Puttin' on the thrift
Braintree High School senior Brendan Hogan, who plays guitar and claims his hair has been more colors than it hasn't, is preparing his outfit for prom. But putting Hogan in a traditional tuxedo wouldn't just be uncomfortable for him, it would be unnatural.
''I've always shown up to school the unconventional kid," he said. Instead of going for a fashion-forward style, he's looking back in time for inspiration.
This year, fueled partially by the success of films like the Johnny Cash biopic ''Walk the Line" and the skinny-tie style of neo-new wavers Franz Ferdinand, students such as Hogan are exploring styles from different decades.
It's not just the boys who are trying to replicate the style of yesteryear's icons, though; young women are also seeking inspiration from the classics. ''There's a curiosity in fashion about looks from the past," said Joanne Stoner, founder and CEO of eDressMe.com, a website that specializes in dresses. ''Girls want to explore and understand that era."
At the forefront of the vintage craze are the actors and musicians rocking retro on the red carpets. Celebs such as Reese Witherspoon are plopping down major bucks for classic looks; she did so for a Christian Dior gown she wore to this year's Oscars.
Such memorable award-show ensembles are inspiring shoppers to break from tradition and embrace vintage styles, said Mara Kustra, owner of Boutique Fabulous in Cambridge. ''People will come in and say they want a look in the same style."
Not many high school students take home the paychecks of young actors, but with a small budget and an even smaller window of time before the big night, students might find authentic retro clothes at thrift stores for a fraction of the price.
''If you want to have something unique, you go for the real vintage," said Kim Askew, senior writer for PromAdvice.com. ''Virtually any decade is a free-for-all at this point, whatever your style is, whatever speaks to you."
While the typical cost of a prom outfit (including shoes and jewelry) can run students upwards of $500, Askew said thrift shopping substantially cuts down on the price, estimating the potential to assemble a style for under $100.
The Garment District in Cambridge, which describes itself as an ''alternative department store," prepares for prom season by posting flyers with helpful information -- including how to tie a bowtie -- and redesigns some of its displays to make it easier for customers to find popular accessories.
''I was just saying the other day, 'Hey you guys, it's prom time -- let's take some stuff down and move it down to the front,' " said store manager Liz Donovan.
The Garment District is also where Hogan started his shopping after deciding to narrow his search to a look resembling seminal punks Joe Strummer and Richard Hell. On his first trip out, Hogan picked up a beige, two-button suit jacket and a checkered-tie for $21. He later finished off his look with one of his old black shirts and $2 pants from Building 19. The total cost of his outfit was $23.
In addition to saving money, there's another advantage to Hogan's choice in promwear: the certainty that no one else will be wearing the same thing.
Doing retro right
Follow these tips to pull together a retro look that's easy on the eye as well as the wallet.
Do your research: Watch old movies and Google Image Search style icons from the time period you choose. It's better to focus on a person rather than just a decade since some decades encompass multiple styles. (For example, 1960's hippies look very different than 1960's mods).
See what you already have: Grandma's old jewelry and your dad's old fedora may provide the perfect final touches to a classic look.
Know your size: Not every thrift store has a dressing room, so it's best to know your measurements before heading in.
Be on the lookout: Check second-hand garments for stains, holes, and imperfections.
Do it yourself: Since the clothes are cheap, there's no need to be afraid to modify them. Silk flower embellishments hark back to the likes of Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy. Guys can give basic blazers some '70s punk or '80s new wave flair with patches and stencils. -- B.H. 