Vintage and archival fashion is hotter than ever. This year, fashion held a mirror to our growing social interest in preserving and rewearing clothing. As Gen-Z counts environmentalism among one of its most important values and the global resale market is expected to surpass $350 billion by 2027, this year’s emphasis on recycling looks is only the beginning. (We can all but certainly expect much more of where this came from at next year’s Met Gala.)
Archival pieces not only underscore the favor for environmentalism, they also point to one of 2023’s hottest trends: singularity. Now, in an era marked by break-neck fast fashion and algorithmically informed personal style, having a one-of-one piece—or, at the least, an incredibly rare one—is a status symbol in itself.
This year, the stars showed us their commitment to rewearing looks from the archives, scouring old Chanel, Prada, Mugler, and beyond. Some wore famous outfits, like Olivia Rodrigo’s sequined Todd Oldham miniskirt, while others broke out previously under-the-radar pieces like Kendall Jenner’s late-’90s Gaultier. Some even rewore looks from their own past, like Claudia Schiffer, who dug through her own treasure trove of fashion to find a 1994 Gianni Versace metallic miniskirt. Many turned to specialty vintage sourcers and dealers, finding their gems at Pechuga, Aralda, and Tab.
Naomi Campbell used the archives to honor Karl Lagerfeld at the Met Gala, while Lily-Rose Depp turned Erewhon into a runway for her vintage Gaultier. Below, see some of our favorite archival fashions from 2023.
