When I was in high school retro clothes were not considered cool. By the time I entered college the clothes that I had spent only a few dollars on at local thrift stores became wildly popular and expensive. After some ridicule for my wardrobe I was quite shocked at the popularity retro clothes gained seemingly overnight. At first I was not annoyed at the sudden acceptance that retro clothes were granted. It wasn't until retro clothes became too expensive that I became irritated.

For many years in high school I shopped at thrift stores and secondhand shops and spent only a few dollars on an entire outfit. Once the cultural shift happened and retro clothes became trendy again I was unable to afford them. This went against everything that retro clothes and wearing them stood for.

It seems that fashions get recycled and regurgitated over and over. It is as if the fashion industry has run out of fresh ideas and must constantly revert to the past and what has already been done in order to fill the next season's catalog. With all the money that clothes and couture pull in, you would think that you would see more innovative designs in the middle sector.

It may have taken me several years, but now I love that retro clothes have come back in fashion because they compliment my natural sense of style. My favorite aspect of retro fashion has to be the jewelry. Everywhere you go now you can find antique-looking jewelry. I am obsessed now with chandelier earrings and ornate necklaces. I have found super affordable jewelry at Kohl’s and Target that satisfy my craving for vintage fashion.

It is difficult now to find the great pieces of retro clothes that I used to find at thrift stores. You have to go to real stores now if you are looking for vintage fashion and everything is getting more and more expensive. There is a double-edged sword here because I don’t want retailers to stop carrying these clothes that I love but I also miss the super cheap prices that I used to find them at.

I will have to accept that some day retro clothes will once again fall by the wayside and be forgotten by major retailers. By that time, there should be such a supply of used clothing that I will find those vintage-inspired pieces I love so much at thrift stores once again. The recycle circle goes on and on and I plan on benefiting from it again.