Classic Vintage Retro Styles Dress Ideas

In fashion, nothing truly ever goes out of style. Fashion is cyclical in nature, and these days the vintage dress is trending. The main reason that 50s style dresses are trending is because they are made of quality materials like cotton, wool, lace and linen that come in classic cuts and colors. Unlike the fashion of today, people had more control over the color of their clothing and so vintage shoppers today have a wide range of prints and unusual patterns to choose from.

With so much choice, where do you begin when choosing a vintage, retro style dress? Let’s take a look at the seven most popular classic vintage styles that you can wear today!

1. Dresses with Full Skirts
The most iconic vintage lace dress style is a dress with a full skirt. Nothing says vintage like this cut also known as a swing dress. It features a fitted top with a full circle skirt that starts at the waist. Decades ago the swing dress would have been worn with a slip or structured coast, but these days modern women are pairing the swing dress with avant-garde shoes and statement jewelry. If this is your first foray into vintage dresses, this style is perfect because it truly carries itself and doesn’t need too much accessorizing.

2. Wrap Dresses
Made popular in the 70s by Diane von Fürstenberg, the wrap dress is the perfect fit for almost any women. It is simply a dress where you wrap one side of the dress across the other. This is a flattering dress style because you can adjust the waist size easily and tie the knot to hide unflattering bulges or rolls. The best part about a wrap dress is that it hugs the smallest part of your torso to give you an overall smiling effect. These wrap dresses are popular in the vintage lace dress style and are perfect for summer.

3. Pencil Dresses
The quintessential dress style of today and yesteryear is the pencil dress. These dresses are often form fitted are closed at the back with a zipper. Modern styles of the dress come with pockets, but many vintage styles leave the extra fabric out to give a streamlined fit. Many vintage pencil dresses are also sleeveless or come with a short sleeve for a sophisticated look and ease of use with a blazer. These days, women love to wear a pencil dress as a confidence booster and to look fashionable and professional at the same time.

4. Shirtwaist Dresses
Back in the 40s, the most popular style of day dress was the shirtwaist dress. This classic pattern is ideal for casual day time wear and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Women used to wear these buttoned-up dresses with full-length or elbow length for both style and modesty. You can find a variety of fabrics in this style that are appropriate for both winter and spring weather. This type of dress can be layered with cardigans and paired with statement earrings for a throw-back look.

5. Coat Dresses
The coat dress is the perfect dress for winter. Typically, these dresses are constructed of heavier fabrics and the buttons are sturdy and oversized. This cut utilizes a fuller skirt to the shirtwaist dress and also has padded sleeves to create a sophisticated silhouette. Due to them being a popular winter coat, the sleeves on this type of dress are long and come with matching belts. Look for this type of dress in a camel, navy, or black fabric so you can look chic and put together in every situation.

6. Sheath Dresses
Another popular vintage lace dress style is the sheath dress. Wildly popular in the 50s the sheath dress combines glamour, style, and comfort. The look of this dress is tailored with a close fit to the body. The defining feature of the sheath dress is the fitted nature of the waist. You can wear this style to the office or for dinner as it plays like a vintage style that caters to modern sensibilities.

7. Bell Dresses

The bell dress is a 70's fashion trend that is becoming extremely popular in vintages shops across the country. This style is so popular as a vintage lace dress that many fashion experts argue that it is here to stay. The bell sleeve dresses are arguably one of the most feminine vintage styles out there. It is perfect for summer festivals as it can give you a very soft, bohemian look. Bell dresses are a more unique look so you may have difficulty finding them in a vintage store near you, but there are plenty of online stores that sell them!

Now that you have an idea of the type of vintage lace dress styles to look for, you can vintage shop with confidence. We encourage you to find a style that works for you and experiment with it in different colors and fabrics. Remember, there is no shortage of amazing local stores for you to shop from to create your own unique style.