Shopping for vintage can be a fun and thrilling activity. It can also be very challenging and more frustrating than shopping in a retail store. During a recent presentation at Paper Dress Vintage in London, I shared my top ten tips for vintage shopping. Before you begin your next vintage shopping outing, consider this strategy to help you execute the best trip possible:
- Do your homework. - There are many types of vintage shops. Some may specialize in denim, others in western or
military wear, while others may focus exclusively on menswear or womenswear. Just because you find “ABC Vintage Shop” online, doesn’t mean that the store carries what you want. It’s important for you to give them a call before going, or do a little investigation online to find out exactly what goods they carry. - What are you looking for? - Vintage shopping can be a fun hobby or a serious passion. In either case, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for before venturing out. Having an idea of what you’re in the market for will help to narrow the focus of the hunt.
- What’s your budget? – With vintage, prices can range greatly, depending on the era, the rarity, and brand of the item. Also, some vintage shops may be less expensive, catering to students and young hipsters, while others can be very expensive, catering to collectors and designer label seekers. Begin with your budget in mind.
- Know what suits you. – Just because it’s vintage and it’s hanging on a rack doesn’t mean it’s going to look good
on you. It’s important to consider your body type, the texture and bulk of the fabric, the silhouette that it creates on you, and the scale of the pattern. Ignoring any of these considerations could result in a fashion fatality. - Know what trends are hot. – Be aware of what’s hot and what’s current. For example, if animal print and faux fur are in this fall for women, then opt for a faux leopard stole as a way to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe.
- Ask for help. - Don’t be afraid to ask the staff for help. They usually really know their vintage eras and they’re normally very familiar with the store’s inventory. So if you’re looking for a fringe dress from the roaring 20’s, a simple question can prevent you from spending precious time needlessly searching through racks of dresses.
- Try it on and inspect it. – Finding the perfect item that actually fits can be thrilling. However, don’t let the
excitement distract you from focusing on the small details. Be sure to inspect the seams, zippers, and look for holes and non-removable stains on the garment since it most likely cannot be returned after purchased. - Don’t be afraid to alter. - Just because the sleeves of a jacket are a little too long or the bust of a dress is a little too big, don’t rule it out completely. Sometimes a minor alteration can transform a garment from good to spectacular. While alteration fees can get pricey, the garment may be worth the extra cost of a nip and a tuck.
- Consider Cost vs. Rotation - Not sure if you should spend $400 on a vintage dress? Considering the Cost Per Wear may help you justify the purchase. To calculate the “cost per wear” simply divide the cost of the dress by the number of times that you’ll wear the dress in a single year. The principle is that the more wear you get out of an item the more cost-effective it is.
- Mix it up. - I love vintage, but I never wear it head to toe. Try mixing vintage with modern to inflect your own personality and style.
Happy shopping!
