Pre-Loved, re-imagined: Why you should shop vintage
There’s nothing more humbling than something falling apart while you’re wearing it. But if it's vintage, at least you know it served its purpose.
I haven’t purchased an article of clothing that was “new” in years, unless it was for an event that required very specific attire, which doesn’t happen often. Ever since I started college, antique and thrift stores have become my saviors. Not only are the items in these places often cheaper than mass-produced pieces, but they are also extremely unique and give us a glimpse into the styles of the past and the lives of those who wore them.
I don’t see the point in splurging on pieces that will go out of style within months or break due to bad quality. If you see something at the mall you really like, I can guarantee you, you could find three of the same item at your local Savers.
Many modern brands can be found at thrift stores — Goodwill, in my experience, has a dense amount of Altar’d State, Nike and the occasional band merch. However, I skip these on the rack and gravitate toward something your grandma would probably wear.
Vintage clothing is usually considered to be from the 1920s to the early 2000s. Oftentimes, these pieces reflect the drastic differences between modern and early eras of fashion, the latter being made of higher-quality textiles and accompanied by eccentric buttons. Red leather jackets are adorned with fur on the collar with a metal zipper, and blouses have a long row of buttons with a “mandarin collar,” flowy sleeves and even tassels. Earlier eras of fashion did not shy from decoration — today, it is almost shameful to stand out.
There is something so exciting about walking into a store that is constantly refilled with unpredictable wearables. Your favorite find could be dependent on just going to the right place at the right time. I like to think that when I find an item, it was meant to be.
Adding to my collection is pretty enjoyable, but I would say my favorite part of shopping vintage is the learning process. I’ve always had a fascination with fashion, and as a child, I wanted to design runway clothes. Now, as an artist, I emphasize drawing old, often-forgotten collections — a couple of my favorites being the Christian Dior Spring 1998 Couture collection or anything by John Galliano.
After researching certain silhouettes, patterns and traits of clothes, I began to identify them in person. Just by touching each item on a rack, I can now easily tell if it is worth my time. If the fabric is too light, sheer or coarse, I know it is probably worn or poor quality. Don’t even bother to pull it off the rack. Anything with wool on the outside is most likely run-down and well-loved. But when I touch fine silks, thick sleeves and light cashmere shirts, I know they’re coming home with me.
Tags sometimes make identifying the age of an item easier. Older clothes typically have more grandiose neck labels, such as brand names written in swoopy cursive letters. I’ve learned zippers can also expose age — the more eclectic, the more ancient. We don’t have this kind of fun nowadays.
After purchasing, I use the reverse Google image search to match my treasures to lookalikes on the web. This can tell me the time period and history of the piece, as well as the exact brand if unidentifiable.
And the thing is that there are usually so many of the same items out there, just proving that vintage clothes were made to last. Before the 2000s, clothing was made slowly, and that was seen positively since it meant the item was created with care. Shoes were made with high-quality leather, constructed soles and short, blocky heels; women were expected to wear something fashionable every single day, so they were going to make the most of it.
Today, clothing production is a little different, but it doesn’t hurt to honor those who made these items staples of their lives. So buy an old winter coat from the 40s. It’ll likely keep you warmer than the North Face. Purchase that blouse which was intended to be worn with a blazer, but instead, take it to the club. I guarantee you no other person will be dressed like you.
No article of clothing is indestructible. Depending upon how an item has been stored, washed or used, some may live longer than others. However, when shopping vintage, it's nice to know that the piece of clothing spent its final days with someone who honored its history.
