Continuing with this sporty adventure we’re heading on (which I feel like I’ve talked about ad nauseum). Don’t worry, it’s soon! I decided I needed a windbreaker, so I went hunting, found one, and it’s currently en route.
So this week is a double feature of windbreakers and cotton anoraks. They’re the same sporty vibe, so can be styled the same way. Seemingly nobody is hunting for this stuff vintage but me (and maybe four sailing dads). Criminal, but good for us.
I've seen a lot of content creators (small and big alike) sharing links to fall windbreakers from the Zaras of the world. Guys, don't sleep on sporty vintage and secondhand!! I promise you can find better for less: unique, already worn in the good way, with hardware that is 10x better than anything coming out of fast fashion these days.
A quick hello to any new subscribers! PMLF is where I share what I’m hunting for, how I plan to style it, and whatever creative tangent I’ve fallen into, all in service of making vintage feel approachable.
Two announcements. One: I was approved for ShopMy, having previously been denied for being too new (humbling), which means shopping the finds is now significantly less annoying for all of us.
Two: My son turns one, and we are heading sailing for a week in Maine. My next post will be in September. Wringing out the last of summer over here. I hope you are too.
If you're new here: I love an origin story. A lot of pieces I hunt, especially sporty, started as pure utility (someone needed to stay warm, dry, or alive). The windbreaker's family tree starts with the anorak, which is Inuit technology out of Greenland. The original came in two weights, caribou for winter and sealskin for summer. Seasonal dressing predates all of us!
In the 1920s, Europeans borrowed the shape for outdoor activities like skiing and climbing. but in tightly woven cotton. Then, the postwar sailing boom brought the poplin pullover version. Fun fact, the “windbreaker” was originally one company's trademark (like Kleenex).
Wearing vintage more casually seems to be resonating with a lot of you, so let's start there (it's also how I'll actually be wearing mine, which is on a sailboat).
The short story: treat it like activewear. Active bottoms (track shorts, in my case) or jeans (white, blue, whatever) and easy flip flops, sneakers, or a ballet flat. A reliable, casual base you don't think about, and the sporty thing goes over top.
But you can absolutely dress these up, and I plan to this fall. I’m into the idea of one over a pencil skirt (or anything slimmer, if you’re petite like me).
From there you can bring it back down with flip flops, or up with a kitten heel. I love the concept of a tall boot under the skirt.
Vintage windbreakers
For windbreakers, I hunt for ones with elastic (or a tie) at the bottom, so you can cinch it and wear it more like a bomber than a rain layer (this is key!). This also makes sizing flexible!
I also prefer a higher collar, but this is more just personal preference. There is every color out there imaginable, and I love the idea of going with one that is a bit sheer. I’ve been into the teals, purples, and red lately, so that’s what I hunted.
Vintage red Eddie Bauer Medium/Large $95
Vintage red LLBean Medium $40
Vintage burgundy Catalina Small $16
Vintage purple Helly Hanson Small $30
Vintage purple Nike Small $24
Vintage purple Woolrich Large $25
Vintage teal Catalina Medium $54
Vintage Lands End Large $40
Vintage blue Eddie Bauer Small $20
Vintage anoraks
The vintage anorak I found is cotton and half-zip, which I love. It feels a bit less technical than a swishy windbreaker. For hunting purposes, here's what I'd look for: cotton or poplin, a half-zip or no zip at all, an actual hood, and nothing trying to be too sporty (think more New England prep).
70s white anorak Extra small $177
Vintage military navy anorak Medium $106
Vintage red gap Medium $20
Yellow Levi Medium/Large $30
Vintage yellow gap Petite Large $28
90s Tommy Hilfiger Large $20
Vintage red cotton anorak Extra large $97
Jungmaven navy anorak Small $74
90s Ralph Lauren Medium $100
If you are buying new, go for something original or unique. My vote would be this taffeta windbreaker by Kallmayer, which is fabulous (I love Kallmayer these days). There are endless ways to style her (open, over an office look), but I'd probably end up wearing her most layered on very casual, basic outfit, like so.
If you made it this far, you should know I’m always taking requests. If there’s a deep dive you want to see, or something you’re hunting for and can’t seem to find, drop it in the comments and I would love to help.
Thank you for sharing, liking, commenting, and clicking any affiliate links. You all are the best. Find me on Instagram during my Substack vacation.
Finders keepers,
SN
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Each week(ish) I’ll be sharing things from across home, fashion, travel, and littles…mostly wherever my vintage hunting and rabbit-hole deep dives take me. Thank you for the support.
Just found your page and it’s an immediate sub! Love your approach and would be curious to see some plus size options too in categories like this (I’m inspired to do a search for a men’s 2XL!)
Enjoy your break!
I love wearing my vintage Adidas jackets with dressy items to the office! There are some good (and Weird) options out there, including Stella McCartney X Adidas and Farm Rio X Adidas. They're great during the fall/spring/transitional seasons.
Do you remember K-Way jackets? They were massive in the early 80s - the front pocket converted to a pouch that you stuffed the jacket into and you could wear it around your waist with the straps that were inside.