In fashion what is old is new again, fashion goes around in cycles . Designers and stylists can draw inspiration from the various eras in fashion and put their spin on it to recreate and reinvent the desired look for today .
Vinatge Clothing can be found in a variety of looks. You can find classic items that have never gone out of style or they can be unique one of a kind pieces. If you choose to look different from everyone else you can wear one of a kind vintage clothing and you will stand out in the crowd because they are limited and not mass produced.
Most vintage clothing has been previously worn, but a small percentage of pieces have not. These are often old warehouse stock, and more valuable than those that have been worn, especially if they have their original tags. Referred to as deadstock or new old stock (NOS), they nevertheless sometimes have flaws. Vintage clothing may be either commercially produced or handmade by individuals.
Which eras are best for different body types?
“The 1940s are great for girls that are curvy , because the tailoring from that period is more defined at the waist and the clothes are cut more generously. Clothes from the 1930s are good for slim, tall, slender women because the clothes from that era are cut on the bias which means the grain of the fabric is diagonal and therefore, the fabric clings to the body. If you are petite on top you will look great in everything because a lot of vintage clothing is cut small. The 1950s is great for women who are busty because The bra cups are bigger, and the silhouette was hourglass;
QUALITY
Vintage clothing are made of good quality . The techniques and materials used in producing vintage are more superior in production than clothing that are made of today. There was a lot more emphasis and details in production on clothing being well made because clothes had to last longer since people did not buy new clothing as often as we do today. There is a lot more done by hand in the manufacturing of vintage clothing, where as the same procedures like adding buttons and detailing are done by machines today.
Pay attention to the construction of the garments as signs of the clothing’s quality: Hand sewing, handset zippers, boned bodices , flat lining, covered buttons, bound buttonholes, piped seams, bias-bound edges, bound seam allowances, silk linings are all things to look for as signs of quality construction in any era.
How to Size for Vintage Clothing
it’s always a good idea when buying vintage clothing to purchase your clothing a little bigger in size . If a piece of vintage clothing is particularly old, it mat not be able to be stretched. Vintage clothing sizes will vary from decade to decade and from manufacturer to manufacturer, so not depend on modern day sizing.
When buying online, look at the measurements that are listed by the seller. Compare the garment’s measurements with something that you have that’s of similar fit and cut. Vintage clothing measurements rarely are similar with modern sizing of today since clothing has always been cut according to standards that are dictated by the garment industry. When buying online the seller may post the measurements and, you should measure
yourself! Bust, Waist, length (torso, legs, etc…), shoulder
width, hips are all things you need to take into consideration. Measure, measure measure!! Vintage cuts are are different sizing, a ten of today is not the same thing as a size ten of 25 years ago.
Should you get your vintage clothing tailored ?”
Altering vintage items is fine . If the item that you purchased need alterations its ok to take it to a tailor so that the garment can be adjusted to fit your body shape. The most important thing is to try to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the your vintage item.
The Value of Vintage Clothing
Vintage clothing can be used as an investment or as an fashion statement . The best way to determine the value of vintage clothing is to do some research .Shoppers should take the time to educate themselves .
Get to know the clothing characteristics and clothing styles of the various eras .You should be knowledgeable in knowing what to look for, and what to avoid, such as reproductions. Vintage clothing should have a labels however a lot of vintage clothing will not have labels. Condition and quality are very important when buying vintage clothing for investment or resale purposes. If there are too many flaws, the value of the item may be lost.
How to Maintain Vintage Clothing Value
Once buyers purchase a collector piece of vintage clothing, they will want to ensure its value does not diminish. Cleaning and proper storage are key to maintaining the value of vintage clothing. Not every piece of vintage can be dry cleaned. Take it to someone who have experience in cleaning vintage who’s not going to damage it with chemicals.A lot of vintage items are cotton , not polyester blend and can be very fragile.
Store and clean your clothing correctly.
Older vintage pieces should be hung on padded hangers. Store older and heavy items in flat in acid free tissue paper and boxes, (because the weight of the beading can compromise the silk.) or line your regular boxes and drawers with washed cotton. Unscented padded hangers should be used for hanging your items. Avoid light, animal hair, and smoke. If you wear an item, air or clean it before storing.
Follow any instructions listed on the care tag.
Fabrics such as cottons, acrylics, and polyesters should be hand-washed with mild cleansers.
To avoid shrinkage and fading, air or drip-dry vintage clothing instead of using a dryer.
Wools, silks, delicate or embroidered pieces, suits, and gowns should only be cleaned by trusted professionals.
Always remove garments from the plastic dry cleaning bags before storing.
Never hang knits or delicate fabrics and never use metal hangers for any type of vintage clothing.
Hang clothing on padded hangers only.
Store Vintage Clothing Properly
Keep clothes away from light, smoke, and animal hair.
If the items are heavy and older, keep them in acid-free paper and boxes.
Wools and furs should always be cleaned before storing.
Besides cleaning, many cleaners offer free summer storage in ideal conditions for furs.
For home storage of wool items, place them in a cool, dry place with mothballs and cedar.
Description of Vintage Clothing
Mint
An item labeled as mint is as perfect and pristine as when it was originally made and shows no sign of wear (mint condition is rare for vintage clothing).
Near Mint
Near mint describes an item that shows only the slightest signs of wear.
Excellent
Excellent vintage pieces display typical signs of wear due to occasional use.
Very Good
An item marked very good is considered wearable, but has some surface flaws (staining or soiling, for example).
Good
A “good” item is wearable, but cannot be returned to excellent condition even if repairs are made.
