2022 Trends, But Make Them Vintage—8 Secondhand Styles That Are So Now

It's true: What goes around tends to come back around eventually. Since we know that fashion is cyclical in nature, it should come as no surprise when we see trends resurrect themselves from the past. And now, more than ever, nostalgia is very in. The fashion crowd is always revisiting the archives in order to reinvent the wheel for the seasons to come, fixating on one decade or period of time before moving on to the next. In the past several seasons alone, we've cycled through retro '70s prints, '80s neon brights, and '90s minimalism.

Fortunately, "vintage" and "vintage inspired" seem to be the phrases of the year, with both sartorial and sustainable trends moving in the same direction. We've rounded up the top vintage trends for 2022 so you can get to thrift-shop hunting or grab a modern, updated version if you prefer. Whether it's by raiding a parent's closet, scouring resale sites, or purchasing a new piece, the sky's the limit for your 2022 wardrobe.

1. Chain Belts

There's perhaps no single accessory that holds more power to transform a look than a chain belt. The throwback trend has never really gone "out" per se, but it is now more popular than ever thanks to its ability to zhoosh up everything from a simple dress to jeans.

2. Corsets

While the lingerie-inspired look is nothing new, we'd be lying if we didn't say that this sultry trend is at the top of our shopping lists this year. It's already an alluring top, and with new versions of the staple including everything from underwire busts and puff sleeves to bold patterns and cozier fabrics, this trend is too spicy not to try. 

3. Big Blazers

Big blazers are the throwback trend that never seems to die down, no matter how many new suiting styles pop up (nor do we want them to). The '80s silhouettes featuring oversize shapes and padded shoulders are simply too easy to wear and too versatile to ever lose favor with the fashion crowd.

4. Bowler Bags

Designer labels such as Prada and Louis Vuitton, whose early-aughts versions first put this handbag silhouette on the sartorial map, are bubbling up once again among a certain subset of cool girls like Devon Lee Carlson and Camille Charriere, and their social media feeds are peppered with vintage bowling bags.

5. Distressed Leather Jackets

Prada put distressed leather jackets on its recent runways, and while the lived-in leather is now popping up everywhere from Zara to Net-a-Porter, old-school vintage jackets offer the same look from years of wear and tear.

6. Platforms

With all things Y2K and late '90s trending hard, chunky platform shoes are officially "it." While plenty of secondhand options exist in the market currently, luxury labels such as Valentino are putting a modern-day spin on the lifted look.

7. Waistcoats

From Kendall Jenner to Margot Robbie, celebs are seriously endorsing tailored vests. They also happen to be a great avenue for tackling the suiting trend, as they're ideal for layering under a blazer or over a T-shirt or turtleneck.

8. Baggy Jeans

Naturally, it wouldn't be a story about reviving older trends if we didn't cover a hotly debated one: early-aughts denim. The stylish set on Instagram is confirming our suspicions that we're headed toward a complete Y2K-denim takeover, starting with baggy-fit jeans.

Next up, The 2023 Trends to Know, According to NYFW