The House Of BLOC - BLOG Vintage

The History of vintage clothing

2023-05-10T16:07:58+01:00

Vintage clothing refers to clothing that was made between 20 and 100 years ago, and has since been worn by previous generations. The term "vintage" was first used in the 1920s to describe wine, but it was soon applied to clothing as well.

The concept of wearing vintage clothing gained popularity in the 1960s, when young people began to reject mainstream fashion and started to look for unique and individualistic styles. The rise of vintage clothing coincided with the emergence of second-hand clothing stores, where people could find old, unique pieces at affordable prices.

In the 1970s, the popularity of vintage clothing continued to grow, and it became associated with the hippie and punk movements. Vintage clothing was seen as a form of rebellion against mainstream fashion, and as a way to express individuality.

In the 1980s and 1990s, vintage clothing became more mainstream, and was embraced by fashion designers and celebrities. Vintage clothing was often incorporated into high-end fashion shows, and was worn by celebrities on the red carpet.

Today, vintage clothing remains popular, and is seen as a way to express personal style and to stand out from the crowd. Vintage clothing is also seen as a sustainable fashion choice, as it is a way to reuse and recycle clothing, and to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

You can shop our latest new items in our New In section.

Ten facts about fast fashion

2023-04-27T14:24:04+01:00

1. Fast fashion refers to a business model in which clothing manufacturers and retailers produce and sell trendy, low-cost garments in large quantities, often copying designs from luxury fashion brands.

2. Fast fashion retailers are known for their rapid production cycles, which can result in new clothing collections being released every few weeks or even days.

3. The fast fashion industry is characterized by low prices, which are achieved by minimizing production costs, using low-quality materials, and often relying on cheap labor in developing countries.

4. The environmental impact of fast fashion is significant, as the production of synthetic fabrics and the disposal of unsold or unwanted clothing can contribute to pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste.

5. The fast fashion industry is also criticized for its labor practices, which often involve paying low wages, long working hours, and poor working conditions in factories in developing countries.

6. Fast fashion has become a dominant force in the global fashion industry, with many large retailers such as Zara, H&M, and Forever 21 adopting the fast fashion business model.

7. The popularity of fast fashion has led to a culture of disposable clothing, where garments are worn only a few times before being discarded or replaced.

8. The rise of fast fashion has had a significant impact on the traditional fashion industry, as luxury brands are forced to compete with lower-priced, trendier clothing lines.

9. The fast fashion industry has faced increasing scrutiny and criticism in recent years, with consumers and activists calling for greater transparency, sustainability, and ethical practices in the fashion industry.

10. Some alternatives to fast fashion include sustainable fashion, which focuses on using eco-friendly materials and ethical labor practices, and second-hand or vintage clothing, which reduces waste and promotes reuse of existing garments.

About Us

2023-04-27T14:19:22+01:00

We, Emilie and Adam, started our small business in mid 2013, working from her house initially. Emilie had wanted to leave her job for a while, and I was just out of University, and it all began on a really small scale - sourcing items from the internet and trawling local charity shops for items we liked personally.

Soon, we'd outgrown Emilie's house, and took the plunge with a small office. This very soon became two offices as the business started to grow.

As the years went by, we moved to a warehouse unit to be able to house all of the clothes we were buying to sell on the website. We took on more staff and the business was growing so much more than we could ever have imagined!

It was a lot of hard work, very long hours but most importantly, we were enjoying it.

So now, after sending out in excess of 70k orders and saving over 100k items of clothing from landfill, back to the present day...

We've set up home together and have a beautiful 18 month old daughter!

We decided it was time to take a look at our work/life balance, and took the difficult decision to try and scale the business back to something smaller that we could possibly manage from home.

So here we are...let's see where Bloc Vintage goes from here....

Why should you shop vintage fashion instead of fast fashion?

2023-04-27T14:06:11+01:00

There are several reasons why people should consider shopping for vintage fashion instead of fast fashion:

Unique Style: Vintage fashion offers unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that are not mass-produced like fast fashion. It allows individuals to express their personality and style in a way that is different from what everyone else is wearing.
Sustainability: Fast fashion is known for its negative impact on the environment, with its production and transportation contributing to pollution and waste. By shopping for vintage fashion, individuals can reduce their carbon footprint and help to create a more sustainable future by extending the life of pre-owned clothing.
Quality: Vintage fashion is often made of high-quality materials, such as natural fibers, that are durable and designed to last. In contrast, fast fashion is produced with low-quality materials that are prone to wear and tear, leading to a shorter lifespan.
Cost-Effective: While some vintage pieces may be pricier than fast fashion alternatives, buying vintage fashion can be cost-effective in the long run as these pieces are often timeless and durable, meaning they can be worn for years.

Overall, shopping for vintage fashion is not only a way to express personal style but also a way to make a positive impact on the environment and promote sustainable consumption.