Tips for Shopping for Vintage Clothing

Vintage clothing is all the rage these days, boosted by our current economic conditions and the need for sustainable, environmentally friendly options for consumers. The interest in secondhand clothing grows as more celebrities begin appearing in vintage gowns and garments at Hollywood functions.

Modern clothing manufacturers are filling their racks these days with new "vintage" styles. Fashion is cyclical. Whatever we were wearing in our teen years seem to be the style our grandkids are spending wild amounts of money on at the mall. Instead of paying high prices for new "vintage" clothing styles, spend less money on the real thing--secondhand.

The key to creating your own vintage look is to choose styles that represent the era, and mix them with basic, modern pieces that complement the vintage style. A lush, beaded vintage sweater is striking over a simple black dress or slacks and can take you from day to evening. A fabulous old beaded purse or retro scarf can add a touch of glamour to a modern outfit, if you're not confident enough to go all vintage.

Fashion trends aren't the only reason women (and some men) are flocking to buy vintage clothing. Vintage clothing fans have a number of reasons why they love yesterday's styles:

History. Fans of an era have an appreciation for its vintage clothing. The most desirable vintage garments and accessories epitomize their era: The fitted silhouette of the '40's; swing coats of the '50's; the '60's ring collars; the swirling paisley patterns of the '70's.

Quality. Manufacturers knew that consumers expected clothing to be well-constructed and durable so that it could be handed down to other wearers. Modern mass-produced clothing is often of inferior quality fabric and poorly sewn, definitely not created to last through generations.

Details. Vintage clothing was often skillfully hand-embellished with embroidery, applique, beads, sequins and other ornamentation, and may have unusual, interesting buttons or fasteners.

Unique Styles. Vintage garments are often one-of-a-kind, or of limited production. You aren't likely to run into a carbon copy of yourself at a party! Creative people seem to love vintage clothing the most. Unimpressed by racks of modern mass-produced cookie-cutter clothing, we use vintage pieces to create our own style.

Economy. Vintage clothing can be found very inexpensively at local thrift stores, yard sales, consignment shops and flea markets. Shoppers who love a treasure hunt will do best to go early and go often! Givenchy, Dior, Versace, Chanel and other desirable labels are more easily found online or at upscale consignment shops. You'll pay more for vintage designer labels at retail, but the value is still there when you consider the cost of a similar item that is brand new.

Investment. Collectors often seek good-quality vintage garments and designer labels that they hope to resell at a profit.

Environment. Buying second is earth-friendly. Each secondhand item that is reused is one less thing that may end up in a landfill, and one less newly-manufactured product that is needed.

　
What to Look for When Shopping for Vintage Clothing
Vintage clothing is expected to show some wear, but some pieces may be too worn from normal use. Stains that won't come out, missing buttons that can't be matched, fading, torn seams, rips in the fabric and other quality issues need to be kept in mind when shopping for vintage clothing:

Odors. Musty smells may come out with washing or dry cleaning, but nothing is going to remove old smoke and mothball odors.

Rips and tears. Check for loose seams (which can be easily repaired with basic sewing skills) and tears in the fabric. Fabric tears are not easily repaired, but might be creatively camouflaged. Professional restoration is a costly option, but might be considered if the garment is particularly unique and desirable.

Stains. There's no way to be sure if old, set-in stains will come out. Dry cleaning may help, but can damage vintage fabrics if the dry cleaner isn't experienced with them. Likewise, modern stain removers and detergents can also be hard on old fabrics.

Yellowing. Fabric naturally yellows over time, but white is the most noticeable. Soaking the garment in a product designed for washing old fabrics, changing the water several times, may help remove some of the yellowing.

Size. Older garment sizes are not the same as modern standards. Take your body measurements before you go, and carry the tape measure to the store to measure garments before trying them on. Don't try to squeeze into a vintage garment that is too tight, even a little bit. Vintage fabrics become delicate with age and you may split a seam or tear the fabric.

Condition: When shopping for vintage clothing online, you have only the seller's description and a small image with which to judge its condition. Don't accept vague descriptions such as mint, excellent, good, or average. While useful, these terms can mean different things to different people. The seller should provide a detailed written description of the garment's condition, noting the locations of any stains, open seams, tears, fading, fraying, yellowing, missing parts or other problems.