A vintage fashion overview
Hello SK Style Watchers! While it’s true that vintage fashion can really set your style apart, if you’re just starting out, it’s easy to be confused about vintage, how to buy it and what to buy. So today, I am super excited to give you three simple tips on what to look for when buying vintage. And since vintage fashion has loads of style and flair, it’s definitely my pick as favorite trend of the week!
Jill give you 3 tips on how to shop vintage.
So what is vintage fashion, anyway? This is a subject of much debate, but a basic answer is these are second hand items from a previous era. Much of the vintage, or retro, items that are easily found today date from the 1950s through the 1980s. To begin, don’t worry so much about the era -- you can learn about that later. Instead, just begin to develop your eye for what you love and what speaks to your style!
Start small
If you’re a little reluctant to dip your toe into the vintage waters, start by buying accessories such as jewelry, belts, scarves and bags. These are the pieces that are most easy to maneuver with modern style, and they’ll easily blend in with what you already have.
Check condition
This is a must when shopping vintage! Check for stains, holes and other problems. Most of the time, the item won’t be perfect -- that’s the charm of vintage -- but decide what you can live with. A major stain or hole that can’t be repaired is a deal breaker for me. Here’s another tip: Check to make sure the fabric is secure by taking a small square of the item and pulling it several times, firmly. If the fabric is rotting, it will tear or disintegrate. And if you find pieces with that vintage-y moth ball smell, you can hang these clothes out in the sun for several days or steam them thoroughly to eliminate that offensive odor.
Mix it up
Unless you’re buying your next Halloween costume, don’t buy an entire era and wear it head to toe. Instead, pick vintage separates, such as blouses and skirts, that you can mix in with your modern pieces to keep your look current and chic! And one final note here: Be wary of buying vintage shoes, since these can easily look too raggedy or date your look -- and not in a good way.
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Up next
Up nextSo there you have it, SK Style Watchers! Three great tips on buying vintage. And next week, when we continue this talk, I’ll give you my pick for three vintage items that every woman needs to have in her closet! Thanks for watching. For SheKnows Style, I’m Jill Laine.
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