How To Shop For Vintage Fashions



Everywhere I go people ask me where I find these fabulous vintage pieces I rock and how I find them. As a self-proclaimed "Queen of Vintage", I'm finally creating a mini guide on how to successfully shop for vintage clothing. These tips are easy and will come naturally the more and more you shop and gain knowledge of vintage fashion culture.


1. Have Knowledge of Vintage Clothing

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One of the reasons I'm about to find vintage pieces so easily is because of my vast knowledge of pieces from different eras. I acquired this knowledge from watching vintage films, movies and observing the various styles and details in pieces of clothing. Plus, with my natural love for vintage fashion, I've always done research to extend my understanding. 

If you're not hip to vintage fashion, do some research on different eras. Resources like Vintage Fashion Guild and other vintage fashion blogs provide timelines, information on brands and designers, and details on fashion from different decades. 


2. Be Aware of Your Taste

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My style is different from the next person's style, so everything I find. If you're into sportswear, look for pieces from the 1990's, and early 2000's. Looking for bold, bright, geometric prints? Enter into the 1980's. Having sense of your personal style will be very helpful in finding the great pieces for your wardrobe. If you're not too sure about the direction you want your personal style to go in, just pick whatever your heart desires!


3. Know Where to Shop


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Thrift stores are obvious when it comes to searching for great vintage finds, but there are plenty other places to grab great pieces too. 

  • Vintage stores/boutiques
  • Flea markers
  • Antique stores
  • Garage sales
  • Online (Etsy, Poshmark, Ebay, Depop, Storenvy)

4. Research Different Brands 

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Along my vintage shopping journeys, I come across some of the same brands and designers like Kasper for ASL, Evan Picone, and Lanz Originals. Depending on where you live and where you shop, you may start to become familiar with certain vintage designers. When I'm not familiar with a designer, I do a quick little Google or Etsy search on the designer to ensure said piece is indeed authentically vintage. 


5. Get Ideas From Fashion Bloggers


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The great thing about the world wide web is all the fashion inspiration you can get from people all over the world. You can find so much modern inspiration and twists on vintage fashion from fashion bloggers (like me!) by doing a basic Google search, on social media sites like Pinterest, Instagram, and Lookbook. 


6. Review & Inspect


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When I go vintage shopping, I grab whatever pieces I'm diggin' and throw 'em in the shopping cart. Before leaving, I find a nice, lowkey spot in the store (out of everyone's way) to review and inspect. I'm doing this for a couple of reasons:

  • To find possible flaws on clothing: Keep in mind these are used and old clothes so they may have stains, marks, holes, tears, missing buttons, and/or broken zippers on them. Based on the number of flaws, style and uniquness of the clothing, that determines whether or not I'll purchase it.
  • To measure & try on: Clothing ran a bit smaller back in the day in comparison to the pieces from today. I bring my measuring tape with me just to measure based on the bust, waist, and hips. Measuring the length of pants and jeans is key too. It's best to have your own measurements jotted down in the notes section of your phone or on a notepad so you can compare yours with the ones at the store.

7. Be Comfortable

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You'll be standing, trying on clothes, and walking around while shopping, so make sure you're comfortable. I like to wear a simple shirt and leggings with sneakers so I can easily try on pieces and move quickly.

Those are some of the main tips I live by while shopping for vintage pieces to slay in. Now that covid is in place, be sure to social distance and wear your mask. 

Share some of your vintage fashion shopping tips below!




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