Vintage Fashion Shopping Tips

Vintage clothes and accessories are a fun and inexpensive way to spice up your wardrobe. Keep these shopping tips in mind before buying cool retro vintage threads.

Vintage clothes and accessories can be a fun, inexpensive, and eco-friendly way to spice up your wardrobe. Even though vintage clothes and accessories tend to be made better than current fashions, some vintage clothes may be hard to alter, repair, or clean. Be sure to keep these tips in mind while shopping for those cool vintage threads.

Pass up Stained Clothes Many shoppers think that a stain on a vintage garment can just be removed with a stain removal stick or by dry cleaning. But, the previous owner probably tried to get rid of the stain before they sold or donated it. Avoid stained clothing and be sure to check the underarm area of vintage clothes for stains caused by perspiration.

Only Buy Clothes That Fit or Can be Altered Vintage clothes tend to run small and shoppers are sometimes drawn to clothes that do not fit. Be realistic about which clothes actually flatter your figure and do not fill your closet with clothes you may be able to wear one day if you just dropped 10 extra pounds. Alterations may be expensive and it is generally easier to take clothes in than it is to let them out.

Consider the Cost of Cleaning Cotton, polyester, lycra, and nylon fabrics can be machine washed and are generally more durable. Silk, rayon, and lace can be hand washed with a mild detergent. However, suede, wool, acetate velvet, and any vintage garment that has a decorative embellishment should be dry cleaned. When a care tag says “dry clean only,” is it not a recommendation.

Test Accessories and Zippers on Clothes When buying purses, be sure to check zippers, snaps and fasteners to make sure they are in good working order. Inspect the clasps on jewelry to make sure they are secure. Try on all vintage clothes to make sure the zipper stays up and does not get stuck.

Check Leather Products for Wear and Flaking Leather products such as belts, handbags, and shoes should be checked for wear and flaking. Cracked and flaking leather cannot be restored.

Beware of Beads Vintage beaded sweaters and purses are popular and beautiful. A vintage sweater that is missing a few beads might seem like a bargain but missing antique beads may be hard to find and match.

Avoid Vintage Fur Both faux and real fur has become popular over the past few years, especially with so many celebrities sporting it to red carpet events. But the care of a fur jacket can be expensive. Fur should be cleaned and repaired by a professional furrier, not a dry cleaner or a tailor.

Vintage shopping should be a fun experience. But keep in mind that dry cleaning costs and expensive repairs may drive the cost of a vintage bargain up. So, remember these tips next time you are out vintage shopping.