How To Shop For Vintage Pieces

Hello Fashion Lovers,

Shopping for vintage fashion pieces is a great way to find unique stuff. You never really know what you’re going to find. It can be overwhelming when going vintage shopping but there’s nothing better than the thrill of finding that amazing vintage piece no one else has.

There’s nothing quite like getting your hands on a designer original. Between the quality, uniqueness, and overall sense of wearing something special and rate. A word of warning: this can be dangerous. You can set out with a specific item in mind, only to find yourself in a rabbit hole of The Real Real, eBay and Depop, with screenshots clogging up your camera roll. 

Moreover, shopping for vintage pieces takes a certain level of skill, an eye, and true patience so, I have compiled a list of tips for vintage shopping to ensure you get what you want and make the most of this untapped fashion resource.

Where to Buy Vintage Pieces:

From vintage boutiques to consignment stores to discount thrift chains, there are many types of vintage stores.

• Thrift stores: A thrift store is a discount store that typically sells secondhand items. You can find quality vintage items when thrifting, but it can be challenging and you may end up having to dig through many items to find your size and style.

• Consignment stores: Consignment stores are places where individuals can resell items. Consignment stores generally specialize in designer pieces, like handbags, shoes, and jewelry.

• Vintage boutiques: Boutiques have a selection of unique vintage items curated to a past era. 

• Online: There are many online stores that specialize in selling vintage pieces, often direct from multiple sellers. The advantage of buying vintage pieces online is that you can search for specific key terms to find exactly what you’re looking for. The disadvantage is that you won’t get to feel or try the item.

So Here Are My Tips On How To Shop for Vintage Pieces:

Vintage shopping is an adventure, and with a few simple skills, you can develop your own unique vintage style.

• Learn your local thrift stores: Part of finding the perfect vintage items is choosing a place that has the content you seek. Start by googling thrift stores in your area and make a list. Learning the thrift stores around your area, will allow you to go to the right place when you are looking for that perfect vintage item.  

• Set a time limit: Vintage shopping can be overwhelming, especially if you’re shopping at store. The best way to find hidden treasures is to flip through every single piece. One way to avoid vintage shopping fatigue is to set a time limit on your excursion. Set a time frame for 30 minutes or an hour max.

• Don’t rush the process: Vintage shopping is not something you can do under pressure.  Don’t assume that you will find what you’re looking for easily by just popping into the first vintage store you find. Go frequently but with no set agenda.

• Try it on: Vintage item sizing tends to be a bit different than modern sizing, so the tag may say size 8 but it will actually fit closer to a modern size 4. So when you go vintage shopping, try wearing something easy and form fitting.

• Search for flaws: Unlike new clothing, vintage clothing often has flaws: stains, rips, missing buttons or stuck zippers. Before making a purchase, thoroughly inspect your item for any flaws.  Some flaws are fixable, other flaws aren’t. For example if the piece has a stain and it hasn’t come out after years of washing it, do you really think you possess the magic witchcraft to remove it? Don’t expect to be able to remove any stains yourself, and don’t buy items that need mending unless you’ll actually mend them.

• Go to every section: Vintage stores are not usually organized in the same manner as the typical shops and chains. So finding those hidden gems is often about hitting every rack in the store. Personally, I love the men’s section. With oversized blazers trending right now, you can find some amazing pieces. 

• Patience is key: Stay open-minded and remember: vintage shopping is a marathon not a sprint. 

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