The need for fashionable, high-quality vintage apparel is growing and is not expected to slow down any time soon. You may have seen how the supply is rapidly decreasing after years of collecting antique apparel and buying stock to start a vintage fashion business. Prices have gone up as a result, particularly for antique designer apparel and historical clothing in the best wearing condition. As a result, if you’re relatively new to gathering vintage clothing, we’ve compiled my top advice to assist you make smart financial decisions and develop your vintage shopping acumen.
Measure what you need
Obtaining a measuring tool and taking measurements should be your first step before your subsequent shopping trip. Since the clothing’s measurements are consistently provided in the item description, this is especially useful if you’ve decided to buy vintage clothing online. There are frequently restocking fees or restrictions on returns for some goods. By being aware of your measurements, you can quickly compare them to the object you want to buy to ensure a good fit.
Recognise the eras
To assist you recognise the particular style traits of various periods, read as much as you could about vintage fashion. A multitude of information may be found online, in antique fashion periodicals and catalogues, and in books on the history of fashion.
Get to know the collectable designer brands
Rarely, but on occasion, vintage dresses are misrepresented by using designer labels sewed into them to command a higher price. Therefore, it’s beneficial to become familiar with the labels and fashions of collectible designers. Consider using a reliable internet resource for designer labels. Additionally, purchasing from an established vendor guarantees that you will receive what you’ve paid for.
Recognise your body type
Choose the era whose fashion complements your particular body form the best. In this manner, you may avoid spending money on antique clothes that you won’t wear because it doesn’t look well on you.
Examine closely
Rarely do you find vintage clothing in pristine condition, especially unworn stock. Most collectors anticipate that vintage clothing will have some signs of former use. Many online vendors disclose every problem with a vintage item’s condition in the description of the item. Consequently, you are aware of what to expect in advance. You most likely will not be allowed to return it if you subsequently find a defect you can’t live with.
Authenticity evaluation
You’ll need to be certain the item of clothing you’re going to buy is truly vintage because so much contemporary apparel takes inspiration from antique trends. Certainly, the best teacher is experience. But to begin, here is a brief list. Metal zippers, antique dresses with snap closures on the sides, union labels with all-blue writing, pinked seams, and bias hem tape are examples of details that might suggest clothing is older than 40 years.
Check the fabric for browning, fading, and stains
Avoid buying anything with obvious stains, especially in the underarm areas, unless your vintage treasure is incredibly cheap and you want to try with stain treatment. The majority of older stains are irreversible.
Get a whiff
Vintage clothes normally won’t smell of smoke or perspiration unless the fabric can be washed or drenched. These odors are frequently not eliminated by dry washing.
Clean-up is a concern
Regardless of why you adore your most recent antique acquisition, if cleaning it would be difficult, you might not want to include it in your collection. If you’re interested in purchasing a piece of antique clothing, inquire the seller or dealer how or if it could be cleaned.Some vintage clothing needs special care from a dry cleaner experienced in caring for vintage clothing. One could not be accessible to you in your location or might be too expensive. Checking is advised before investing.
