5 QUICK TIPS FOR SCORING OUTSTANDING VINTAGE CLOTHES
Cape: Vintage | Jeans: Vintage Levis | Sweater: Thrifted | Shoes DSW (Similar) | Glasses: Zenni Optical
5 TIPS FOR FINDING OUTSTANDING VINTAGE CLOTHES
The best way to build an intentional style the reflects your brand image and personality is to locate unique items that highlight aspects of your individuality. I always recommend finding a few offbeat vintage pieces to achieve this effect.
Vintage is not just for people who like to spend less. As a matter of fact, buying vintage won't always save you money. The first thing you need is a desire to find truly unique and quality made items that make you heart go all fluttery when you see it. For example, I spotted this beauty from across a crowded room this past weekend at Columbus Flea (Now picture me pushing past 50 Hipsters as I vigorously race toward this gorgeous beauty.)
That's what it means to find clothes that you love.
It's not about finding an "irresistible sale" and buying a bunch of low quality items just because it was "so cheap".
As long as you remember, the key is to build an intentional style that represents you well, these 5 tips will have you in the best vintage goods you can find!
1. SHOP ONLINE
Online Vintage Shops are plentiful and because of this, you can often find great deals (the beauty of competition.
The downside is that some "vintage sellers" are not actually vintage experts and may sell items that are not the highest quality or possibly not even vintage. (although now that the 90's is vintage, there is less room for error!)
The upside is variety.
Especially with a marketplace like Etsy there to feed you into a vintage frenzy.
2. CHECK OUT LOCAL EVENTS
There are many local events like Flea Markets, fairs, and farmer's markets that allow vendors to come in and sell. Vintage sellers love this kind of opportunities because they attract the type of person who loves vintage! When vendors pay to be at a specific venue, they generally show up with their best stock. You will find a variety of prices and really unique finds.
The reason?
Sellers who specialize in vintage know how to find the good stuff. They scour estate sales, vintage surplus, warehouses and are pros at handpicking wonderful items. This means that you will not have to do any of the work. This also means that you will pay a higher price. The reward can be wonderful as you are likely to find one of a -kind pieces that will leave you standing there dazed and amazed.
3. SCOUR THE THRIFT STORE
Admittedly, the thrift stores are not the absolute best place to find vintage merchandise. The reason is because most people who have these outstanding vintage pieces understand they can get top dollar for them. Less and less people are donating these type of goods and opt for reselling them instead. Even so, you can find some great items. (I found this coat at the thrift!)
The key is to shop at optimal times. For example, if you are looking for a coat, you will want to hit the thrift store toward the beginning of fall as the stores start putting out winter stock. If you are looking for dresses, go toward the beginning of Spring. Thrift stores are not going to stock the way that retailers do (super early) because people have a tendency to purchase more in-season items when they shop thrift stores.
4. LOCAL VINTAGE SHOPS
The easiest places to score vintage are obviously vintage shops. These buyers have scoured through many deadbeat pieces to find the highest quality garments your money can buy.
See if you can haggle a little :)
5. ESTATE SALES
Estate sales are absolute goldmines for vintage clothes. Check your local paper or research online for sales. This will probably be the place where you find a lot of variety and well-kept clothing of high quality.
KEEP IN MIND
- Some vintage can be annoying to care for because you will find a lot of dry clean only clothing. Try to limit how many pieces you own for sanity sake.
- Sometimes, people mark things as vintage when they are not. Not that you should not purchase it but pay attention to quality and price!
- These items are great as clothing additions – coats, accessories, dresses – but you may choose a few things that stand out.
Now to learn how to make vintage feel modern, check out this post!
What are your favorite vintage pieces to wear? Let me know in the comments!
