Tips on Buying Vintage Clothing

There are a lot of reasons to buy vintage clothing. You are helping the environment by going green and recycling garments and accessories, you'll save a ton of money, and you can mix and match items to create your own unique style.

Where are the best places to shop for vintage retro clothing and accessories? I've had the best luck at thrift stores, flea markets, second hand shops, and garage sales. If you're looking for authentic hippy, rockabilly or antique clothing, then I suggest looking in your parents and grandparents closets. Vintage clothing is in fashion right now, so there are specialty stores that sell vintage items, but I find the prices are higher at these specialty retail shops.

Some people think buying used things is unsanitary, but that notion is outdated. If you think about it, once you buy anything it's considered used at that point. A Rolex watch is used once you put it on your wrist. A designer handbag is used the minute you buy it and stash your belongings in it. Same with a new car - once you sign on the dotted line and drive it off the lot it's then considered a used car. Just because something is used does not mean that it's automatically damaged goods. Besides, no one knows where you buy your clothes or handbags, and it's considered chic and trendy right now to buy at thrift stores, so don't be too quick to dismiss the idea of shopping at thrift and second hand stores a try. You just might be surprised at the treasures you'll find.

It takes time, patience, and a keen eye, but you can find quality pieces of vintage clothing and accessories if you're willing to put forth a little effort. A lot of people simply get tired of clothes and discard them but the pieces are still in excellent condition, sometimes barely worn. I've also discovered that not all vintage clothing is used. Some things have never been worn - I've found designer clothes, purses, and jewelry that still have the store tags on them and are brand new!

I'll admit some of the clothing that has been packed away for a while, or hanging in a crowded thrift store, can have a funky odor to them. Clothing that has been packed away in moth balls for any length of time will smell like the moth balls, and that smell tends to linger in the fabric. There could also be a moldy musty smell from a garment being stashed away in an old cedar chest or drawer for a long period of time. But don't let the smell scare you away from a great deal because you can usually get rid of the offensive odor easily buy using a fabric freshener when you dry clean or wash the garment. I've also found that hanging things outside in the fresh air overnight will do the trick when other methods of getting rid of the odor have failed.

When shopping for vintage clothing, be sure to look closely for small holes, rips, and tears in the fabric. Don't forget to check for color fading, especially around the seams where clothing hangs on a hanger. If a garment stays on a hanger for a long period of time, the color tends to fade out along the hanger lines. Also look closely at the seams and hemlines for rips or frays. Check for missing buttons and test all zippers to make sure they are in good condition. Broken zippers can sometimes be replaced if you are handy with a sewing machine, but you need to consider whether the cost of the item is worth the extra time and trouble to replace a broken zipper or missing button. It's also a good idea to take a garment to a place in the store where there is sufficient lighting where you can spot stains. It can be hard to see a small stain in a crowded aisle of a thrift store, so I always take my finds to a less crowded area of the store or near a window for better lighting. Some of the stores in our area have a no return policy, and some have no dressing rooms. If you're buying at an estate sale or garage sale, there is probably not a dressing room either, so be sure you are getting a good deal on the price if you can't return it or try it on, or else you're defeating your purpose if saving money is your goal.

If you are buying truly vintage clothing from a different era, make note that sizing may be different on these older pieces. A size small back in the 1920's might be considered a large today. So do your best to hold the pieces up to your body and take along a shopping buddy to help you measure. It's also a great idea to measure the clothing you have at home that you know fits and write down the measurements (bust, inseam, etc). Then take a tape measure with you when shopping to measure the garments you're interested in purchasing.

The thrill of the hunt is great, but the satisfaction of a great find is something I never get tired of! Happy shopping!