Tips for Shopping for Vintage Designer Clothing

Vintage clothing is a general term used to refer to garments originating from previous era. Clothes designed before the 1920s are referred to as antiques, while clothes designed from between the 1920s and 1990s are considered vintage. Retro or "vintage style" refer to clothes that imitate styles of previous era and clothes designed more recently are called contemporary or modern fashion.

Many of the vintage designer clothing have been worn previously, but a small percentage referred to as old warehouse stock, have not been worn before. The garments can be handmade by people or commercially produced. The tips for shopping for vintage clothes include:

· Vintage clothing stores

Such clothing can be purchased from charity-run second-hand clothing stores, garage sales, consignment shops, car boot sales, antique markets, flea markets, auctions, estate sales, special antique stores and vintage textile, fashion or collectables fairs. Vintage clothes are sometimes received from older relatives and friends.

Furthermore, the internet has seen the growth of the vintage clothes industry, increasing the availability of hard-to-get and specific items. It has opened-up markets for designers around the world who sell through online auctions, online stores, multi-vendor sites and specialist forums.

· Vintage clothing & body types

The best way of finding vintage clothing is through thrift stores and charity stores in wealthy towns and neighborhoods. It is interesting, that different eras are suited for different types of body. The 1940s designs make a great option for curvy girls because the clothing was more defined around the waist. Furthermore, the garments are generously cut.

The 1930s designs look great on tall, slim women because they are cut around the bias, while the 1950s offer a great option for women with a big bust. Nevertheless, if you find a garment you like, do not fear altering something on your garment.

Such clothing is often not available in multiple sizes, so do not hesitate doing some work on it. Spending a little more on a tailor or dry cleaner can help make the garment right. But, you need to be careful to maintain the garments integrity.

· Approximate pricing

The prices for vintage designer clothing are often lower than the prices of new garments of similar quality. For the right clothing, you can expect to spend anywhere between $10 and $150. If you are buying vintage from the stores, it is important to carefully consider your measurements because cuts are different.

You need to bear in mind, a size 8 today is different from a size 8 twenty years ago. Therefore, it is important to have your expectations in the right perspective.

By Saich M Kate