Having evolved over decades of experimentation and cultural shifts, true fashion lovers know how fortunate we are to have a volume of authentic vintage pieces still circulating today. Although they nod to previous eras of style, these items—like old-school sports jerseys or reimagined sneakers such as the adidas Taekwondo—continue to cut through the churn of modern trends. As a result of our obsession with these items and the eras that housed them, they have in-turn inspired brands to look to the past for inspiration.
Be it Y2K kitsch or ’90s cool, nostalgia dressing is one of the decade’s dominant sartorial movements. But when dressing in vintage or vintage-inspired pieces, there comes the question of how we can style them to suit the rest of our contemporary wardrobe?
For Cosmo’s latest shoot with adidas, stylist Hayley Hing put the brand’s reimagined performance design from the early 2000s to 2025 test. While she was there, we tapped her for some pointers on translating your vintage inspiration to your wardrobe. Scroll on for her top tips.

Cut Over Colour
Okay yes, colour is important—but it’s definitely not the only feature of an outfit that will quickly catch people’s eyes. The cut of clothing speaks volumes to the era of style in that it represents, whilst simultaneously affecting the fit, quality, and appearance of the garment, regardless of the body type on which it’s being worn.
When shopping with a certain era of inspiration in mind, Hayley advises: “When it comes to vintage or vintage-inspired pieces, I’m always on the lookout for unique cuts that feel fresh and unexpected. Vintage clothing often offers a higher quality of craftsmanship, especially in terms of tailoring and fabric choices, which gives it a distinct, elevated feel. The adidas Taekwondo shoe is a perfect example of this—its sleek, minimal design with a twist (that perfect blend of martial arts and streetwear) gives it a fun, yet sophisticated, silhouette. It adds personality to an outfit without screaming for attention, which is exactly the kind of piece I love to style.”

Find A Balance Between Bold & Basic
When you’re styling an outfit, *especially* one with nostalgic items, it’s important to achieve a healthy medium between your principal statement pieces, and your timeless basics that let your vintage elements really have their moment. An excellent way of finding this balance is to take a walk down fashion memory lane, and/or do a deep dive into the prevalent fashion of your favourite pop culture. Try to reference looks from at LEAST two decades ago to accurately see how the OG’s perfected vintage-style balance—there’s no need to reinvent the wheel!
Hayley’s favourite aesthetic eras to draw and mix inspiration from are, “the ‘80s and ‘90s, as well as classic sportswear from the early 2000s.” She elaborates: “These eras offer a perfect balance of bold, statement-making pieces and laid-back, functional cool. The ‘80s were all about power dressing, oversized silhouettes, and experimental textures, while the ‘90s brought in a more relaxed, grunge-inspired vibe. The early 2000s were all about athletic chic and sporty styles, which is why I am drawn to the adidas Taekwondo shoes for this shoot—they combine sleekness with a nostalgic edge that feels both contemporary and timeless.”
Proportions Are Pivotal
Playing with proportions can effortlessly elevate a look. Mixing items of differing cuts and fits is an easy way to seamlessly style some pretty unique vintage pieces into an already very modern outfit. However, it’s important to remember that juxtaposing the proportions of your vintage items to your current ones can achieve a very chic and distinctive look when you maintain a ‘less is more’ mentality. Hayley suggests opting for structured pieces that lean towards the larger side. “A structured blazer with oversized pants or a fitted top with voluminous skirts can elevate your look and make it feel new. It’s all about balancing shapes to keep things interesting.”

Versatility Is Key
When it comes to styling vintage clothing to suit our modern world, the items you choose to splurge on should always be adaptable to a variety of different outfits. Aim for things that allow you to get the most out of them—this will save you from purchasing pretty pieces that become dust collectors in your closet, trust me… we’ve all been there before.
One of Hayleys golden style tips is to invest in versatile pieces! “There’s a lot to be said for quality staples. Pieces like a great pair of Taekwondos or a timeless leather jacket can serve as the foundation of so many outfits, from casual to more dressed-up looks. They’re the backbone of a functional, stylish wardrobe.”
Embrace a Reference
One of the best ways to figure out how to style your new vintage pieces is by seeing how others have styled similar items! When I’m sourcing vintage accessories and garments, one of my *favourite* things to do is scroll through Pinterest investigating different ways the same elements have been rocked by other fashion girlies.

Don't Overthink It
The truth about styling is that a lot of its “rules” can be very limiting, and can distract you from choosing clothes that make you feel good and work perfectly with your inherent sense of style. Naturally, your wardrobe will change and evolve over time, so don’t get too hung up on recreating specific looks or you’ll miss opportunities to experiment and discover what you feel best donning.
Hayley emphasises, “Style is personal, so wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Don’t feel like you need to follow trends to look great—your individual style will always shine through if you’re being true to yourself.”
Related: The adidas Taekwondo, In Motion
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Nail nostalgia dressing with the perfect, versatile sneaker: The adidas Taekwondo.
Photographed by Amelia Dowd; Styled by Hayley Hing; Hair & Makeup by Chelsea Johnson; Model, Seren Bakir at FiveTwenty Management; Style Assistant, Sydney Atakliyan.
