|
|
CHIC WEEKLY ARTICLES
a new article every
Monday about Sewing & Fashion
|
|
DRESS MAKING &
DESIGN:
Vintage
Inspirations:
Tips for
Shopping Vintage
By Jessica Lynn
Harris
If you are like me, you are very happy about the recent return
to vintage. Vintage clothing has become popular again for
several reasons. One is because people are more earth-conscious.
Vintage clothing doesn’t use up the earth’s natural resources,
and you don’t have to worry about whether or not it’s being made
humanly. In addition, much of older clothing relied on natural
fibers as opposed to toxic, synthetic products that are more
common today. Another reason people are turning to vintage is
because the recession has made people conscious of the limits of
their pocketbook and begin to value thrift. Secondhand clothes,
excluding elite prized items, usually cost less.
Shopping for vintage clothing is advantageous for several other
reasons. Vintage clothes allow for a unique personal style in
ways that retail shopping does not: it ensures that the same
thing hasn’t been purchased by tons of other people this season.
The humiliation of attending a party and discovering another
girl is wearing your dress has been recounted in many Hollywood
films and even on Broadway (How to Succeed). Finally,
vintage gives the shopper a great variety of silhouettes to play
with. Much of retail fashion is dictated by the latest trends,
and what’s popular may not be best for your body.
However, not all vintage is created equal. Use the guide and the
tips below to know what to look for when shopping vintage.
-
-
Follow your
nose. Unfortunately, dated clothes
sometimes smell. Often this can be remedied using a solution of
water and vinegar (2:1 ration). Gently wet your garments and
spray over the offending area. Leave hang to dry. DO NOT WRING.
This will wrinkle, perhaps permanently, manly delicate fabrics.
Other times, the stench can’t be removed. If the garment has a
strong unpleasant odor, skip it, unless it is perfect in every
other way.
-
Consider
sizing. Vintage clothing uses a
different sizing system than most contemporary brands. Chances
are, unless you shop only at elite designer boutiques, you will
be a larger size in older clothing, especially if the garment
was made in the 1970s or earlier. Keep your measuring tape on
you when you shop to check garments, and write down your
measurements (bust, waist, hip) ahead of time. Then compare.
-
Beware
inflated pricing. Because buying
vintage has become trendy, the prices of many articles of
clothing in these venues has skyrocketed. What before was
considered simply secondhand is now seen as items to covet.
Chances are, the more trendy the boutique, the higher the costs
of the clothing. These places sometimes offer vintage designer
brands, and sometimes the prices are worth it. But don’t be
fooled. 1980s elastic waistband pants for $15? Skip it and find
it at a yard sale for $2.
-
Buy by
Decade. You may want to “buy by
decade” or consider which silhouettes were popular when. You may
find that certain fashion silhouettes may compliment your body
more than others. Below is a simple guide. Last week’s article
goes into more detail on this.
For
Lean/tall women: The
1920s & 1960s. Straight line dresses that drape loosely down the
body, short hemlines, turban hats, etc. Much of 1960s Mod
fashion is a revival of the 1920s flapper look.
To accent
curves: The
1930s and the 1950s. Circle skirts, sheath dresses, hourglass
silhouette, high-waisted tapered slacks, etc.
To accent
shoulders: The 1940s & 1980s. Pencil
skirts, wide trousers, oversized blazers, shoulder pads, etc.
-
Known where
to go. Check your local paper for yard
sales (usually Saturdays), estate sales, and flea markets
(usually Sundays). Make sure to arrive as early as possible.
Another option that many people don’t consider are
thrift/consignment shops connected to small churches that a
simple Google search could point you to. And of course don’t
forget the better known thrift shops like Good Will and The
Salvation Army.
-
Consider
dressing rooms. Depending on where you
go, there may be no dressing rooms available. Wear a bathing
suit or slip under your outfit and be sure that what you wear is
easy to slip out of (so that you’re not hopping around in the
middle of the store half dressed).
|
| Chic Weekly: on-line Fashion & Sewing Magazine |
| Founder & Publisher: Judi Harris |
| Editor in Chief: Jessica Lynn Harris |
| Art & Photo Editor: Andrew DiMaio |
| Advertising Sales:
lovetosew.com@comcast.net
(610) 563-8633 |
| Contributors: |
| |
|
copyright 2010 - 2011 Love To Sew Studio |
|
