Shopping for vintage clothing isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes determination, diligence, and a sharp eye to not only find the articles of clothing you want, but at a price that you wouldn’t think twice about paying. Fashionistas everywhere know the importance of shopping vintage and how it can make a huge transformation in your closet. If you’ve toyed with the idea of shopping vintage, you’ll want to know what to be on the lookout for as well as tips and tricks to get exactly what you want every time.

The first thing to realize is that thrift stores and similar venues that sell vintage items are on a first come, first serve basis. There are no stockrooms filled with the same items in various sizes and colors. What you see is what you get so you’ve got to learn to work with what you have. You may find a fabulous dress but it may not be in your size. That means you’ll want to make alterations. This happens all the time while shopping vintage so be sure that you’re aware that you may not be happy right away with your finds.

It is also important to check all articles of clothing before you purchase them. Check for signs of damage, wear and tear, holes, stains, and craftsmanship. Don’t forget to check the buttons, lining, and seams. If the item of clothing you have does have some damage but can be fixed at home, ask for a discount. However, if the damage can’t be repaired, then you’ll have to make a decision. While shopping vintage, you’ll come across funky and musty smells. Be sure to check the odor status of the clothes you want to buy and make sure that it can be removed after a tumble in the washing machine. Some fabrics hold in odors so you may not be able to salvage it.

To save yourself time and money, you can take a shortcut and call local vintage shops near you first to see what type of items they sell and how they operate. Some stores allow you to sell and as well trade items in addition to buying, giving you a chance to clean out your wardrobe and get vintage clothing in return or a store credit. Additionally, make sure you know and understand the store’s refund/exchange policies. In reality, vintage stores typically do not allow refunds of any kind so make sure that whatever you decide to purchase is something you’re going to be happy with forever.

The best vintage items are ones that go with anything, especially stuff that is already in your closet. It doesn’t make sense to spend little on a vintage item but then a small fortune to build your new wardrobe around it.

Related Articles
	Budget Your Way to a New Wardrobe In a perfect world, we’d all be able to fill our wardrobe with as many styles and items as we want, without having to worry about money. But sadly, that is not the reality as we know it. Shopping comes at a price and if you aren’t careful, you can easily get yourself into trouble financially. But just   ...Read more		How to Buy and Sell Second-Hand Clothes Although you may be done with them, your clothes – particularly designer pieces – may still have value when you learn how to sell to consignment or second-hand shops. “This becomes a sort of art form, buying and selling vintage clothing, even old sweatshirts and jeans. It’s fun and a challenge   ...Read more