Vast racks and bins of old clothes can be intimidating. How do you find the perfect tweed jacket? What makes the difference between looking chic and looking as if you’re wearing old clothes? And how can you be sure a vintage garment is not going to fall apart on first wearing?
Check out these shopping tips from vintage experts:
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– Starting out, look through magazines and get a good idea of what you want. Envision how you want to dress.
– Have an item in mind when shopping.
– Feel free to ask for help.
– Don’t rule out stores such as Salvation Army, Goodwill or other charity outlets.
– Be patient. You may have to look at a lot of clothing.
– Check out antiques stores.
– Size numbers mean nothing. You do have to try on almost everything.
– If you have a favorite vintage piece, take it to the store. It will give a retailer an idea of your taste, says Kathy Rasmussen, owner of Vintage Vogue in Independence, Mo.
– You look your best when you’re comfortable, says Blair Schulman, manager of Kansas City’s Second Honeymoon. Don’t buy anything if it doesn’t feel exactly right.
– Vintage stores are great sources of accessories.
– Examine a garment carefully for flaws. Look for holes in the fabric. Check out the seams. Consider whether the flaws can be repaired. And hold the garment up to the light to gauge the condition of the material.
– If you’re shopping online, make sure you can return a garment.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])