Fashion is taking turns that completely overturn its very definition, thus we talk about trends, sustainable fashion, eco-friendly and also the term vintage. From the simplest definition, the concept of vintage clothing involves garments and accessories that are at least twenty years old.
Moreover, these are usually good quality clothing items, historic brands and of course in excellent condition and preservation, with quite a high price and can even be handmade, making them tailored and truly unique pieces.
Which makes it clear that not everything old can be called vintage, so we then find retro trends, which are rather new pieces but in designs inspired by specific moments in fashion that have left that mark; it is no coincidence that fashion is said to be cyclical or simply that it returns.
Collecting Vintage Pijamas
The idea of investing in these unique pieces that also have good quality has in fact become more of a maneuver to always be in fashion with access to incredible brands. Clothing is beginning to be seen as an asset that is also negotiable; for example, some pieces from Chanel, Hermés or Pierre Cardin, among others, tend to increase in value as the years go by.
Of course, the value is directly related to trends or related events, so a pijama worn by a movie star will have much more value than if it was simply a high fashion piece. It would be interesting to know the price of a pijama from the playboy magnate, which was auctioned off in 2018.
As a curious fact, Hefner, in his later years explained that for him it made no sense to leave the pijama in his closet, since he could afford to live his whole life in slippers, sleepwear and with a pipe in hand. He was a true businessman, universally known who also managed to conquer the erotic industry of the United States, as well as the female and corporate worlds.
So, acquiring a vintage garment necessarily requires great knowledge about fashion, brands and designers as well as their protagonists, since it is very easy to buy a current original piece, but it really takes a lot of effort to find a garment from a designer from twenty, thirty or fifty years ago.
Connoisseurs in Context
Some connoisseurs only dedicate themselves to exclusively collecting haute couture clothing. Haute couture historically began with Charles Frederick Worth, an English gentleman who moved to Paris in 1845. The peak stage of haute couture was in the 1940s. In this context, the 40s decade has been considered the last in which elegance predominated, especially regarding men's fashion.
The most common factor was tradition, which prevailed in the taste of most people, of course despite the existence of styles that were much more extravagant towards the middle of the decade. A series of major events managed to eclipse the first half of it, which ended with the Great Depression and at the same time the development of World War II.
Before the war, Paris and Italy were the true owners in the fashion world, but this leadership ended by 1939, just as the war began; designers had to focus their creativity on robust and practical designs, beyond involving serious style considerations.
A great effort had to be made to save materials. Double-breasted coats were no longer made and lapels became narrow to optimize. Suits became two-piece, vests were considered a true unnecessary extravagance in wartime. Pants lost the pleats, which were so popular in the previous decade, as well as having a narrower design. But still, the spirit could not die, elegance above all was for gentlemen.
So, haute couture is in short design at a very superior level compared to made-to-measure fashion, made in a French maison. These are pieces with real exclusivity character made to measure, which represents a very large job, which can take many hours of tailoring until the product is perfect.
Important Guidelines
When buying vintage haute couture clothing or any garment, one not only seeks exclusivity but also intrinsic quality, meaning that more and more pieces with history are sought, like the pijamas of magnate Hefner, from iconic fashion brands. In most cases, it goes far beyond the garment itself, as one invests in an essential part of “fashion history.”
One must take great care with the product quality; of course, before the 1960s quality was extremely excellent, it is evident that it may be hard to find something so well made. Before 1920 it is very possible that the clothing is probably not so well preserved, so beware of scams in this regard.
Therefore, it is fundamental to know very well what is being sought and have a very clear basis of how much it can cost.
It will be very important to take special interest in the details and conditions of the piece, that the item is in very good preservation condition; finishing and tailoring details, such as being well cut, not showing insect damage, that the color or the print is in good condition preserving its brightness and saturation, if the embroidered details, buttons and ornaments that the piece contains are complete.
Naturally, these pieces are generally sought by collectors, more as a complex and exquisite taste to own something with these peculiarities. Many like to mix old with new since not all style can be in this vintage trend.
When It Comes to Pijamas
Perhaps for most, the use of a vintage pijama is too flamboyant or extravagant, but in short it is about the ability to indulge in this type of taste. The most important thing is that the use of the pijama has become once again an essential piece in the wardrobe of the modern man.
Investing in a quality pijama not only guarantees the image and style that should represent the man who cares about every detail of himself, but also the comfort and ease of sleeping that only a pijama can provide for a full night’s rest.
Choosing this perfect pijama can be simple or somewhat more complicated if one has no idea about textiles that along with the design are not only elegant but practical in fulfilling their purpose. For this reason, visit our website El Búho Nocturno where you will find many pijamas that will surely be to your liking.