Retro Clothing Styles for Men

From LoveToKnow Men's Fashion

Just a peek at retro clothing styles for men might inspire you to get groovy, funky or totally rad. No matter what your preferred decade might be, you're guaranteed to find an abundance of retro-influenced fashions even today.

Letterman jackets were popular during the '50s.

Men's Fashion Through the Years

No decade is ever without its fashion hits and misses. Some styles truly catch on and make a memorable impression for being decent and wearable. Others are less so, and may achieve notoriety only because of their ability to capture attention for a short period of time. Whether you call them trends or fads, these fleeting pieces still manage to somehow ingrain themselves in the minds of anyone who lived through the decade in question. Reliving fashion history – particularly if it's your own! – can be an occasionally scary experience, but it can also be intriguing to look back and see whether you embraced a particular trend or shunned it completely.

  • The 1950s boosted the popularity of the dapper flannel suit, common garb in both business and more casual settings. Men also embraced a bit more frivolity in their wardrobes and wore button-down shirts with tropical-inspired prints. Letter jackets, smart cardigans and pressed trousers with slight pleating were quite popular amongst younger people, while leather jackets made a strong statement with men who dared to push the envelope a bit.
  • The 1960s were revolutionary in so many ways! Men's fashion took a turn for the brighter, with pieces like tie-dye T-shirts and vividly printed tops adding new depth to otherwise neutral wardrobes. The British Invasion brought more than just great music to the country; it also introduced men to an entire new world of fashion, including slim-fit pants, nipped-in shirts and the understated yet eye-catching Nehru collar. Later in the decade, men began to wear the popular bell-bottom pant.
  • The 1970s, of course, were the very definition of peace, love and disco-influenced fashion. Nothing was off limits, from the extra-wide flared pants and excruciatingly bright, patterned shirts to the sparkly fabrics and shoes with brow-raising platforms. Easily one of the most memorable decades in men's fashion, the '70s offered men a decidedly costume-like wardrobe. It's important to note, though, that disco dancing was a major pastime and thus it made sense that the clothing would follow suit.
  • The 1980s were a mixed bag of ostentatious looks that, at the end of the day, might best be described as too much. Excess was the name of the game, from the brightest colors (influenced in great part by hit television program Miami Vice) to the most popular athletic brands (such as Nike, made even more popular than ever by Michael J. Fox's character, Marty McFly, in Back to the Future). Even preppy looks were extreme – pink argyle sweaters and penny loafers (complete with a penny, naturally) were favorites!
  • The 1990s may not be considered retro just yet, but the decade's flannel shirts and extremely baggy pants have made a lasting impression on men's fashion, nonetheless. In fact, bagginess is the norm among some men nowadays! Many men confess that the sheer comfort of the clothes of the '90s lend a certain timelessness.

Shopping for Retro Clothing Styles for Men

If you're a fan of any of these retro clothing styles for men, you don't have to worry that you're out of luck just because you never hung on to your old wardrobe. Today there are many online boutiques that carry original clothing from decades past, as well as replicas of styles that were popular during those years. Among them are the following:

  • Dress That Man urges men to "go retroluscious" and embrace clothing and accessories from generations past. You'll find everything from leisure suits (Mike Brady would be proud) and super-chunky platform shoes to vintage western shirts and tuxedos.
  • Daddy-O's is a haven of cool clothes inspired by the styles of the 1950s. From authentic looking bowling shirts to a "Haskell" jacket that would definitely suggest you know a thing or two about Leave It to Beaver, this boutique is chalk full of fantastic finds.
  • Ballyhoo Vintage Clothing offers inspired vintage clothing that dates back to the 1930s. The selection is ever-changing, so retro fans are well advised to keep a close watch on the outstanding catalog.
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