Modern Vintage
In the descriptions of our recent releases, you may have noticed the repeating phrase “Modern Vintage” - a term we’ve also used to collectively name our November addition to the FW2024 collection. What does this phrase mean, and what do we intend by it? Have a read.
To give some context: the idea originated from a limited edition, commemorative pocket square, something we regularly feature in our collections. Last year, for Polish National Independence Day (November 11th), we featured Józef Piłsudski’s portrait; this time, we wanted to spotlight a figure more closely tied to our native Silesia. We chose Wojciech Korfanty, one of the founding fathers of Polish independence and, perhaps even more importantly, the architect of a “Polish Silesia” (you can read more about him here).
Simultaneously, while planning our fall collection, we envisioned several products that are entirely modern yet carry a hint of vintage style - for example, a gray chalkstripe flannel suit (tentatively named “Churchill” in the works). This concept inspired us to give these pieces more context by adding a few accessories, like a classic Homburg hat, that would give a possibility to style them differently.
But wait, Polish themes here, and suddenly a “Churchill”? Maybe we should stick to our own “Korfanty” instead? It just had to come together!
So, as we were photographing the pocket square and assembling an outifit to go with it, we naturally reached for the chalkstripe flannel suit, a white club-collar shirt, a black grenadine tie, a black raglan overcoat, and, of course, the aforementioned hat. The color palette felt both minimalist-modern and conservative-vintage, Victorian almost. We felt it could have been worn by both Churchill and Korfanty.
This is undoubtedly the most classic look we’ve decided to present - in the sense of being deeply rooted in history. Yet, even then and now, we don’t find it outdated. That was the idea: this is what Modern Vintage means.
The essence is that it’s not cosplay - Tomek isn’t dressing up as a politician from a century ago. Instead, he’s wearing timeless pieces styled in a way that someone in 1920 or 1940 could just as well have done.
Starting with the overcoat - dubbed “the heaviest coat in Poszetka’s history” and another raglan that sold out at record speed. Its color is paradoxically both retro and modern, depending on your perspective. On one hand, long overcoats in this color were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; on the other hand, in recent years, black has made a slow return in the realm of the so-calle classic menswear (or #menswear, even). Today, it’s once again a safe, versatile, and everyday color - not just for architects, priests, metalheads and creatives!
Oh, and we almost forgot to mention the weight: the coat is made from wool cloth weighing an incredible 1000g per linear meter (!), a nod to a bygone era before lightweight car coats and the general trend toward “lighter, thinner, and softer” took over. Thankfully, we chose a cut that remains particularly comfortable, even with such dense fabric.
Next, the suit. Made from thick VBC flannel, it features one of the most timeless patterns imaginable: a chalk stripe on a gray background. The nod to modernity lies in the cut: lightweight, with 3-roll-2 closure and open quarters, our favorite. It’s versatile enough to be worn not only with a tie but also with a turtleneck or a knitted t-shirt.
Underneath, there’s a club collar shirt. A refreshing change from the ubiquitous cutaway collars that have dominated recent years, yet still easier to wear than a pin collar or tab collar. It’s a simple white shirt anyone could wear to the office or on special occasions, just with a different detail.
Then, there’s the black grenadine tie. We’d like to highlight that this combination - of rich texture and deep color - is, in our opinion, highly underrated yet incredibly striking. It’s more interesting in many ways than the default burgundy and green. Minimalist but complex.
The most unusual piece in the ensemble is undoubtedly the Homburg hat. It’s the cherry on top, the standout element… and a one that’s relatively easy to replace if you wish to move further away from historical references. Even a beanie would do, if you feel like it!
You see, the essence of Modern Vintage isn’t about looking old-fashioned. It’s about combining still obvious pieces in an already non-obvious way; composing outfits from modern garments while taking a bit deeper inspiration from the past than we usually do. You can do that, too!
