Vintage clothing and accessories are all the rage over the past few years. Why? Well, as much as fashion is growing and evolving it is also becoming quite repetitive with the existence of high street shops. Vintage buys give the shopper a unique piece as well as provide a sustainable option. That's good, right? Yes and no, especially if you're a vintage novice. There are a few things to know before you go vintage - let's call them rules for the sake of this discussion.
#1: Know the difference between Vintage and Second-hand
Honestly. That's one of the first things to know before you venture into the world of vintage clothing. In the grand scheme of things, second-hand and vintage are pre-owned. The difference is whether they're the used clothes that you donate to the thrift shop or something from a different period altogether. Vintage clothing is typically from the 20s all the way until the 90's. So, if you're lucky enough to have had some pieces of clothing from your grandma or mum, you already might have the starting of a vintage collection.
#2: Research the era(s) that might fit you
When you shop vintage, there are so many eras to choose from. Pick the periods that might suit you as well as complement pieces in your closet. I usually start out looking at what's in the current closet before I look to add pieces when I am working on someone else's vintage collection. This helps when I work with a client especially. So, what era appeals to you? What would fit with your lifestyle and body shape? To be completely honest, every era and time had women of all shapes. So, ideally, if you look hard enough you'll find what you're looking for. There are some pieces from some time which may not fit your particular body type, but there's usually an alternative that might work.
#3: Ideal fit
This is very important, so listen up! Make sure it fits. Seriously. I had a friend who's a complete vintage savant tell me this in the early days of my vintage buying. I didn't pay close heed and learned the hard way. Almost fitting clothes that you absolutely love? Nope, don't buy that. You can always take in a piece of clothing if it is too big. But it costs too much to force-fit a dress that might be tight for you. The old 'I will lose weight so I will fit into it' bit truly doesn't work. So, why put yourself through it?
#4: Timeless
Pick pieces that can last the test of time. I get it, trendy pieces are fun additions. But, how much wear does one get out of fringes, padded shoulders and ruffles anyway? I usually tend to make sure that I invest in those trends that stick around. Separates that can work with current pieces are sometimes the best bet, fashion-wise.
#5: But first, launder it!
Alright, let's be realistic now. You are still buying pre-owned clothing. Say you have done the usual touch and smell test before you actually purchase it. No? Please do. That's how you ensure that the clothing doesn't have any major rips or tears and odour red flags. But still, the pieces might have stayed in storage for heaven knows how long! So, I recommend sending them to a dependable laundry service before you actually wear them.
So, these are my 5 rules for buying vintage anywhere in the world! If you have any other rules that you think I should adhere to, let me know. I am always open to learning new rules :)
Cheers!
Madhu x
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