They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To.
More recently, we are finding that we are revisiting this topic time and time again. Whether in the office, on set, or in conversations with friends. They just don’t make *them* like they used to.
The case for this argument, goes for quite literally anything. One thing that has arisen the most, shoes. Shoes, whether it be heels, boots, sandals - nowadays, compared to the nineties and early noughties, just don’t even come close. The shape, the quality, the look... obviously, we know that there are great shoemakers, (Miista and Kalda come to mind) out there but the ones that make the great shoes, seem to be emulating that of a vintage shoe. This recently came to discussion on set, when we were styling a look with some black pointed boots, the boots in question had the perfect pointed toe, a perfect size heel and everything you could want for a winter day-to-night boot. When asked where they were from, the words “they’re vintage” rang with defeat in our ears. But this seems to be happening all of the time and for everything..
source: @velouramsterdam
Take architecture and buying a home, now this is down to personal taste we understand that, but older is way better. The construction, the configuration, the materials, are all built to stand the test of time (just like vintage [pictured] Prada shoes) that you just cannot get with a carbon copy new build, or the endless grey/white render homes with black uPVC windows and doors that are popping up everywhere, which are becoming the new crushed velvet effect. The parallels with fast-fashion and new build homes have never been compared until now, we’re sure of it.
And don’t even get us started on furniture, our Pamono wishlist is growing by the day and the popularity in the dupes of Ligne Roset and De Sede that are plastered all over Instagram, pierces through the heart and its almost a physical pain. They retain their appeal and they age like a fine wine, maturing like Brad Pitt with each new appearance.
Another case is models, we’re seeing a resurgence in the older, iconic models coming back and featuring on not only runways as a token “look” but they’re featuring in the best and biggest campaigns. Malgosia Bela is everywhere. From Mango, to the latest cover of Unconditional Magazine, which has thankfully returned after a three year hiatus, to Laetita Casta who closed AMI’s AW24 Menswear Show last January and lets not forget Daria Werbowy returning for Phoebe Philo once again, need we say more on this case.
In summary, we’re here for the nostalgia, the quality that all of these things (and definitely more, we could go on forever) hold, is like nothing we’re seeing now. So much is often copied but never imitated, brands are desperately trying to recreate Y2K trends and rework iconic pieces and it can just come across as t*cky and the same things being regurgitated by everyone.“The Gen Z interpretation is kind of the things that we [older millennials] would never have worn,” she says. “More of the naffer elements of Y2K…” Sienna Miller for the Financial Times How to Spend It (Aug 2024) I read this article recently and this spoke to me, it’s so true.
1970's Armchair by Lev & Lev
So, as we exhale with the notion of knowing nothing may never be as good as it used to be, we can’t help you buy that gorgeous seventies house, but we can help you keep an eye out for an exquisite, vintage shoe.
Our creative content assistant and second hand magpie, Holly who has this to say on the matter “Vintage shoes are timeless and in our opinion, only get better with age. Let’s ask ourselves, would we want to wear the pieces in a month, year or even 3 years time, the answer to a modern day shoe is probably not in most cases, as for vintage its a definite yes.” has rounded up the best places to search for the perfect shoes, thank us later. (Race you to it...)
Vinted, you can search brands such as Faith, Dolcis, Pedro Miralles, Next and good old Marks & Spencers.
Vestiaire Collective with a price range from £15, stocking many designers.
The RealReal, a US site but you can find the best designer items for such great price points
Charity Shops, cliché but its true. Those black boots, we mentioned earlier were a vintage shop find, you just have to seek them out.
