It's surprising how many people love the concept of wearing vintage clothing. The whole idea of it is great - you get quality items that have stood the test of time, and you never have to worry about anyone showing up in the same outfit (except maybe your grandmother!).
The thing that holds most people back isn't a lack of eagerness - it's this abstract sense of commitment. Like if you start wearing vintage clothes, you have to start doing your hair every day in a 1960's beehive or something. The truth is, adding a little vintage to your wardrobe doesn't take that much effort at all.
We've put together a couple of simple ways for you to take the leap into the vintage realm:
1. Accessories are great appetizers - Accessories are the perfect way to test the waters - jewelry, belt, broaches, hats, bags, etc. They're low-commitment and they give you a little vintage flare that's actually really easy to work into your existing wardrobe.
2. Have a full budget - Just like with new clothing, quality vintage isn't cheap, but you will get more for your money. A brand new high street fashion chain is charging you most of the money for their fancy big campaigns and branding while with vintage all of your investment goes towards the garment! Even if you are spending a bit more on your item, the vintage boutique has done most of the work for you, hunting and selecting the higher quality items floating around out there.
3. Be patient, be picky - You might not find the perfect piece to suit your style the first time out, so don't force it. Also keep in mind that the perfect item you come across may happen to be 5 sizes up or down from your size. This is part of the charm with vintage sometimes, to wear an over sized blouse pulled in at the waist by a wide vintage belt with an awesome buckle. Of course, if that doesn't do it for you, many vintage boutiques also offer a customization and alteration service!
4. Enjoy the hunt - Part of the fun with shopping vintage is that you never know what you'll find - it's like a treasure hunt! Many great vintage items come with a history - don't be afraid to ask a shop owner about something. Keep an eye as well on the fabric content. Often you will get a steal and go home with a nice silk dress for the price of a new poly-cotton blend dress from the big box retailers.
Of course there's a lot more to shopping vintage, but as long as you keep these starting points in mind, you'll find that there's a special joy in discovering a great vintage treasure.
Even more so than with shopping new, you'll want to keep an eye on the quality of your treasures. For more tips on that, take a look at our post on
buying quality clothing.
So good luck and happy hunting!
