Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Lifestyle Senior Writer
THE longing for yesteryear memories and lifestyles will always catch up with us as long as we continue to live.
Like history, which is known for repeating itself, this has become a cycle of life that we should all cherish.
It’s unavoidable, as it defines our experiences and shapes our future.
Past experiences, which evoke uncontrollable laughter, unparalleled joy and deserved prestige, are hard to ignore.
Such nostalgic moments are now being captured through vintage lifestyles, encompassing fashion, culinary experiences and the vintage vehicles that once graced the roads.
This trend has also caught the attention of food enthusiasts, as the demand for African delicacies has surged.
Even modern-day churches have embraced this wave of nostalgia.
Just last month, congregants at PHD Ministries, led by Prophet Walter Magaya, held a service called Vintage Sunday.
The atmosphere at the service was vibrant, as congregants turned heads in town on their way to church.
Prophet Magaya, now in his mid-40s, reminded many that we can embrace our past lifestyles and fashion while remaining loyal to God.
He led by example, wearing a coordinated blue outfit that featured a pair of bell-bottom trousers, popular in the 60s and 70s.
Resembling a typical Zimbabwean father from the past, his couch was designed in a 70s style, and the décor was on point.
A red Ford Anglia was also on display, vividly capturing the theme of the day.
This once-popular small family car, designed and manufactured by Ford UK, was a symbol of wealth for many Zimbabwean dads. It is related to the Ford Prefect and the later Ford Popular.
The Anglia name was applied to various models between 1939 and 1967, which most Zimbabweans who lived in the 60s and 70s would recognise.
Many of these memories have been preserved in old photographs that our parents have kept.
With this trend resonating across various sectors such as entertainment, fashion culinary arts and the automotive industry, we cannot pretend it doesn’t exist.
A survey by The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle has established that the resurgence of vintage lifestyles is not only fuelled by social media but also by several other factors that are hard to ignore.
Emotional connections, sentimentality social media influence, and retro revivals are some of the common factors that have emerged.
Veteran broadcaster, marketer, and director of ceremonies, Themba Mkanda, noted that this trend reflects how past experiences leave lasting impressions on our lives.
“Nostalgia is a powerful way of reawakening ourselves to the past experiences we have encountered,” shared the multilingual tradition and television presenter.
“If you look into the area of fashion, you can see that it keeps being redefined and recycled. It has also been enhanced by some music videos, where creatives are fond of past memories as they don yesteryear outfits that made an impact long ago.”
He also noted that the emotional connections people have with fashion are another factor that has allowed this wave to gain traction.
“Many people are drawn to vintage items as they evoke nostalgia for past eras, often associated with simpler times or cherished memories. If you consider those boys who are doing Legends Nights, they have been using both music and fashion to evoke this emotional attachment. They either have fond memories of yesteryear music and decide to complement it with stunning yesteryear outfits,” he stated.
He further explored how these changes have also taken over the automotive and food sectors.
“The same can be said for people who are now rocking vintage cars on weekends, having fun with their peers. It’s hard to ignore this wave because it has indeed gripped the nation. The only relief I find in this new wave is that we are not copying anyone but reliving what used to be our way of living. This wave is also exciting.
“You can look at the area of culinary services, where the demand for our traditional delicacies has increased. In the past decade or so, people have returned to traditional delicacies that were once despised in some quarters.”
From our findings, we established that fashion is ruling the roost when it comes to the reinvention of yesteryear styles.
The recent “Vintage Doek and Slay UK” event, where ladies showcased retro-inspired outfits focusing on classic designs and incorporating traditional African headwraps, was a thrill.
Clara Manganye of Manchester, who attended the event, noted that the retro gear reminded her of the old pictures of her grandmother hanging on the walls.
“I had to find the designer who came up with this outfit, and I am glad it turned out just as I wanted. Now that I am wearing it, I feel complete and connected to my grandmother,” she recalled.
“It was also amazing watching fellow ladies clad in classic doeks and retro prints, which created fashionable nostalgic moments we have been yearning for,” chuckled Manganye.
“I now realise what it means when our mothers say they saw a lot in life before we were born. I used to think it was just one of those fun stories, but I now understand that it’s real, and we should never be ashamed of our past experiences. We need to rejoice and be proud of our past, which created such memories.”
Popular cultural activist, lifestyle correspondent and researcher, Zandila “Zazalicious” Ndovu, stressed that the new wave is healthy for people to embrace and cherish nostalgic memories.
“We are living in exciting times where social platforms have amplified the vintage trend, as users showcase their unique finds and styles, creating a community around vintage appreciation. If you look at Amapiano videos, they keep evolving, and that hunger to come up with the best visuals has led many artists to resort to yesteryear outfits that resonate well with their songs,” she stressed.
“Movies, music and media often romanticise past decades, influencing contemporary tastes, which are being captured in most visuals. We should be proud that we have people who shave taken it upon themselves to relive past experiences in a unique way.”
Like her counterpart Mkanda, Zazalicious noted that fashion tends to repeat itself.
“These trends come in cycles, and it should not be strange to us because these creatives continue to reinvent the wheel. We should all be proud of what is happening as it reminds us of the past.”
Further research has shown that the vintage lifestyle is also enhanced by unique finds.
It has been established that vintage items often possess a distinct character and quality that mass-produced items lack, appealing to eco-conscious consumers. Additionally, vintage fashion allows individuals to express their personal style in a way that sets them apart from mainstream trends.
This has always been the case for most creatives in Zimbabwe who aim to be distinct in every aspect. Vintage aesthetics often align with counter-culture values, attracting those who wish to resist consumerism.
As previously mentioned, social media influence has had an impact on promoting this vintage culture. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok often promote vintage fashion, further driving interest and demand. This is enhanced through challenges often held on such platforms, which have been embraced mainly by young people seeking recognition.
