Shopping for vintage clothing takes a lot of patience and a little bit of luck. When you begin your adventure shopping for vintage clothes, it easy is to become quickly overwhelmed. However, when you know where to begin and what to look for, shopping for vintage clothes can actually become an exciting treasure hunt of an adventure. Whether you browse the racks at your local thrift store or you hit the auction sites, here are a few tips to make your vintage shopping more successful:
1. Know that sizes are different. In the world of vintage clothes, sizes are completely different than the sizes are today. Do not feel bad if a dress in size 12 fits you, but you normally wear a size 6. Women’s clothing was sized smaller than it is today and many women would have their clothing tailored to fit. If you cannot try on clothes, bring a tape measure or learn how to use your hand to measure.
2. Look closely: When you shop for vintage clothes, it is important to remember that there are often unseen flaws. You might fall in love with a gorgeous necklace in the shop, but when you get it home, you notice that gems are missing. It is also a good idea to hold fabrics up to the light to see if there are any holes; look near the seams and in the front because belt buckles often will create holes that you cannot see until you put on a top.
3. Buy what you like. You will enjoy shopping for vintage clothes when you buy the pieces that you like. If you are not into handbags, buying a vintage handbag will not make you start liking handbags. If you do not enjoy wearing jeans, buying vintage Levi’s probably will not change your mind about wearing jeans. When you buy what you like, you will wear it and feel good about yourself.
4. Don’t take your children. Shopping for vintage clothes takes time and if you have to watch your children, your shopping experience will not go well. You need to have time to explore and dig into the racks and boxes.
5. Look for possibilities. Remember that not every item of clothing looks good on the rack. Many vintage items look great when you put them on and some will need accessorizing. It is amazing what a great pair of leggings. Consider your closet and what you have that could make a vintage piece pop.
6. Know the brands. When you begin your vintage shopping adventures, you will not recognize many brands. As you continue to learn, you will begin to recognize brands that you like. You will also begin to recognize whether a piece really is vintage or not, just by the fabrics and the tags. Many vintage brands are no longer around, so it is a good idea to bring your smartphone with you while you are shopping so you can investigate the brands from decades ago. Also remember that many women made their own clothes, so you might see clothes that do not have labels at all. If you choose what you like, the brand will not really matter much at all.
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