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As vintage clothing continues to thrive in today’s fashion world, consumers make a decision that goes far beyond visual appeal. Millennials and post-millennials, aren’t exactly aware of the value behind purchasing a vintage t-shirt vs. a t-shirt from mainstream fast-fashion outlets such as H&M & Zara to name a few.

Environmental Impact

As consumers worldwide buy more clothing, the growing market for cheap garments and new styles is taking a toll on the environment. On average, people bought 60% more garments in 2014 than they did in 2000. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams. Additionally, 85% of all textiles go to the dump each year, while washing certain types of clothes sends thousands of bits of plastic into the ocean. 

 It is important to note the misconception amongst consumers on  “donating” clothing as an eco-friendly decision in exchange for new fast-fashion items which are to be worn no more than a handful of times. This has resulted in a negative impact on our environment and plays a major part in the 60% increase of garment purchases from 2000-2014. Donating and buying new fast-fashion garments has become a repetitive cycle for many consumers who elect to shop by seasons and upcoming trends. 

Think about this fact for a moment, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of clothes is burned or dumped in a landfill every second!

The solution is simple, it comes down to the fundamental principle that recycling and reusing clothing saves resources, thus being more environmentally sustainable long-term. It is this process of keeping clothes in use for long periods of time that creates vintage clothing and supports the slow fashion movement, making it a more sustainable option. If you are donating great amounts of your old clothing, it is important to follow-up that decision with a sustainable choice (such as vintage apparel) for real impact. By purchasing vintage clothing, you play a vital role in reducing a global footprint that includes the 132m metric tons of coal used yearly through the production of new fibres, dyeing and bleaching of garments and the 6-9 trillion litres of water used by the industry. 

Virgil Abloh: “Streetwear? It’s definitely gonna die.”

Looking ahead at 2021 and the future ahead of us, in a recent interview Virgil Abloh explained his perspective on why vintage clothing is the way to go from this point forward. Take a look!

What do you think will happen to the idea of streetwear in the 2020s?

Virgil Abloh: Wow. I would definitely say it’s gonna die, you know? Like, it’s time will be up. In my mind, how many more t-shirts can we own, how many more hoodies, how many sneakers? I think that like we’re gonna hit this like, really awesome state of expressing your knowledge and personal style with vintage – there are so many clothes that are cool that are in vintage shops and it’s just about wearing them. I think that fashion is gonna go away from buying a box-fresh something; it’ll be like, hey I’m gonna go into my archive."

Through the growing support of our global customer base, Icy Vintage continues to work to stay ahead of the curve by solidifying our value for fashion and sustainability with some of the most comparable prices on the market. With fast-fashion taxing our environment at an alarming rate, it is important to realize the impact of your purchase decisions every time you may enter a mall or click on an online advertisement. As some of the world’s most influential leaders in fashion today have made the shift towards vintage clothing, there is no denying that shopping vintage is now the most attractive choice for every consumer who is not only looking to remain trendy, but also looking to take a step in the right direction for the sustainability of our environment. 

In 1947, Harley-Davidson began selling new styles of leather jackets that became a standard into the present day. The jackets were waist-length with a belt and included zippered pockets and snap-fastened collars. Starting in 1954, the premiere H-D jacket brand was the Cycle Champ for men and the Cycle Queen for women. As with Harley-Davidson motorcycles, both style and function changed in small increments from year to year, building on the foundation of what we see on streets today. 

Through the era of H-D lightweight motorcycles, scooters and snowmobiles, the apparel evolved for functionality. It also changed with the fashion of the times, including the groovy 1970s. A crowning achievement came in 1992 when Harley-Davidson won the Council of Fashion Designers Award for bringing the motorcyclist look to the ready-to-wear market (what you find in vintage apparel today). 

Arguably the most sought after Harley Davidson item in the vintage market has been the motorcycle t-shirt from the 70s and 80s era. These shirts feature various design concepts including abstract approaches with the addition of colourful lightning/fire, racing event t-shirts (similar to music tour merchandise), and your classic Harley Davidson logo t-shirt which has remained a staple piece in every collector’s closet. 

In modern day street culture, the Harley Davidson vintage t-shirt has become an absolute staple. This is due to the versatility of the shirt, as a compliment to its diversity in fashion we continue to witness today with developing styles and trends repeating from the past. Whether you choose to style one of these t-shirts with an oversized/baggy appearance, or with a more subtle (yet effective) outfit, these shirts make for the perfect statement piece.

At Icy Vintage, we continue to take great pride in our hand-picked collections of vintage Harley Davidson apparel, which is consistently in high demand due to the growing interest of vintage wear and sustainability. The brand has been worn by the likes of Kanye West, Travis Scott, & many others, which sparked the curiosity of those who follow street fashion. 

Harley Davidson exemplifies the quality you look for when shopping vintage as they age no different than some “fine wine” held in storage. What is meant by that exactly? The more washes over time, the better! As you see many global icons rocking their Harley Davidson vintage t-shirts on Instagram, they often have a very washed and worn out appearance which is a result of age and washes, however the shirt materials remain durable through this cycle. 

The most sought after Harley Davidson shirt is the 1970's-1980's 3D Emblem tag tops. These shirts are desirable due to their age, rarity, and controversial graphics, making them a collectors item amongst enthusiasts. 

Authenticity

Our team at Icy Vintage continues to stay ahead of the curve through our inspection and authentication of each and every Harley Davidson piece. Each item is personally handpicked to ensure our customers are receiving the best quality of garments. It is important to note there are many examples on the internet and social media of reprints which are sold, but can't be considered vintage apparel. We strive with our mandate to ensure our customers are in the authentic wave of 80’s and 90’s vintage apparel! 

With over 55 years of rich history, Nike has risen to dominance as the arguable staple for athletic apparel from their humble birth in 1964. A company that was once named “Blue Ribbon Sports” by their two co-owners, Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman, transformed into the sought-after brand it is today, Nike Inc. 

The iconic swoosh has become much more than a representation of professional sports, but an irreplaceable urban statement that has become the forefront for streetwear and fashion in this day and age. Over the years, we have seen the Nike tag and label see a series of changes as the brand becomes more diversified in the realm of sports apparel. 

Premature Era (1970’s - 1983) 

In this time frame, a white tag, blue “Nike” script, and an orange swoosh became the tag of choice for the sporting retailer. The t-shirts are typically nylon blends or 50/50 cotton/poly and maintained a strict focus on lightweight minimalistic graphics and design. A highly sought-after design from this era includes the pinwheel graphic, due to its unique pattern and rarity. It's graphic contains multi-coloured Nike swooshes arranged in a circle with a “Nike” script either beneath or above the iconic wheel. 

Jumpman Era (1984-1988)

 For the first time in athletic apparel history, we witnessed the culture and core fundamentals of Nike change dramatically; this change can be accredited to the man by the name of Michael Jordan. Jordan signed a five-year endorsement deal worth $2.5 million, which was an incredible investment into a 21-year-old MJ, yet to prove himself on the professional level of basketball. The classic Air Jordan 1 became the most desired shoe of the decade and till this day is considered the greatest sneaker of all-time among enthusiasts. Nike apparel from this era features a blue tag with a silver swoosh and script. The graphic designs from this era became more loud and vibrant and featured their recent signee, Michael Jordan, among other designs surrounding sneakers like the Air Force 1, Nike Dunks, etc. 

MJ Takeover (1988 - 1993)

As the new decade began, Nike decided to change their tag to one that matched the new appearance of their brand. Michael Jordan was the ultimate face of the brand, and it was only fitting that they change their base colour from blue to red. During the time, the blue tags were now replaced with a red and grey tag. This simple grey tag takes us back to a time where the Chicago Bulls were the dominant forefront of the NBA, becoming the NBA Champions 3 times in a row (1991-1993). As the late 90’s approached, Nike phased into a black and red logo, maintaining red as their base colour. 

The iconic Nike logo, inspired by the Greek goddess of victory, has become one of the most iconic logos of modern day fashion. The simple "swoosh" design, crafted by Carolyn Davidson, has become a staple design in the wardrobes of many, and the iconic forefront of sports culture.