on trousers. If your wardrobe is mostly black and neutrals, don’t feel pressured into bright prints. Start with pieces in your go-to colours. It’s easy to get excited and want to play dress-up, but some of these brands are an investment so you might as well start with something you’ll actually love and wear.

source : https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1238447936/1953-misses-blouse-skirt-shorts-and