The word vintage clothing has been around for quite a long time among people who love fashion and beautiful clothes. As one of the people mentioned above, I use these words on a daily basis. But do I know what I’m talking about? What is vintage clothing and how to distinguish vintage from second-hand? What to look out for when looking for vintage clothes?
To make sure that only special and valuable clothes end up in your wardrobe, I’m sharing some of the things to look out for when searching for vintage clothes.
How old are vintage clothes?
Classically, vintage clothes are considered to be items made more than 20 years ago. Here it is important to pay attention to the fact that the clothes are made so long ago and do not imitate clothes made in earlier eras. A 1950s dress from last year is not vintage.
When setting the year, it is also important to take into account the fact that every year there is a new year number in the calendar, which means that what is not vintage today may become vintage tomorrow. Therefore, it cannot be defined that only clothes made in 2000 and earlier are vintage, as in 10 years’ time there will also be vintage clothes among the clothes made before 2010. True vintage gourmets buy valuable clothes regardless of their age, as they tend to appreciate in value over time.
What is the value of vintage clothing?
Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s vintage. Vintage is all about the quality of the object that gives it its value. Vintage clothes are well sewn, made from high quality fabrics and well preserved.
Good quality fabrics and well-tailored clothes fit and look good on the back, whatever your age, and that gives them a long-lasting value. The value is also that only clothes that are substantially undamaged can be considered vintage. A 50 year old silk dress full of holes and stains has no value and is not vintage.
What else to look out for when buying vintage clothes?
The rule of thumb in clothing design is that if it was ugly in its time, it’s ugly today. So design counts, and that’s why the work of top designers tends to be vintage.
It’s also important that the garment clearly represents a particular era, and attention should be paid to details such as 80s patchwork skirts or 70s flared trousers. So classic clothes, like a little black dress, while beautiful and always in fashion, are not vintage. A black velvet dress with patchwork skirts from the 80s, in immaculate condition, is vintage.
Vintage fabric can be the name of a high-end designer, the handiwork of an unknown tailor, or simply the factory production of a brand that was popular during a certain period. It is important that the fabric represents a particular era and was made at that time. The quality of the fabric, the tailoring and the condition of the garment add value. And be sure to remember that vintage clothing was beautiful in its time and is beautiful today.
