Where to Shop: You can find vintage clothing items in three major types of stores: vintage boutiques, consignment stores, and thrift stores. Vintage boutiques are organized like regular new clothing stores and often focus on a single decade. The clothes in the store will likely be in great condition, and the sales staff will be very knowledgeable. Consignment stores generally operate on a profit-sharing system in which the donor receives a portion of the selling price of a clothing item. Most consignment stores will refuse any donations that are unclean or in poor condition, so you may be able to find some clothing gems at reasonable prices. Thrift stores generally operate solely on free donations and can carry huge inventories. It will take a practiced eye to sort through the overstuffed racks of clothing, but valuable items can occasionally be found.
What to Look For: Once you find an interesting piece of vintage clothing, you should carefully examine it to determine if it is a good buy. Pay careful attention to how the fabric feels and drapes on your body. If the fabric is coarse or stiff, it is probably not of good quality. Check each garment for any holes or stains before purchasing. Be sure to check that the seams are not frayed and that there are no perspiration marks under the arms. Since many vintage clothing items are handmade, the workmanship of the garment should be excellent. The signs of a handmade piece of clothing are brass, pearl, or bone buttons, carefully bound buttonholes and seams, and woven labels.
Great Vintage Clothing Buys: The price may not always be rock bottom, but these vintage items are guaranteed to be good bargains:
- Leather items
- Cashmere sweaters
- Trench coats
- Camel-hair coats
- Cocktail dresses
- Fur items
- Tailored or beaded pieces
The world of vintage clothing presents a valuable opportunity to develop a unique wardrobe at reasonable prices. Happy shopping!
