I am keen bean when I see good vintage shop, its like entering a sweet shop but much more fantastic!
I understand some people hate Vintage shopping for many reasons, but I love trying something different and making sure I am the only person wearing that outfit. Which typically you can find that if you wear something from the high street, there is a chance someone will be wearing it to - not cool!
Recently there has been a show on called This Old Thing on channel 4- which proves to ordinary people that vintage isn't old or tatty and that it can be Fashionable and trendy.
I agree sometimes you are going to have to search and ferry through the selection of clothing that a vintage shop has. It can take longer to find a good purchase in some vintage shops, as the lay out is much more compact than your average high street store. It can be a bit rumble jumble to but I find online vintage shopping is a tad easier to understand if their is too much going on.
So here a my quick and easy tips to follow,
(Most stores I will be mentioning are located in the United Kingdom but prices may vary to post abroad and most have online shops so I will post a link if I can.)
Pros and Cons of Online
*You may have to pay more as it may include postage costs
*Sometimes it may not even be vintage but the seller can fool you.
*Its original price may be cheaper than what they are asking it for.
*Even some photos you can't see the exact quality its in.
*You may be led into a scam and not actually buying anything authentic and one off.
*Sizing usually is what it says whether it is online or not but you could find it won't fit you because you haven't tried it on first.
* Returning items to some shops you may find they wont want the item back.
How to help you not being fooled into buying a generic piece!
*Make sure to read their returns policy
* If your paying a lot for a vintage item it may be worth researching the era- label-designer-brand and fabric.
*Some fabrics like polyester and most synthetic fabrics were only invited after 1941 so iff you see a 1920 inspired dress and the seller has wrote done polly-mix its probably not actually vintage and just a more modern version.
* Ways to tell if the item is authentic is - does it have lining- detailing are buttons plastic or real sterling silver- label will reveal a lot about the item- fit and shape of the item as it will reflect if it is a reproduction.
* Quality is tricky especially if its a bit of a rummage to find it or if its been in a warehouse environment. Most sellers hopefully protect there vintage garments using moth balls and hung nicely ect and packaged in a neat manner, but sometimes it may not be the case. You can usually tell from the photo, some items may have been worn a lot so its best to check armpit and crotch areas- they show the most!
*Never go for something in mind always be open to new things and also making alterations so the garment fits you.
* You can always take it to a tailor/ seamstress to alter garments and its not that costly.
*Make sure to know your measurements rather than just size 12 as you could find that it will fit you as women and clothing were different back in the day :)
I could go on but most of all have fun, if you go in to a shop try on anything that takes your fancy as it may well suit you!!
If you want designer online!!
It seams silly to say this but you can find cheap- expensive vintage clothes, this is where you really want to become specific so you get what you want. But I have found just generic search engine is just to type "Womenswear Vintage Zandra Rhodes size 10" and usually websites like Ebay pop up where people are selling "one off" vintage pieces instead of searching or ferrying through a vintage shop.
This image is from http://www.thevintagestorelondon.co.uk
I thought to help you I would write 5 reviews on my favourite Vintage shops :)
Prices will be marked by *out of 5 (*****being the most expensive and * being cheap)
COW VINTAGE
Location: Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester and Sheffield- UK
Website: http://www.wearecow.com
Price: ***
Online: Cow's website is clear and well presented. Its got a good selection of Vintage clothing that reflect their store and brand. They have additional things like trend reports which I like to see as it Inspires me to wear things, layer them ect ect.
In store: I have been to both Nottingham and Birmingham stores and they have a clear lay out of products and a selective range of both menswear and womenswear.
I like the fact they have a rework range, it gives vintage a new lease of life and saves you the hassle of getting a tailor to do something similar.
Overall Rating: 4/5- I find sizing is a bit weird in Cow usually find that its a bit small.
Beyond Retro
Location: Brighton, London stores + 3, Stockholm +3, Goteborg and Malmo
Website: http://www.beyondretro.com/en/
Price: ****
Online: It is organised very well and you can easily find different eras or particular items. I don't find it as exciting as Cows website as most of the cloths are presented on mannequins. But overall its easy lay out and very good quality images of the garments.
In store: I have been in the London store off Brick Lane, I find it much more exciting than the website. Has very good presentation and visual displays in the windows tempted me to go in. It is more of a rumble but most of the garments are in really good condition and looked after.
Overall Rating: 3/5- Bit expensive for the items.
Rokit
Location: London +4
Website: http://www.rokit.co.uk
Price: ***
Online: I think Rokit makes vintage exciting, young and fresh it carefully selects its items for online. I knew it sells well though because it has a particular target market which influences on what they sell and style it. It has become more professional by having photo shoots and Look book esque feel. It tends to have more 80s-90s era clothing but you can find older bits but its more of a rummage and sift through.
In Store: Camden is where one of the store is located which is a great area for vintage finds in London. It can be a bit pricey in the shop because of its popularity. Most the sizing is ok but availability to wider people is limited.
Overall Rating: 4/5- I find its trying to hard to fit in with a younger market and is loosing the vintage feel and turning into a generic boutique. I find you might not be as unique as you thought when you buy something from there.
Camden Lock and Stables Markets
Location: Camden- London
**WARNING** It is a high tourist area so be prepared for tight squeezes in shops or on market stalls!!!
Website: http://www.camdenlockmarket.com
Price:**
In Store: It is a place you have to visit not really online selling.
I really advice you to go but be prepared for tourists!
I love it is one of my favourite places to visit for vintage clothing, some stores are not authentic but they have such good bargains I tend to ignore that!
I do barter and have to have a good scrummage to find a good item but there is so much it really is a day out treat to myself :P There is so much styles and fashions to- Cyberdog is cool just to experience weird techno culture.
Overall Rating 5/5- Some people may disagree but I love it there! If I lived in london I would be there all the time!!
Disadvantages some don't have changing rooms so not much trying on :( also most are cash in hand so not much chance of returning items.
Harper and Lewis
Location: Birmingham
Price: *
Website: All I can say is it really needs an update! But it used have much more on there i guess they may be using their asks marketplace account more? Who knows but it has a few selective things on their.
In store: Ohh okay where to I start, they used to be on New Street in Birmingham and they used to have an upstairs bit where you could will a bin bag for a fiver!! It was brilliant I was addicted and went quite abit and filled a bag, most things were in really good nick but you were abit clueless on what era ect. The shop itself had a good selection of clothing menswear and womenswear. Since then they have moved to the bull ring and it looks really good!!! No fill a bag for a £5 though :( boo!!
Overall rating: 3/5 just wish they would have more in store as there is no fill a bag anymore.
Anyway Click the link! Here are some handy websites!
http://www.bejewelledvintage.co.uk
Online shops!!
LONDON
http://www.mintvintage.co.uk
YORK and LEEDS
BIRMINGHAM
NOTTINGHAM
http://vintage-reclaimed.webs.com
So I hope that helps, Happy Vintage shopping!!!
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