In November 2003, ’s Fashion section contained a photoshoot inspired by 1960s ‘Mod Fashion’. The female models sported patterned shift dresses and the men donned colourful suits – though each outfit had its own early 2000s flair. Before ‘Vintage Varsity’ was a column, our predecessors had to innovate with their nostalgic tributes.
Looking through the archives from the early 2000s, this photoshoot is a perfect – but not the sole – example of how this was achieved. Vulture, in particular, paid a lot of homage to the past; old books (from the 1900s), old clothes, and even ‘old’ music show their faces in articles across the years. It is no secret that fashion moves in cycles.
Now, y2k is ‘in’, just like how Mod fashion seemed to be making a return in 2003. Still, the photoshoot is an ode to ‘vintage’, much like the Vintage column today. Although a dress and leggings combo seems to ‘modernise’ one of the retro dresses, it is also an example of students doing what they can with what they have.
Instead of paying homage to a current trend, the article pays tribute to the past. A good comparison would be to look at the 1950s shops around Cambridge. The 50s may not be ‘in’ beyond certain subcultures, but the nostalgia accompanying vintage fashion is still very much appreciated.
’s 2003 article is very open about the source of the outfits, all of which came from local second-hand shops. Not only is the article praising ‘vintage’, but it is also .
