5 Tips for Scouting Quality Vintage Clothing

Are you wanting to add some vintage flair to your wardrobe? But worry that inexperience will lead you to a scam? Simply follow these five tips for scouting, sourcing, and certifying quality vintage clothing! You'll be sure to find some unique pieces, and even more importantly, be able to verify their authenticity. Buying vintage clothing can definitely add a unique touch to your wardrobe, but it can definitely be difficult to know where to start when, where, and how to start searching for quality pieces. Follow along for five tips to help you scout out the best vintage clothing finds around you, and add some retro, verified flair to your style.

RESEARCH ERAS

Now before you start your search for vintage clothing, it's incredibly important to do some good research on the era and style you're most interested in. This will help you a ton when you look to identify the authentic pieces and avoid purchasing the replicas or modern reproductions of historic items. Look for books, blogs, social media pages, online resources, and vintage fashion blogs to learn about all of the fashion trends! Designers, and the materials used during the time period you're interested in will be essential pieces of information when verifiying vintage pieces. Arming yourself with this knowledge will also help you to determine the value and rarity of the pieces you come across while shopping and investing.

CHECK THE CONDITION IN PERSON

When you're out scouting for vintage clothing, it's super important to carefully inspect the condition of each garment. Look closely for any signs of wear and tear, such as holes, stains, fraying, rips, or fading. Check all of the seams, buttons, and zippers to make sure they are still intact and functioning properly. If they aren't, it doesn't eliminate the item completely, but it'll be used as haggle fuel in the future. Keep in mind that some light wear and tear is definitely to be expected with vintage clothing, but make sure tbat it's not too extensively damaged or completely beyond repair. If you're totally unsure about the condition of a garment, don't be too afraid to ask the seller for additional information, an in person visit/trial period or additional photos.

LOOK FOR QUALITY MATERIAL

One of the most important key factors in finding high quality vintage clothing is to look for the garments that are made from those high-quality materials and with good construction/history. The natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk tend to hold up better over time, and even though they can be vintage, synthetic materials can be weaker and indicative of a fake vintage piece of clothing. Look around the garment for well-sewn seams, sturdy buttons and zippers, and any other signs of high quality construction in the garment. These little details can truly indicate that the garment was made to last and will continue to look great for years and years to come.

TRY IT ON!

It is INCREDIBLY important when shopping for vintage clothing that you try on the garments you're looking to buy. It’s important to try everything on before making a purchase not only so you can make sure it fits, but also so you can verify the quality of the item. Vintage sizing can vary vastly from modern sizes, so make sure you don't rely just on the tag to determine if something will fit you. Additionally, these vintage clothes may have been altered or tailored in the past! This is why it’s important to see how well it fits on your body and if your skin is compatible with the fabric. Trying these things on will also give you a better chance to deeply inspect the garment for any flaws, scuffs, or damage that may not be visible while it's on the hanger.

HAGGLING 101

This step is incredibly important when shopping from any independent retailer, especially in vintage. It's common for vintage clothing to be negotiated in value and price, so don't be afraid to try and negotiate the price with the seller. Many of the best vintage shops and markets actually expect their customers to haggle! Not only will the vintage dealer respect that you ask, you may be able to get a better deal on a gorgeous vintage piece that you love. However, be super respectful and reasonable in your negotiations, and make sure you're coming from an educated place. If the vintage seller is not willing to budge at all on the price, don't push it and risk damaging the relationship that could benefit you in the future. And remember, at the end of the day, part of the value in vintage clothing is that it is often one-of-a-kind, so if you really love something, it may be worth paying a little bit of extra cheddar for it.