Tips for Building Your Vintage Clothing Collection

They just don't make them like they used to! Clothing from 20, 30, or even 50 years ago was so durable and unique. Luckily, much of it is still around, sitting on the racks at thrift shops and vintage clothing stores. If you love vintage clothing, then you may want to build your collection of original pieces, making them a staple of your wardrobe. Here are some tips to follow as you go about doing so.

Browse the shops regularly

Once you find the stores that carry vintage clothing in your area, plan on making weekly visits. This way, when new items come in, you will be one of the first to see them. As you shop, strike up conversations with the owners of the shops. Talk about the type of clothing that you like, and give them an idea of the type of items you're looking for. This way, if they happen to come across something they think you'll love, they might set it aside for you rather than selling it off to someone else.

Try it on

When you've been looking for a certain item for a while, there is definitely a temptation to grab it off the rack and take it home the second you see it, without even trying it on. But what if you get it home and it's three sizes too small? Always try on vintage clothing before you buy it. Sizes were a bit different years ago, and clothing may have shrunk—so you can't just rely on the size printed on the tag.

Buy some classic pieces, too

You want your collection to include plenty of unique, interesting items that are going to call attention to your outfits. But if you want to primarily wear vintage, you'll also want some more classic, traditional pieces to round things out. Solid-colored shirts, blazers, and pants look good with otherwise flashy apparel.

Don't be afraid to have items fixed

If you find a lovely vintage blazer but it is missing a few buttons, or you find a beautiful pair of pants missing some stitches in one seam, don't be afraid to make the purchase. There are many talented tailors out there who can fix minor issues like these, and you can probably get the damaged items for a great price.

Building your collection of vintage clothing is remarkably enjoyable, and following the tips above will help.