Why Vintage?
Why would anyone want to wear vintage clothing? First of all, it’s fun! When you wear vintage, you stand out from the crowd. The chances of someone else wearing the exact same outfit for that special event are slim or nil. More and more high school girls are buying vintage for proms and proms because it guarantees them originality. Yasmine, a vintage clothing collector from Los Angeles, says, “I dress vintage so I can add something authentically retro to my clothes and not look the same as everyone else, which is hard in style-conscious Los Angeles.”
Vintage clothing is also nostalgic. Remember the old days when there were party lines and soda shops? Neither do I, but wearing vintage gives a girl a chance to experience a small part of history. In today’s ambiguous world, it feels good to don a crinoline and a full feminine skirt every now and then. Let’s face it: grown girls like to play dress-up too!
For savers, the prices of old items should be a sufficient incentive. Thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales are great sources of old clothes at unbelievable prices. Broke? Volunteer to help clean Grandma’s attic! I have received several old pieces since I started collecting two years ago.
Online shopping
The internet has made it easy for vintage clothing enthusiasts to compare and purchase items that may not be available in their area. Type “vintage clothing” into any search engine and you will get hundreds of results. However, there are a few things to know before buying vintage clothing online.
Carol, owner of Dandelion Vintage, a fun and inexpensive online vintage clothing store based in New Jersey, recommends that first-time shoppers be aware of what it means to buy and wear vintage clothing. “It’s not like something new and fresh from Macy’s, it will feel different and smell different (no ‘new’ clothes smell) and items need to be treated with a little more care,” he said, adding that customers should Always ask questions about garments up front, especially if you are unsure of the size or condition. When shopping for vintage products online, he says, be sure to read the site’s terms of sale, ordering procedure, and return policy before ordering.
There are many different styles and eras to choose from. Items are available from the late 1800s through the 1980s. Whatever your style, you are sure to find something to suit you. Carol suggests that customers buy what they like and avoid following trends, which is excellent advice when it comes to collecting of any kind.
Making it work
Vintage clothing can be paired with modern clothing or mixed and matched with other vintage pieces. Back in Los Angeles, Yasmine says: “I find that wearing a vintage style from head to toe is not practical in everyday life, but by adding a few pieces I can create a style that is uniquely mine. I often buy shoes from high-end designer and pair them with a $ 1.00 vintage dress and cardigan from Gap. The look mixes up and it’s definitely mine. “
There you have it: vintage clothing is fun, affordable, and allows the wearer to create and maintain an original look. So, what are you waiting for? Go shopping!
Excellent vintage pieces can be found at affordable prices at http://www.dandelion-vintage.com