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Vintage Shopping TipsA Vintage Shopaholic Shares Her Tips
Having worn vintage almost her entire life and working within the "vintage industry" I've asked her to share some of her vintage shopping wisdom with the rest of us and luckily she agreed!
Vintage Shopping Tips 1. Look for stains, rips, smells or any damages. If you are unsure on how to go about cleaning or repairing the damages, ask the owner of the vintage boutique or thrift store for their advice. If possible, ask the owner for an additional discount on the vintage item since it is not in perfect condition. I mean, who doesn't love a great deal, right? 2. Bring a measuring tape and keep a record of your body measurements. A vintage garment may appear bigger than it actually is and some vintage clothes may be too fragile to try on; therefore, having a measuring tape will come in handy. 3. Examine the labels and zippers. Some vintage garments have faded labels or no labels at all because most women back in the day had their own clothes specially made for them. Look for metallic zippers or hook closures on the side, back or neck. 4. Carefully examine the condition of vintage jewelry pieces and know what you can and can't fix especially if it has missing stones or beads. 5. While shopping for vintage handbags avoid stiff leather and scuffs. However, a broken clasp or ripped seam can always be repaired. 6. If you are shopping for vintage pieces on the Internet, always make sure there are plenty of pictures to view in order to see if there are any flaws. Unsure if it is authentic vintage? Do your research online and ask the seller several questions to see if he/she is knowledgeable about the item they are selling. Moreover, make sure to take time and decide whether you are getting a good deal and worthy of your time to get it repaired if it is damaged. 7. See a vintage dress you simply cannot pass up even though it's too small or too big? Then, find a good seamstress/tailor to do alterations, and they will make all of your vintage purchases fit you like a glove. 8. New to vintage shopping? Research the Internet or ask your friends/family members who frequently shop for vintage items to find vintage boutiques, thrift stores and second-hand stores closest to you or in a city nearby. Flea markets, vintage shows (i.e. Manhattan Vintage Show), goodwill stores (i.e. Salvation Army), antique malls, garage sales and estate sales are also other options to finding more vintage treasures for your wardrobe. 9. Dress comfortably before you go out to shop. If you are looking for a specific print, era or silhouette, it takes time to sort through vintage clothing and try on clothes or accessories that suits your style. 10. Finally, take your time while shopping for vintage clothing and accessories because most sales are final and non-refundable. You definitely do not want to go home realizing that you purchased something on an impulse, is damaged or not up to par with you.
A short interview with Kimberly... 1.] How long have you been collecting and wearing vintage? I have been collecting many vintage items ever since grammar school. My mother has saved many of her items from the seventies and has passed her vintage treasures down to me and my sister. At the age of six, my neighbor gave me all of her vintage coats with matching muffs and I was very excited because I felt like one of the characters from the *American Girl books. Moreover, I have been wearing vintage for most of my life. 2.] Who are your vintage style icons? Who are your current fashion icons? My vintage style icons are Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Edie Sedgwick, Jackie Kennedy, Brigitte Bardot, Twiggy & Katherine Hepburn. My current fashion icons are Nicole Richie, Rachel Bilson, Kirsten Dunst, Rachel Zoe, Katy Perry, Zoey Deschanel and Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen. 3.] What is your favorite era? The 1950s 4.] On average how often do you buy vintage? Every week? Every month? Or every now and then? I buy vintage every month or any chance that I can get!  |
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