How comics keep vintage fashion alive

Vintage fashion has always had a flair for making comebacks, but few realise that its most dedicated curators might not be fashion historians or museum archivists, but comic book illustrators. While fashion finds its stage on runways and red carpets, the world of comics quietly preserves sartorial history—one panel at a time.

Exploring the intersection of costume history and illustrated storytelling

From the flapper chic of the 1920s to the power suits of the 1980s, comic artists meticulously render garments that define an era. Characters like Modesty Blaise, Betty and Veronica, and even Tintin’s companions are dressed in the silhouettes and fabrics of their time, offering readers a visual catalogue of period fashion. These are not mere aesthetic choices—they anchor characters in cultural context and subtly educate readers on the evolution of dress.

British comics, in particular, have played a unique role. Series such as Bunty, which ran from the late 1950s to the early 2000s, showcased schoolgirls and heroines sporting contemporary trends—from Peter Pan collars to '60s mini dresses. Artists took cues from real-world styles, adapting them into the comic form with fidelity and flair. As the decades progressed, the comics captured transitions—hemline shifts, changing silhouettes, and new materials—functioning as time capsules.

Moreover, comics often celebrate subcultures that are overlooked in mainstream fashion archives. Punk, goth, mod and new wave aesthetics were all given space to breathe in graphic novels and indie comics. Artists like Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl) revelled in punkish rebellion, illustrating not just clothes but the countercultural spirit behind them.

Today, as interest in vintage fashion surges once more, fashion scholars and enthusiasts are turning to illustrated archives. Instagram accounts and blogs dissect comic panels for their sartorial details, unearthing forgotten styles and inspiring modern reinterpretations. Some designers even cite comics as direct references for their collections, borrowing lines, colours, and moods from hand-drawn wardrobes.

In a world driven by fast fashion and fleeting trends, comics offer a refreshing kind of permanence. They immortalise garments not in museum glass, but in storylines, battles, and everyday moments. In doing so, they remind us that fashion isn’t just about what we wear—it’s about the stories we tell, and the ones we continue to draw.