When shopping, you’d never stop to consider whether a piece has tears, holes, stains or snags. But when buying vintage, think again: That one-of-a-kind DVF dress may actually be too good to be true.
I’ve come home from thrifting delighted with my latest finds only to realize that I’ve purchased something that’s only salvageable with some serious investment in a tailor, or with that sewing kit collecting dust under my bed. If you’re anything like me, you’d rather have a ready-to-wear vintage piece, not a ready-to-sew one, instead.
When thrifting, I give each piece a one-minute rundown before I choose to buy. You’d be surprised what you can miss even when trying something on. You’re so excited by the possibility of a great buy that you fail to see the tiny hole in the arm pit ready to burst with one false move, or forget to check vintage fur and come home with a coat that sheds more than your cat. I’ve been there, and it’s not pretty!
No matter where you’re from, there’s a treasure chest of vintage nearby that’s just waiting to be thrifted and added to your closet. The catch: Like picking up a new sport, you need a few pointers before hitting the vintage-hunting playing field.
Read on for my tips on securing the most top quality vintage pieces at your local thrift store and avoiding the pieces that aren’t. With these tips in mind, and some solid practice, you’ll be scoring a vintage-hunting home-run in no time. [Click to continue reading…]
