ModCloth Is Going Back To Vintage For Its 16th-Anniversary Collection

For well over a decade, vintage lovers have turned to ModCloth, the retailer known for its cute, retro-inspired clothing and accessories, for all of their vintage-esque needs—if not actual vintage pieces. Though at its start in 2002 Modcloth sold covetable, one-of-a-kind vintage, the company has since steered away from selling actual vintage and instead focused on modern pieces with a vintage feel. However now, for its 16-year anniversary, the retailer has decided to go back to its roots and launch the vintage collection of our dreams.

Titled ModCloth’s Sweet 16, the 66-piece capsule features vintage pieces from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. For the line, ModCloth worked with Nicole Mahoney, owner of California-based vintage store Leader of the Pack Vintage, who procured over 30 pieces. ModCloth’s vice president and general merchandising manager, Nicole Haase, said working with Mahoney was the perfect partnership for this capsule. “Just like us here at ModCloth, her pieces needed to have meaning. I felt a lot of synergy and connection to her and the authenticity to what she did.” Haase and Mahoney worked together to find whimsical vintage pieces that also came in an inclusive size range (XS-4X)— something ModCloth has been prioritizing in the last few years and which can be difficult when working with vintage.

Of course, when we think of modern vintage stores today, light-washed Levi’s and graphic T-shirts come to mind, but ModCloth’s Sweet 16 capsule is anything but that. “For us, it’s about that vibrant, optimistic, whimsical color and print, which is very different from the mainstream vintage that we see out there in the marketplace today,” says Haase. From tiger-printed smock dresses to geometric chiffon, fun patterns and bright colors are the main attractions of this line. Comprising mostly dresses, a ModCloth specialty, the line has day-to-night and weekend pieces that run the gamut of “muted, beautiful feminine pieces to bolder, print and patterns pieces that the ModCloth community typically responds to.”

Within the Sweet 16 collection, you will find vintage pieces from iconic brands like Givenchy and Oscar de la Renta, mixed in with lesser known designers. And, while many vintage curators focus on the brand name, ModCloth focused on prints and colors for this line. “The differentiator here is the way that the print and pattern play within one another in the garment,” says Haase.

Since this is a ready-to-wear transitional line, you can find bright fall dresses and light retro denim—giving us the perfect answer to any of our mid-season dressing woes. While this capsule is filled with fashion from decades past, it feels relevant to trends of today, featuring burnt orange culottes, bold floral prairie dresses, and Western denim shirts.

It’s safe to say that we're obsessed. If you were planning on going vintage shopping soon, look no further. With this collection jumpstarting fall, we have never more ready for September weather. Check out 25 of our favorite pieces from the capsule, which range in price from $58 to 188, below, and start shopping at ModCloth.com today.

ModCloth, Vintage Lace-Trimmed Maxi Dress with Floral Blouse, $128, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Mock Neck Shift Dress, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Coral Denim Culottes With Pleats, $78, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Light Wash Bell Bottom Jeans With Embroidery, $148, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Long Sleeve Maxi Dress With Tiers, $118, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Bright Long Sleeve Maxi Dress, $148, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Floral Long Sleeve Dress With Pintucks, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Long Sleeve Shirt Dress, $128, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Long Sleeve Printed Blouse, $78, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Chiffon Long Sleeve Dress, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Rainbow Tiger Maxi Dress, $148, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Mini Dress With Cropped Bell Sleeves, $158, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Victorian Blouse With Lace, $58, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Silk Long Sleeve Dress With Gold Buttons, $168, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Denim Blazer With Stitched Pockets, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Green Long Sleeve Prairie Dress, $158, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Cotton Midi Skirt With Bold Print, $88, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Denim Dress With Gold Stitching, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Long Sleeve Shirt Dress With Funky Pattern, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Cowl Neck Dress with Pleated Skirt, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Psychedelic Cotton Jumpsuit, $148, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Collared Faux Wrap Dress, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Ruffled Faux Wrap Maxi Dress, $148, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Denim Jacket With Colorful Crocheting, $98, available at ModCloth.

ModCloth, Vintage Floral Mini Dress With Bell Sleeves, $118, available at ModCloth.