In sophomore Ilana Schopin’s closet hangs a red zip-up hoodie branded with the logo “UIC.” It’s one of her favorite items in her closet, but it’s not a recent purchase.
This hoodie, about 30 years old, shows signs of wear from decades of use — first by her mother, now Ilana, who inherited the hoodie a few years ago. The fabric is thinning in places, the zipper is finicky and slightly stiff, and the black-block letters are almost completely faded.
For Ilana, the evidence of age is what makes the hoodie so special.
Rather than buying new merchandise, students like Ilana choose vintage college apparel for its authenticity, history and retro style.
Ilana describes the main difference between vintage and modern college apparel as the level of production. Earlier designs were more simplistic, often letting bold typography or classic colors speak for themselves. Newer designs, Ilana said, can feel overly stylized.
“I feel like college merch now, they overdo it and try to make it all really blinged-up and fancy, but just a good old college name can do the trick,” Ilana said.
Junior Whit Waterstraat agrees with Ilana. He appreciates his vintage apparel for its minimalism. One of his favorite pieces is a Dartmouth crew neck that he also inherited from a parent.
“It’s got moth holes in it, and it’s pretty run-down,” Whit said, “but I like it because it’s my dad’s, and it’s got these big blocky letters on it that you don’t typically see on merch nowadays.”
For many students, the sentimental value of these items outweighs their condition. The worn fabric, frayed hems and faded prints add a personal dimension that is harder to find in more modern clothes. Like Ilana, sophomore Sadie Ellis cherishes the vintage college merchandise that she inherited from her parents.
“I’m really happy that I can have a piece of clothing that represents family history,” Sadie said.
From fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu to more trend-focused retailers like Urban Outfitters or Edikted, vintage-inspired designs can be found everywhere. But, according to Sadie, mass-produced imitations don’t have the same effect as retro originals do.
“Urban is making these vintage-looking secondhand pieces, but then people are buying them firsthand,” Sadie said. “You’re losing the story that you could be getting if you were actually buying a secondhand piece.”
Ilana shared this sentiment.
“I feel like the clothes lose their little spark when it’s replicated so many times in fast fashion,” Ilana said. “There’s a charm in seeing something that’s well-loved and worn down versus something that’s fake vintage.”
