Tips for Collecting Vintage Clothing

"Vintage" is defined as something from a previous era. Collecting vintage clothing is a common hobby for fans of past eras or fans of clothing in general. Since thrift store racks are filled with old clothing, you may think that gathering a collection is a piece of cake. However, there are a few things to consider before you go shopping.

Value

If you are collecting items based on their value, it is important to truly educate yourself on what pieces are valuable and what pieces are not. Items from pre-World War eras will obviously fetch a pretty penny, but this is rarely the kind of clothing you will find in thrift stores. Learn which designers were high-end in their time and seek out these brands.

Stains

For anyone who knows anything about stain-removal, it's common knowledge that the longer the stain sets, the harder it is to remove. Keep this in mind as you are shopping. If you find a fabulous piece with a stain, you will most likely not be able to remove that stain -- especially if it has been sitting for decades.

Authenticity

Some vintage recreations are so well designed that they pass as truly old pieces. Avoid being duped by recreations by shopping at certified vintage retailers. Vintage aficionados generally run these stores, so you can feel more secure in your purchase. When at thrift stores, look for signs of aging like withered tags and old-fashioned sewing techniques.

Where to Shop

Although thrift shops may be the main source of vintage clothing, you can score great items for your collection from other sources. Estate and yard sales often unload large amounts of clothing that have been stored away for decades. Watch the local classifieds section for sale listings. Especially in the case of estate sales and auctions, you can walk away with large lots of vintage clothing for a small price.