How To Build A Vintage Outfit For Men On A Budget

You want a classic American look—vintage but modern. The only problem? Your wallet’s a bit on the light side right now. That doesn’t have to get in your way. If you stick to a few solid fashion rules and know where to find the low-investment, high-return clothing items, you can put together a basic vintage outfit for men that will last for years. Here are a few tips.

Long-sleeve shirts

Keep it simple. Your long-sleeve shirts will almost always be your outer layer, which is why you’ll want to stick to neutral tones with plenty of versatility. Have a look at all of the shirts on sale here and you’ll find everything from cardigans to quarter-zip shirts. Which one should you choose? A long-sleeve Henley is your best budget option right now, but remember to pay attention to what you typically wear. It’s better to spring an extra few dollars for a shirt you know you’ll wear over and over again.

Short-sleeve shirts

 Here’s where you can afford to experiment with a little more color. We even include a few short-sleeve woven shirts for you to peruse—and because these are often on sale, they’ll fit neatly into a tight budget. Pay attention to how much wear you can get with these shirts in any given season, as you might find that some shirts are better for all seasons while others tend to be limited to the warmer months.

Shorts

The most bang for your buck when building a vintage outfit for men can be found in Classic Vintage Twill 7” Shorts. These are versatile enough to last you years, especially if you choose a neutral color like British Tan or Blueberry, which can be worn with just about anything. Navy might be your best bet, of course—unless you own too many navy shirts to begin with. Finding a pair that complements your current wardrobe will help make this investment last.           

Pants

You can go the same route you saw above, choosing a pair of Classic Vintage Twill pants in a neutral color like navy to ensure maximum versatility. These pants will pair well with both brown and black shoes—though not at the same time, mind you—and a variety of tops, even including navy blazers.

Accessories

If you’re on a budget, you’ll want to keep accessories to a minimum. After all, a simple watch can break the entire budget—even before you buy the shirt. We recommend sticking to a basic belt for starters. A belt can cinch together a vintage outfit for men just as snugly as it can cinch your waist. If anything, it’s more of a necessity than an accessory. To keep it frugal, invest in a quality leather belt that will last you years—or even an affordable canvas belt that won’t wear and tear within a year.

Shop Vintage 1946

Want even more? Don’t forget to keep browsing our sale section to find the vintage items that will form a great-looking vintage outfit for men at only a fraction of the price.