Vintage Treasures: Brands to Watch for Classic Minimalist Clothing – Silent Luxury and Normcore

“The Normcore trend, which emerged as a counter movement to the extreme sports brand 90s revival six years ago, marked the beginning of the commercial resurgence of essential wardrobe items like stone-washed high-waist jeans and white t-shirts. The color beige made a comeback in various shades, and over the years, more minimalist trends from the past resurfaced. We witnessed the popularity of mom pumps, mules, square-toe booties, oversized trench coats, pant suit sets, and cute cardigan tops. The best part was that we didn’t have to buy everything anew; we could simply borrow many trendy pieces from our mothers’ closets. So, what’s next to borrow?

Just last year, Ralph Lauren collaborated with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to launch a capsule collection named “Rachel” in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the sitcom “Friends.” Bella Hadid’s looks for Alyx Menswear at Paris Fashion Week seemed to blend Monica Geller’s practical hairstyle with the classic suit-shirt-tie combinations of her sitcom brother. It seems we’re not yet over the hype as it’s now making its way into mainstream shops. And this season, we’re even raiding our fathers’ closets!

To nail the slight changes in our outfits for the upcoming season, all we need is to add a few new pieces and mix things up a little. If you’re on the lookout for vintage treasures, pay attention to the following brands:

  1. Costume National
  2. Plein Sud
  3. Roberto Cavalli
  4. Paco Rabanne
  5. Jil Sander
  6. Helmut Lang
  7. ESPRIT

These brands were known for their wonderful classic minimalist clothing in the 90s and early 2000s, featuring nappa blazer jackets, linen apparel, toned-down patchwork, earth tones, various shades of white, denim, organza and mesh pieces, silk basics, “mom accessories,” and that’s exactly the kind of look spring fashion showcased at Paris Fashion Week is referring to. The 90s vibe is becoming more calm, mature, neutral, and unisex. To get a sense of the current twist, check out the latest collections from 1017 Alyx 9sm and Jacquemus.

Paco Rabanne and Roberto Cavalli’s 90s runway shows are also major inspirations for what to borrow or keep an eye on.

The main focus is on good quality, natural colors, and materials with a flowing and feminine silhouette in clear and reduced designs and shapes. Glossy finishes, subtle shimmer effects, and small details like lacing or asymmetric cuts add to the overall appeal. The outfits are layered, with combinations that are not overly complicated. The monochrome trend and “power dressing” continue to be influential.

Essential key pieces to combine right now include:

  1. Oxblood red leather coat
  2. XL basic claw hair clip
  3. Soft turtleneck sweaters in cream, black, camel, baby blue, and butter yellow
  4. Straight-cut black men’s leather jacket
  5. Flared leather pants

In other words, we can take last season’s “Rachel Green” wardrobe and incorporate a few more elements reminiscent of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to create a fresh look for spring. We’re ready to go!