| Everyone's wearing vintage style from the girl on | | | | were used as man made and synthetic materials |
| the high street to A list celebrities. Even high | | | | were not available. Styles and trends of clothing |
| street shops are now following suit with their own | | | | did not change as frequently as it does today so |
| ranges of vintage inspired clothes. But why is | | | | clothes were made to last. |
| vintage clothing so popular and how can you get | | | | Buying vintage clothes can be a time consuming |
| the vintage look? | | | | business. Finding the right item takes time. There |
| Vintage clothing is described by Trudie Bamford, | | | | are many shops specializing in vintage clothes, |
| author of Viva Vintage (Carroll & Brown) as | | | | charity shops and flea markets are also good |
| clothing made between 1920 and 1970. Anything | | | | hunting grounds. The internet provides an |
| before 1920 is antique and anything after is retro. | | | | excellent resource for finding vintage clothes. |
| Although many people use vintage as a term to | | | | eBay is treasure trove for vintage clothes and |
| describe clothes that are not brand new. The | | | | you can often get a real bargain if you look hard |
| popularity of vintage clothing is currently huge with | | | | enough. There are also many online vintage shops |
| large numbers of people owning at least a few | | | | which make it easier to find the item you are |
| items of vintage clothing and some people only | | | | looking for but are likely to charge a bit more for |
| ever wearing vintage clothes. Celebrities have | | | | the privilege. |
| fueled the popularity of vintage by wearing | | | | A word of warning, there are some key pitfalls to |
| vintage designer clothes like Julia Roberts in her | | | | watch out for when buying vintage clothing. Do |
| Vintage Valentino gown, worn for the Oscars in | | | | not automatically trust the sellers description of |
| 2001. In the High Street Oasis and Next have also | | | | the item. Check for indicators of the age of the |
| created there own vintage inspired clothing with | | | | items such as metal zippers and buttons instead |
| similar styles and colors as clothing from various | | | | of plastic on pre-1950's clothes, any clothing with |
| different eras of fashion. | | | | a care instruction label will be post 1970's. When |
| The popularity of vintage clothing is probably due | | | | buying designer vintage you will need to do your |
| to three factors. The individuality of vintage | | | | research to ensure that the item you are |
| pieces is a real attraction to many people. The | | | | purchasing is genuine. It also important to consider |
| range of clothing on the high street almost always | | | | the quality of any vintage clothing that you would |
| follows the seasons trends. You are much less | | | | like to buy. When buying online you will not be able |
| likely to see someone wearing the same or a | | | | to assess the quality so should ask key questions |
| similar outfit if you wear vintage clothing. Many will | | | | to make sure you are happy with your buy. Due |
| use one key piece of vintage clothing or an | | | | to the very nature of vintage clothing, it will be in |
| accessory to give an outfit bought on the high | | | | varying conditions. Wear and tear can range from |
| street an individual twist. Vintage clothing has also | | | | the easily solved tear along a seam or small moth |
| proved popular as many love the beautiful , | | | | hole to less desirable underarm perspiration stains. |
| delicate and detailed ladylike styles that can be | | | | Finally sizing can present a problem when buying |
| found when buying vintage clothing. Many vintage | | | | vintage clothes. Sizes have changed quite a lot |
| clothes lovers have a keen interest in the history | | | | over the years and a size 12 item from the |
| of fashion and finding vintage clothing is an | | | | 1950's may be the equivalent of a side 6 or 8 |
| interesting hobby. | | | | now. It is also possible that clothing can have |
| Key looks such as 1940's Dior New Look | | | | shrunk in the wash making it even smaller than |
| frequently inspire designer and high street main | | | | expected. If unable to try the item on use a tape |
| stream collections and those who wear vintage | | | | measure to measure yourself and ask the seller |
| clothing have the benefit of wearing the 'real | | | | to do the same with the clothes. |
| thing'. Finally the beauty of vintage clothing is | | | | When you manage to find the beautiful vintage |
| often in the quality of the garment. The vintage | | | | item that you really love, look after it well. Check |
| clothing that has stood the test of time and has | | | | the type of material and find out how it should be |
| managed to remain in a reasonable and wearable | | | | cleaned. If in doubt take it to a professional dry |
| condition will usually be of a superior quality to | | | | cleaner. Store carefully using acid free tissue |
| many clothes mass produced in the present day. | | | | paper for very delicate items and moth balls/ |
| Clothing made before 1960 is probably handmade | | | | cedar wood for wool. |
| and quality natural materials such as silk and wool | | | | |