By Vintage clothing is a great way to get unique, high-quality clothes without spending a fortune. It can also be very rewarding if you find something rare and interesting. But before you go on your hunt for the perfect piece of vintage clothing, make sure that you do your research first! Here are seven things to look for when buying vintage clothes.
- Fabric
One of the most important things to look for when buying vintage clothing is fabric. Make sure that you can touch it before purchasing anything, or at least make a special request if they can send you an additional photo of what you would like to purchase online.
- Costume
Go for something that looks like a costume if you want a unique piece. If it’s specifically from the Victorian era or the 1920s, this increases its value exponentially because vintage clothes were specially made and not mass-produced as they are today. The vintage shop may have a special section for this type of item.
- Stains
A stain can make or break an item of clothing, so be sure to check for stains before purchasing something. If it’s barely there—or if you are fine with having the stains cleaned later on—then this isn’t a problem at all, but otherwise, save yourself the trouble by moving on.
- Details
In addition to stains, be sure that you check for any missing or broken details as well. This includes buttons, zippers and other fastenings, clasps on jewellery pieces, belts and buckles—anything! If it’s not there anymore, this is a good indicator of why the price might be low. The 80s fashion is notorious for having these kinds of details missing. If it’s an earlier era, make sure that everything is there and in good shape before buying.
- Size
Check the label and make sure that it fits your body type. If you are not comfortable altering clothing, then this is a good indicator as well.
- Age
Check the age of clothing by looking at the stitches and seams. Exposed stitching is a sign that it was made in more recent years, like after the 1950s.
- Condition
Check the condition of clothing to be sure that they are still in good shape. You wouldn’t want your new piece to start unraveling or ripping apart, so make sure that everything is intact before you purchase it.
Conclusion
If you do your research and follow these tips, buying vintage clothing will become an easy task. Make sure that you are doing it right and that will be your guide to get excellent vintage clothing.
